June 23
The Flying Fox Excursion at Wa Ale: Witnessing Thousands of Giant Fruit Bats at Dusk
As the last light fades from the Andaman Sea, thousands of giant flying foxes lift from the jungle canopy and stream overhead. One of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters in the Myeik Archipelago.
At Wa Ale Resort, as the last light fades from the Andaman Sea, the island performs something extraordinary. Thousands of giant flying foxes lift from the jungle canopy and stream overhead — wave after wave of them, their wingspans stretching up to a metre and a half, blotting out the darkening sky.
It is one of those moments in nature that stops you completely. And at Wa Ale, it happens every evening.
What Are Giant Flying Foxes?
Giant flying foxes (Pteropus vampyrus) are among the largest bats on earth. They are fruit bats, not insect hunters — navigating by sight and smell rather than echolocation. Their role in the ecosystem is critical: they pollinate trees and disperse seeds across vast distances, making them essential to the health of Southeast Asia's rainforests.
The Myeik Archipelago supports a significant population of flying foxes, in part because the islands remain largely uninhabited and undisturbed. At Wa Ale, the surrounding jungle and neighbouring islands provide ideal roosting habitat — which is why the nightly emergence here is so dramatic in scale.
The Evening Excursion
Wa Ale's guides lead guests by boat to the best vantage points just before dusk. As the sun drops toward the horizon, the first bats begin to emerge — tentatively at first, then in their thousands.
What makes this experience extraordinary is the proximity. The bats fly directly overhead, close enough to hear the beat of their wings. There is no barrier between you and one of the most spectacular wildlife events in Southeast Asia.
The excursion typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, returning to the resort as darkness falls. It pairs naturally with an evening at the River Café, watching the last colours leave the sky.
Why the Myeik Archipelago Is One of Asia's Last Great Wildlife Frontiers
The 800-island Myeik Archipelago sits in the far south of Myanmar, separated from the Thai border by a stretch of open Andaman Sea. Because access has historically been restricted, the archipelago has escaped the kind of development that has transformed much of coastal Southeast Asia.
The result is an ecosystem that feels genuinely untouched. Hornbills, sea eagles, monitor lizards, and dugongs share these waters and forests with the flying foxes — making Wa Ale one of the richest wildlife destinations in the region for guests who want genuine encounters rather than managed ones.
Conservation at Wa Ale
Wa Ale sits within Lampi Marine National Park, Myanmar's only marine national park. The resort operates in close partnership with the Lampi Foundation, supporting conservation and the welfare of the local Salon sea nomad community.
The flying fox colony on and around Wa Ale Island is protected. Guests observe from a respectful distance, and guides brief visitors on the importance of these animals to the forest ecosystem before each excursion.
Plan Your Visit
The flying fox excursion runs year-round, weather permitting. The best conditions fall between November and April, when the Andaman Sea is calm and the skies are clear.
Wa Ale Resort is open from November through to April. The resort accommodates guests in 14 private villas and a four-suite Beach House — all facing the ocean, all within earshot of the jungle that the flying foxes call home.
To enquire about availability or reserve your stay, contact the Wa Ale team.
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