Manta Expedition in Myanmar: Exploring the Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks
Setting sail from Ranong on 20 April 2024, we were filled with excitement as we welcomed back aboard our Manta Queen, Jamie Piyada, for our annual Manta Expedition.
This time, Jamie would guide us through Myanmar’s spectacular underwater world, exploring the Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks.
Our divers had travelled from Germany, France, India, the USA, Malaysia and Singapore, creating another wonderfully international group of passionate divers. It was also such a pleasure to welcome five returning guests this week. Thank you for coming back again and again – it is so nice sharing these adventures with friends, both old and new.
Our VIP Marine Biologist This Week: Jamie Piyada from Thailand Manta Project
Joining us on board was Jamie Piyada Monmaneerat, leader of the Thailand Manta Project.
Through multidirectional research, the Thailand Manta Project works to shed light on manta populations around Thailand, as well as the threats affecting their lives and habitats.
Jamie’s dedication to spreading knowledge and advocating for the protection of these majestic animals inspired us throughout the expedition. Her daily presentations gave our guests fascinating insights into manta behaviour, conservation efforts and the importance of sustainable manta tourism.
We were also extremely grateful for the generosity of our guests, who raised 32,000 THB for this cause. We hope this contribution will help Jamie continue her work to protect manta ray populations in Thailand, so that we can keep meeting these magnificent animals underwater for many years to come!
Dive Sites and Discoveries: Diving the Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks
Our expedition began with dives at High Rock, Dragon Island, Tower Rock and Spanish Garden in the Mergui Archipelago.
Navigating the tunnel of Tower Rock was one of the highlights of our first day. Inside this spectacular underwater environment, we encountered a beautiful Eagle Ray amongst the tropical reef fish.
Venturing further north for our second day of diving, North Twin Island greeted us with stunning granite boulder formations and a diverse array of reef critters. Swarms of shrimp, Moray Eels and Parrotfish kept our eyes busy as we explored the site.
Then came Black Rock, one of the most famous manta cleaning stations in the Mergui Archipelago. We arrived hoping to encounter these graceful giants, but this time the mantas eluded us.
That certainly did not make the dive any less spectacular. Black Rock delivered breathtaking crowds of Trevally and Rainbow Runner, followed by the appearance of a majestic Bull Shark coming up from the depths.
Exciting!
Macro Adventures and Night Dives
Around Shark Cave, macro enthusiasts were treated to sightings of Tigertail Seahorses, Pipefish and even a rarer Frogfish.
The night dive revealed a hidden world coming alive under the cover of darkness. Decorator Crabs, Sponge Crabs and Moray Eels were out hunting, while Nudibranchs crawled out from beneath their rocky hiding places. We also encountered the wonderfully colourful Peacock Mantis Shrimp.
Then we cruised westward towards the Burma Banks, immersing ourselves in a spectacular underwater landscape of sand dunes covered by giant coral bommies. Some of these coral structures were so enormous that they must have been thousands of years old.
Giant Trevally, Surgeonfish and Barracudas dominated the blue, while encounters with Nurse Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks and one majestic Manta Ray added even more excitement to our dives in these pristine waters.
Final Days and Farewells
As our expedition drew to a close, we explored Seafan Forest and Western Rocky, encountering Seahorses, Barracudas and a magnificent Marble Ray.
Throughout the trip, Jamie’s insightful presentations about the Mobulae family and ocean conservation gave us plenty to think about. Learning more about the animals we encounter underwater made every sighting feel even more meaningful, while reminding us of the importance of protecting these marine ecosystems for future generations.
On our last day, we dived the deep pinnacle of Dendro’s Peak before exploring Volcano and marvelling at the beauty of Ghost Pipefish and the tranquillity of the island’s lagoon.
Gratitude and Reflection
As we bid farewell to the Mergui Archipelago, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our fellow divers and, of course, to Jamie for her invaluable contribution to the expedition and to manta ray conservation.
Thank you, Jamie – we learned so much this week! We discovered more about Manta Ray behaviour, including feeding and reproduction, about cleaning stations, and about the threats facing manta rays and the solutions that already exist.
We even watched a video of a baby manta ray being born. What a cute burrito!!!
Our journey through Myanmar’s underwater realms was a wonderful reminder of the beauty and diversity of our oceans, while Jamie’s work gave us an even greater appreciation of the importance of protecting these fragile ecosystems.
