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Burma, sometimes known as Myanmar, is possibly not the first place you may think of as a tourist destination.
Ruled by a military junta, its people have been fighting a battle for democracy for many years in the face of ever-increasing poverty & often violent oppression.
Once you are under the waves however, Burma is a superb dive destination, with stunning reefs & plenty of big fish action.
As there are no dive centres in Burma, the area is dived by Liveaboard from Thailand to the south.
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In 1997, the Burmese military junta opened up areas that Thai dive boats are able to visit - Burma Banks & the beautiful Mergui Archipelago. 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 Shark encounters, which are plentiful. Due to their exposed location, they can receive strong currents and are sites for experienced divers only.
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.
It should be kept in mind that any visit here requires a US$200 park & visa fees that goes to the junta and helps to fund their oppressive regime.
Burma Banks is all about adrenaline & big fish - especially sharks. The mounts themselves are not especially spectacular, comprising mostly of hard corals and sand, however the fish action is impressive. Nurse Sharks are regular visitors and Silvertips are often seen, with Reef Sharks, Tawny Nurse Sharks, Threshers & even Hammerheads putting in occasional appearances.
Mergui also offers the chance to see bigger fish at some sites, especially Black Rock & Tower Rock - which often has schools of Mobula Rays cruising by. There are some beautiful coral gardens and the chance to hunt for smaller critters. Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Silvertips & Whalesharks also put in occasional appearances.
Liveaboards visiting Burma make the journey from either Phuket or Khao Lak in Thailand. Trips normally last 1 week to 10 days and normally include a number of dives in the Similan Islands as part of the trip.
   
As with the rest of the Andaman Coast, the diving season is influenced by the Indian Monsoon and Liveaboards are only able run trips to Burma between November & May.
Diving Burma is not especially cheap as it can only be reached by Liveaboard from Thailand. Liveaboard prices start at around US$1000 for a 5 night trip.
There is also US$200 to pay in park & visa fees per person to enter the area, which unfortunately goes straight into the hands of the ruling military regime, rather than to park maintenance or local people.
As accommodation & board is included in the price, the only other big expense is getting to Thailand. There are many flights to Thailand and prices are very competitive.
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.
Citizens of most countries are granted a 30 day visa on arrival in Thailand, although a few countries only qualify for a 15 day visa. Details of these countries can be found in the Thailand section.
Thailand’s dive operations have a ‘special’ arrangement with the Burmese authorities and it is not necessary to obtain a visa as if you were entering the country by land or air. You are still required to bring the following, however:
- US$200 dollars in cash, made up only of new bills (it is best to obtain this before you get to Thailand)
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Passport details in advance: Full Name, DOB, Gender, Passport No., Date of Expiry & Place of Issue Four copies of the front page of your passport
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Four copies of your Thai entry stamp and immigration card
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Four colour passport photos
You will then receive a 28 day visa and permission to enter the marine park.
For anyone that requires a visa to enter Thailand, it is important to obtain a double, rather than single entry visa, otherwise you will not be allowed back into Thailand on your way back.
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.
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.
   
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| The 800 islands that comprise the Mergui Archipelago lie just off the coast of Burma in the Andaman Sea.
The islands, which can only be reached from Thailand, are only a fairly recent addition to Liveaboard itineraries, and have not yet been completely explored... |
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The Burma Banks in the Andaman Sea are around 200km off the coast of Burma (Myanmar), north-west from the Similan Islands. Rising up from the depths, these mountain-tops form a series of plateaus, where shark encounters are the order of the day...
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