Three ready-made plans built around the ship times: a day trip, one night, and 3 days, 2 nights. Pick the one your dates and the season allow.
Every Saint Martin plan starts with the ship. Last season it left Cox's Bazar at about 7 am, reached the island around midday and left again at about 3 to 3:30 pm. Everything else fits around those times. Here are three plans, from a quick look to a slow stay.
Check the season first. Last season (2025–26) the island was open from 1 November to 31 January; November was for day trips only, and overnight stays were allowed in December and January. The 2026–27 rules weren't out when we wrote this (October 2026).
Before any plan
- Book the ship early. Last season every ticket came with a QR-code travel pass, and no more than 2,000 people could visit a day.
- Sleep in Cox's Bazar the night before, so you don't miss the 7 am ship.
- Carry cash for vans, boats and small shops.
- Bring a refillable bottle. Polythene is banned on the island.
Plan 1: a day trip
- 7 am: ship from Nuniarchhara jetty in Cox's Bazar.
- Around midday: arrive at the jetty at the north end of the island.
- Early afternoon: a walk along the beach and lunch.
- About 3 to 3:30 pm: the ship back to Cox's Bazar.
A day trip leaves only a few hours on the island, mostly near the busy jetty. It's enough for a first look, but not for Chera Dip at low tide or the night sky.
Plan 2: one night (2 days, 1 night)
- Day 1, 7 am: ship from Nuniarchhara jetty.
- Day 1, around midday: arrive and ride south by local van, rickshaw or bike. Check-in at El Marena is from 1:00 pm.
- Day 1, evening: sunset over the rocks, then seafood at the resort's barbecue spot. Barbecue parties on the beach at night were banned last season.
- Day 1, night: stars, with no city lights at the south end of the island.
- Day 2, early: walk to Chera Dip at low tide, before the ships arrive. Check the tide times first.
- Day 2, by noon: check out by 12:00 pm and ride back to the jetty for the afternoon ship.
Plan 3: two nights (3 days, 2 nights)
The slow version, and the one we'd pick if the season allows it.
- Day 1: the ship, the ride south, check-in from 1:00 pm, the sunset and a seafood barbecue.
- Day 2: Chera Dip at low tide early in the morning, a slow afternoon at your cottage or on the rocky shore, and the stars at night.
- Day 3: sunrise and breakfast (complimentary with a duplex cottage), check-out by noon and the ship back at about 3 to 3:30 pm.
With a full day in the middle you're not racing the tide, and you see the island at its quietest: early in the morning and after dark.
Fitting in Chera Dip
From the south of the island you can walk across to Chera Dip at low tide over sand and rocks; at high tide the sea cuts it off. Boats also go there from the main jetty. Our Chera Dip guide explains the walk and the rules.
What it costs
Last season return ship fares started from ৳3,500 per person. Our prices are for the whole cottage or tent: a duplex cottage for up to 4 is ৳4,000–৳6,000, from ৳1,000 each when four share; a single cottage for 2 is ৳2,000–৳3,000; and a tent for 2 is ৳1,000–৳1,500. Our article on what a Saint Martin trip costs adds it all up.
Book your plan
Send us your dates, how many of you are coming and the plan you like on WhatsApp. We'll confirm your cottage and can book your ship seats in the same chat. Coming as a group? See Saint Martin with friends.
