Your guide to the best diving in Myanmar
Myanmar lies to the north of Thailand facing the Andaman Sea. Its coastline is dotted with myriad tropical islands, most notably the Mergui archipelago. These islands, along with the Burma Banks, form the focus of Myanmar's diving scene.
The area is usually dived by liveaboard from Thailand to the south, however there are some resort options on remote islands with diving too.
Expect beautiful islands, colourful coral reefs and fascinating marine life ranging from Seahorses to majestic Manta Rays.
Highlights
Top dive sites in Myanmar
Mergui Archipelago comprises over 800 islands, all pretty much untouched by humans, with the exception of the local sea gypsies. The archipelago has a wide variety of dive sites and an abundance of diverse marine life, both large & small.
The types of diving on offer are varied, with fringing reefs, pinnacles, sea mounts, drift diving and caves. Burma Banks is a series of huge, flat-topped sea-mounts out in the Andaman Sea, about 180km north of Thailand’s Similan Islands. The main reason to visit is for bigger fish encounters. Due to their exposed location, they can receive strong currents and are sites for experienced divers only.
Best marine life in Myanmar
The Mergui archipelago also offers the chance to see bigger fish at some sites, especially Black Rock & Tower Rock - which can have schools of Mobula Rays cruising by. There area is mainly characterised howver by beautiful coral gardens and good diversity of marine species. Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Silvertips & Whalesharks can put in occasional appearances.
Burma Banks is all about adrenaline and these can be challenging sites to dive. The mounts themselves are not especially spectacular, comprising mostly of hard corals and sand, however the fish action can be impressive. Nurse Sharks are regular visitors and other shark species can also be seen along with the promise of other larger marine life.
Ease of Travel
Thailand has major international airports in Bangkok & Phuket. Flying direct to Phuket, then hopping straight on a Liveaboard is by far the most convenient way to get to the dive sites. However flying to Bangkok and getting a domestic flight to Phuket with a budget airline may work out to be cheaper and is still not a difficult option. For more information on travel in Thailand, please visit our Thailand section.
People
Sadly, you will not meet many, if any of the Burmese people, who are friendly, warm-hearted... and oppressed. The only Burmese person you are likely to meet is an Immigration Official. You may spot local Sea Gypsies going about their daily business in their traditional longtail boats as your Liveaboard cruises by.
Safey
Liveaboard cruises to Burma are very safe, professional & well run and you are unlikely to encounter any major problems in your time in Thailand either. Diving-wise, Burma Banks in particular receives very strong currents, so make sure you are prepared and the correct safety measures have been taken.
