Horse Shoe Island: A Two-Day, One-Night Getaway in the Burmese Sea

This newly opened tour, launched last year, offers a unique opportunity to experience the Burmese Sea. Unlike my previous one-day trip to the "Emerald Heart Island (Cock's Comb)" in Ranong, this time I embarked on a two-day, one-night adventure to Horse Shoe Island (also known as "Horseshoe Island" in Thai).

Previously, the Burmese government only allowed day trips to Horse Shoe Island. However, recent changes now permit overnight stays, making this exciting two-day, one-night trip possible.

Horse Shoe Island: A Hidden Gem in the Andaman Sea

Horse Shoe Island, also known as Ko Ko Kham, is a picturesque island located off the coast of Myanmar, near the border of Ranong Province, Thailand. Accessible by speedboat in approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, the island's unique horseshoe shape is evident from aerial photographs. Its curved coastline, embraced by rocky mountains, creates a sheltered bay that serves as a haven for Burmese fishermen seeking refuge from monsoon winds.

Horse Shoe Island is one of the four islands included in the "Emerald Heart Island" (Koh Kham) day trip. The crystal-clear, emerald-green waters surrounding the island offer exceptional snorkeling opportunities, allowing visitors to explore the vibrant coral reefs directly from the shore.

An overnight trip to Horshoe Island in the Burmese Sea requires booking with a tour company as these islands are under the concession of the Burmese government. Border crossing documents must be obtained from the Immigration Bureau. Tour companies will handle the paperwork for you; you only need to pay for the trip and provide a copy of your ID card. For this trip, I used Ranong Tour Holiday (https://www.ranongtourholiday.com/). If you are interested in the trip, you can contact them for inquiries.

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This trip, as usual, I drove from Phuket to Ranong province, taking the route from Khao Lak, Takua Pa, Kuraburi, and finally arriving in Ranong province, a distance of approximately 300 kilometers. It took me about 4 hours to travel. For those coming from Bangkok, traveling to Ranong province is now convenient, with both airplanes and buses available. Currently, Ranong province is becoming increasingly popular among tourists, as several islands off the coast of Myanmar have been opened for tourism. I heard that several airlines are starting to open direct flights to Ranong.

We spent one night at a hotel in Ranong city before embarking on our trip to Koh Horshu the next morning. I drove to the pier myself and arrived around 8:00 AM. The pier from which we would depart was the "Grand Andaman Ranong Pier." For those driving from Ranong city, the pier is approximately 15 minutes away. For those who purchased a tour package with a Ranong tour company, the company will provide transportation to and from your hotel, but the hotel must be located within Ranong city. Upon arrival at the pier, light refreshments such as tea, coffee, bread, and rice porridge were available. Around 9:00 AM, the tour operator distributed border crossing documents that had been prepared for us. We then submitted these documents to immigration at the pier and were ready to depart.

Our journey takes approximately one hour by speedboat to reach Horseshoe Island. The boat departs from the Grand Andaman Pier at 9:00 AM. After departing the pier, the boat makes a brief stop at Koh Son, near the Grand Andaman Hotel, to complete border formalities with Myanmar. The boat then proceeds to Koh Song, Myanmar, to pick up Burmese officials who will assist with coordination.

Khawthaung, Myanmar, is not actually an island as its name suggests. It is a peninsula that juts out from the coast of Myanmar. Visitors can take a day trip to Khawthaung from Ranong, Thailand. There are several tourist attractions in Khawthaung, and visitors can take a ferry from Ranong to Khawthaung. However, visitors must have the necessary travel documents to cross the border.

We departed from Koh Song, Burma, by boat. After approximately one hour, we arrived at Horse Shoe Island, also known as "Horseshoe Island." Horse Shoe Island is situated near Emerald Heart Island (Cock's Comb), making it a popular destination for one-day excursions. The typical one-day trip to Emerald Heart Island includes visits to Emerald Heart Island (Cock's Comb), Horse Shoe Island, Yan Sue Island, and Ta Fuk Island. The waters surrounding Horse Shoe Island are crystal clear and emerald green, making it an ideal location for snorkeling and coral viewing.

Upon arrival at Horseshoe Island, the staff will escort you to the island for relaxation, swimming, coral viewing, and lunch at your leisure. For those staying overnight on Horseshoe Island, the staff will collect your luggage and store it at your accommodation. They will also provide an explanation of the various facilities and rules for your one-night stay on the island.

Accommodation on Horseshoe Island consists of individual, modestly sized bamboo huts without en-suite bathrooms. Shared bathroom and shower facilities are located in a separate area. The huts lack air conditioning and plush beds, offering only fans and basic sleeping mats. Amenities are non-existent, making this a far cry from luxurious resorts. This accommodation is ideal for those seeking a true immersion in nature, with the soothing sounds of waves as their constant companion. Please note that electricity is available only between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. It's important to manage expectations; if you're looking for a typical resort experience, this is not the place for you. It's definitely not suited for those with high-society aspirations.

The front of the room has a balcony where you can sit and enjoy the sea view in the morning. The bedroom can comfortably accommodate two people and has a fan and electrical outlets for charging devices. Mosquito nets are also provided to keep out mosquitoes, although there are not many on the island at night.

On Horseshoe Island, there is a Thai phone signal even though it is located in Myanmar. However, the signal is only available in certain areas. Only AIS and Dtac have a signal, which is quite clear and allows you to make and receive calls. As for the internet signal, it is around 3G and intermittent, allowing you to browse the internet and update Facebook occasionally. The phone signal is not available throughout Horseshoe Island, and you will need to walk to the right side of the island to access it. I have marked the areas with a signal on the map.

The bathroom is a shared facility for showering, with separate sections for men and women. The water on the island is sourced from underground groundwater and collected rainwater.

After storing your belongings, it's time for lunch. Lunch is served in boxed sets like this. If you're not full, you can always ask for more. On Horshu Island, there are two buildings to accommodate tourists who come to the island for lunch. Every day, day-trippers come to Horshu Island for lunch.

This trip offers a unique and refreshing experience with its "Ancient Rocket Water," a delicious, sweet, and sparkling beverage that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Guests can enjoy unlimited refills of this complimentary drink, which comes in a variety of flavors to satisfy every palate.

After lunch, we went snorkeling at Cock's Comb Island (Emerald Heart Island). On the way, we saw a large flatfish swimming on the surface of the water. This is a rare sight, as they usually swim in deep water.

After a short journey from Horseshoe Island, we arrived at **"Emerald Heart Island, or Cock's Comb Island."** This island is the remains of an extinct volcano. The highlight of this trip is the cave entrance to Emerald Heart Island. Once you pass through the cave, you will reach a lagoon. However, it is important to note that access to Emerald Heart Island is not always possible. The authorities will assess the water levels each day to determine whether entry is safe. Access may be granted in the morning or afternoon, but there are very few days when entry is not possible.

To access Emerald Heart Island, visitors must swim into the island. Boat staff will be on hand to ensure safety. For those who cannot swim, special assistance can be requested from the staff.

The cave's interior is not far, just a short distance away. However, the water flow is quite strong, but there is no need to worry as there are ropes to hold onto as you go inside. Notice the emerald green color of the water inside the cave, which contrasts beautifully with the upper walls of the ceiling. If you dive down to the bottom, you will see the stunning beauty of the coral reefs, with a variety of colors that are abundant.

The next island we visited after finishing our dive at Koh Mook was "Koh Ta Puk", or officially known as "Dunkin Island". This island boasts a pristine white sand beach with incredibly fine sand, similar in texture to flour. In comparison, it's on par with Thailand's own "Koh Tachai". We spent approximately 45 minutes on Koh Ta Puk, relaxing and taking photos.

Departing from Koh Talu, after approximately 15 minutes, we arrive at **Zedetkyi Kyun Island**. This location boasts the most stunning coral reefs in the area. Witness vibrant fields of sea anemones and playful clownfish, making this an ideal spot for an immersive snorkeling experience. We dedicate approximately one hour to exploring the underwater wonders of Zedetkyi Kyun Island.

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As the evening approached, the water level at Horseshoe Island receded significantly, revealing a vast expanse of staghorn coral. We carefully navigated through the shallows, ensuring we didn't damage the delicate coral formations. As darkness descended, the island's staff prepared a delicious buffet dinner for us to enjoy.

A Tranquil Morning on Horseshoe Island

The morning atmosphere on Horseshoe Island is truly serene, with only the sound of waves lapping against the shore. It's the perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature, as there are no modern amenities to distract you. No TV, no refrigerator, no air conditioning – it's like stepping back in time to a simpler way of life. You might even feel like you're stranded on a deserted island, waiting to be rescued! (Just kidding!)

Our breakfast this morning consisted of fried eggs, rice porridge, tea, and coffee, which were prepared for us by the island staff.

On the second day of our two-day, one-night trip to Horseshoe Island, we will stay on the island until the afternoon. A speedboat will then pick us up and take us back to the mainland in Ranong. Activities on the island include relaxing, visiting the viewpoint, and kayaking around Horseshoe Island.

The hike to the viewpoint on Horseshoe Island is a bit challenging, requiring a short climb, but the panoramic views of the entire beach are well worth the effort. If you're staying on the island, I highly recommend making the climb for some stunning photos.

An interesting activity for visitors to Horseshoe Island is kayaking around the island. Visitors can paddle around the island themselves, or they can have a staff member on the island paddle for them.

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After packing our belongings and having lunch, a speedboat will pick us up in the afternoon to return to Ranong. Before reaching Ranong, the "2-Day, 1-Night Horseshoe Island Trip" will provide dinner. The staff will then take us to the Grand Andaman Hotel on Koh Son, Burma, to shower, change clothes, and enjoy a buffet dinner.

The restaurant at the Grand Andaman Hotel on Koh San Pom offers a wide variety of dishes to choose from. You can choose whatever you like.

I must excuse myself from the trip "Horseshoe Island 2 Days 1 Night, Burmese Sea" due to the beautiful sunset view from the Grand Andaman Hotel restaurant. It is truly breathtaking.

The Horseshoe Island: A 2-Day, 1-Night Escape to Burmese Waters

This trip is ideal for divers and nature enthusiasts seeking a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of waves and embrace the simple pleasures of Burmese waters.

Highlights:

• Dive into the depths: Explore the vibrant marine life of Horseshoe Island, a haven for underwater adventures.
• Reconnect with nature: Unwind amidst the serene beauty of the island, where tranquility reigns supreme.
• Leave your worries behind: Disconnect from the pressures of work and embrace a laid-back atmosphere.

Important Note:

This trip prioritizes a rustic experience over luxurious amenities. If you seek the comforts of a typical hotel or resort, this might not be the ideal choice.

Ready to embark on this unique adventure?

Contact us at 096-636 4565, 085-694 4565, or visit www.ranongtourholiday.com for more information and booking details.