The pristine coral-rich Saint Martin's Island is preparing to welcome back visitors as tourism activities resume from November 1 through March 15. Following an inter-ministerial meeting and subsequent directives issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, strict operational guidelines have been put in place to balance tourism with ecological preservation.
Under the new framework, travel arrangements to the island are categorized by specific monthly phases. While visitors can travel to the island during November, February, and March, overnight stays are strictly restricted to the peak winter months of December and January. During November, tourists must complete day trips, returning to the mainland by the evening.
To curb overcrowding and environmental degradation, the government has capped the daily visitor limit at 3,500. Additionally, obtaining an official travel pass and paying a mandatory environmental conservation fee of one hundred taka per person have been made prerequisites for the journey. Tour vessels will continue to operate from the Nuniarchara Ghat in Cox's Bazar, managed under the supervision of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority.
Environmental experts and authorities have long raised concerns over the fragile ecosystem of the island, which faces severe threats from unregulated plastic waste, over-tourism, and commercial expansion. The Ministry's decision reflects a calculated effort to safeguard the island's unique marine life, coral reefs, and natural beauty. Compliance with these protocols will be closely monitored by local administration and relevant government agencies throughout the tourist season.
