Bangladesh Ushers in Thriving Tourist Season to Saint Martin Island with Strict Regulations and Eco-Friendly Measures Ensuring Sustainable Growth and Protection of Its Unique Coral Ecosystem

Published on December 1, 2025

Bangladesh has officially kicked off its much-awaited tourist season to Saint Martin Island, aiming to balance the influx of visitors with the island’s preservation needs. With a combination of strict visitor limits and eco-friendly regulations, such as prohibiting the sale of tickets without mandatory online registration and distributing aluminum water bottles to reduce plastic use, the country is determined to protect the island’s delicate coral ecosystem. These efforts ensure that the island remains a sustainable and beautiful destination, providing an unforgettable experience while preserving its pristine environment for future generations.

The tourist season for Saint Martin Island officially began today, welcoming 1,174 visitors aboard three passenger vessels traveling from Cox’s Bazar to the island, the only coral island in Bangladesh. This marked the beginning of what is expected to be a vibrant season, with the first holidaymakers setting sail in the early morning hours. The island, renowned for its unique coral ecosystem and serene beauty, is expected to draw many more tourists as the season progresses.

However, the inaugural day saw a setback when the vessel Keari Sindabad was fined Taka 50,000 for selling tickets without adhering to the mandatory online registration system. This incident highlighted the importance of compliance with the newly enforced regulations aimed at streamlining tourist activities and ensuring a sustainable flow of visitors. Despite this issue, authorities are keen on enforcing strict guidelines to safeguard the island’s ecological integrity and improve the overall tourist experience.

The authorities have established clear rules for the duration of the tourist season. Tourists are allowed to stay overnight on Saint Martin Island up until January 31, with a daily cap of 2,000 visitors. These regulations are part of a broader strategy to manage the environmental impact of tourism and prevent overcrowding on the island. As the season unfolds, measures will be in place to ensure that the tourism infrastructure can handle the influx without overwhelming the island’s delicate ecosystem.

On the first day of the season, the 1,174 tourists embarked on their journey across the Bay of Bengal with excitement. Boarding began at 6:00 am, with the vessels departing from the port of Cox’s Bazar at 7:00 am. The tourists were greeted by a host of officials from the district administration, the Department of Environment, Tourist Police, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), and other government agencies. These officials were stationed at the jetty to ensure that all safety measures were followed and that the trip adhered to the government’s 12-point tourism directive designed to protect the environment and manage visitor activities.

One of the key elements of these regulations includes efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics. To this end, the Department of Environment distributed free aluminum water bottles to all tourists before they boarded the vessels. This initiative aligns with the island’s ecological goals, which have long sought to minimize environmental pollution and preserve Saint Martin’s natural beauty.

The vessels used for the trip are equipped with necessary facilities to ensure a comfortable journey for visitors. The boats will depart from Cox’s Bazar at 7:00 am and return the following day at 3:00 pm, with services running through January 31. This regular schedule is intended to provide tourists with a hassle-free travel experience while also adhering to the capacity limits set by the authorities.

Saint Martin Island has long been a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. Designated as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in 1999, the island has been under heightened protection due to its unique biodiversity. In addition, on January 4, 2023, the Ministry of Environment further bolstered conservation efforts by declaring 1,743 square kilometers of the surrounding Bay of Bengal as a marine protected area. This designation aims to safeguard the marine life in the region, which includes vibrant coral reefs and diverse aquatic species.

The government’s efforts to regulate tourism and minimize its impact are an essential part of maintaining the island’s environmental health while still allowing people to experience its beauty. As Saint Martin Island’s popularity grows, the challenge will be balancing the needs of the local economy, driven by tourism, with the imperative to preserve its natural resources. Authorities are continuously working on improving sustainable tourism practices to protect both the island’s coral reefs and its marine life.

In addition to these regulations, local stakeholders, including members of the Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association of Bangladesh, are also playing a significant role in ensuring that operations run smoothly. Hossain Islam Bahadur, the General Secretary of the association, emphasized the importance of compliance with the tourism guidelines. He mentioned that the 1,174 tourists who traveled today were part of a much larger group expected to visit the island in the coming months. According to him, the smooth operation of the vessels and adherence to the rules will be key to the success of the tourist season.

With its clear, well-enforced regulations and focus on sustainability, Saint Martin Island aims to continue being a model for eco-friendly tourism in Bangladesh. As the season progresses, more tourists are expected to visit, offering a much-needed boost to the local economy while maintaining the island’s precious ecological balance.

Bangladesh has launched its highly anticipated tourist season to Saint Martin Island, implementing strict visitor limits and eco-friendly measures to protect its fragile coral ecosystem. These efforts aim to balance sustainable tourism with the preservation of the island’s natural beauty.

For now, the island remains an enchanting escape, welcoming tourists with its clear waters, sandy beaches, and untouched natural beauty, offering a glimpse of the diverse marine life that has earned it a place as one of Bangladesh’s top eco-tourism destinations.