Tourists planning to visit St Martin's Island need not worry about obtaining separate travel passes, as purchasing tickets from authorised ship operators automatically generates the required QR-coded pass.

Saiful Alam, ticketing officer of Karnaphuli Cruise Line, clarified that visitors do not need to collect additional passes.

"The QR-coded travel pass is automatically generated with the purchase of tickets for authorised vessels," he told media. "Buying a ticket from an authorised ship operator or travel agent is enough."

However, tourists must collect printed tickets with QR codes before departure. Without these codes, tickets will be considered invalid.

Six ships have received government authorisation for passenger transport this season: MV Karnaphuli Express, MV Bar Aulia, MV Bay Cruise, MV Kajol, Keari Sindbad, and Keari Cruise and Dine, confirmed Hosainul Islam Bahadur, General Secretary of the Sea Cruise Owners Association of Bangladesh.

Tourism season began on 1 December and continues through January, allowing overnight stays for just two months annually. Government imposed a daily visitor cap of 2,000 to protect the island's fragile ecosystem.

Ships depart exclusively from Nuniyarchhara Jetty beside Cox's Bazar Airport at 7:00am daily. Return journeys from St Martin's leave at 3:00pm the following day. Teknaf routes have been suspended this season.

Ministry of Environment issued 12 strict guidelines for visitors. Bonfires, loud noise, barbecue parties, and motorcycle use are banned. All single-use plastics including polythene, chips packets, plastic spoons, and bottles of 500ml or one litre are prohibited.

Island remained closed for nine months before reopening in November, though overnight stays were only permitted from December onwards.