Visiting the St. Martin’s Island, the coral-rich destination in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, will come under a nine-month ban starting from Saturday (February 1).
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, tourists will be allowed to visit the island only until next Friday.
Local residents and tourism industry stakeholders note that tourists typically visit St. Martin’s Island from October to March every year .
However, this year, the government has shortened the travel period, allowing visitors only until January 31. Many argue that the season should be extended at least until February 28 to support the local economy.
Currently, twelve ships transport tourists to the island via four routes: Teknaf-St. Martin, Inani-St. Martin, Cox’s Bazar-St. Martin, and Chattogram-St. Martin.
However, only the Cox’s Bazar-St. Martin route remains operational, as ship services from Teknaf have been suspended due to ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Ships now depart from the BIWTA jetty in Nuniyarchhara, Cox’s Bazar, taking about six hours to reach the island.
Tourism industry operators express concern over the government’s new restrictions, which they say will result in significant financial losses. In November, the government banned overnight stays on the island. In December and January, only 2,000 tourists were permitted to visit and stay overnight. Now, starting February, all tourist travel will be prohibited. Previously, tourists were allowed until March 31.
