Photo: Minhas Kamal (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons
Most day-trippers only see the busy jetty. Here's what the rest of the island offers, from the low-tide walk to Chera Dip to the stars at night, and when to do each one.
Saint Martin's Island is small, flat and car-free, and most of its best moments are simple: a walk over coral rocks at low tide, the sun going down behind the rocks, fish on the grill, and more stars than you've seen in years. Many visitors never get past the busy jetty at the north end. Here's what's worth your time, from the team at El Marena Eco Resort near Chera Dip.
Several of these happen early in the morning or after dark, so they need an overnight stay. Last season (2025–26) overnight stays were allowed in December and January, but not in November. When we wrote this (October 2026), the 2026–27 rules hadn't been published.
1. Walk to Chera Dip at low tide
Chera Dip, a cluster of small islets just off the southern end of the island, is the southernmost point of Bangladesh. At low tide you can walk across from the south over sand and coral rocks; at high tide the sea cuts it off. Boats also go there from the main jetty. Go early, before the ships bring the day-trippers around midday, and check the tide first. Our Chera Dip guide has the details.
2. Watch the sunrise and the sunset
Early morning is the quietest time on the island, with soft light on the rocks and the beach almost empty. In the evening, the sun goes down behind the rocks and the tide pools turn gold. Both are outside the day-trip hours: the ship arrives around midday and heads back at about 3 to 3:30 pm.
3. See the fishing boats
Wooden fishing boats line the beaches, and you'll see them heading out across the sea. Walk the shore in the morning to see them pulled up on the sand. If you'd rather reach Chera Dip by water, boats go there from the main jetty.
4. Eat fresh seafood
Fish curry, fried fish and fish or lobster on the grill are what most people remember. At El Marena our open-air restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and guests can use our barbecue spot, paying only for the food. Barbecue parties on the beach at night were banned last season, so grill at a resort, not on the sand. More in what to eat in Saint Martin.
5. Look up at the stars
The south of the island has very few lights, so on a clear night the sky is full of stars. Keep the beach dark and quiet: the island's rules ban lights and loud music there at night. At El Marena you can watch from the lookout tower of the duplex cottages, and our quiet hours run from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am.
6. Explore the shore, gently
At low tide the rocky shore is full of pools, crabs and shells. Look, take photos, and leave everything where it is: last season's rules banned harming or collecting coral, turtles, birds, crabs, starfish or seaweed. Wear sandals or water shoes, because the rocks are sharp.
7. Do very little
There are no cars, and the evenings are quiet. That's the point. A hammock, a book and a long lunch are a perfectly good plan. If you're staying with us, the football ground and the children's playground are there for the family.
Things not to do
- No lights, loud music or barbecue parties on the beach at night.
- No motorbikes, sea bikes or other motor vehicles on the beach.
- Keep out of the keya (screwpine) forest, and don't pick, buy or sell keya fruit.
- No polythene bags: bring a refillable bottle and take your rubbish back.
These were the government's rules for 2025–26; the full list is in our article on protecting the coral.
Fitting it all in
A day trip leaves only a few hours, mostly near the jetty. One night gives you the sunset, the stars and an early walk to Chera Dip; two nights give you a free day in the middle. Our Saint Martin tour plan lays out all three, and El Marena is at the quiet southern end, near Chera Dip, so you start where most of these things are.
