Diving Season
October to May sees the main Burma diving season and this is the only period of the year when the liveaboards operate. At this time of year, the seas are calm, the skies are clear and even the most remote dive sites are accessible and enjoy great conditions. For optimum diving conditions in the Mergui Archipelago we recommend you visit between the months of December and April.
February to May tend to witness the most frequent manta ray and whale shark sightings, attracted by feeding opportunities represented by the plankton blooms that occur at this time of year. As you might imagine visibility is reduced since the water is so nutrient-rich. These nutrients bring in the plankton feeders and explain why the hard corals reach such impressive sizes and there is such an array of life, both large and small, at the dive sites.
Land temperature
Hot and Sunny Tropical climate. February to May are usually the hottest months. October is usually the wettest month.
Water temperature
Average of 27°C year round though can go up to 29°C and occasionally drops to 24°C.
Wetsuit Required
A 3mm shorty to 5mm long wetsuit.
Visibility
5m to 50m. Not as good as the Similan Islands although can be excellent at times.
Experience Level
Intermediate to advanced. Most divers on Burma liveaboard safaris are quite experienced divers and learning to dive on the liveaboards is not an option. Although there are some easy dive sites, many of the best dives are in exposed locations with surface waves, strong currents and surge. Some dive sites are quite deep
Marine Life
Once famous for sharks, notably Silvertips. Also white tip reef, grey reef, black tip reef, tawny nurse plus occasional bull, tiger and scalloped hammerhead sharks. Mantas are common at many dive sites and a couple of sites get squadrons of mobular (devil) rays. The underappreciated side of Burma diving is the quality of the smaller marine life.
After Diving
Most trips include an hour or so at Kawthaung (Victoria Point). Burmese authorities strictly control where boats can visit but some island stops may be possible when not sailing between dive sites (long distances are involved).
Reef Summary
Depth 5 - >40m Visibility 5 - 50m Currents Can be strong Surface conditions Can be rough Experience level Intermediate - advanced Number of dive sites >20 Distance ~280 km north of Phuket Recommended length of stay minimum 5 days
