Mergui Archipelago holidays - Myanmar

Burma Boating, Mergui, Myanmar — Kawthaung, Myanmar

Myanmar is certainly on a rapid rise as a tourist destination, but still only very few people know about the country’s beautiful islands in the Andaman sea. Just across from the Thai border, the archipelago opened to foreigners as recently as the late 1990s. With only a few of the 800 islands sparsely populated and a couple dozen visitors to the entire area each month, the Mergui Archipelago remains one of the planet’s most unspoilt destinations.

Mokenman, Mergui, Myanmar — Kawthaung, Myanmar

The traditional inhabitants of the Mergui Archipelago are the Moken, a people who live off, and on, the sea. Sometimes called “sea-gypsies”, this ethnic minority group leads a traditional, semi-nomadic lifestyle, dominated by diving for sea cucumbers, fishing and bartering.

The best time to visit the Mergui Archipelago is between November and April. December to February is perfect, with warm sunny weather, steady winds and calm seas. March and April, with less wind, is ideal for diving and snorkelling.

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Wa Ale Resort, Mangrove Kayaking, Mergui, Myanmar

Mergui Adventure

Journey into the remote Mergui archipelago for a stay at Wa Ale Island Resort. Walk through pristine rainforest, snorkel in azure waters and kayak through mangroves.

Suggested hotel

Wa Ale Resort, Visit to Lampi Village, Mergui, Myanmar

Wa Ale Lampi Foundation

Spend some time with the local communities, supporting social and environmental welfare via Wa Ale’s Lampi Foundation.

Suggested hotel

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Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

I first travelled to Vietnam in 1988, when tourism was barely a concept, and have been visiting Central Asia since it was still behind the Iron Curtain. Such first-hand experience makes all the difference when talking to clients. I know the importance of asking questions, not taking the first answer as gospel, and matching the right destination to the right person.

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