Outer Mergui Archipelago

The outer islands of the Mergui Archipelago face the open Andaman Sea to the west. Wooded shores and sheltered coves break a wide expanse of water, while channels lead eastward among the islands toward Tenasserim. The Moken moved between islands in boats, drawing food from both sea and shore. In the southwest monsoon, rough seas made sheltered beaches and inlets especially valuable places to wait out the season.