Cruise ‘Keari Sindbad’ was fined Tk 50 thousand on the first day of resumed tourism to Saint Martin's Island for selling tickets without government-approved travel passes.

Cruises restarted operations to the coral island after a 10-month suspension, with three vessels carrying 1,106 visitors departing from Cox's Bazar's Nuniyatora Ghat around 7:15am. However, authorities immediately cracked down on rule violations.

District administration imposed 12 environmental guidelines that tourists must follow during their visit. Daily visitor capacity has been capped at 2,000, though only about half that number travelled on reopening day.

Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change had closed Saint Martin to tourists from February 1 to protect the island's fragile ecosystem. Government has now allowed overnight stays for only two months.

Visitors began gathering at the BIWTA jetty before dawn, eager to reach the island. Couples on honeymoon, student groups and researchers made up the excited crowd for the six-hour journey.

"We are here on our honeymoon. We're really excited. This blue water, the first-day feeling—it's hard to express in words," said one newlywed couple.

Zoology students travelled with their teacher to study biodiversity and environmental conditions. "We will observe the island's environment, biodiversity, and the corals along the beach," a student said, adding they would research pollution and prevention methods.

Local hotel and motel owners welcomed the reopening after months of financial struggle. "With income from those two months, we survived the remaining ten months of near-starvation," said a business owner.

District administration and law enforcement agencies confirmed they have taken necessary measures to ensure safe and smooth travel while protecting the island's ecosystem.