About El Marena
Our story
A small eco resort near Chera Dip
El Marena sits near Chera Dip beach at the southern end of Saint Martin's, Bangladesh's only coral island, away from the busy jetty side.
We keep things simple on purpose: duplex and single cottages, a few tents, an open-air restaurant and plenty of time by the sea. Days begin with the sunrise and end with fish on the grill and a bonfire under the stars, with football on the open ground and a playground for the kids in between.
And whenever you need something, our team is here 24 hours a day.
At a glance
El Marena in brief
- Where
- Near Chera Dip beach, at the southern end of Saint Martin's Island, Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
- Stays
- Duplex cottages for up to 4 guests (৳4,000–৳6,000), single cottages for up to 2 (৳2,000–৳3,000) and tents for 2 near the beach (৳1,000–৳1,500)
- Free with every cottage
- A drink, mineral water and 24-hour room service
- Duplex cottages also have
- Complimentary breakfast, an attached bathroom, a balcony, a personal hammock and a lookout tower
- For every guest
- Open-air restaurant, barbecue spot, football ground and children's playground
- Food
- Complimentary breakfast with duplex cottages. Other meals at our restaurant, seafood barbecues and candlelight dinners on the beach are paid separately
- Booking
- On WhatsApp or by phone: +880 1988-862306
- Season
- Whenever the government opens the island to tourists; in 2025–26 that was November to January
- Getting here
- Ship from Nuniarchhara jetty in Cox's Bazar (about 5 to 6 hours), then a van, rickshaw or bike south from the island jetty
Eco
Light on the island
Saint Martin's is small, fragile and the only coral island we have. We try to keep our footprint light.
Wooden cottages on stilts
Our duplex cottages are built of wood and raised off the ground among the island's greenery.
Solar panels
Solar panels on site help power the resort.
Leave only footprints
We ask every guest to take their rubbish with them and leave the coral, shells and rocks where they are.
Saint Martin's is a government-declared Ecologically Critical Area, and visitor numbers are limited to protect it. Thank you for travelling gently.
How to get here
Getting to El Marena
Saint Martin's is only reachable by sea. Here's the usual route, and we can book the ship for you.
1Get to Cox's Bazar
Travel by bus, train or air from Dhaka or Chattogram to Cox's Bazar. Tourist ships now leave from Cox's Bazar, not Teknaf.
2Take the ship to Saint Martin's
Ships leave Nuniarchhara jetty in Cox's Bazar at about 7 am and take around 5 to 6 hours. Seats go fast in the season, so book early, or let us book them for you.
3From the jetty to El Marena
From the island jetty, take a local van, rickshaw or bike south towards Chera Dip. Or ask us and we'll arrange a bike or auto for you (paid).
The government decides when the island is open and how many visitors can go. Last season (2025–26) it was open from November to January for up to 2,000 visitors a day: November was for day trips only, overnight stays were allowed in December and January, and every ship ticket needed a travel pass. The government has said it plans to allow more overnight stays in 2026–27, so ask us on WhatsApp for the latest.
Where we are
Near Chera Dip beach, at the southern end of Saint Martin's Island, away from the busy jetty side.
Message us on WhatsApp