The Myeik Archipelago

The Myeik Archipelago is more than 14,000 square miles of islands and sea that is largely untouched. The sailing and diving here are spectacular, with many ocean species not found anywhere else on earth.

Amazingly, with 808 islands, several larger than Singapore and only 12 inhabited, there is only ONE resort! And it’s nothing to write home about. Sadly, at last for many, this situation is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.  The main reason is that strange form of greed you often see in developing nations, where the powers that be raise the price when demand is low! And then stay stubborn about it when no one is willing to pay. This is the current situation concerning development of the archipelago. No developer is willing to pay the exorbitant land use prices on top of having to develop an island property with zero infrastructure and zero help from the would be seller. It’s simply not going to happen until the government comes to its senses.

That leaves accommodation confined to one very average resort on one northern island off Kauthaung, McLeod, and a handful of dive boats and sailing yachts licensed to operate in the the archipelago.  Independent travel is not permitted, except in and around mainland towns. The great news is for divers and sailors who love to explore gloriously beautiful and wild virgin territory. In that light, the Myeik Archipelago  is one of last great hidden island treasure troves on the planet. See The Life Aquatic for tour information.  Also see Myanmar luxury tours.