SENT MARTIN ISLAND

St. Martin's Island is a small island (area only 8 sq. km) in the northeastern part of the Bay of bengal, about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox s bazaar – Teknaf  peninsula, and forming the southernmost part of Bangladesh. There is a small adjoining island that is separated at high tide, called Cera island. It is about 8 km west of the northwest coast of Mayanmar, at the mouth of the Naf river. 1st settlement started just 250 years ago by some Arabian Sailors and named as ‘Zajira’. During British  occupation the island was named as St. Martin Island. The local name of the island is "Narical Gingira", also spelled "Narikel Jinjira/Jinjera", means 'Coconut Island' in Bengali, and "Daruchini Dip". It is the only coral island in Bangladesh.
Most of the island's approximately 7,000 inhabitants live primarily from fishing. Besides, the other staple crops are rice and coconut. Being very common in the island, Algae is collected, then dried and finally exported to Myanmar. Between October and April, the fishermen from neighboring areas bring their caught fishes to the island's temporary wholesale market. As the centre and the south are mainly farmland and makeshift huts, most of the strenuous  things are around the far north of the island. However exports of chicken, meat and other foods do come in from the mainland Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma) , and India (Kolkata)
You will get the best weather usually between November and February. Undoubtedly, this is the major tourist season. Between March and July, a tourist must keep his eyes on the forecast keenly, as cyclone can strike during these times. The island was devastated by a cyclone in 1991 but has fully recovered, and was untouched by the 2004 tsunami. Thus, March to July is tourist off season.

How to go : From Teknaf you can cruise to St. Martin's Island with the best and the safest ship Keari Sindbad and reach St. Martin's comfortably in 2 or fewer hours. Keari Sindbad cruise journey is a pleasant one as you will see the spectacular views of teknaf hill on one side and Mayanmar on the other side while it cruises along the Naf River. Getting to Saint Martins Island by bus is a two-step process. First you'll need to travel to Teknaf which is the Southern most district of Bangladesh on the very southern tip, sandwiched up against Mayanmar. One can come to Teknaf by bus from Dhaka, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. By plane you have to reach firstly in Cox's bazar from Dhaka/Chittagong (Inter-country) by Biman Bangladesh Airlines or with Private Airlines like, Rigent Airlines, United Airways, Best air etc. Cox's bazar airport is the only airport near Teknaf. After reaching Cox's bazar by Plane, from Cox's bazar there are several ways to come to Teknaf. There are private cars for rental services. There are public buses which start from Cox's bazar to Teknaf. Another way would be a group rental of a mid-level micro bus or jeep to travel to Teknaf which may cost less and be a safer journey.
Ferries leave the island around 3PM.'Keari Sindbad ferry and you can purchase a round trip ticket; which can same day return or 1/2 days later. At least 50 resident hotel in this island.