Hot and Sunny Tropical climate. Usually humid but can be cooler in the northern mountain areas. February to May are usually the hottest months. October is usually the wettest month.
Water Temperature:
Average of about 27°C year round though can go up to 29°C and occasionally drops to 24°C.
When to go:
The best diving in the Mergui Archipelago is between mid October and April and this is the only time that Burma liveaboards operate in the area. Strong winds in November, December and early January and create waves especially at the Burma banks. The idea time to dive is February to April.
Wetsuit required:
A 3mm shorty wetsuit is sufficient and many divers or a 5mm long wetsuit for those prone to cold.
Visibility:
5m to 50m. Though often not as good as the Similan Islands, can be excellent at times.
Diving types:
Reefs, drop offs, pinnacles, caverns, caves, swim-thoughs, walls, boulders.
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:
Mergui dive sites are famous for sharks, notably silvertip sharks. Other shark species include white tip reef, grey reef, black tip reef , tawny nurse shark plus occasional sightings of bull shark, tiger shark and scalloped hammerhead. Manta rays are frequently sighted. A couple of dive sites get squadrons of mobular (devil) rays. The under appreciated side of Burma diving is the quality of the smaller marine life.
After diving:
Many dive liveaboard boats carry sea kayaks on board to explore the islands between dives.Burmese authorities strictly control the islands that liveaboard boats can and cannot visit but some island visits are possible when not sailing between dive sites. Most liveaboard trips also include one or two hours on land in the border town of Kawthaung (Victoria Point).
Click on the links below for details about these Mergui archipelago dive areas:
