Yacht charter Burma and Mergui archipelago - Myanmar

Highlights: Mergui archipelago

When to go: year round - high season in winter

Mileage (approx) : 160-180

Cruise length: 10 to 14 days

Difficulty : medium

The Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar/Burma) is unique both above the water as well as below. There are over nine hundred mostly uninhabited islands scattered over an area of some 12000 square miles. You will never forget the breathtaking scenery with virgin rainforests along diving on uncrowded reefs. Mergui Archipelago - Burma/Myanmar The Mergui Archipelago was strictly closed to all foreigners until in 1997. Faraway Yachting was one of the first companies granted permission to undertake adventure diving charters in Burma / Myanmar. Since then we have built up a wealth of knowledge in the area that we enjoy sharing with our guests Because of The Mergui Archipelago's isolation it is only superficially charted; the interior of many of the islands has never been surveyed at all. Wildlife is abundant, as is the vegetation on the rain forest clad islands. Beaches are clean and stretch for miles. Pure nature! Our adventure sailing and diving charters in Myanmar take you to remote areas where you will rarely see any other yacht. The only humans you are likely to encounter are the friendly Moken Sea Gypsies who roam the area in their small boats, like tsailing burmaheir ancestors have done for centuries. Scuba Diving the pristine reefs of the Mergui Archipelago Under water there is world class diving to be found with reefs, drop offs, sea mounts, caves and tunnels, which sometimes cut right through islands with exits on both sides. There is enough to keep every adventure diver very happy. Fish life is abundant. Scuba diving in the Mergui Archipelago usually means diving with sharks, manta rays and large swarms of eagle rays. The occasional whale shark can also be encountered. We have five yachts fully equipped for diving charters in Burma .

Sailingtheweb caters for groups of 4 to 8 persons. As we select our vessels we can draw up personalized itineraries suited to guest's interests.There are no restrictive set departure dates to adhere to either further enhancing the planning of a customized charter. All Myanmar sailing trips start from Kawthoung just across the river from Ranong. Ranong is Thailand 's most northerly port on the Andaman Sea . Your cruise will start on the afternoon of your arrival if traveling from Phuket. Transfer from Phuket by air-conditioned minibus along with lunch on the way occupies part of the first charter day. You can also fly direct from Bangkok to Ranong airport where you will be met by our representative and taken to complete immigration check out procedures before joining our longtail boat for the trip across the river to join your charter vessel in Kwantoung. Sailing and diving in Burma/Myanmar is a most unique experience. Come and join us for the adventure you will not forget.

Burma itinerary
Day 1: Kawthung – Barwell Island
Transfer by long-tail from Ranong ( Thailand ) to Kawthung ( Burma ) arriving on board around lunchtime. Once all the paperwork is sorted, we sail to Barwell Island for an evening arrival.
Day 2: Barwell Island – Lampi National Park
After exploring the island we sail north to Lampi National Park.
An idyllic anchorage and your first opportunity to see the White Bellied Sea Eagles and Bryon my Kites that circle the skies.
Day 3: Lampi National Park – Great Swinton
In the morning, we explore one of the mangrove rivers on the west side of Lampi Island . Plenty of wildlife and huge, century-old mangrove trees towering overhead. After, we set sail for Great Swinton Island , stopping off on the way at the Sea Gypsy village on Pu Nala.
Day 4: Great Swinton
Great Swinton Island has several kilometres of white sand beach, beautifully clear warm water and the most pristine coral you have ever seen!!! It is ideal for those that want to “have a go” at Scuba Diving. Or for the more experienced, just offshore, there is the world class dive site of Shark Cave !!!

If diving is not your scene, the day can be spent Sea Kayaking around to our night anchorage on the other side of the island.

Day 5: Great Swinton – McLeod Island
After we leave Great Swinton we sail south, passing dozens of deserted tropical islands before arriving at McLeod Island . Another beautiful island covered in rainforest and some great snorkelling. Here we have an opportunity to explore the rainforest and perhaps even see the illusive Rhinoceros Hornbill.
Day 6: McLeod Island – Horseshoe Island
Today we travel to the “jewel in the crown” of the Mergui Archipelago. As the name suggests, this island is horseshoe shaped with a lagoon in the middle making it the most idyllic anchorage. Being shallow, with crystal clear water and a white sand bottom, the whole lagoon appears like a giant fish tank.
Day 7: Horseshoe Island – Kawthung
This morning, we take the inflatable to the nearby island of Copula . The whole inside of the island is a giant cave, which can only be entered by dingy at low tide. The cave is home to a small number of people who live in a stilted village above the water. These people spend their life in the half-light collecting bird's nests for the soup!!!! After lunch we depart for an evening arrival in Kawthung.