After two months of lively activity, Saint Martin’s Island—Bangladesh’s only coral island—is gradually returning to its familiar quiet. Throughout December and January, the island bustled with tourists drawn by its blue waters, crystal-clear sea, and tranquil beaches.
However, with the official tourism window closing, travel to the island has been suspended from 1 February, allowing Saint Martin’s to slip back into its natural calm.
During the season, thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visited the island with family and friends. Some came for its unspoilt natural beauty, others to escape the monotony of urban life in search of peace.
Rolling waves, endless horizons, visible coral beneath clear waters, and frequent sightings of marine life together make Saint Martin’s a dream destination for nature lovers.
Kabir Ahmed, a visitor from Dhaka, described the experience as deeply soothing.
“The environment of Saint Martin’s is truly special. The blue sea and the surrounding quiet bring a different kind of peace to the mind. Spending time here with family was genuinely refreshing,” he said.
Sohan Rahman, who travelled from Chattogram, shared a similar sentiment. “It is rare to feel this close to nature. He said, “Watching the sunset by the sea and hearing the waves is hard to describe.”
For Taufiq Rahman, who reached the island by ship via Cox’s Bazar, the journey itself was memorable.
“There was nothing but sea and sky all around. Sailing through the vast blue felt extraordinary. Once on the island, the scenery was even more captivating. I captured many photos and videos to keep the memories alive,” he said.
Tourists noted that watching the sunset from the beach was one of the highlights of the visit. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting red and orange hues across the water, the surroundings took on an almost magical quality.
Spotting small fish and marine life in the clear shallows added to the experience. Long walks along the beach, quiet conversations on the sand, sampling local food, and taking photographs made the stay especially memorable.
Throughout the two-month season, the administration remained active in ensuring tourist safety. Cox’s Bazar Tourist Police Superintendent (Additional DIG) Md Apple Mahmud said the safety of visitors was the top priority.
Adequate police personnel were deployed at key locations, with regular patrols and heightened monitoring at jetties and tourist spots to respond swiftly to any untoward incidents.
Saint Martin’s Union Parishad Chairman Faizul Islam said the influx of tourists had brought renewed vibrancy to the island and benefited local businesses, while environmental protection was also given importance.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Imam-ul Hafiz Nadim said tourism activities were conducted strictly within the designated two-month period, with particular attention paid to environmental conservation. “Saint Martin’s is an ecologically sensitive area. Maintaining a balance between tourism and environmental protection is crucial,” he said.
Now free of tourists, the island has returned to its characteristic stillness—no crowds, no noise, only the rhythm of waves, soft coastal winds, and nature’s own quiet cadence. Yet for those who visited this season, memories of blue waters, glowing sunsets, and moments of calm will linger.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
