Mergui Liveaboard Diving & Discovery / Adventure cruise

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Q:	What is a Discovery / Adventure cruise?
A:	Discovery / Adventure cruise consist of live-aboard boat with island hopping, Mangrove tour, island trekking, Kayaking, snorkeling, bird watching and observation of native Salone or Molcen sea gypsies. Meals are served on the boat with dedicated cook. You can discover the hidden and well protected beauty of Nature in its pristine condition.
Q:	What is liveaboard diving cruise?
A:	Diving facilities and living accommodation for divers are provided or live aboard diving cruise. The boat becomes your home and you eat, sleep and dive from it! Liveaboard boats stay at sea for the duration of the cruise and therefore can explore more remote destinations. This type of diving opens up a whole of top class scuba opportunities that would simply not be available on a regular daytrip boat.
Q:	How much does it cost to rent or charter a boat?
A:	If you rent a boat from Myanmar site, the cost is about 500 US Dollar per day complete with crew, meals, private bedroom and fuel.
Q:	When is the best time to visit?
A:	The Burma dive season runs from end October to April . The weather and Andaman Sea are at their calmest during the months of February to April and this is when visibility is at its best. This time of year is also manta ray and whale shark season.
Q:	How many dives will I make per day?
A:	Generally you can make three dives a day. A typical liveaboard cruise day in Myanmar starts at 07:00 hrs with the first dive, and the last being either a sunset or night dive. You have about three hours between dives at your leisure.
Q:	What scuba license do I need?
A:	Generally you can make three dives a day. A typical liveaboard cruise day in Myanmar starts at 07:00 hrs with the first dive, and the last being either a sunset or night dive. You have about three hours between dives at your leisure.
Q:	What scuba license do I need?
A:	A open water diving license is acceptable for diving in Burma provided you have an intermediate level of experience. Although there are some deep and exposed sites, there are enough easy dive sites and enough divemasters on board so that you will never need to dive beyond your limits. To make the most of your Burma liveaboard diving adventure you need PADI Advanced Open Water Diver license. We can also arrange dive training with PADI certified instructors.
Q:	Are there any strong currents?
A:	Some of the Burma dive sites visited by liveaboards can have strong currents. This depends on the site, time of month and time of day. Your divemaster will advise you in your dive briefings. Generally, there is never an occasion when you need to swim against a strong current.
Q:	I don't have my diving license with me, can I still visit?
A:	If you have a PADI certification, we can check your details direct with PADI. Please provide your name as it appears on your card and your date of birth. If you contact the dive centre where you were certified, they can help you obtain a new card before you travel.
Q:	How far in advance do I need to book?
A:	Due to the limited number of reliable boat operators running liveaboards in Burma, you must try to book 2-3 months in advance to ensure availability. You can always check with us by dropping an email at mergui@mail4u.com.mm
Q:	Can I dive on my own?
A:	Liveaboards in Myanmar are recreational diving boats, and as such follow recreational scuba guidelines. This means you'll be expected to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 40 metres and observe safe diving time limits. If you prefer to dive without a guide, then this is not a problem provided you have all the equipment necessary to conduct dives unassisted i.e. dive computer or timing device, safety ballon, compass and dive knife.
Q:	Do I need a wetsuit?
A:	It is recommended to rechange your batteries while cruising current is stable during cruising as we can run large generator. Please check with the boat captain how to change your batteries.
Q:	Can I rent an underwater camera?
A:	You can buy 1-time use underwater with film loaded. Please check with our crew for availability.
Q:	What kind of food is served?
A:	Chinese, Myanmar, Thai and European Breakfast is served on board. The standard of cuisine is quite good throughout the industry here.
Q:	Can I request vegetarian food?
A:	Please do tell us your requirements at the time you make your booking, so that we can meet your request.
Q:	Can I bring alcohol onboard?
A:	You can bring what you like on board Myanmar liveaboards. If you have a favourite tipple or taste, feel free to bring it along.
Q:	Where can you pick me up from?
A:	We can arrange transfers to your liveaboard from your hotel, from Ranong Airport if you arrive just before your boat departure. Please advise us of your preferred transfer point before you arrive.
Q:	Where can I find you?
A:	Our dive centre and office is located in Kawthaung, on a very busy street at the top of Myoma Jetty. We suggest you look at the map below and print a copy for your reference.
Q:	What should I bring on board?
A:	All your personal equipment (expect tanks, weights and weight belts), a bathing suite, towel, toiletries, T-shirts, shorts, and sun cream, You may also want to bring something a little warmer for the evenings.
Q:	Where can I leave my access baggage when I go on a cruise?
A:	If your hotel can not help you store your baggage, then we are more than willing to help. You can store your bags and valuables at our office for the duration of your liveaboard trip. Just don't leave any valuables and money.
Q:	Will I get sea sick?
A:	All the liveaboards in the Mergui Archipelago use mooring points to over-night at the islands visited on the cruise. These mooring points are located in the island's bays, sheltered away from any open sea swells. If you are particularly susceptible to motion sickness, then you should consider joining a cruise in February to April, when the seas are very calm. Do bring your own motion sickness medicine.
Q:	Is insurance for customers included in the cruise price?
A:	We recommend you have your own personal insurance, for your own peace of mind. Please make sure your insurance covers myanmar waters.
Q:	Is Malaria a problem?
A:	The Myanmar liveaboard scuba destinations are free of Malaria.
Q:	Can a non-driver go on a liveaboard?
A:	Non-drives and snorkellers are welcome on all our liveaboard safaris. Most of the sites visited offer good snorkeling too.
Q:	Do I have to share a cabin?
A:	As space is the ultimate premium on all liveaboards, single cabins are extremely rare and expensive. Unless we manage to book you a single cabin, you will be expected to share. It may be, if the boat is not full, that you can have your own cabin but this situation can not be guaranteed. The only way to guarantee a cabin for yourself is to bay for two beds!
Q:	Can I explore the beaches at the islands?
A:	Our Discovery/Adventure cruise will stop at each selected destination for you to discover the island, beach & under water beauty. Please do advise the tour leader before and each time you disembark from the boat. Note, make sure you bring sun-cover of some sort as it can be very hot.
Q:	What about tipping?
A:	Tipping is entirely a matter of choice. If you Burma liveaboard charter met or exceeded your expectations, you may wish to leave a tip of up to 10% of your cruise price. Smaller tips are welcome too!
Q:	Will I see sharks?
A:	We certainly hope so! Leopard sharks and white-tip reef sharks are the most common and seen on all trips. Nurse sharks and silver-tip sharks can be seen quite commonly on Burma Banks liveaboards. Whale sharks sightings also occur every year - keep your fingers crossed! Manta rays sightings have been very common in recent years, and you will always see blue-spotted sting rays, marble rays, and fantail rays.
For more adventures on liveaboards, contact  : mergui@mail4u.com.mm

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