Liveaboard Diving in Myanmar (Burma)

Still relatively undiscovered, Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago offers some of the best diving in the Andaman Sea. While many of the sites close to the mainland have been overfished, liveaboard diving safaris travel further afield, reaching the far western islands and the northern half of the archipelago. Because of the new-ness of this destination, you never know what you might see. But common sightings include schools of devil rays, nurse sharks and the occasional whale shark. Healthy corals host lots of small stuff that is beginning to generate interest in the area for macro lovers. Frogfish, lobsters, crabs and colorful shrimp are a few of the creatures found in the area. Just west of the Mergui Archipelago and its healthy reefs, far afield sites like Burma Banks offer a different picture. Here big stuff is prime time. Giant underwater mountains plunge over 1000 feet (300 meters) to the sea floor. Shark sightings are practically guaranteed at these open ocean dive sites. Myanmar’s popularity for scuba divers and general tourism alike is steadily growing. Right now is the best time to go before the crowds arrive. Keep in mind that some of the dive sites in Myanmar are suitable to beginners while others should only be attempted by advanced divers due to their depths and heavy currents. Most liveaboard operators only require an Open Water certification, but be sure to check certification requirements for your chosen itinerary.