St Martin's Island: A Pearl on the Ocean

Idyllic St Martin’s Island is the Bangladesh’s only coral island and its beaches do actually match the hype. It is about 9 km south of the angle of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula, and forming the southernmost part of Bangladesh. It is about 8 km west of the northwest coast of Myanmar, at the mouth of the Naf River. Local name of the island is "Narical Gingira", also spelled "Narikel Jinjira/Jinjera", that means 'Coconut Island' in Bengali. 

It’s possible to walk around the island in a day because it measures only 8 sq km (3 sq mi), shrinking to about 5 sq km (2 sq mi) during high tide.

St Martin’s Island is perfect for tourist who is truly interested in escaping the holds of a modern world. Do not expect to find taxis, tarred roads or electricity here. Lodges are dependent on generators, as the island is all about sun, sea and coconut trees. During the day, the island comes alive with water and beach sports, with beach parties and bonfires lighting up the evening skies.

The boat trip over here is as interesting as it is scenic. Look out for traditional fishing boats as you sail along the Myanmar coastline. And get your camera ready for some magical sunset shots on the return trip.

Attractions at St. Martin's Island:

• Sunrise & Sunset
• Sandy Beach
• Coral
• Moonlit Night
• Engine Boat or Speed Boat Tour around Island
• Walking Through Island
• Scuba Diving
  
  

Cheera-dwip is a part of St. Martins Island but divided during tides. You can go to Cheera-dwip by walking. About two and a half hours walk from St. Martins Island or you can go there also by local motorboat or tourist boat. In that Island you will find the Corals - living and dead all over the Island. A small bush is there which in the only green part of Cheera-dwip, enhancing the beauty of this island. People do not live in this Island, so advisable for the tourists to go there early and come back by afternoon.

Mobile Phone Network

There’s no landline in the island. But there is mobile phone network there. All the mobile operators have constructed their network in the island. So you can communicate with the world and even you can browse through internet from your mobile phone.

How to go saint Martin Island

·         You need to fly or take a direct bus down to Cox's Bazar, and then take a bus to Teknaf, which is the most southern thana of Bangladesh, beside the Myanmar border.

·         You can also take the rail to Chittagong and catch a bus to Teknaf via Cox’s bazaar. In this way of transport may cost a little less from the first two mode of transportation. But it may take an hour or two longer to reach Teknaf.

·         Sea trucks leaves Teknaf every morning at 9.00 am, and return from St. Martin island in the same day at 3.00 pm.

Accommodation in St. Martins Island is limited, so it is advisable to book accommodation before you plan to go to this Island. Motel Nijhum is one of the best hotels in St. Martins Island. To book in Motel Nijhum, confirm you reservation from Dhaka. You will hardly get a chance to stay in this hotel if you are a sudden visitor of St. Martins Island. The other good hotels are Prashad Paradise & Sraboni Bilash.

Booking of these hotels are also possible from Dhaka. All these three hotels are situated adjacent to Seashore. From these hotels lobby or veranda, you can enjoy the Sea. There are some other motels and hotels established in St. Martins Island.

Overnight staying in St. Martins Island is really an exotic feeling where you will feel and listen the sound of Sea. If you are lucky enough then you can spend the exotic moonlit night at St. Martins Island. The beauty of Full moon in St. Martins Island cannot be expressed, if you are not there at that time.