Wa Ale Island Resort
Mergui Archipelago

Tucked away on a 9,000-acre privately-owned island in the Lampi Marine National Park, Wa Ale is an intimate and luxurious eco-retreat. Overlooking a pristine beach in a beautiful protected cove, this is the place to come to reconnect with the natural world amidst the wild and raw beauty of Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago.

Wa Ale’s focus is on responsible and sustainable tourism; encouraging care for the surrounding environment and local communities, the resort is constructed of reclaimed materials and practises alternative sources of energy for power. Luxury private accommodations are situated on a one kilometre white sand beach and comprise of 11 Tented Beach Villas and 3 Treetop Villas. Custom designed to blend into the lush tropical beach environment, each of the villas are built to leave a minimal green footprint, constructed using only locally reclaimed materials, while creating the ultimate in comfort and design. The Tented Beach Villas are family sized (accommodating up to four people) and have unobstructed ocean views, whilst the Treetop Villas are set amidst a canopy of trees with ocean views and a wonderful breeze. Beautifully appointed, these villas can comfortably accommodate two guests.

There are two dining options within the resort; the main Pavilion Restaurant & Bar serves three delicious meals a day, while the casual outdoor dining at River Café & Bar serves light meals and drinks daily, as well as BBQ dinners on selected evenings during the week. The cuisine is a blend of Asian and Mediterranean inspired dishes using organic produce from the chef’s organic garden as well as local community farms and sustainable fresh seafood caught daily from the Archipelago.

The island is home to two spectacular beaches; Turtle Beach, where Wa Ale is located, is a protected nesting area where sea turtles lay their eggs year-round. Honeymoon Beach is the other stunning beach, with a one kilometre stretch of pristine white sand, lapped by clear, calm waters. It is the ideal setting for guests to relax, enjoy a picnic and explore. With such a keen focus on conservation, a percentage of Wa Ale’s profits from ecotourism is designated for various conservation efforts in the Lampi Marine National Park, including Sea Turtle Conservation and Coral Protection as well as charitable donations to education and medical programs for the local community.

Wa Ale can be accessed by a number of airlines that fly 90 minutes from Yangon to Kawthaung. Upon arrival in Kawthaung Airport, guests are transferred to the Kawthaung Jetty, where they embark on a 2-hour luxury speed boat transfer to the resort. Wa Ale Island Resort is closed June 1st- September 30th.

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus