Branding Bangladesh in Tourism

Geography

The geological structure of the island is simple and can be represented as a dumble shape. The island is about 9 km south of the Cox's Bazaar-Teknaf peninsular tip and forming the southernmost part of Bangladesh. It is about 8 km west of the northwest coast of Myanmar at the mouth of the river NAF. The island lies between 92°18´ and 92°21´E longitudes and 20°34´ and 20°39´N latitudes. It is almost flat and is 3.6m above the mean sea level. The 9.66 km wide channel between the mainland and the island is much shallower than the open SEA southwest of the island. There are reefs from 10-15 km to the west-northwest.

St. Martins Island is 7.315 km long and is aligned NNW (North-northwest) and SSE (South-southeast). Geographically, it is divided into three parts. The northern part is called Uttarpara and is 2,134m long and 1,402m wide. The southern part is known as Dakshinpara, which is 1,929m long, with a narrow tail of 1,890m towards the southeast, and a maximum width of 975m. Maddhyapara connects the two parts. The length and the width of Maddhyapara are about 1,524m and 518m respectively and the narrowest part of this is known as Golachipa. In addition to the main island there are a number of tiny islets (a very small area of land which is the broken piece of an island) ranging from 100 to 500 sq m which are locally known as Chheradia or Siradia which means separated island. One of which is called Chera dwip – a must see place. Without seeing Chera dwip the visit to St. Martins Island will be incomplete.

Know the Places in the Island

After arriving you'll walk through a row of restaurants and shops. Then you’ll find a T-junction. At the junction of the road’s a left turn will lead you to beaches of the eastern side (the cement road ends immediately before the scuba dive center), while the right will take you to the central road where most of the hotels and guesthouses situated. This will end at the north-west part of the island.

On the main road, at one point another left will lead you around the recently built hospital and into the core of the island. It's a fascinating walk and ultimately guides you to the western beach immediately north to the Sea Turtle Hatchery.

Flat cycle-rickshaws are the chief transport apart from walking. There are no motor vehicles on the island.

To Do and To See

The main attraction of the island is its natural beauty. That’s why people touring St. Martins are advised to relax and enjoy the serenity by discovering his/her inner peace.

Other than relaxing you can see and do many things. Such as –

• One of the main magnificent views to see on this island is Sunrise and Sunset. Sunrise can be seen on the eastern part of the island, and the west end is for Sunset. Sunset Point is a rocky neck of land near Saint Martin's Resort in the northwest area of the island, which exists only at the time of low tide and is a famous spot when sunset and low tide happen together.
• A Sea Turtle Hatchery is located on the west side of the island. It's not publicly open, but normally it stays vacant and the gate wide open. If the season is right there will be quite a few bamboo cages in the sand in which turtle eggs are buried, may be it isn’t a great deal to see, but it's nice knowing that some good work is going on.
• Oceanic Scuba Dive Center is well-hidden behind a bamboo gate which is placed at the end of the strip of restaurants a couple hundred meters down on the right. Phone no.: +880 2 955 9751 and E-mail:divebangladesh@yahoo.com. It’s the only Scuba Dive Center of the country. The center runs by a group of ex-navy officers. In present they only go to one spot at the southeast of the island. That is not bad trip as the boat ride is nice and the most action you could hope for during your stay on the island. Prices are slightly on the higher side (negotiable). By considering that you're participating towards growing the chance of future diving is a good reason for paying the price. They also got a guest hut built by bamboo, with two beds.  If you're diving they'll cook your meals — a substitute to the glamorous accommodation on the island. You have to pay for Food and lodging. This may not be a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified dive center but its quiet good. But one should be careful, especially if you are alone. A guide is not incorporated, although there's a good possibility that one of the guys may come down with you. USD 28.94/dive, USD 7.24 snorkel gear rental, USD 8.68-11.82 boat fee.
• Chera Dwip is a place you must visit, in the low tide it is accessible on foot, or you can go there via a boat shuttle (USD 0.07/person) at high tide. Watch out of sharp rocks through the water; sandals are essential. It takes around 1.5 hours to walk the whole length of the island. You will need some sunscreen and water as you may get sunburned and water is also scars here. Although there's a temporary shed selling drinks coconuts and snacks.
• Last but not the least; don’t forget to enjoy the night sky at the beach. Because Stars are amazingly plentiful on a moonless night, due to the lack of electricity on the island. And the night gets more exotic and lovely if it’s a full moon. So make your trip schedule when there is the moon, if it’s possible.

Transportation

From Dhaka one has to complete three easy steps to get to the St. Martins Island.

• First you'll need to fly or take a direct bus down to Cox's Bazar, and then take a bus to Teknaf, which is the most southern thana of Bangladesh, beside the Myanmar border.
• You can also take the rail to Chittagong and catch a bus to Teknaf via Cox’s bazaar. In this way of transport may cost a little less from the first two mode of transportation. But it may take an hour or two longer to reach Teknaf.
• From Teknaf, ships run daily and take almost 3 hours. 510 km is the total distance from Dhaka to St. Martins Island.
• Ships depart from the island around 3PM. You don't need to book before the journey if you are taking the regular Eagle ferries, but in case of Keari Sindbad ferry, you will need to book before the journey. And you can book the return ticket at the Keari Marzaan restaurant (its located just before Saint Martin's Resort, off the main road). The one-way fare is USD 3.26.

Communication and Network

There’s no landline in the island. But there is mobile phone network there. All the mobile operators have constructed their network in the island. So you can communicate with the world and even you can browse through internet from your mobile phone.

All in all St. Martins island is a gorgeous and mesmerizing natural treasure where people forget everything by its charm. No one can resists its charm will crave to come to this island again and again.

Foods and Drinks

The food of the island is delicious. But it may cost a little more than that of the main land.

• The sea food especially the fish are fresh and mouth-watering. To be more precise Rupchada fish curry is a must item on your food menu.
• The food huts that located beside the road to the port all prepare similar foods: parothas, omelettes and vegetables curry, and fresh fish, dal, rice. Cha is the popular refreshment among the locals.
• The hotels have restaurants that cook typical Bangladeshi foods and some foreign cuisine; the prices are high but serve better quality than food shacks near the port. Chicken is available but lobster and crab may also be obtainable rarely at a very high price. The restaurants of the Blue Marine Resort and Saint Martin's Resort are the best comparing with other restaurants of the island.
• The locals also sell dried up fish locally known as ‘Shutki’, which is a little bit expensive but much fresh than those offered up shore in Cox's Bazaar.

• The main drink of the island is Coconuts. Coconut pushers are found along the beach of the island, getting slightly less insistent as you move near the south end.

• You may find alcohol at the larger hotels or if you ask inconspicuously near the port, though nightlife is absent here. Mainly because there is no electricity here.

Places to stay

Go to the hotel page or click here. You will find all the information you need to choose a suitable place to stay at the island.

Beware

The island is getting a huge increase in tourism over the last few years. Though this situation has proving to be money-spinning for the islanders, it is also the main reason for the natural gorgeousness of the Saint Martins to decline, because the fragile ecosystem on the island is not well equipped to handle it. Currently much hard work are being put forward to protect the numerous endangered species of turtles that came to nest on the island and the corals some of which are only originate on Naricale Jinjira. In order to sell to the tourist’s the coral reef is being removed gradually. The endangered turtles are at times taken for food, and their babies are time and again diverted by the flashing lights next to the beach. Recently revealed types of fish which are very much rare are being over fished. Every year a fisherman has to go further out to sea for catching fish. You should practice and encourage eco-friendly practices, and mustn’t litter the island. It will be good for the island if you avoid eating fish at every meal as over fishing is a major problem and sea life is rapidly disappearing. If you see any sea turtles or their eggs, keep a sensible distance and don't disturb these fascinating but fragile creatures.

Tourists from outside Bangladesh should be alert to the humble lifestyle of the locals, especially women. It is not a good idea to swim in public places in western bathing suits, and modest dress is appropriate for both women and men.

District Commissioner Office - (0341) 63200 Residence - (0341) 63201
District Judge Office - (0341) 63232 Residence - (0341) 63271
Civil Surgeon Office - (0341) 63768 Residence - (0341) 63602
Sadar Hospital Office - (0341) 63584 Residence - (0341) -
District Super Office - (0341) 64602 Residence - (0341) 62391