SeaVisionBurma Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Two opposite temptations gripped me after my first visit to MacLeod Island (also known as Khayin Khwa Island): jealously keep the secret of its existence, or share it with readers? After a second visit eight months later and several days of intense thought, I decided to pursue the second. From The Myanmar Times by Amaury Lorin Among the new tourist destinations revealed since Myanmar’s recent political opening after decades of military rule, MacLeod Island is a diamond in the rough among 800 uninhabited islands belonging to the remote and unspoiled Myeik Archipelago in the Andaman Sea, in Myanmar’s most southern region. Without being emphatic, it is a dazzling and sumptuous surprise. Closed until recently (including to Myanmar people), the labyrinth archipelago leading to it remains tightly controlled by a large military naval base and a very strict regional immigration office. Indeed, the Myeik Archipelago is strategically situated at the crossroads intersection between Myanmar, India (Andaman Islands), Indonesia (Sumatra) and Thailand. The relative difficulty of reaching McLeod Island, though an inconvenience for some tourists (too bad for them), has helped preserve its stunning natural beauty. Flying southwards over tens of kilometers of virgin white-sand beaches from Yangon to Kawthaung (with two stops in Dawei and Myeik) in Tanintharyi Region confirms, if any doubt was still possible, Myanmar’s great tourism potential. Read the full article here: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/lifestyle/travel/9785-passage-to-eden.html 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigt3365 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Wow...looks fantastic. But as they say, hard to reach! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie1 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Was easy to get there from 1997 onwards by liveaboard from SEAL (South East Asia Liveaboards), based in Phuket. Went as far north as Caboosa Island and even further. I've recently heard this area is restricted now to vessels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12DrinkMore Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Wow...looks fantastic. But as they say, hard to reach! Not too difficult, I've been there. Just 1.5 hours by speedboat from Ranong. Edited March 11, 2014 by SeaVisionBurma Link to commercial site removed 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devaram Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I noticed that one on the map as its not far from some of the most pristine Thai Islands. It is really critical for them to protect the coral reefs around those Islands and that means seriously limiting development and fishing. I wonder they even realise the value of such conservation or even care at all but thankfully the backwardness of that country has probably been natural protection until now. Tell us about your experience there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thailandbeachisland Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) Where are the nice photos ? I see only few, and the resort is super expensive. Edited March 11, 2014 by thailandbeachisland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atyclb Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Nice island. Any waves there? Rates are quite a bit more than phayam island, in the area. payam is also very nice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipperylobster Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Nice island. Any waves there? Rates are quite a bit more than phayam island, in the area. payam is also very nice Had a nice trip to Koh Phayam. We stayed right next door to Blue Sky Resort (5 star), and ate our meals there. Brightest moonlight I ever seen. Our inexpensive room was only 400 baht a night, but power for only 2 to 4 hours. That meant not even a fan. The better hotels have power, but we booked before arrival. Best part, we missed weeks of bad weather just before we arrived... had full moon and 5 days of sunshine with no rain. I would like to visit the Island in the photo, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakegeee Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Wow...looks fantastic. But as they say, hard to reach! Not too difficult, I've been there. Just 1.5 hours by speedboat from Ranong. Whats the visa situation for going there from Ranong? Surely they don't have an immigration booth on the island to stamp you into Myanmar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atyclb Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Payam island is apparently the home of some of the worlds best cashew nuts. they grow everywhere. little hut on the beach was ok with no fan. no roads there only trails for motorbikes. was no fixed electricity either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaVisionBurma Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Advertising posts have been removed from view as per forum rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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