Boulder Bay Eco Resort | Boulder Island: Your Essential Guide to an Untouched Tropical Haven

This guide is about visiting Boulder Island, a hidden gem in the farthest western reaches of the Myeik Archipelago. This region is a beacon of unspoiled beauty and tranquility, where sea gypsies navigate through a labyrinth of jungle vines and across hundreds of islands cloaked in mysterious mist.

Boulder Island’s remote location, situated far west of mainland Myanmar and Thailand, makes it a haven for nature lovers. The Boulder Bay Eco Resort, the island’s only accommodation, features a spacious thatched-roof community center, a fully-equipped dive center, and eco-friendly bungalows—all designed with the island’s ecology in mind. You won’t find shops, roads, noisy boats, or crowds of tourists here. Instead, you’ll experience the peace and quiet that you’ve been craving! I recently spent a few weeks on this idyllic island and it was truly an unforgettable experience!

This area of Myanmar is entirely safe, including the gateway town of Kawthaung and all the islands in this region..

My goal is to inspire others to visit this stunning part of the world while it’s still so untouched. Here’s my practical guide to exploring Boulder Island.

Boulder Beach at the south side of Boulder Island

An Overview of the Myeik Archipelago and Boulder Island.
Safety and Observing “Political Correctness.”
A Brief Overview of Boulder Bay Eco Resort.
Why Should You Visit Boulder Island?
Organizing Your Trip.
Crucial Information Before You Travel.
Resources and How To Connect.

The Myeik Archipelago is a large expanse of over 800 islands stretching for 400 km (248 mi) along Myanmar’s narrow southern region. Further south are the beautiful Thai islands of Surin and Similan.

Located in the westernmost reaches of the archipelago, about 85 kilometres (53 mi) west of mainland Myanmar and Thailand, Boulder Island is remote and pristine, earning its name from the gigantic rounded boulders scattered along its shores, some stacked into gravity-defying formations like immense stone sculptures.

Boulder Island is more than just its unique large boulders dispersed throughout the island and its beaches—it also conceals lush jungles within its interior. With no villages or roads, the island is almost entirely unspoiled by civilization, offering a truly wild and tranquil escape.

Its isolation and lack of development means clear waters and intact coral, making Boulder Island one of the archipelago’s finest snorkelling and diving destinations.

Jungle trails weave through the island, linking all eight beaches—providing your pathways to a secluded paradise filled with beauty and tranquility.

Each beach reveals new surprises from gravity-defying boulder formations to secluded snorkelling spots and beautiful shells. They share soft white sands and crystal clear turquoise waters, tucked into protected coves scattered along the coast. The trails also lead to lookout points for panoramic views over the island.

The Boulder Bay Eco Resort located right on Boulder Beach is cosy, environmentally friendly, and relies entirely on solar power. As guardians of this beautiful island, the friendly Burmese staff make sure to keep the beaches free of drifting trash so you can enjoy the clear turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. A little paradise to treasure!

Location of Boulder Island, Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar

Safety:

Since early 2021, some areas in this beautiful country have faced instability. Despite this, I was told by locals in Kawthaung—Myanmar’s southernmost town and the gateway to the southern Myeik Archipelago, which includes Boulder Island—that they have not experienced any problems.

During my recent visits to Kawthaung, I found the town peaceful and safe. I could walk around freely at any time of the day without issues.

While Kawthaung is an interesting town to explore, if you prefer not to stay overnight, you can cross from Ranong, Thailand, into Myanmar early in the morning when Thai immigration opens, allowing enough time to catch the boat to Boulder Island. Once your longtail boat arrives at the Kawthaung pier, English-speaking resort staff will be there to assist you through immigration and guide you either to your hotel or the resort’s boat.

If you find yourself with some spare time, consider extending your stay in Kawthaung for a few nights. This charming town offers a warm welcome from its friendly and curious locals, always eager to share stories and engage in conversations. Explore the bustling markets and picturesque stilted neighborhoods, where vibrant scenes unfold over the water—a true delight for photographers seeking captivating imagery.

Nagayone Temple in Kawthaung, Myanmar

Being Politically Correct:
I understand that many of us may not want to visit Myanmar. However, lets go there to see first-hand what the people are going through, support these friendly people, and appreciate their beautiful country, culture, and food..

While the people are not rich and need to work hard to support their families, the vast majority are happy regardless of the political situation.

When you visit Boulder Island, only a small fraction of your expenses will go towards the government such as the cost of the visa (about US$50), and any taxes which the resort has to pay. The visa fee will most likely entirely go to cover the cost of the visa office staff.

The majority of the money you spend will go towards employing the resort staff who will take care of you, and their salaries will take care of their families living in Kawthaung or elsewhere in Myanmar.

During one of my visits, I was invited by a resort staff member to his apartment in Kawthaung where his wife prepared a sumptuous meal for us. I also had the opportunity to meet their 10-year-old son. What an experience. Unquestionably, these people need tourism to help support them as work is very scarce in this part of the world. For many, tourism is their only hope to provide for their families. So go and spend money and feel good about supporting these lovely people! I have been to 122 countries and for me, the Burmese people are the most friendly!

The Community Centre of the Boulder Bay Eco Resort

The island’s sole accommodation, the Boulder Bay Eco Resort, is a privately-owned, solar-powered haven nestled behind lush fish poison trees and screw pines on Boulder Beach. This quaint and eco-conscious resort is designed to blend seamlessly with the island’s ecosystem, featuring eight seafront bungalows and a few more in the second row. Built in traditional Burmese style with wooden frames, wooden walls, and palm-leaf roofs, the resort’s construction materials, other than bamboo, were sourced entirely from outside the island, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

The ample supply of fresh water is pumped from a well and meticulously filtered to ensure it is clean and safe to drink. Near the adjacent beach, you’ll find a spacious open-sided yoga center with lovely sea views. This versatile space is perfect for yoga, meditation, meetings, and other events. Make use of the resort’s fully equipped dive centre—with a qualified dive instructor, kayaks and snorkelling equipment to explore the surrounding reefs. The resort’s restaurant serves three sumptuous meals a day so you won’t go hungry!

The Community Centre to eat, drink and to relax

Sustainable Accommodation: The Boulder Bay Eco Resort is solar-powered and built to integrate sustainably into the island’s ecology, offering a comfortable and environmentally friendly stay. The large community centre, yoga centre, and bungalows of traditional Burmese architecture offer beautiful sea views.
Remote and Pristine: Boulder Island is located in the westernmost reaches of the Myeik Archipelago, offering a sense of remoteness and untouched nature. Come here to experience the tranquillity and solitude of a virtually untouched island that may have inspired the mythical Neverland in Peter Pan. No mass tourism, no roads, no shops, and no man-made noises here!
Safe Environment: The island is safe to explore, with no dangerous animals or insects identified. Even the resident monitor lizards and reticulated pythons are harmless. There is no problems here as the island is only home to a few resort staff and their guests.
Superior Snorkeling and Diving: Due to its isolation and lack of development, the waters around Boulder Island are clear, and the vibrant coral reefs are mostly intact, making it an excellent destination for snorkelling and diving. The resort has a fully equipped dive centre with a qualified dive instructor, as well as kayaks for exploring the island’s reefs.
Unique Landscapes: The island is home to gigantic boulders scattered along its shores, creating gravity-defying formations that resemble stone sculptures.
Diverse Wildlife: The island is home to a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, harmless reef sharks, and many species of fish. Birdwatchers can spot white-bellied sea eagles, Brahminy kites, Nicobar pigeons and many more.
Yoga Centre: The large beachfront yoga centre offers a versatile space for yoga, meditation, meetings, entertainment and other events.
Jungle Trails: The island’s jungle trails connect all eight beaches, providing easy access to hidden coves, lookout points, and birdwatching spots.
Panoramic Views: The trails lead to lookout points offering panoramic views over the island, adding to the island’s charm.
Cultural Encounters: The presence of the Moken people in the region (not on Boulder Island), also known as sea gypsies, adds a cultural dimension to visiting this archipelago.
Delicious food: The resort’s kitchen prepares Burmese, Thai and Western cuisines three times a day!
Custom-Designed Boat: For a multi-day sea safari, the MV Sea Gipsy offers snorkelling, adventure excursions, and romantic overnight trips, all in a tastefully decorated Burmese-style junk. To fully experience the island, travellers can combine a few days in a bungalow with a few days on board the MV Sea Gipsy, offering a mix of land and sea adventures.

Yoga and Meditation Centre at Boulder Bay Eco Resort

Visas and permits: Unless you are from the ASEAN region or a few other selected countries, you will need a Myanmar visa. This can be fairly easily obtained from the Myanmar government website at https://evisa.moip.gov.mm. Alternatively, get a visa at your local Myanmar consulate/embassy. I don’t want to list the requirements here as these may change without me knowing it and changing the details here, so best is to enquire when you need the visa. As a rough guideline, the last time I applied (early January 2024) the online eVisa required proof of purchasing Myanmar Government travel insurance while the visa at the Bangkok consulate did not require travel insurance. I just had to fill out a form, provide my passport with 1 photo, and a hotel and flight booking (which you can get from Boulder Resort). The cost was 1,600 Thai Baht (about US$50) which must be deposited at any branch of Bangkok Bank. I picked up my passport 3 days later. You may be told that you must fly via Yangon and can’t cross by boat at Ranong (Thailand), which is not true. In that case, book a hotel in Yangon and cancel it later. Ask the resort to help with a flight ticket to Yangon which then can be cancelled later. A very easy process!
Best time to visit: This region experiences heavy rainfall during monsoon season, which spans from late May to mid-November, with June to September being the wettest and windiest months. During this period, the seas can become too rough for boating. The resort operates from early October to the end of April but closes during the monsoon season. For precise opening and closing dates, it’s best to contact the resort directly. The optimal weather occurs between January and March, although the shoulder months can also be quite pleasant.
Getting there: The resort’s boat leaves from the pier at Kawthaung (pronounced Cowtong), Myanmar’s southernmost town. Get here by flight from Yangon in Myanmar (which could be tricky to book and expensive), or via Ranong in Thailand. The Ranong option is by far the best. Get to Ranong by air from Bangkok or by VIP bus—take the pleasant overnight bus from Sai Tai Mai Bus Station (Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal). The bus ticket costs about 700 baht and departs around 7pm. Alternatively, arrive by private or public transport from the south, such as Phuket. The resort organises transfers from Ranong hotels and the Ranong Airport or bus terminal, which are included in the package. As it can be more challenging for foreign guests to handle immigration procedures, starting in Ranong is recommended. On the departure day, the resort’s guide will arrange the transfer from Ranong and escort guests to Kawthaung to make your stay at the resort from the beginning is as smooth as possible. If needed, stay over one night in Ranong. Accommodation is plentiful.
If you prefer to get to Kawthaung by yourself, then after going through Thai immigration, take a 20 min longtail boat (300 baht) to Kawthaung. The resort’s boat usually leaves from Kawthaung after 10 AM and takes about 5.5 pleasant hours, passing many islands and beaches.

If you prefer to arrive earlier to explore Kawthaung, then a recommended stay is the newly renovated Honey Bear Hotel close to the pier. Kawthaung is safe, and quite interesting if you are a first-time visitor. Lots of photo opportunities as the friendly locals enjoy posing for photos.

Accommodation: Your resort package includes transport by slow boat to and from the Kawthaung pier and the transfer from Ranong to Kawthaung. If you’d prefer a speedboat, the resort can arrange that for an additional fee. The package generally covers three meals a day and all water-based activities on the island, with the exception of scuba diving, which carries an extra charge. When booking, be sure to confirm what is included in your package to avoid surprises.
Currency exchange and budget: As most of your expenses on the island will be included in your package, you won’t need much cash unless you want to leave a tip to the staff or buy soft drinks, beer or other liquors from the restaurant’s bar. You will also need cash if you made arrangements for extra services such as diving, cooking classes etc. In Kawthaung, the Thai Baht is widely accepted, so it is unnecessary to change into Myanmar money (Kyatt) for which you will need USD bills in perfect condition, or Thai baht. On the island there are no stores or outside restaurants to spend your money. Make sure to take with you some snacks if you want. A limited variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available at the resort, at an extra charge. Note that credit cards are generally not accepted in Myanmar due to sanctions. So pay in cash, or you can arrange with the resort to pay via their bank account. Ask when booking your trip.

Bamboo Beach on Boulder Island

Language and Communication: The resort staff who will greet you at the Kawthaung pier and serve you on Boulder Island generally speak good English, so communication shouldn’t be an issue, though patience is always appreciated. The scuba instructor speaks English very well.
Cultural Etiquette and Customs: The Burmese are renowned for their friendliness, but it’s crucial to be culturally sensitive, as you would be when traveling anywhere in Asia or worldwide. Make an effort to learn about and respect local customs to ensure a positive and respectful experience.
Health and Safety: If you decide to do an overnight stay in Kawthaung, make the most of your visit by exploring the town’s markets, temples, and other attractions. You’ll find the locals friendly and curious. Beer and wine are cheaper here than in Thailand. The island’s fresh water is sourced from a well and rigorously filtered for safety, so avoid bringing plastic water bottles. Opt for reusable bottles to reduce waste, and bring back any plastic you brought to the island to dispose of in Kawthaung. Carry a first aid kit and any necessary medications, as Boulder Island has no pharmacies or shops for supplies.
Packing Essentials: It’s a smart move to pack wet tissues, such as baby wipes, along with other essentials you might need while staying on a remote island. Items like sunscreen, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, and a basic first aid kit are invaluable when you’re far from the usual amenities. With these basics, you’ll be well-prepared for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Garbage: Regrettably, even isolated places like Boulder Island are exposed to floating garbage due to ocean currents. Although the nearest village is many kilometers away, trash can still find its way onto the beaches, depending on the direction of the winds and currents.The resort staff work hard to clean the beaches, but feel free to help by picking up any garbage you find and placing it in the bins provided. Be aware of the possibility of broken glass from bottles that wash ashore, though this is rare. Always stay alert for sharp objects on any beach, just as you would anywhere else. I recommend wearing swim shoes to protect against sharp corals, shells, and the occasional piece of broken glass.

Moken Beach on Boulder Island

Blogpost: Remote Boulder Island: Gem of the Andaman Sea
Blogpost: What you didn’t know about Myeik Archipelago of Myanmar
Blogpost: Scuba Diving Myanmar’s Myeik Archipelago
Video: Boulder Island—The Gem of the Myeik Archipelago

For more information, contact via [email protected]. An even better way to enjoy these islands is to combine a stay at the resort on Boulder Island, with a few nights cruising around the islands with their boat, the Sea Gipsy. So please ask the resort at time of booking if a combo package is available.

For information about the Sea Gipsy cruises, check out the island safaris website https://islandsafarimergui.com/ or email to [email protected].