Saint Martin's Island: The Coral Jewel of the Bay
Known in folklore as Narikel Jinjira, Bangladesh's solitary coral island features turquoise sea flats, swaying coconut canopies, nesting Olive Ridley sea turtles, and the uninhabited southern coral spit of Chera Dwip.
Coral Island
Sole Atoll in Bangladesh
Nov – Mar
Calm Winter Ferry Season
Chera Dwip
Southernmost Coral Spit
Marine Sanctuary
Sea Turtle Hatchery
01. The Solitary Coral Outpost
Floating like an elongated dumbbell in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, Saint Martin’s Island is the only coral-bearing sedimentary island in Bangladesh. Situated approximately 9 kilometers south of the southern tip of the Teknaf peninsula and 8 kilometers west of the northwestern coast of Myanmar (Burma), this 8-square-kilometer tropical atoll represents the absolute southernmost piece of sovereign territory under the red and green flag of Bangladesh.
Locally and historically, the island is known as Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island), a name bestowed by early 18th-century Arab maritime traders who shipwrecked on its coral reefs and subsequently planted hundreds of coconut palms (*Cocos nucifera*) across its sandy dunes. During the British colonial era, the island was renamed in honor of the then Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong, Mr. Martin.
Unlike the muddy, silt-laden waters that characterize much of the northern Bengal coastline, the sea surrounding Saint Martin's is dazzlingly clear and crystalline turquoise. The island's underlying geological bedrock consists of marine sandstone and Pleistocene coquina limestone, which provides a solid substrate for extensive colonies of living hermatypic (reef-building) stony corals, soft corals, sea anemones, and vibrant schools of reef fish that thrive in its warm intertidal lagoons.
Geographic Anatomy: North to South
The island measures approximately 7.3 kilometers in length and ranges from just 100 meters wide at its narrow waist to 1 kilometer wide at its ends. It is divided into three distinct zones: Uttarpara (the northern head, home to the main jetty, fishing village, and hotels), Golachipa (the slender sandy neck), and Dakshinpara (the quieter southern peninsula of dense palm groves and rocky tide pools), which terminates at the separated coral islet of Chera Dwip.
02. Chera Dwip: The Southernmost Reef Outcrop
Located roughly 5 kilometers south of Uttarpara jetty lies Chera Dwip (also known as Cheradia), meaning "Torn Island." During high tide, it detaches completely from the main island, becoming an isolated coral outcrop in the open Bay of Bengal. As the tide recedes, a narrow causeway of fossilized coral shingle, sea glass, and broken seashell sand appears, allowing intrepid travelers to walk across.
Chera Dwip is completely devoid of permanent human habitation, electricity, or paved paths. It is an exposed, wild marine wonderland where ancient coral heads (*Porites* and *Favia* brain corals) have been uplifted by tectonic forces into surreal, blackened boulders that jut out into the churning sea foam.
Intertidal Rock Pools
Walking carefully with sturdy-soled shoes across the exposed reef flats reveals hundreds of micro-aquariums trapped in volcanic and coral crevices. Look for vibrant neon-blue damselfish, electric mantis shrimp, banded sea kraits, purple sea urchins, and hermit crabs scuttling across beds of green sea lettuce (*Ulva*).
How to Reach Chera Dwip
The most popular way to visit is by boarding a traditional motorized wooden trawler or speed boat from Saint Martin's main beach in the morning (cost: 250 to 400 BDT round-trip). Adventurous travelers rent single-speed beach bicycles or walk the 2-hour coastal trail along the southern sandbars at morning low tide.
Environmental Care & Rules
Walking on live corals, using motorized vehicles on the reef flat, and collecting corals or seashells are strictly forbidden by Bangladesh environmental law. Take only photographs, leave zero plastic waste, and tread exclusively on exposed sand paths.
03. Marine Turtles & Conservation Ecology
Beyond its tourism appeal, Saint Martin's Island is a critical South Asian nesting sanctuary for oceanic reptiles. Every winter between November and February, hundreds of female Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) and endangered Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) drag their heavy shells out of the crashing Bay of Bengal surf under cover of dark moonless nights.
Crawling up above the high-tide line along the secluded dunes of West Beach (Shiyal Diya) and South Beach, each mother turtle uses her hind flippers to dig a flask-shaped egg chamber 45 to 60 centimeters deep into the cool sand, depositing between 80 to 120 soft, leathery white eggs before carefully concealing the pit with sand and returning to the sea.
Community Turtle Hatcheries
To protect vulnerable clutches from stray dogs and coastal erosion, local conservation organizations and the Bangladesh Department of Environment operate community-run turtle hatcheries. Dedicated turtle watchers patrol the beaches at night, gently relocating threatened eggs to fenced sandy enclosures. After a 50-to-60-day incubation period, thousands of hatchlings emerge and are released by researchers and travelers directly into the moonlit surf to begin their epic oceanic journey.
04. Island Circumnavigation & Beach Dynamics
Because the island is entirely flat and free of motorized passenger automobiles, the best way to experience Saint Martin's is on foot or by renting a single-speed beach cruiser bicycle:
East Beach (Surjo Dighir Ghat)
Located on the eastern leeward coast facing Myanmar, East Beach is sheltered from heavy ocean swell. It is the premier sunrise location on the island. At dawn, colorful fleets of local wooden fishing boats (*Sampans*) return through the calm turquoise shallows laden with fresh silver pomfret, king mackerel, and squid.
West Beach (Sunsets & Coral Flats)
Facing the open expanse of the Bay of Bengal, West Beach offers endless wide stretches of golden-white sand bordered by dense groves of screw-pine (*Keya*) and coconut trees. It is the island's premier sunset haven, where the evening sun melts into the open horizon in blazing streaks of scarlet and gold.
The Full Island Cycling Circuit
Renting a bicycle near the jetty (100 to 150 BDT per hour or 500 BDT for the full day) allows travelers to complete an unforgettable 14-kilometer circumnavigation loop. Pedal along packed low-tide wet sand, through shaded village paths lined with hibiscus and bougainvillea, and pause for fresh green coconuts along the way.
05. Gastronomy: Ocean Bounty & Coconut Water
Dining on Saint Martin’s Island is an unadulterated seafood feast. Because the island has no industrial agriculture, virtually all protein is caught daily by local fishing families:
Nighttime Beach Barbecues
As darkness falls over Uttarpara beach, open-air charcoal grills ignite along the sandy promenade. Pick your fresh fish directly from crushed ice displays: silver pomfret (*Rupchanda*), sea bass (*Koral*), red snapper, cuttlefish, and giant tiger prawns. Fish is scored, rubbed with mustard paste, garlic, chili, and lemon, and charred to smoky perfection over glowing coconut husks.
Narikel: The Sweet Liquid Gold
True to its ancient name, the island produces millions of sweet green coconuts (*Dab*). Unlike mainland coconuts, the water of Saint Martin's coconuts has an intensely sweet, slightly mineral-rich flavor from the limestone soil. Vendors deftly cleave them with machetes, providing the ultimate natural hydration under the tropical sun.
Dry Fish Curries & Seaweed Salad
Local island restaurants serve authentic coastal curries made with sun-dried ribbon fish (*Chhuri Shutki*) and loitta fish, cooked with fiery red chilies, garlic cloves, and raw mustard oil, paired with steaming plates of coarse island rice.
06. Practical Travel Logistics & Ferry Intelligence
The Winter Ferry Window (November to March)
Tourist access to Saint Martin’s Island is strictly seasonal. Due to hazardous monsoon squalls and towering waves in the Bay of Bengal, maritime authorities permit passenger ships to operate exclusively during the dry winter months (typically November 1 through March 31). During the rest of the year, tourist access is officially shut down.
Departure Points: Most travelers board high-speed catamarans and sea-going cruisers (such as Keari Sindbad, Keari Cruise & Dine, Bay Cruiser, and MV Dweep Parjatan) at Teknaf Damdamia Ghat (approx. 2 hours south of Cox’s Bazar). Ships depart Teknaf at 09:00 AM, sail down the scenic Naf River separating Bangladesh and Myanmar, cross the open sea, and dock at Saint Martin's jetty by 11:30 AM. Return ferries depart the island daily at 03:00 PM.
Direct Vessels: Select luxury cruise liners also operate direct sailings from Cox's Bazar (Karnafuli Cruiser) and Chittagong during peak December-January holidays.
Power, Electricity & Connectivity
Saint Martin's Island is not connected to the national electrical grid. Electricity is supplied by solar panels and hotel generators, which typically operate from 06:00 PM to 11:00 PM and for a few hours in the afternoon. Mobile connectivity (Grameenphone and Banglalink 4G) functions well across the northern and western beaches.
Recommended Accommodations
Stay overnight to experience the tranquil island after day-trippers depart on the 3:00 PM ferry. Top eco-resorts include Coral View Resort (perched on East Beach near the navy camp), Blue Marine Resort (at the jetty), Music Eco Resort (secluded on South Beach near Chera Dwip), and Shemana Shaby.
Forward Circuit Connections
Combine your island escape with the world's longest unbroken natural sandy beach at Cox's Bazar (2 hours north of Teknaf) or continue into the cloud mountains of Bandarban.
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07. Frequently Asked Questions
When does the tourist ferry service operate to Saint Martin's Island?
Due to rough seas and monsoon weather in the Bay of Bengal, tourist ship operations operate strictly during the calm winter season from November through March. Ferries depart daily around 09:00 AM from Teknaf Damdamia Ghat, returning from the island around 03:00 PM.
What is Chera Dwip and how do you reach it?
Chera Dwip (Cheradia) is an uninhabited coral islet forming the southernmost tip of sovereign Bangladesh. Located roughly 5 km south of the main island village, it is connected at low tide by a narrow pebble and coral shingle spit. Visitors reach Chera Dwip by motorized wooden dinghy, bicycle at low tide, or on foot along the sandy intertidal reef flat.
Is Saint Martin's Island a protected environmental area?
Yes. Saint Martin's Island is an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) and Marine Protected Area (MPA) designated by the Bangladesh government. Strict regulations prohibit damaging or collecting live corals, operating motorized vehicles on beaches, using loud sound systems, and littering plastic. Nighttime lighting on western nesting beaches is curbed to safeguard breeding sea turtles.
Can sea turtles be observed nesting on the island?
Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) arrive to lay eggs on the secluded sandy shores of West Beach between November and February. Community-based turtle conservation hatcheries protect the nests and release hatchlings into the sea.
Is it possible to swim safely in the ocean at Saint Martin's?
Yes, swimming is pleasant on the sandy stretches of West Beach and near Uttarpara during low to mid-tide. However, swimmers must exercise caution: avoid swimming near jagged submerged coral heads or rocky surge channels, beware of sharp oyster shells on rocks, never swim alone during strong outgoing ebb tides, and observe warning flags posted by local lifeguards.