Ships resume operation to Saint Martin’s with over 800 tourists

Tourist ship services between Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin’s Island resumed after a prolonged period of uncertainty, with the first vessel of the season setting sail on Thursday morning carrying more than 800 passengers.

The ship departed for the island on November 5, bringing relief to tourism-related businesses. However, some tourists complained about higher ticket prices and difficulties despite booking their tickets online.

The MV Bar Auliya left the BIWTA jetty at Nuniyachhara in Cox’s Bazar city at around 7:30am. Tourists began gathering at the terminal as early as 6am.

Several teams from the district administration, Department of Environment, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Coast Guard were deployed at the jetty to enforce government directives on environmental protection. Single-use plastic bottles, polythene bags and sound systems were taken from passengers before they boarded the vessel. The Coast Guard also conducted awareness campaigns through loudspeakers.

Khandaker Mahmud Pasha, deputy director of the Department of Environment’s Cox’s Bazar office, said a designated area had been arranged at the jetty to store confiscated plastic items. Some sound systems had been handed over to ship owners for safekeeping. He said entering the island’s keya forests, visiting Chera Dwip, organising parties and creating excessive noise were prohibited. Activities that could harm marine biodiversity were also banned.

Mahmudur Rahman Sayem, executive magistrate of the Tourism Cell, said around 800 tickets had been sold on the first day. Authorities were raising awareness among tourists about the restrictions on carrying plastic items and sound systems.

Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), said the first ship of the season had departed with more than 800 passengers. He said this marked the end of what he described as the interim government's "imposed" decision.

Tourist Popy Sabrin Jesi expressed excitement at visiting Saint Martin’s Island for the first time. She is also travelling to the island as a guide as part of a training programme. However, Hridoy, a tourist from Dhaka, complained of difficulties despite purchasing tickets online. He claimed the minimum ticket price had risen to Tk 4,200 from Tk 3,500 previously, an increase of Tk 700 per ticket.

According to SCOAB sources, three vessels have been permitted to operate on the route this season: MV Bar Auliya, MV Karnaphuli and MV Teknaf. Their combined passenger capacity is 2,298. The Bar Auliya can carry 850 passengers, the Karnaphuli 732 and the Teknaf 716.

Under a government decision, Saint Martin’s Island will remain open to tourists from November 1 until March 15 next year. A maximum of 3,500 tourists will be allowed to visit the island each day, while overnight accommodation will be available for 3,500 people. Each visitor must pay an environmental conservation fee of Tk 100. A travel pass and QR code-enabled ticket are also mandatory.

Lighting on the beach and surrounding areas at night, excessive noise and barbecue parties will be prohibited. Restrictions also apply to entering keya forests, collecting or selling keya fruits, and engaging in activities that could harm turtles, birds, corals, snails, shells, starfish, horseshoe crabs, seagrass and marine algae.