Mergui Archipelago - The pristine depths of the Andaman Sea, Myanmar

Breathtaking white beaches, crystal-clear water and an incredible underwater world are offered by the pristine Myanmar. Passionate divers will particularly enjoy the Mergui Archipelago.

Tourists have only been able to visit this area since 1997 and only with a special permit. The originality of this undiscovered jewel is therefore very well preserved. Far away from Thailand's mass tourism, there are rare opportunities to spot special underwater inhabitants and islands here.

Make your dreams of swimming with sharks and rays come true and explore the various diving spots in Myanmar.

The Mergui Archipelago

This diver's paradise consists of more than 800 islands, all covered in tropical rainforest. It is located on the west coast of Myanmar in the Andaman Sea, a marginal sea in the eastern Indian Ocean. 

Unlike the tourist highlights in the north of the country, the Mergui Archipelago has so far been spared the usual tourism. To protect the area, there is only sustainable ecotourism in a few resorts.

The islands, covered in the deepest jungle, are mostly uninhabited or even untrodden. Wild elephants stomp gracefully across the islands and monkeys swing from tree to tree, a nature as if from times gone by.

With a bit of luck, however, you may come across the people of the Moken meet. The sea nomads are hunter-gatherers who make their home in the depths of the Andaman Sea. They live from fishing and diving, which is why there are so many exceptionally gifted free divers among them.

In Thailand, the often stateless Moken are also known as "the water people", because the tourist-shy people have perfected life in the water and still live it undisturbed to this day.

With the Ecotourism the Myanmar government combines the Moken, nature conservation and tourism. You too can work side by side with the locals to preserve their habitat and many other inhabitants.

After exploring various islands together, we now come to the exciting underwater worlds of the Mergui Archipelago. 

Most dive trips last several days, during which you and your companions stay on the boat. Depending on the booking and diving experience, different islands are visited and explored.

The best-known diving spots include Burma Banks, Black Rock, Western Rocky and Shark Cave. Although the diversity of species varies slightly in the different spots, impressive animals and plants can be discovered everywhere.

Marine animals in the Mergui Archipelago

When visiting the depths of the Andaman Sea, you will be able to admire many beautiful and sometimes strange creatures. The inhabitants include various shark species, such as white, silver and blacktip sharks, reef sharks, whale sharks and nurse sharks.

If you have always wanted to take a dive with the impressive hunters of the seas, you are sure to find what you are looking for here and can experience everything up close.

In addition to the sharks, you will also be able to admire different species of rays, giant barracudas, seahorses and turtles. These animals also enjoy the colorful coral reefs and will happily glide alongside you through the clear water.

A little further on the surface, but no less impressive, is the only swimming elephant on the Andaman Islands, which are a little further west.

Rajan is 64 years old and as long as the sea is not too wild, he loves to play in the water like a child. Trampling, splashing and splashing about are all part of Rajan's bathing ritual.

As impressive as the phenomenon is, it has a tragic history. Rajan is far from the only elephant with the ability to swim, but elephants usually lose it out of fear of the waves.

Unfortunately, this fear was not accepted by the people, as they needed elephants as work animals. The elephants had to learn to swim again under many blows in order to get to the islands.

After logging was banned on the Andaman Islands around 21 years ago, all the elephants were made redundant, except Rajan. This was because Rajan was in front of the camera for a movie at the time.

So Rajan remains the last elephant who has learned to swim and, with his courage and art of living, can now enjoy it as a pleasure.

Dive spot - Burma Banks

The Burma Banks are a popular meeting place for various species of sharks, rays and other large fish. On the underwater plateau, which is around 15 meters deep, you are almost guaranteed to see the majestic animals between the stony corals and underwater mounds during your dive.

Dive spot - Black Rock

Black Rock is an 80-metre rock formation with cliffs that drop steeply into the sea. There you can discover giant barracudas, coral guardian fish and noble rays, among other things. The huge rock juts out of the water and is a paradise for every diver.

Dive spot - Western Rocky

Consisting of three large rocks covered with beautiful, colorful soft corals, the Western Rockies are home to many exotic marine animals. In small crevices and caves you will find sleeping nurse sharks and undisturbed large rays. With a little luck and eagle eyes, you can also spot seahorses and an incredible number of other impressive and unusual sea creatures.

Dive spot - Shark Cave

Shark Cave is just the thing for experienced divers. Three Islets, as the three islands are correctly called, offer winding, sloping tunnels and even a canyon! The best way to discover countless colorful fish species is to dive at night. The Durban Dancing Shrimps, which can be seen dancing through the water at night, are particularly special.

Myanmar is a role model and a ray of hope for responsible travel with respect for people and nature. It's like traveling back in time to the untouched Thailand of 40 years ago. Don't keep Rajan, the dancing shrimps and colorful corals waiting any longer! Find out more about other great Activities and local Courts in Myanmar.

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