Mergui Archipelago
The islands of the Mergui Archipelago are one of the world’s last great archipelagos to remain largely untouched. Stretching from beneath Kawthaung in the South to the Maung Ma Kan Islands in the north a distance of over 600 miles.

With white sands and crystal clear waters, The 800 islands are home to the Salone people also known as Moken or Sea Gypsies who still maintain a largely nomadic life traveling between this great expance of idyllic islands.

There is some sublime sailing and kayaking options in this secluded Archipelago, as well as some world class diving locations. Further information on popular dive sites is outlined in the Diving the Mergui Archipelago section of this website.

What can be seen?
The Archipelago is home to an abundant array of life forms both above and below the water. The flora, fauna, fish, rays, sharks and corals make for an unforgettable experience.

Lampi Island
Lampi is the central hub of the Mergui, one of the larger islands in the archipelago it is home to hornbills, deer, flying foxes, and even a couple of elephants. Lampi’s designated status as a nature reserve will ensure its beauty remains.

Western Rocky
One of the very best dive sites in the Mergui. Large tunnel cave through Western Rock. An abundance of variety, seahorse, giant frogfish, harliquin shrimp, and numerious shark species including the bowmouth guitar shark.

Macleod Island
Home to the Andaman Resort currently the only resort in the Archipelago.

Wildlife
The canopies of the jungle clad islands are filled with birds, wildlife is plentiful including barking deer, flying lima, flying foxes, hornbills, leatherback turtles and Egrets.

Popular diving sites in the Mergui Archipelago include;

Burma Banks
Only submerged by 30 meters at its shallowest point these sea mounts drop away to over 300 this dive site on the outer reaches of the Mergui Archipelago is a famous shark dive.

Shark Cave
Much as the name suggests this magical underwater cave is home to a number of reef sharks.

Western Rocky
One of the very best dive sites in the Mergui. Large tunnel cave through Western Rock. An abundance of variety, seahorse, giant frogfish, harliquin shrimp, and numerious shark species including the bowmouth guitar shark.

High Rock
High rock is a medium depth dive, the limestone formation is home to grey and white tip reef sharks as well as batfish and barracuta. Situated comparatively close to Kawthaung this is often your first taste of Mergui diving and is often completed as a night dive.

Island 115
Stunning tropical island in the middle of the Mergui Archipelago, some terrific shallow snorkeling to be had with small school fish.

Black Rock
This abrupt limestone structure sits 26-30 meters beneith the surface and plays host to numerios species of eagle rays, manta rays, leopard and reef sharks.

Sea Fan Forest
An under water pinnacle submerged 6 metres below the surface, massive sea fans play host to rays, octopus, cuttlefish and seahorses.

Volcano
Volcano in the very south of the islands is primarily a dive to see black tip sharks who inhabit the geographical form.

Tour the Mergui Archipelago on a Budget.
Under Myanmar Law the heart of the Mergui can only be accessed as part of an approved tour, hence the preverlance of dive and sailing companies above. There are a couple of small loopholes however…

Maungmagan Islands / Middle Miscos
A group of over 30 beautiful islands off the coast of Dawei, geopraphically part of the Archipelago but not subject to the zone law meaning free access. The beaches on the Eastern side of the islands are equally as beautiful as anything in the heart of the Archipelago.

Kadan Island
Late in the 2013/14 season the Myeik Immigration starting letting tourists venture as far as Kadan Island which has beaches on the far northern bays.

More information on both islands can be found on our Top 10 Islands page.

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