Journey to the Blue Paradise of Saint Martin
My fourth trip to the only coral island in Bangladesh, where I experienced the magic of blue waters, glowing plankton, and the edge of the world at Chera Dip.
The Journey Begins
We started our journey from Dhaka to Teknaf by bus. It took almost 12 hours, and from there, we took a ship to Saint Martin, which took another 2.5 hours. In total, the journey was around 15 hours long but absolutely worth it.
This time, I wasn't traveling with my usual friends. I went with my elder brother, sister, and his university friends. The group felt new but full of energy and excitement.
Why Saint Martin
Saint Martin had been on my travel bucket list for a long time. I always dreamed of visiting this little island surrounded by crystal-blue water and coral reefs. Finally, in 2024, that dream came true.
First Impressions
My first impression was jaw-dropping. While on the ship, surrounded by the deep blue ocean, I felt like I was floating in a bowl of blue lemonade.
The sea breeze was so cool and refreshing that it instantly took away all my tiredness from the long trip.
Staying on the Island
We stayed for two nights and three days at a cozy guest house near the west beach. Saint Martin is a very small island, only around 15 square kilometers, so I decided to explore it on a bicycle.
Riding along the narrow paths, watching the waves crash, and feeling the soft sand beneath my feet made me feel completely free.
The Highlights
The most unforgettable part of the trip was visiting Chera Dip the last piece of land in Bangladesh, disconnected from the main island during high tide.
Standing there, surrounded by the endless ocean, I felt like I had reached the edge of the world.
Food and Flavors
This time, I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried seafood something I avoided during my first trip to Cox's Bazar. I tasted Coral fish, Shurma fish, Roop Chanda, and Kalo Chanda.
Each had a unique flavor, and I finally understood why people love the seafood of Saint Martin so much.
A Scary Yet Beautiful Night
One of the most thrilling moments happened one night. We went to a local fair to enjoy dinner and music. On our way back, the sea had risen, covering the entire beach. We lost our path and had to return by climbing over walls to reach our guest house safely.
But in the middle of that fear, nature gifted us something magical we saw the blue plankton glowing in the dark sea water. The view was absolutely mesmerizing scary and beautiful at the same time.
The End of the Trip
When it was time to leave, my heart grew heavy. I didn't want the trip to end. Every wave, every breeze, every star over the ocean felt like it was calling me to stay longer.
Even now, as I write this blog in 2025, I'm already planning to return in January 2026 to relive those magical moments once again.
What Saint Martin Taught Me
This trip taught me many new things from organizing a long journey to managing people and handling unexpected situations. Most importantly, it taught me how to embrace adventure fearlessly and appreciate the beauty of nature in its purest form.