Mergui Archipelago Diving: Exploring the Remote Islands of Myanmar
Just a few miles north of the Thai border, the Mergui Archipelago is composed of more than 800 islands. With easy access from Ranong, Thailand, and several flights a day from Bangkok, plus train and bus combinations, reaching this remote corner of Myanmar is easier than you might imagine.
You can also easily combine a Myanmar diving trip with a visit to Thailand, as many nationalities can enter Thailand with a visa exemption. Visit our FAQ to find out more about the paperwork you need to organise before your stay.
Good to know: historically, a trip to the Mergui Archipelago could also offer the possibility of making a visa run out of Thailand and then coming back in.
Mergui Archipelago dive sites
Remote islands and the Moken people
The Mergui Archipelago is a world of remote and mainly uninhabited islands. Some, however, are home to the indigenous Moken people, traditionally known as “sea gypsies”.
One of the great pleasures of exploring this part of the Andaman Sea is the feeling of having it almost entirely to yourself. We visit some of the most beautiful spots in a very private way, and we are very often the only boat on the dive sites.
Moken people of the Mergui Archipelago
Remote beaches and beautiful coastlines of the Mergui Archipelago
Small groups, more space and personal service
Our philosophy is simple: “smaller is better”.
With a maximum of 16 guests per boat, we take care to make sure you have the best possible time and plenty of space on board during your trip. Small dive groups can be adapted to different levels and interests, including underwater photography, so everyone can enjoy the diving at their own pace.
For us, this is an important part of exploring the Mergui Archipelago. The remote nature of the destination is one of its greatest attractions, and a smaller liveaboard allows us to keep the atmosphere relaxed while giving our guests the personal service needed to make their trip special.
Exploring the underwater world of the Mergui Archipelago
A preserved corner of the Andaman Sea
When this article was originally written, Myanmar’s borders had only been reopened for a few years. The crowds had not yet arrived, and the Mergui area remained largely preserved from mass tourism.
That was part of the appeal of coming here: remote islands, quiet dive sites and an underwater world that still felt wonderfully wild. The feeling of exploration was a big part of the experience, and there was a strong sense that this was a special time to discover the Mergui Archipelago.
The remote beauty of the Mergui Archipelago
Life beneath the surface of the Mergui Archipelago
Discover the Mergui Archipelago underwater
From colourful reefs and remote islands to encounters with large pelagic animals and fascinating macro life, the Mergui Archipelago offers an extraordinary variety of diving. The combination of isolation, small groups and relatively quiet dive sites is what makes a Myanmar liveaboard diving holiday such a memorable way to explore the region.
Whether you are interested in underwater photography, marine life or simply discovering somewhere far away from the usual crowds, the Mergui Archipelago has a special atmosphere that is difficult to reproduce anywhere else in the Andaman Sea.
“Sea You Soon”
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Explore more of Myanmar and the Andaman Sea
- Explore the Mergui Archipelago and discover its remote islands, reefs and dive sites.
- Go deeper into the Burma Banks, one of Myanmar’s most remote diving areas.
- Discover some of Myanmar’s best dive sites, from dramatic pinnacles to shark-rich waters.
- Meet the marine life of the Andaman Sea and learn more about the species you may encounter underwater.
- Take your underwater photography further with our Myanmar diving photography guide.
