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| Burma Mergui Archipelago: Kawthaung - Barwell Passage - Peaked Island - Lampi Island Western Rocky - Mcleod Island - Salet Galet - Clara Island - Great Swinton ... • Mergui Archipelago with 800 (mostly uninhabited) islands• faraway exotic destination and exclusive sailing area with breathtaking scenery • pristine beaches with the softest and whitest coral sand • fantastic snorkelling, beach combing, river kayaking • unspoiled scuba diving sites like Western Rocky, Colona Rocks, Faraway banks • islands are covered in lush, untouched rainforests • authentic sea gypsie and fishing families • interesting wildlife |
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- Detailed map
- Mergui Archipelago
- Itineraries
Myanmar Mergui Archipelago
• 800 (mostly uninhabited) islands
• exotic and exclusive sailing area
• breathtaking scenery
• pristine beaches
• fantastic snorkelling
• unspoiled scuba diving sites
• lush, untouched rainforests
• authentic sea gypsie families
• interesting wildlife  |
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| Burma / Myanmar Just north of the Surin Islands, an imaginary line divides Thai waters from Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago. Also known as the Myeik(Burma) Archipelago, this immense area covers approximately 36,000 sp km (14,000 sq miles) and includes roughly 800 islands. Diving here is still in its infancy, as the entire region has been off-limits to outsiders since the late 1940s. After several years of negotiation by Phuket dive operators, the archipelago was opened for tourism in 1997, yet much of the area remains unexplored. The islands are similar to their Thai counterparts, with rugged, high-profile limestone and granite topography. One obvious difference, aside from the sheer number of Myanmar(Burma) islands, is their unspoiled terrestrial scenery. Dense brush and rainforest cover most areas above the high-tide line, while vast stretches of mangroves and magnificent white-sand beaches are interspersed with rocky headlands, tidal creeks and a few freshwater rivers. Though several of the larger islands are home to small communities of Moken 'sea gypsies,' the vast majority are uninhabited and largely untouched by humans. The sea gypsies have been the sole inhabitants of the Mergui Archipelago over the years and they still use the same fishing and boat building techniques which they have been using for many generations. Underwater, this region offers scenic reefs, fascinating topography and prolific fish and invertebrate life. One of the main attractions for divers is the strong possibility of seeing big animals, especially sharks and rays. More dependable, however, is the tremendous variety of smaller fish and reef creatures, including many unusual species, some of which are rarely encountered in Thai waters. Add to this the allure of diving where few people have before and you've got all the ingredients for a top-notch dive destination. Considering the vast number of islands and reefs, many more dive sites are undoubtedly waiting to be discovered. You now have the chance to experience a sailing cruise in what we think is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Sailing Burma can offer you the trip of a lifetime. You will never forget the breathtaking scenery, you'll see pristine rainforests, encounter rare animals and you can snorkel and dive on reefs that have never been explored before. We have always made a point of continuing to explore the area and have thus found some places so special, that we'd rather not describe them here. During the entire cruise you will be unlikely to see any other yachts. The only humans you'll encounter are the Moken Sea Gypsies who roam the area in their small boats, largely the way their ancestors have done for centuries. They are very friendly and like to visit for a chat or to barter some fish. Mergui Archipelago has hundreds of islands, but you would keep to the Southern part as the area is simply to large to explore in one charter holiday. The islands in the Southern part are not inhabited (except for some local fisherman and small sea gypsie villages). The scenery is simply stunning. Islands covered in green jungle, sandy beaches, seas, reefs, rock formations. |
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| Sample itinerary 1 15 days and 14 nights: Phuket - Similans - Kawthaung - Mergui Archipelago - Kawthaung Day 1 Embark the yacht in Phuket, sail to the Similans Island nr 5. Day 2 Explore and dive Similans Day 3 Sail to Koh Bon and on to Koh Tachai (with dive options) Day 4 Visit Surin Islands (or alternative dive on Richelrieu Rock) Day 5 Sail to Koh Phayam (beach/bay, last anchorage before Burma) Day 6 Kawtaung - Barwell Passage (Burma), Leave early morning for the Burmese border town Kawthaung, finalise visas and time to visit the town. Leave after lunch and anchor in a scenic channel with sand spit between two islands "Barwell Passage". Day 7 Island # 115 During the day sail we stop at several anchorages/beaches/snorkelling destinations. The night anchorage at island # 115 is a stunning location between a bay and a smaller rock with another sand-spit. Nice beach and reef for snorkeling. Day 8 Pulau Bada, dive option and Peaked Island. Explore mangrove river on Pulau Bada by kayak, or dive on Rocky island. Spend the sunset and evening at Peaked Island with one of the best beaches (also excellent for snorkeling or introduction dives). Day 9 Salet Galet we stay for a swim, beach and lunch and in the afternoon continue to a hidden passage between two islands: Salet Galet where you can stay for the night. Here you see many many sea eagles (the big ones), there is a mangrove river for exploring. This is on Lampi island where many wild life has been seen, there are even a wild elephant herd on this island. Day 10 Clara Island This is one of the western islands with good UW visibility and stunning bays to explore. Rugged bolder formations and impressive views. More great beaches, some bays with waterfall. Day 11 Dive on Colona Rock, explore Great Swinton island There is a great dive on Colona Rock with a swim-through. And Great Swinton is a larger island where you could stay for several days to explore all beaches, snorkeling sites and scenery. Some even with waterfall for a never ending fresh water shower on land. Day 12 Go further south, several dive options, Macleod Island On the way south there are several options for stopping, snorkeling, diving. The night anchorage could be at Macleod Island, with option to go ashore for your cocktail. (here is the only resort of the area, it is nicely done in local style, people are very friendly). Alternative night anchorage at Horseburgh island. Day 13 Dive options, Davis island / South Matthews Bay On the way South there are two great dive sites to choose from: Western Rocky (with UW tunnel through the island) and Faraway Banks. For the night anchorage there are several options. Day 14 Horseshoe island and night anchorage close to Kawthaung You now are in a limestone island area. Several islands can be visited during the day. In the afternoon we sail back to the night anchorage at Lighthouse Island outside Kawthaung (to avoid the noise and mosquitos of the town). Day 15 Kawthaung and minibus to Phuket You leave early for the town of Kawthaung (45 min sail), check out of Burma and a longtail brings you to Ranong where the minibus is waiting to drive you to Phuket. Arrive in Phuket at about 14.00 hrs. |
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| Sample Itinerary 2 10 days and 9 nights: Kawthaung (Burma) – Mergui Archipelago – Kawthaung |
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