Explore Scuba Diving @ Myanmar Dive Sites
Unexplored Myanmar already has a plethora of dive sites with more just waiting to be discovered. The currently mapped sites are spread out mostly up and down the southwest coast which is home to the Mergui Archipelago. Further west of the archipelago, lie a series of open ocean dive sites which feature larger marine life. Whatever your dive experience, you are sure to find a site to satisfy the explorer in you.
With more than 800 islands, Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago is home to some of southeast Asia’s best diving. While the south area of the archipelago has recently suffered from overfishing and shark finning, the northern half remains untouched. Dive masters are still discovering everything the area has to offer, but you can expect healthy corals, schools of devil rays and the occasional whale or nurse shark. Tahe small stuff is turning heads too. Frogfish, lobsters, crabs and colorful shrimp create a macro-lover’s dream.
Further west of the Mergui Archipelago, sites like the Burma Banks offer a different picture of what Myanmar has on offer. What may look like small 49 foot (15 meter), flat-top mountains on the surface, are actually giant mountains that plunge 1000 feet (300 meters) to the sea floor. Shark sightings are all but guaranteed on these open ocean dives. Nurse sharks are frequently seen with a few reef sharks thrown in here and there. Burma Banks is definitely the place to go if you love to see pelagic species.
Introduction
The currently mapped sites are spread out mostly up and down the southwest coast which is home to the Mergui Archipelago. Further west of the archipelago, lie a series of open ocean dive sites which feature larger marine life. Whatever your dive experience, you are sure to find a site to satisfy the explorer in you.
With more than 800 islands, Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago is home to some of southeast Asia’s best diving. While the south area of the archipelago has recently suffered from overfishing and shark finning, the northern half remains untouched. Dive masters are still discovering everything the area has to offer, but you can expect healthy corals, schools of devil rays and the occasional whale or nurse shark. The small stuff is turning heads too. Frogfish, lobsters, crabs and colorful shrimp create a macro-lover’s dream.
Further west of the Mergui Archipelago, sites like the Burma Banks offer a different picture of what Myanmar has on offer. What may look like small 49 foot (15 meter), flat-top mountains on the surface, are actually giant mountains that plunge 1000 feet (300 meters) to the sea floor. Shark sightings are all but guaranteed on these open ocean dives. Nurse sharks are frequently seen with a few reef sharks thrown in here and there. Burma Banks is definitely the place to go if you love to see pelagic species.
While Myanmar’s dive sites are just opening up, their popularity is growing too. Do yourself a favor and get to this beautiful and unspoilt region before the crowds do.
Dive Site Information
Visitors to Myanmar can expect everything from big fish action to rare macro interactions.
On the larger end of the spectrum, nurse sharks, armies of barracuda, devil rays and reef sharks are commonly seen. Whale sharks and manta rays may make an appearance when the plankton blooms are in full swing.
While the number of pelagic species in Myanmar is impressive, the region has recently gained fame as a destination for macro life. Multi-colored shrimp, crabs, lobsters, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish and frogfish enjoy the unhurried life of Myanmar’s waters.
Whichever area your liveaboard visits, you are sure to have some unusual creatures donning the pages of your log book at the end of the trip.
What's Included
Onboard shower and toilet
Tanks, weights and weight belt
Water, tea and coffee
Light snack after the first dive
Soft dive gear (full foot fins, wetsuit and mask) – requested sizes subject to availability.
What's Excluded
• Equipment rental
• Marine park fee
• 4 x AA sized batteries (if required for night dive)
• Airfare (if any)
• Taxes and fuel surcharges,
• Personal expenses (includes drinks, bills and tips),
• Travel insurance (proof of insurance required),
• Visa application and fees (if applicable),
• Gratitude for the Boat Crew / Guide
Dive Trip Requirements
• Valid passport and Visa (if applicable)
• Cash in local currency
• Personal Medication
• Travel Insurance (recommended)
• Able to snorkel/swim in the sea
• Minimum of PADI Open Water Diver Certification or equivalent (for leisure diver)
Equipment needed for the excursion:
Sun cream, hat, flip flop or sandals, swimming suit, beach wear, towel, camera
How to Get There
• By Air, Land and Sea
GETTING THERE
Yangon International Airport is the major hub for all international flights entering or exiting Myanmar. However, reaching the Mergui Archipelago from Yangon requires either a local flight on an infrequent service or two to three days of bus journeys.
To remedy this problem, most liveaboards with destinations in Myanmar leave from Ranong, Thailand. This city can be easily accessed from either Bangkok or Phuket, both of which have international airports of their own. Frequent bus services and taxis ply the route to Ranong from most of Thailand’s tourist destinations.
Payment Terms
SGD 100 deposit required upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and dive trip.
Payment payable once upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and or with dive trip package/s.
Equipment Rental
Rates (SGD)/ Per Day
Dive Torch : SGD 10
Dive Computer : SGD 15
Dive Computer - D4i : SGD 30
Camera : SGD 35
Disclaimer
Estimated rates for booking, Exact cost of dive trip booking depends on each dive itinerary and arrangement package. Invoice on the payment details will be sent to your personal email account upon booking.
Includes Boat transport, and for each pax meal - Breakfast, Lunch and transport back and forth to your hotel or resort or hostel accomodation.
If you will like to book for the accomodation for a stay for 1 Night or more for yourself and family members or for a tour group etc. , please indicate for your accomodation booking, for the number of days/nights of stay here in Myanmar, and we will arrange for you.
Subjective to availability.
An invoice will be sent to you via email on the separate payment charges for accomodation stay.
Applicable to local and foreign visitors :
• The arrangement of the sequence of the itinerary is subject to change with/without prior notice.
• In the event that the venue of attraction is closed to visitors, it will be replaced with an alternative venue if possible.
• May request for travel itinerary from us via email.
• During trade fairs or the peak season, accommodation stay may not be inclusive.
All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in itinerary.
If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip. Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Cancellation Policy
Any change in trip dates after booking confirmation will be subjected to SGD 100 administrative fees per change/s. Full fees will be charges for packages cancelled or postponed with less than 28 days notice.
If you cancel less than 28 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, full payment will be non-refundable. If more than 28 days, 50% of the package price will be forfeited with an administrative charge of SGD 50 Payable to the dive shop.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
* The timings are as estimated proposed. Diving trip is subjected to road/traffic/tide/weather conditions on the day of trip.
Additional Information
Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in itinerary.
If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip.
Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Please check you have the required travel documents before booking your dive trip.
Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from your time of entry into Myanmar.
