The Surf Window

St Martin's Island

Chittagong, Bangladesh

Reef breakIntermediate

Bangladesh's only coral island, St Martin's (Narikel Jinjira) sits at the mouth of the Naf River estuary, a tiny island famous for coconut trees, crystal water, and the occasional Bay of Bengal swell that reaches its shores.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalSSW (195°)
WindowSSE–WSW (150°–240°)
Size0.8–1.5m at 8–10s

Wind

NE

Light to NW under 15 knots

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

Oct–Mar

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Reef break

Bottom

Coral

Shape

Small peaks over the reef

Length

20–50m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Beginners (wave-wise)
  • •Why: Small waves over coral reef, accessible but requires reef awareness

Hazards

  • •Coral reef throughout, reef shoes essential
  • •Very remote, boat access only from Teknaf
  • •The island gets very crowded with tourists December–February

Local Tips

  • •St Martin's is Bangladesh's most famous tourist destination, come in October or November before the crowds
  • •The island is only 3km², you can walk it in an hour
  • •Fresh lobster and crab caught that morning are the island's greatest luxury

Location

Map showing the location of St Martin's Island in Chittagong, Bangladesh

20.6284, 92.3219