Photo: Minhas Kamal (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons
Many people search for a ship from Chattogram to Saint Martin's Island. Here's what last season's rules allowed, and the route that works from Chattogram now.
"Chittagong to Saint Martin ship" is one of the most searched questions about the island, and the answer changed recently. Here's the short version, then the route step by step.
The short answer
Last season (2025–26) there was no direct tourist ship from Chattogram. Tourist ships sailed only from Nuniarchhara jetty in Cox's Bazar. When we wrote this (October 2026), the 2026–27 rules hadn't been published; if a direct route is approved, we'll update this article.
So from Chattogram, you go to Cox's Bazar first, then take the ship from there. If someone offers you a tourist seat on a direct ship from Chattogram or from Teknaf, ask how that's allowed before you pay, and check that the ticket has the government's QR-code travel pass.
The route from Chattogram
- Chattogram to Cox's Bazar by bus, train or flight. Go the day before.
- Sleep in Cox's Bazar, so you're at the jetty early.
- Take the ship from Nuniarchhara jetty at about 7 am, with your ticket, travel pass and photo ID.
- Cross in about 5 to 6 hours to the jetty at the north end of the island.
- Go south by local van, rickshaw or bike if you're staying near Chera Dip.
Why you should leave Chattogram the day before
The ship leaves at about 7 in the morning. An overnight bus or an early start from Chattogram can arrive too late if the roads are slow, and a missed ship usually means a lost day. Reaching Cox's Bazar the evening before is the safest plan, especially with children or older parents.
Ship tickets and the travel pass
Last season every ticket came with a travel pass with a QR code, and no more than 2,000 people could visit a day, so popular dates sold out early. Return fares started from ৳3,500 per person for deck and economy seats. Our article on Saint Martin ship tickets lists every ship and seat, and Karnafuly Express or Baro Awlia? helps you choose.
When you arrive
The ship docks at the main jetty, the busiest part of the island, around midday. Return ships leave at about 3 to 3:30 pm, so a day trip gives you only a few hours. If overnight stays are allowed when you travel, stay at least one night: last season they were allowed in December and January, but not in November.
From the jetty, the quiet south is a short ride by local van, rickshaw or bike; to El Marena, near Chera Dip, it takes about 25 minutes. If you're staying with us, we can arrange a ride (paid). Check-in at El Marena is from 1:00 pm, which fits a midday arrival, and check-out is by 12:00 pm (noon), in time for the afternoon ship.
More on getting there
The whole route from Dhaka and Chattogram is in how to go to Saint Martin, the crossing in how far Saint Martin is from Cox's Bazar, and the old Teknaf route in Teknaf to Saint Martin. Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we can book your ship seats along with your cottage.
