St. Martin Island

St. Martin Island is the only coral island in Bangladesh. This Bangladesh Marine Paradise is located in the northeast part of the Bay of Bengal, just about 9 km south off the tip of the Cox's Bazar.

Teknaf peninsula and 8 km west off the northwest coast of Myanmar. It is at the mouth of the Naf River. This island forms the southernmost part of Bangladesh. From the very beginning around 250 years ago, some Arabian Sailors named the island ‘Zajira’. During British period the island was named St. Martin Island. The local names of the island are "Narical Gingira", which means 'Coconut Island' in Bengali, and "Daruchini Dip".

St. Martin Island is rich in marine life. The southern tip of the island hosts more species and at some places also has some mangrove forest. Several endangered species of turtles nest on the island and many marine fish species dwells in the surrounding water. St. Martin Island is abundant in corals and some is exclusive to the island itself. The surrounding coral reef of the island has an extension named Chera Dweep.  Tourists often travel to this island to go for a scuba dive or snorkeling in the Bay of Bengal. The beauty of the setting-sun behind the waves of the sea is simply captivating. The nights at St. Martin Island are calm and quiet with gentle murmurs of the coconut trees swaying with the winds coming from the bay. The moonlit night on the island provides an unearthly peaceful and majestic experience. Locally made cigars and handloom products of the tribal Rakhyne families are most attractive.

                                                

November to February is the main tourist season with the best weather. St Martin Island is perfect for tourist who is truly interested in escaping the holds of a modern world. Do not expect to find taxis, tarred roads or electricity here. Lodges are dependent on generators, as the island is all about sun, sea and palm trees. During the day, the island comes alive with water and beach sports, with beach parties and bonfires lighting up the evening skies The only way to reach the place is the water transportation i.e. boats and ships (mostly for tourists) from Teaknaf. Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong. St. Martin Island has become a popular tourist place. Huge number of visitors visits St. Martin Island each year.