Myanmar Dive Sites

The country of Myanmar (Burma) is home to a vast number of islands, coral reefs and banks, all of which lie to the north and west of Thailand. Because of the distance to Myanmar's most popular dive areas-the Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks-dive excursions are limited to live-aboards based out of Phuket, Thailand, and Kawthaung, Myanmar (Burma). Known to Thais as Ko Song (meaning "Second Island"), Kawthaung is also referred to by its colonial name of Victoria Point. This small fishing town is the gateway to the region's dive sites-even live-aboards from Phuket need to stop here to go through customs. While Thailand based vessels usually dive in the Similans and Surin areas as well as Myanmar (Burma), boats based in Kawthaung generally specialize in their national waters. Typical itineraries range from 4 to 10 days, regardless of where the boats are based. If you are shopping for a dive trip to Myanmar (Burma), keep in mind that nearly all dive operators still refer to the country by its former name, Burma.

While diving here is similar in some ways to diving in Thailand, there are also many differences, including an abundance of uncommon and unusual marine life. Another positive point is the relative scarcity of dive boats here compared with Thai waters, at least for the time being.

Mergui Archipelago & Burma Banks Dive Sites

 Western Rocky Island:
 Fan Forest Pinnacle:
 High Rock:
 North Twin Island:
 North Twin Plateau:
 Three Islets (In Through the Out Door):
 Black Rock:
 Northeast Little Torres Island:
 Burma Banks:

Dive Sites - Myanmar (Burma)

The Mergui Archipelago and the remote Burmese Banks are today the "must" for every serious sea lover. Myanmar opened its rich waters to foreigners in 1997, after a closed period of over 50 years. More than 800 islands are scattered on 3600 km2, waiting for exploration. Some of them are inhabited by the sea-gypsies that once were the sole population of the Siam's West Coast, the only people you may see during your trip. A few dive shops only have been allowed to operate the Burmese waters. So just imagine : underwater, untouched reefs, no boat engine to tear your ears apart, no curtains of bubbles to obstruct your vision; at the surface, deserted beaches, fishing villages, amazing rock formations… Do not miss this unique opportunity to explore truly non-crowded sites. You'll be cruising a long lost archipelago, one of the last.

Black Rock

Black Rock is one of most spectacular dive sites in the Mergui archipelago with an excellent variety of reef life and abundance of large pelagics including Silvertips, Gray reef sharks, Blacktips, Bull sharks, Eagle and Manta rays. It stands in a northwest to southeast position, with steep banks all around, and with a wall on its wes t and south west sides. There are beautiful soft coral formations in the deeper areas. Black Rock is a truly awesome Burma dive site. Not to be missed!

Shark Cave ( OK Rock)

Another of the top Mergui Archipelago diving sites, Shark Cave is known for its resident docile nurse sharks. The ragged cave entrance is on the North West corner of the islet, and is 5-16 metres deep. Often found guarding the entance are several grey reef sharks, long-fin trevally and silver sweetlips. On the far side of the bowl a tunnel leads to the other side of the island and a beautiful hard coral reef.

Twins Island (South twin and North twin)

South and North Twins Island lay the 48 nautical miles far west of Shark Cave. The Twin Islands' waters are visited by bull sharks, rainbow runners, and eagle rays. One kilometer to the North West of North Twin laid a series of sloping rocky ridges. These ridges have sea fans, and flower corals. Lobsters and Many rays can be seeing in there.

High Rock

High Rock is a small islet with a single tree. The depth is only 18 - 25m with plenty of soft coral and cup coral especially in the deeper parts. Seahorses are commonly found. The many cracks and crevices and barrel sponges dominate the seabed with common lion fish and bearded scorpion fish sheltering inside their rims from the currents.

Western Rocky

A small barren island, perhaps 60 m wide, it is home to hundreds of painted spiny lobsters and some playful nurse sharks. Cuttlefishes and big reef squid are common, and giant fusiliers sweep over the reef, made up of large flower corals and yellow featherstars. There is a tunnel leads right through the island.

Burma Banks

The Burma banks are a group of seamounts with surrounding waters exceeding a depth of 300 m, the top of the banks rise to within 15-24 m of the surface. Silvertips sharks are quite common here. Tawny nurse sharks are also easily spotted, as they doze half-hidden under the overhangs created by the table corals that dot the flat seascape here.

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