Myeik Archipelago consists of more than 800 islands dotting the Andaman Sea.

SHIMMERING blue-green ocean water, untouched forests, huge rocks and cliffs, and beaches of pure white sand are what await visitors to Myeik Archipelago, one of the world’s last great secret destinations.

Located in far southern Myanmar, Myeik Archipelago consists of more than 800 islands dotting the Andaman Sea between the towns of Myeik and Kawthaung.
It is a place of big horizons, of untrammeled islands and coastline with sandy beaches and dense jungle that is rich in flora and fauna, including black orchids, colourful butterflies, monkeys, elephants, eagles and other beautiful and rare species.

Among this stunning beauty live the Salone sea gypsies, who dwell on boats on the sea for most of the year – only coming to land during the rainy season – and make their living by fishing.

Efforts to promote Myeik Archipelago only began in 1997, and it has since captured the imagination of many people in the tourism industry as a perfect destination for ecotourism and adventure travel. The possibilities for island trekking, sea kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving are endless.

However, development in the area has been slow in coming. Only recently has proper accommodation for tourists been developed. Last May saw the soft opening of the region’s first island resort, Myanmar Andaman Resort, located on Fork Island some 40 nautical miles from Kawthaung.

A total of five suite chalets and 14 superior cottages have been built adjacent to the island’s namesake fork-shaped beach, providing an absolute escape from the real world.

Climbing to the top of the 200-metre mountain behind the resort and trekking through the forest will reveal beautiful butterflies, birds and squirrels among the natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere of the island.

The resort also provides easy access to nearby islands, and activities include bird watching, snorkeling and kayaking. In November the resort plans to launch the archipelago’s first scuba diving centre, which will offer diving to those who stay on the island as well as those who tour the area in yachts or liveaboard vessels.

The centre will hire diving equipment from South East Asia Liveaboards (SEAL), which is based in Phuket, Thailand, and is a member of Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), one of the world’s leading scuba diving and snorkeling education organisations.

The resort’s director of products, U Khin Zaw, said a supervisor and three diving assistants are being trained by SEAL.

“Scuba diving requires a lot of expertise . . . so you need to be very careful,” he said.

SEAL will support the diving activities at Myanmar Andaman Resort for about two years until the Myanmar instructors have achieved the skill levels required to run the courses on their own.

According to figure compiled by Myanmar Travels and Tours under the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, about 25 dive spots have so far been identified in the archipelago, but industry sources believe that many more have yet to be discovered in the vast area.

Meanwhile, more resorts are under development in the area.

Shambhala Co. Ltd., Myanmar is building a resort on Myauk Ni Island, about 20 miles northwest of Kawthaung. Myauk Ni Beach Resort will feature six bamboo and thatched-roof bungalows and will be open in November.

The company, which has been operating in the area for nearly five years, runs package tours to Salone Island, Swinton Island, Lampi Island and Myauk Ni Island.

Daw Yin Min Htay, the general manager of Shambhala Co. Ltd., Myanmar, praised the breathtaking beauty of the area and said the islands are just as beautiful as the sea.

“Paddling through narrow mangrove streams is just as nice as being out on the sea. It is really nice for sightseeing, especially during the high tourist season, and you can also see animals while kayaking,” she said.

The resort offers activities such as trekking, snorkeling, sea kayaking and sport fishing.

Daw Yin Min Htay said sport fishing is a very interesting form of recreation.
“We have an expert who can teach the techniques of fishing for different-sized fish,” she said.

Besides resorts, there are luxury liveaboards that run tours in the area and visit many of the exotic islands. Sailing on a lavish boat, living on the spectacular sea and exploring virgin islands is a combination that many would consider to be a dream vacation..

Tourism Myanmar Co-operative Ltd. launched the Mergui Princess liveaboard vessel last year, and can arrange tours to a number of different islands and areas of interest, such as 115 Island, Nyaung Wee Island, Bo Cho Island, Kubo Island, Salet Galet and Cavern Island.

“The islands are breathtaking. There is Panlone (river mouth) Island, which is surrounded by steep rocks and has underwater caves,” said U Thet Lwin Toh, the vice president of the company. “The only way to get to the island is by kayaking under a rock when the water level is low.”

“There are many birds nesting on the island, which our clients always love to explore.”

U Thet Lwin Toh said another island in the area, Lampi Island, is famous as the site of a national park that is rich in wildlife such as elephants and crocodiles.

Mergui Princess I runs sea-venture tours between Myeik and Kawthaung with fixed departure dates. In November the 32-metre-long Mergui Princess II will be added to the company’s fleet.

Tourism Myanmar Co-operative Ltd can also arrange tours on two liveaboards and two dive boats based in Thailand.

U Thet Lwin Toh said the company’s target market includes locals.

“The place is not only for tourists. I also want Myanmar people to see this beautiful part of our country,” he said.

Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd. operates a small fleet of boats for liveaboard diving cruises and adventure tours in the archipelago.

The company’s first boat, a Chinese junk-style vessel named La Fortune, offers adventure cruises in the north and south islands. The Sea Giypsy, which was designed in the traditional Myanmar style, also provides exploratory trips to six uninhabited islands. Possible activities on adventure cruises include fishing, trekking, canoeing, snorkeling and bird watching.

Nautica is a liveaboard used for diving trips. The boat cruises among islands in both Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand, visiting the Simian and Surian islands as well as some newly discovered reefs in the archipelago. The luxurious vessel can accommodate 10 guests. PADI courses are offered on the company’s diving cruises.

The development of tourism infrastructure in the area will no doubt be further supported by Air Bagan’s flights between Yangon to Kawthaung, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The two-and-a-half hour flight costs US$148 for foreigners and K52,000 for locals, each way.