Getting there
Passenger vessels depart from Cox's Bazar itself rather than the historic Teknaf crossing, a change made for safety reasons as of the 2025-26 season. The sea crossing takes a few hours each way, and beyond simple weather, access is now governed by government conservation rules that have closed the island to tourism for nine months of the year, two seasons running — see our access rules guide for the current mechanics before you book anything around it.
Most visitors do this as a long day trip from Cox's Bazar, though staying overnight on the island, when overnight stays are permitted for the season, is the better way to actually see it without rushing.
What to do
The main draw is the coral-fringed shoreline itself — clear, shallow water over coral patches makes for the closest thing to reef snorkelling Bangladesh offers, best done in the calmer waters around Chera Dwip, a smaller islet connected to the main island at low tide.
- Chera Dwip — a smaller islet connected to the main island at low tide, with the calmest water and the best of the coral snorkelling.
- The coral shoreline — clear, shallow water over coral patches — the closest thing to reef snorkelling Bangladesh offers.
- The island loop road — a few hours to cycle or walk, passing fishing villages, coconut groves, and small guesthouses along the way.
Cycling or walking the island's single loop road takes only a few hours and passes through fishing villages, coconut groves, and small guesthouses along the way. Fresh seafood, caught and grilled the same day, is the other reason people stay overnight rather than day-tripping.
Best time to visit
The island isn't a year-round destination, and the reasons go beyond weather. For the past two seasons, the island has closed to tourism entirely from February through October, reopening November 1 with day trips only that month and overnight stays permitted in December and January. The exact dates are set fresh each season, so confirm the current window rather than assuming it matches last year's.
Practical notes
Accommodation on the island is limited and basic compared to Cox's Bazar — simple guesthouses rather than resort-style hotels — so booking ahead during whichever months the current season allows overnight stays matters, especially when capacity fills fast. Tickets are purchased through the Bangladesh Tourism Board's official online portal rather than at a boat counter, and daily visitor numbers are capped. There's no ATM on the island, so bring cash. Boat departure times shift with tides and weather, so treat any schedule as approximate until you're actually at the jetty.
For the visa requirements to enter Bangladesh in the first place, see our visa guide. Saint Martin's pairs naturally with a Cox's Bazar stop on the same trip south — see our best places to visit guide for how the two fit together.