Holy person Martin's is the most delightful and just coral island in Bangladesh and one of the best Eco-Tourism Destinations among the others. It is known as the marine heaven of Bangladesh, situated in the upper east piece of the Bay of Bengal, pretty much 9 km south of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf promontory and 8 km west of the northwest shore of Myanmar. The island shapes at the southernmost piece of Bangladesh and at the estuary of the Naf River that isolated Bangladesh and Myanmar checking as the universal fringe between the two nations. The island is privately called as "Narikel Jinjira" that implies Coconut Island when a ton of coconut develops in this island. Somebody called it "Daruchini Dip" because of its exquisite scene and illusive precious stone blue water of the Bay of Bengal that encompassing the island. The area of Saint Martin's Island is on the getaway in Bangladesh. The encompassing coral reef of the island has an expansion named "Chera Dwip".
The first human settlement started in the island just about 250 years ago by some Arabian sailors who named the island “Zajira”. During the British period, the island was named St. Martin’s Island. The population of the island is about 7500 and the main profession of the people is fishing. Besides algae collection, tourism services etc are the common profession of the inhabitants. Water transportation is the only way to reach this island i.e. boats and ships (mostly for tourists) from Teaknaf. The major goods for daily livelihood for the inhabitants come from the mainland Bangladesh.
From 1989 to 2004, non-residential Bangladeshis and foreigners were only allowed to visit the island. However, this has changed and now residential Bangladeshis are also allowed to visit the Island. There is no electricity supply from the national grid in the island. The tourist hotels of the island run on generators.
It is conceivable to stroll around the island in a day since it gauges just 8 km2, contracting to around 5 km2 amid high tide. You will get the best climate for the most part from November – February to visit this island. From March to July, the climate of the locale might be harsh. All the time, twister can strike amid these circumstances. The island was truly hurt by the crushed violent wind in 1991 however has completely recouped, and was untouched by the 2004 wave. So from March to July is traveler off season.
In the previous couple of years, St. Martin's guests have expanded drastically. St Martin's Island is ideal for travelers who wish to resuscitate getting away from the tedium of an automated every day life. The island is about sun, ocean and palm trees. Amid the visitor season, the island wakes up with water and shoreline sports, with shoreline gatherings and blazes illuminating the night sky. The island is exceptionally reasonable for scuba driving. One may likewise appreciate motor watercraft or speed pontoon visit in the very gem blue water around this island. In spite of the fact that there is no security issue for the guests, one can fly down to the Coast Guard station for any sort of security making a difference. There's no land telephone yet cell phone arrange. So you can speak with the world and even you can peruse Internet from your remote gadgets.
Chera Dip is a coral based island adjacent to St. Martin but divided during tides. You can go to Cheera Dip from St Martin’s island by walking (!) or by local motorboats or tourist boats. A lot of Corals of various species - living and dead form the land of the island. There is a small bush which is the only green part of Chera Dip enhancing the landscape of this island. There is no permanent inhabitant in Chera Dip, so it is advisable to the tourists to go there early and come back by evening. To enhance your enjoyment, you can taste there fry of fresh marine fisheries and green coconut water from a number of mobile shops dedicated to tourist services.
Accommodation in St. Martins Island is limited, so it is advisable to book hotel before you plan to go to this Island. You will hardly get a chance to stay in this hotel if you are a sudden visitor of St. Martins Island. The remarkable tourist hotels in Saint Martin’s are Hotel Nijhum, Prashad Paradise, Sraboni Bilash, Samudra Bilash, Resort Simana Parie etc. Booking of these hotels are also possible from Dhaka, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar. All these hotels are situated adjacent to Seashore. From these hotels lobby or veranda, you can enjoy the illusive breeze and romantic sound of Sea. There are also some other motels and hotels established recently in St. Martin’s for tourist accommodation. Besides, the local fishermen and inhabitants also rent their well decorated rooms for tourists’ accommodations purpose. If you are lucky enough, you can spend the exotic moonlit night at St. Martin’s Island. The beauty of Full moon in St. Martins Island cannot be expressed in words, if you are not there at that time.
You can go there by sea truck, local motorboat or tourist boats. Currently, five shipping liners run daily trips to the island, including Keary-Sindbad, Keary Cruise & Dine, Shahid Sher Niabat, L C T Kutubdia and Eagle from Teknaf. Beside a shipping liner recently inaugurate there service from Cox’s Bazaar. Tourists can book their trip from Dhaka, Chittagong or Cox's Bazar. You need to fly or take a direct bus down to Cox's Bazaar, and then take a bus to Teknaf, which is the most southern police station of Bangladesh. You can also go by rail to Chittagong and then a bus from Bahaddarhat station to Teknaf via Cox’s bazaar. From my own experience, it is better to travel sea truck from Teknaf and take an open dock ticket to enjoy the adventure and thrill of the mighty Bay of Bengal. You will have a chance as a bonus to enjoy the green hill tracts of Taknaf to soothe your eyes in the west and Mayanmar borderline in the east when you are in open dock of a sea truck in Naf River and estuary. Sea trucks leaves Teknaf every morning at 9.00 am, and return from St. Martin Island in the same day at 3.00 pm.
