Each visitor will have to pay a Tk100 environmental conservation fee.
TBS Report
25 October, 2026, 04:55 pm
Last modified: 25 October, 2026, 05:04 pm
Tourists will be allowed to visit St Martin's Island from 1 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, extending the travel season by 15 days, while each visitor will have to pay a Tk100 environmental conservation fee.
The daily tourist limit has also been raised to an average of 3,500 from the previous 2,000, according to a letter issued by the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry today (25 October).
The letter, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Sabrina Rahman of the ministry's Environment-2 branch, directs authorities to implement decisions taken at an inter-ministerial meeting on tourist access to the ecologically critical island.
The meeting, chaired by the environment minister on 12 October, decided that tourists could visit the island during the extended period, with the daily number capped at an average of 3,500.
Tourist ships operating with the required permission will depart from the Nunia Chhara jetty in Cox's Bazar, according to the existing arrangements.
The ministry has directed the Department of Environment to take the necessary steps to collect the Tk100 conservation fee from each tourist under Rule 26 of the Ecosystem Management Rules, 2016.
Other conditions stipulated in the ministry's directive issued on 22 October 2025 will remain in force, the latest letter said.
Under those rules, tourists must have an online registration or travel pass containing a QR code when purchasing ship tickets or registering for a visit.
Overnight stays on the island will remain prohibited in November, with overnight accommodation permitted from December.
Carrying or using single-use plastic items, including plastic bags and bottles, is completely prohibited on the island. Other restrictions include using lights on the beach at night, playing loud music, holding barbecues and operating motor vehicles.
Tourist access to Chera Dwip will also remain restricted to protect the island's environment.
However, the relevant branch of the Cox's Bazar district administration confirmed that the latest ministry letter had not yet reached the administration.