Saint Martin’s Island

The only coral island of Bangladesh

Saint Martin's Island

Saint Martin's Island is the only coral island in Bangladesh. Locally known as Narikel Jinjira or Coconut Island, was named after a British provincial governor. Saint Martin's Island is located in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, about 8 kilometres south of the tip of Bangladesh's southernmost peninsula, Cox's Bazaar-Teknaf.

The Dumbbell-shaped Saint Martin’s Island has only about 8sq km, which is reduced to about 5sq km during the high tide and forms one to four islands. This beautiful island only exists because of its coral base. Three smaller islands -Zinjira, Gakachira and Chiradia or Chera Dwip – are located just south of the main island. At the low tide, they’re essentially one body of land, and a narrow strip of land connects them with the main island. A rocky platform surrounds the entire island and extends into the sea, with excellent sands almost all around the island and an ideal place for sunbathing. Saint Martin’s Island is one of the best places in the country for hiking around, especially in the winter season (October to early March). It is possible to walk all around the main island within a day. There are very few mosquitoes in the winter and only a marginally more during the summer season. St. Martin’s island provides the best nesting ground for sea turtles and has the country’s only clear water suitable for snorkeling.

Most of the island’s inhabitants live primarily from fishing; there is a small production of rice and some seasonal vegetables. October to April is the peak of the fishing season for the resident anglers to bring their catches from neighboring areas. For travelers who love fish, this place can be a paradise for them, do not judge a restaurant here by its outlook, the food can be up to the mark.

St. Martin Island does not have a power supply from the national electricity grid, so the residents and the hotels are depending on their own generated electricity by solar or generators. Visitors should be aware of the limited electricity supply by their hotel for a certain time of the day, which is mostly in the evening; from 6 pm to 10 pm. There are no A/C hotels on this island.

You can combine a trip to Chittagong, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar with Saint Martin’s Island.