An Unbelievable Mergui Archipelago Diving Season: Big, Small, Very Big and Very Small!

Let’s say it didn’t start the right way! Tough conditions during the first days meant that we had to change the itinerary. But finally, it ended in a fantastic way: big, small, very big and very small!!! There was everything 😉

Our lucky folks on board were Brad from the USA, Eric from France, Iryna from Ukraine, Steve and Rachael from England, Magdalena from Germany, Jess from Australia and Marcello from Brazil.

Despite the challenging start, the cruise turned into a fantastic showcase of the incredible variety of Myanmar diving. From spectacular encounters with large pelagic animals to tiny reef creatures that required a much closer look, this trip had a little bit of everything. It was also a fitting way to celebrate another unforgettable season in the Mergui Archipelago.

Let’s start with the BIG!

It has been incredible to spot a manta ray in a place where we had never seen them before! Discovering something unexpected is one of the great pleasures of exploring the Mergui Archipelago. Even after many seasons diving these remote waters, there are still surprises waiting for us.

And when a manta suddenly appears, it is definitely one of those moments when everyone stops thinking about the camera settings and simply enjoys the encounter. These graceful giants are among the most spectacular animals you can meet while diving in Myanmar.

And then came the whale shark!

Same for the whale shark!

Because apparently one spectacular big-animal encounter wasn’t enough, we were also lucky enough to meet one of the ocean’s true giants. Seeing a whale shark while diving is always an extraordinary experience, and having one join the list of encounters on this cruise made the ending of the season even more special.

Rays everywhere!

Every kind of ray seemed to be there to say bye-bye: Kuhl’s rays, marbled rays, manta rays, eagle rays …

From the smaller rays moving across the reef to the much larger animals cruising through the blue, it was a spectacular selection. The variety of rays was another reminder of just how much there is to discover beneath the surface of the Andaman Sea.

For anyone fascinated by these graceful animals, our guide to the rays of the Andaman Sea is a good place to continue exploring their world.

Our beloved nudibranchs

Same for our beloved nudibranchs, starting with the fatty Spanish dancer!

Nudibranchs may be tiny compared with manta rays and whale sharks, but they can be just as exciting to find. Once you start looking closely, the reefs of the Mergui Archipelago reveal an incredible collection of colours, shapes and patterns.

And the Spanish dancer is certainly not one to go unnoticed! Its size, movement and spectacular colour make it a memorable subject for underwater photographers and anyone who enjoys searching the reef for unusual marine life.

And all the other colourful ones!

Frogfishes: masters of camouflage

And then … frogfishes!

These wonderfully strange-looking fish are always a favourite with divers. Frogfishes can be remarkably difficult to spot when they blend into their surroundings, which makes finding one feel like a little underwater treasure hunt.

Once you have found one, of course, the next challenge is usually trying to work out exactly where to point the camera! The Mergui Archipelago has plenty of small and unusual marine life to keep observant divers busy between the bigger encounters.

For more tips on finding these masters of camouflage, take a look at our guide to frogfish.

And from the seahorse family …

And from the seahorse family …

After looking out into the blue for manta rays, whale sharks and rays, it was time to slow things down again and search the reef for smaller subjects. Members of the seahorse family are exactly the kind of creatures that reward patience and a good eye underwater.

These encounters were another lovely addition to a cruise that really did have everything: very big animals, big animals, tiny animals and plenty of colourful reef life.

Nice series of portraits

Nice series of portraits …

After all the spectacular wide-angle encounters, it was time to appreciate some of the smaller characters of the reef. Underwater photography has a wonderful way of making you stop and look at details that you might otherwise swim straight past.

Lots of fun with a great bunch of people!

Of course, a great diving trip is about more than what you see underwater. It’s also about the people you share the boat with, the conversations between dives, the laughs, the meals and all those little moments that turn a week at sea into a memorable adventure.

And this group certainly knew how to have fun! Lots of fun with a great bunch of people!

Thank you, Mergui Archipelago!

Thanks, Mergui Archipelago, for this unbelievable season …

It has been a pleasure once again to spend so much time exploring this extraordinary part of the Andaman Sea. The remote islands, underwater landscapes and incredible variety of marine life have given us countless reasons to get excited about every dive.

From the surprise manta encounter to the whale shark, the different rays, colourful nudibranchs, frogfishes and tiny members of the seahorse family, this final adventure was a wonderful reminder of just how much diversity can be found in the marine life of the Andaman Sea.

Congratulations, Jess!

Congratulations to Jess for completing her Advanced Open Water and Nitrox certifications! It hasn’t been easy conditions, but now you have the “surge” specialty! 😉

It was a challenging start to the trip, which makes the achievement even more worth celebrating. Well done, Jess!

Time to rest … and say goodbye to the MV Thai Sea

It has been a pleasure to dive again in this beautiful place and to meet so many amazing people!

It’s time for us now to rest and enjoy our holidays. After another memorable season exploring the Mergui Archipelago, a little time away from the water is definitely deserved.

And it is also time to say goodbye to our fantastic boat: the MV Thai Sea …

It has been a pleasure sailing with you all these years. We will miss you a lot …

So, after a difficult beginning, what an ending! Big, small, very big and very small … there was everything 😉 A huge thank you to Brad, Eric, Iryna, Steve, Rachael, Magdalena, Jess and Marcello for sharing this unforgettable adventure with us.

See you again for more adventures beneath the surface of the Andaman Sea!