Saint Martin's shuts doors to tourists from today

FE Team | Published: January 31, 2026 23:34:10

COX'S BAZAR, Jan 31 (UNB): Saint Martin's Island, the country's only coral island located in the north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal, will remain closed to travellers for nine months from today (Sunday) as part of a conservation measure.
As a result, tourists staying on the island are returning to their respective destinations on Saturday and Sunday.
Although Saint Martin's was opened to tourists for three months from December to January, overnight stays were permitted for only two months. In addition, the daily number of tourists was capped at 2,000, and entry without prior registration was not allowed.
Due to these restrictions, the local tourism business has suffered significantly.
Delwar Hossain, a local tourism entrepreneur, said business owners incurred losses during the shortened season.
Earlier, the government announced a nine-month suspension of tourism activities on Saint Martin's Island in the interest of environmental protection.
According to a decision by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, tourism activities for the current season will officially end on Saturday. Consequently, no tourist vessels will operate to the island from Sunday.
Although tourists are usually allowed to visit Saint Martin's from October 1 to March 31 each year, the travel period was reduced this year up to January 31 due to environmental risks.
Cox's Bazar Additional District Magistrate Imran Hossain Sajib said the last tourist vessels would sail to Saint Martin's on Saturday. "No tourist ships will be allowed to operate from Sunday. However, if the government revises its decision later, necessary measures will be taken accordingly," he added.
Under government directives, lighting on the beach at night, playing loud music and organising barbecue parties were prohibited. Entry into the protected forest area, as well as the collection and sale of key fruits, were also completely banned.