Wa Ale

Lying on one of the 800 islands that make up the Mergui Archipelago, the Wa Ale Island Resort is a luxury eco-resort that takes inspiration from the breathtaking natural beauty of its surrounds to create an unassuming yet exclusive island retreat.

With just 14 tents and villas dotted throughout the jungle foliage that fringes the white sands of the beach, the resort prides itself on leaving a minimal footprint on the natural environment. Its design echoes this eco-friendly ethos, with tented beach villas and stilted treetop villas, thatched in local materials. Nestled into the lush jungle, but with spectacular ocean views, the villas and tents mirror the beauty of the landscape, their natural materials and muted tones creating a calm, restful retreat and allowing the spellbinding beauty of the exterior to come to the fore.

Despite its small size, Wa Ale boasts two dining options, with the Main Pavilion serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the River Cafe and Bar offers light meals and drinks, as well as special BBQ evenings. Blending Asian and Mediterranean flavors, the chef creates delicious dishes that use local and sustainable ingredients, including fish from the surrounding waters. With a dive center, spa and exercise facilities, the resort offers amenities that belie its small size.

Surrounded by the pristine waters of the Lampi Marine National Park, Wa Ale offers superb scuba diving and snorkeling amongst the vibrant reefs and caves of the Andaman Sea. Walk out of your tent and step onto the soft sands of Turtle Beach where the Lampi Foundation works to create a safe environment for Green and Leatherback turtles, or enjoy a picnic on the white sands of Honeymoon Beach. Catch sight of kingfishers and eastern reef herons as you kayak or paddleboard through the lush mangroves, or simply unwind on deck of your villa.

Though located off the southern coast of Myanmar, the island can also be accessed from Thailand, offering a perfect escape at the end of a trip through either country. From Bangkok it is a 1 hour and 20 minute drive, followed by a short boat trip and a 1-2 hour luxury speedboat ride from the Kawthaung Jetty. From Yangon it is a 1 hour 30 minute flight to the Kawthaung Jetty.