Saint Martin's is Bangladesh's only coral island and an Ecologically Critical Area. The official conservation rules, how to explore without harming the reef, and simple low-impact travel tips.
Saint Martin's Island is small, flat and surrounded by living coral. It is Bangladesh's only coral island, and every winter far more people wish to visit than its fragile ecosystem can comfortably hold. Because the island's beauty comes from living corals, marine life, and coastal rock pools, protecting this delicate environment is essential so it remains alive for generations to come.
The rules mentioned here reflect the official 2025–26 season directives. When we wrote this (October 2026), the government had not yet announced the 2026–27 season's official guidelines. We will update this article as soon as the new circular is released.
An Ecologically Critical Area
The government declared Saint Martin's an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) to preserve its coral beds, nesting sea turtles, and marine biodiversity. Tourism operates strictly within an officially approved winter season with daily tourist limits, travel passes, and environmental restrictions.
Rather than an inconvenience, these restrictions are the reason the island still has living coral, clear water, and clean shores. Travelling with care and respecting the sanctuary is part of every rewarding island visit.
The five essential island rules
Under the government's conservation directives for Saint Martin's, five core rules apply to every visitor across the island:
- No lights, loud music or beach barbecues at night. Bright lights and loud noise disorient nesting olive ridley sea turtles and disrupt nocturnal marine habitats. All beach fires and loud parties after dark are strictly prohibited.
- No motor vehicles on the beach. Motorbikes, sea bikes and other motorized transport are completely banned on the sand to prevent beach erosion and protect nesting areas.
- Keep out of the keya (screwpine) forest. The native keya bushes hold the island's sand dunes together and shield against storm surges. Plucking, buying, or selling keya fruit is prohibited by law.
- Do not touch, collect or damage coral or marine wildlife. It is illegal to collect living or dead coral, seashells, starfish, crabs, sea cucumbers or seaweed. Everything belongs on the shore.
- No polythene bags or single-use plastics. Polythene is banned on Saint Martin's. Always carry your drinking water in a refillable bottle and take your non-biodegradable waste back with you to the mainland.
Low-impact travel at Chera Dip
Chera Dip is the southernmost point of Bangladesh, located just off Saint Martin's southern tip. At low tide, you can walk across along the exposed reef, sandbar, and volcanic-like boulders. Because Chera Dip has no permanent waste facilities and only a few temporary tea stalls, visitors must travel with extra mindfulness.
When exploring the tidal path, always walk on firm sand and bare boulders. Never step on living coral colonies or fragile rock pools. For practical advice on tides and boat transfers, read our complete Chera Dip guide.
Fewer, slower visits beat hurried day trips
A hurried day trip gives you only three to four crowded hours near the busy northern jetty before the tourist ship heads back to Cox's Bazar. In contrast, staying one or two nights allows you to experience the island at its calmest hours: soft sunrise, evening sunsets over the western rocks, and starry skies without city light pollution.
How El Marena practices sustainable hospitality
At El Marena Eco Resort, we believe in practical environmental restraint rather than marketing slogans. We rely on on-site solar panels to provide clean energy, and we keep all barbecue dinners inside our dedicated resort grounds rather than hosting disruptive parties on the public beach.
We actively encourage every guest to carry their plastic waste back to the mainland and help preserve the quiet atmosphere. For more on island guidelines, check our comprehensive Saint Martin travel guide and resort policies.
A low-impact packing checklist
- A sturdy refillable water bottle (polythene and disposable cups are prohibited)
- A wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and reef-friendly sunscreen
- Water shoes or sturdy sandals for walking on rocky tidal areas
- A small flashlight or headlamp and a power bank (the quiet southern end has no streetlights at night)
- A lightweight cloth bag for packing out your personal waste
- Your government ship ticket with its QR-code travel pass and national photo ID
Stay on the quiet southern shore
El Marena Eco Resort is situated near Chera Dip beach at the peaceful southern tip of Saint Martin's Island. Whether in a wooden duplex cottage, a single cottage, or a beach tent, you can unwind surrounded by palms, sea breeze, and pristine shores.
