Burma diving cruise for 6 days 5 nights : Explore the Mergui islands
Burma's best dive sites: Discover the Mergui Archipelago
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Itinerary of our dive cruise: Day 1: Meeting at our dive center headquarters between 10am and 12pm. At 2pm we will head to the immigration office to get the necessary exit stamps from Thailand and then make our way to board the magnificent MV Smiling Seahorse. Upon crossing the border into Myanmar, immigration officers will board in Kawthaung and do the necessary border crossing screening. Once the paperwork is completed, we will head out to sea! At sunset we will hold a ceremony to launch our voyage. Then it will be time for your first scrumptious meal before being rocked to sleep by the waves. We will be back to Ranong around 5-6 pm The last dive ends no later than 9 a.m. Once we got our passports back from the Burmese authorities, we will sail back to Thailand where we get a new visa stamp. (30 days for G8 countries passport holders, 15 days for the others getting visa on arrival) |
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In Mergui Archipelago we will see...South Twin Island. Sitting in the outskirts of the Mergui Archipelago, this dive site is quite scenic with consistent crystal visibility and a topography of huge granite boulders. We have even been lucky enough the start the voyage off in style with a guest appearance from a majestic manta ray. Macro lovers will also be treated to chances of ghost pipefish, seahorses and frogfish! We end the first day of diving with a night dive searching for pygmy squid, candy crabs, cowries and nudibranchs!
Shark Cave. Things to see in this area include Ghost Pipefish, Harlequin Shrimps, Frogfish, Seahorse and gorgeous coral everywhere. And if you’re extra lucky you may even catch a glimpse of a Manta Ray, Eagle Ray, Whale Shark, Grey Reef Shark, Nurse Shark and big blotched Stingray. Between dives 2 and 3, we invite you to get some sand between your toes on your surface interval on the pristine beach of the nearby island. For night dive, we will give you the option to dive your favourite of the 3 sites you saw on Shark cave’s dives. Keep an eye out for a plethora of crustaceans and other macro life. We often see the undulating Spanish dancer nudibranch here. North Twin. It should be an exciting day as this dive site will offer the best visibility of the trip and the best chance to see large pelagic marine creatures like manta rays, eagle rays, whale sharks, grey reef sharks, nurse sharks and zebra sharks. Coral lovers will be in awe of the massive sea fans here as well. Western Rocky. The first dive will be at the nearby Seafan Forest which is carpeted in massive colourful sea fans (surprise!) and lush purple soft corals. This magical site has graced us with up to 4 whale sharks at once, so depending on our luck we can choose to stay here or move to the center of the Western rocky region. The main island has a glorious swim through full of lobsters that passes from one side of the island to the other. The sandy bottom surrounding it gives rise to a collection of islets and secret pinnacles that are home to a multitude of macro critters as well as vibrant coral and several types of sharks including the rare Bowmouth guitarfish. The last dive usually goes into a volcano where a group of Black Tip Sharks likes to hang around. It is also a site rich in macro life where the question is not if you will see a seahorse, the question is how many? Up to 10 per dive if you have good eyes as well as rare species such as shaded Batfish, Comet Long Fins or Pineapple Fish. |
Dive into a former volcano
Ornate ghost Pipefish
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Adorable pygmy squid
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Zebra shark
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High Rock, Shark Cave, North Twin, Mc Leod Island, Western Rocky, Seafan Forest
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INCLUDED
• Full accommodation and board (Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon bites, Dinner) • All soft drinks, drinking water, fresh coffee & tea • Fresh fruits, yogurt & snacks all-day • 12 L scuba tank, Weights & Weight Belt • PADI Professional Dive Guide (for up to 4 divers) • up to 18 Dives • Towels, reef-friendly amenities • Sea kayak and hammock |
NOT INCLUDED:
* You will have to apply for an E-visa for Myanmar, cost: 50$, port of entry: Kawthaung, link to apply * Burmese entry and diving Fees 180 USD / Pers (to be confirmed) . COMPULSORY IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN: - PERSONAL INSURANCE (General Travel insurance is highly recommended) - Computer rental 300 THB/day - Equipment rental 600 THB/ day . OPTIONS: - 15L Tank 250 THB / day or 1,250 THB for the whole cruise - Nitrox : 250 THB/tank or 3,600 THB for the whole cruise - Private guide 3,000 THB/day - Optional Blackwater dive 500 THB/ dive . COURSES: - PADI Courses - Photographer private coaching . Transfers to and from the boat on-demand . Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes . Gratuity/ tips (1000 THB / day /pers is common practice) |
Note: This itinerary is provided as sample itinerary and can be modified by The Smiling Seahorse based on weather forecast, dive conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
