St. Martin is one of the most beautiful tourist’s spots in Bangladesh. It is a small island in the northeast of the bay of bengal, about 9 km south of the Cox's Bazar-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. The local people call it Narikel Jinjira. 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.
The island is 7.315 km long and is aligned NNW and SSE. Geographically, it is divided into three parts. The northern part is called Narikel Jinjira or 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. A narrow central belt or Maddhyapara connects the two parts. The length and the width of this belt are about 1,524m and 518m respectively and the narrowest collar is known as Golachipa. In addition to the main island there are a number of tiny islets ranging from 100 to 500 sq m which are locally known as Chheradia or Siradia which means separated island.
There is a shallow lagoon in the middle of Uttarpara and it is connected to the sea during high tide by a narrow channel on the western coast. The topsoil of Uttarpara consists of alluvial sands mixed with shells of molluscs. There are two small dead lagoons and a stretch of marshy land in Dakshinpara. Fish landing sites, bazars and schools are present only in Uttarpara.
Launches and country boats ply between the island and teknaf regularly. The population is about 3,700 and most of them are fishermen belonging to 535 families. One hundred eighty-two species of wildlife are recorded from the island. Of these, 4 species are amphibians, 28 reptiles, 130 birds and 20 mammals. tourism to the northern part of the island exists during four months (November to February). The most densely populated part is Jinjira. There is scarcity of sweet water on the island. Only a few ponds and a number of tubewells supply sweet water for drinking as well as for cultivation. Though the island falls in the monsoon zone, the climate is much influenced by the sea. The main vegetation is coconut, betel nut and bamboo. Coconut trees are abundant and more concentrated in the Jinjira area. The soil of the island is not so fertile. The main agricultural products are onion, watermelon and some rice.
The geological structure of the island is simple and is represented by an anticlinal uplift. A little of the axis of the anticline is traceable along the west coast of Dakshinpara. The exposed portion of the axis runs NNW to SSE, approximately parallel to the island. There is a fault along the northwestern shoreline with a trend nearly parallel to the axis. St Martin's limestone is composed of molluscan coquina horizons (shelly limestone) and coral clusters (coralline limestones). Being very porous and permeable, the shelly limestone provides an excellent aquifer wherever they occur beneath the alluvium. Recent marine sands and the shelly limestone are the chief source of fresh water.
Attractions at St. Martin's Island
If you want to become a part of nature or come near to nature, a visit to St. Martin Island is must. St. Martin is a place of calm and serenity. It is surrounded by blue water with fresh airy environment and thousands of trees which enhance the greenery of the island. We Bangladeshi people should feel proud for this kind of Island. It is one of the attractive and magnetizing treasure for the tourism of Bangladesh. You can do a lot of things in the Saint Martin Island of Bangladesh. Here are some description about the things you can enjoy in Saint Martin Island and other aspects:
Sunrise and sunset at St. Martin's is always something special to enjoy. But to enjoy "the freshness of the air, sea after a whole night of roaring, and the young sun just rising to enlighten the world" you must have to get up in time - at the very early morning. If you are all alone, the situation will embrace with all of its virginity, and you can be free from all tension, work load and grief. You can take a walk through the sandy beach. The sun rises to empower the world and islanders start to awake by time start their daily work. The sun then set with its golden good bye to give you tranquility of the night that you need after a day full of work. You can stand on the beach to see how the whole island and the beach becomes golden and how the Sun is swallowed by the horizon. The St. Martin's Island is expanded north to south by giving you a long east and west. So, you can enjoy Sunrise & Sunset from anywhere of the St. Martin’s Island. But North Eastern corner of the island is having a long sandy beach which can make your Sunrise more enjoyable. On the other hand, Chera Dia or Chera Dwip is the most south-western part of the Island - full of coral can add extra value to your Sunset. You can enjoy the sunset from many other magnificent places of western beaches.
Sandy Beach:
Saint Martin's Island have long sandy beach at the north-east, north, north-west and eastern side mainly. Western and southern part is full of coral. Beach is clear and dirt free. You can take a sun bath and let the ocean to make you free from all of your tiredness, boring life and all of your grief. You can play beach football, beach cricket, beach volleyball and any other sort of game you want and you are equipped with. Beach is the main play ground of your day time.
Coral:
Live corals are special attraction at Saint Martin's Island. As mentioned earlier, this is the only place in Bangladesh where you can see live coral. You can enjoy the eye catching view of corals at Chera Dia - the south most part of the Island, as well as in many places of western beach of the island.
Moonlit Night:
One of the great novelists of Bangladesh Humayun Ahmed writes a note about the Moonlit Night of St. Martin’s Island. He wrote: ‘Oh God, Oh creator, the benefactor, the merciful- Accept by death during Moonlit Night (oh Karigor, Doyar Shagor…….Channi Poshor Raite Jeno Amar Moron Hoy). In St. Martin’s Island, Moonlit brings an extra ordinary charm and situation in the whole Island.
Just think of a situation - a full moon is lighting the island, sky is crystal clear, even you can see the sky is blue, floating clouds giving you accompany, the sea is roaring in front of you and the air is bringing the fragrance of the ocean to you, and you are at Saint Martin's beach. You can pass hours of sitting on the beach at night. Beach is safe at night, just you have to give away all of your fears and embrace the horizon full of enjoyment.
Engine Boat or Speed Boat Tour around Island:
Since the Island measures only about 8 km2, you can plan to have a round trip around the Island, it will take approximately 1 hour if you go through a engine boat, and half an hour if you go through an speed boat. You can have the feeling of sailing towards deep see, large waves and surge, deep blue water, fishing tricks of fishermen and as a whole view of the island from various angels. You will find speed boat from beside the port, and you can rent an engine boat from anywhere of the island from fishermen. I will suggest you not to go alone; rather you go with some friends so you can enjoy better the journey and minimize the cost of journey.
Walking Through Island:
If you want to know more regarding Saint Martin Island, you can take a walking tour through out the Island. Even you can finish this tour in few hour. You can see the lifestyle of Islanders who are mainly fishermen or serving somehow to the tourists. You can go to Coconut Garden. Famous writer of Bangladesh Mr. Humayun Ahmed have a house over there named "Samudra Bilash". I think only 3 to 4 hours are necessary to walk through the whole Island.
Scuba Diving:
Scuba diving is one of the most interesting activities in Saint Martin. Though it is not so popular in the visitors for its costly aspects. Oceanic Scuba Dive Center, (turn left from the pier at the end of the strip of restaurants, it's a couple hundred meters down on the right, unsigned and well-hidden behind a bamboo gate), +880 2 955 9751. This is the only dive operation in the country, and is run by a friendly group of ex-navy divers. Tk 2000/dive, Tk 500 snorkel gear rental, Tk 600-800 boat fee. The price is negotiable.
There are several ways to go St. Martin’s island. You have to go Teknaf at first from Dhaka, Chitagong, and Cox’s Bazar. Then you should buy the launch ticket at Launch Ghat. There are three Launch (sea track) services are found in Teknaf-Saint Martin’s way, Keyari Sindabad, LCD Kutubdia, MV Eagle or MV Farhan. The launches may start the journey at 9.00-9.30 AM. And they will back from St.Martin’s Island to Teknaf at 3.30 PM. So please be concern about the schedule of launch. The way I stated above is for who love adventure and do everything for their private journey. If you have no interest to do every responsibility at your arms, you can discuss it with the tourist’s agent. You find them near the hotels and in the hotels near Kolatoli Point. They will take extra charge but your journey hassle will be reduced. This package including Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf, Teknaf to Saint Martin’s and turn around to Cox’s Bazar from St. Martin’s Island. For more adventure you seek the help of fishermen to a trip to St. Martin's. Though it is more daring but most enjoyable too.
From Dhaka To Cox's Bazar:
You can start heading towards the Saint Martin's Island by Air, by Train or by bus. By Air, from Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, you can go directly to Cox's Bazar Airport through several local Airlines such as Biman-Bangladesh Airlines, United Airways, GMG Airlines etc. One way fair will be approximately around BDT 3500, BDT 7500 and BDT 5500 chronologically. You can directly go to Cox's Bazar by bus as well. There are many bus service such as Green Line Paribahan, Sohagh Paribahan, Saudia - S Alam Paribahan, Shamoly Paribahan and many others. You can enjoy first class journey with some of these carrier. They have Marcedeze, Scania, Volvo, Hino etc Bus services. You can get ticket of these bus from various area of Dhaka city, but all of them starts from Saydabad Bus Terminal. Ticket price per head ranges from BDT 500-BDT 1200. You can have some cheaper bus services on this route as well. They starts from mainly Jatrabari Bus Terminal.
From Dhaka to Chittagong by Train:
If you are thinking of a comfortable journey with cheaper price, Train service of Bangladesh Railway is the best option. But unfortunately Train service is available up to Chittagong. From Kamlapur Railway Station or Airport Railway Station, you can get board on the train towards chittagong. It generally takes 6-7 hours to reach to Chittagong. Trains are available at different time, but night journey is best - starts at 10:30 from Kamlapur Railway Station at Dhaka. It will arrive at early morning at Chittagong. On train, First Class Cabin, First Class Sleeping coach, First Class Chair and Shovon Chair services are available. First class services are air conditioned. Fare is around BDT 200-500. Ticket is available at any Railway Station. Recently Bangladesh Railway in cooperation with Mobile Phone operators such as Grammen Phone and Bangla Link have started ticket booking service directly from mobile. For more informaiton, please visit their website or call customer care number.
From Dhaka, Cox's Bazar or Chittagong to St. Martins Island:
The bus will take you to TEKNAF and then you need to take sea-truck or trawler. Among the non-AC bus, you can travel by MODERN LINE or S.ALAM bus service. It will cost almost 560 Taka (Bangladeshi currency). AC bus service is also available. It is “Saint Martin Express”, starts from KOLBAGAN, DHAKA. The bus is actually Mercedes. The phone number to contact is 01817210422-3. Its destination is TEKNAF, from where a ship called KEARI SINBAD leaves for Saint Martin Island. It will start at 9:30 from Teknaf and 3:30 from Saint Martin. There are other ships too. They are Kutubdia and Eagle. You need to leave the bus at EAGLE/KUTUBDIUA GHAT, you may ask the supervisor or conductor of the bus to tell you when the particular place comes. Don’t go to TEKNAF town, because then you need to get back 18 km.You can have some snacks there, but don’t mind if you don’t find that satisfactory. You can order tickets from DHAKA for sea-truck. Eagle or KUTUBDIA are the services for sea-truck. Phone numbers of EAGLE are 01713145584, 01190124127. They have three classes of tickets, lower floor (cost 650 taka), and first floor (cost 700 taka) and executive class (cost 750 taka) (AC). Most people actually enjoyed the view of NAF River after they boarded on sea-truck. I think it is useless to buy tickets for executive class.
The departure time for sea-truck is 9:30 and it will start timely. You can enjoy the amazing views of the river and eventually you will approach the sea, you cannot imagine how much blue the sea can be.
It’s a matter of great pleasure recently a travel agency arranged a rocket launch from Cox’s Bazar to Saint Martin’s. But it will take 2700 taka per person. The counter of Rocket steamer is located at the corner of Laboni point (zia point).
You must go to Cheradwip or Cheradiya if you go to Saint Martin. You can find engine boat and speed boat. 5/6 person can travel by speed boat. It will charge 1000 taka for up-down. Engine boat will charge 100 taka per person. There is also a submarine faced boat which will cost 200 taka per person.
Accommodation:
Government tries to prevent tourist’s staying in St. Martin’s Island for the sake of Island. This rule may be executed at 2012 or 2013. St. Martin is a small island and it’s a matter of great worry that it can’t take the load of over visitors. But still there are some facilities to stay here.
After reaching the island, you may find some vehicle which will offer you a trip to your resort. They will demand 10 taka person, but will take 5 taka if you bargain. Please note, if not contacted earlier, it is very difficult to find a place in good resorts. Yet you may find some people looking for guests for their hotel. They are not very good, but can be used as a place to stay. But don’t give them more than 700 taka. Here is some info about St. Martin’s Hotels:
Blue Marine- 8801819063418, 8801722473613
Obokash- 88028358485, 88029342351 (need to contact from dhaka)
Pacific resort- 8801732434264 (at Saint Martin), 8801712643694 (DHAKA)
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Bangladesh travel agency