Arguably the least-known destination within Myanmar is the Mergui archipelago, which sees less than 2,000 visitors each year. Once used as a place of exile for political prisoners, Mergui is the traditional home of the Moken, a nomadic, ocean-going people known as the Sea Gypsies, who, over the centuries, have lived off the cerulean waters of the Andaman Sea. Today, the islands now host guests of a different sort, drawn to the region's colorful corals, white sand beaches, and flourishing wildlife - all made possible by Mergui's relative isolation. In addition to its tropical beauty, Mergui's 800 islands also offer rainforests, mangrove swamps and rocky headlands, many of which remain untouched by human activity; indeed, it is not unheard of to visit Mergui and not see another tourist there during your entire visit.