The Mergui Archipelago – scattered like pearls on a blue velvet bed sheet – is a bunch of 800 islands scattered over the Andaman sea just off the eastern coast of Myanmar. Since the area was only opened up to tourism in 1997 and is still under quite a strict regulation, the awesome sights above and below the surface of the Mergui region has remained untouched by human habitation for years.
12 kilometers to the north of Western Rocky, a large limestone pinnacle rises from a depth well beyond the limits of recreational divers, to about 5-meters below the surface. There is no mooring buoy and as currents can often be strong, a quick descent is required to get shelter behind the rocks. Rocky Peaks is one of the Mergui Archipelago's most colorful dive sites, covered on one side by a forest of huge seafans and patches of sand where Leopard sharks like to lay and on the other side by purple soft coral.
Black Rock
The islet of Black Rock provides a steep wall drop to over 100 meters, characterized by rugged boulder formations and fine soft coral. Many consider Black Rock to be the finest dive spot in Burma for its crystal clear waters offer 35-metre visibility. This dive site provides breath-taking views past the rock walls to the on-going procession of barracuda, tuna, mackerel, rays, reef sharks, whale sharks and eagle rays.
Shark Cave Island
Shark Cave is one of the most extraordinary dive sites that die-hard shark spotters must not miss. The sandy base of the islands reveals unusual anemones and starfish, while the walls are covered with orange cup corals, whip corals, and green tubastrea coral. Shark Cave Island is the regular home to a group of nurse sharks up to four meters long sharing with big blotched sting rays and whip rays.
High Rock
This small islet lies just 25 kilometers from Kawthaung. It has a wall on its north and east sides, and a rocky reef on its south and west. The sheer volume of fish life at High Rock hits you as soon as you descend. Glassfish are numerous, as are gold-striped fuseliers and yellow tail barracuda. High Rock is also an excellent night dive location when all the cup corals burst open in brilliant orange.
Tower Rock
Tower Rock, nearly 200 km north of Kawthaung in central Mergui, features a magical dive site with breath-taking towering walls, studded with corals and fans, descending into the depths. It is also manta ray country where you can have special close encounters with schools of these massive creatures.
North Twin Island
Several miles off shore, North Twin is the slightly smaller, tree-topped, sister island of South Twin and lies 20 km to its north. This dive site offers a unique dive experience within the archipelago, typified by large granite boulders covered in gorgonian sea fans and soft corals. It is visited by many of Mergui's pelagic fish such as Zambezi (bull) sharks, rainbow runners, manta rays and eagle rays. You can also spot schools of goat fish, bat fish and snapper in the shallow waters, plus a popular manta cleaning station at around 22 meters.
Cockscomb Island
Famous for its 'Hidden Lagoon,' this Cockscomb Island is close to the Myanmar port town of Kawthaung. There are several openings in the limestone rock of the island, just at the water's edge, where you can dive through at a depth of around 2-3 meters. Once you have entered the hole in the wall, the intriguing shafts of light will lead you into the lagoon. Since visibility is usually limited in the deeper parts, make sure that you stay close together with your dive buddy/group.
It is also the only private island that has a PADI diving center for both non-certificate and (PADI or equivalent) certificate divers. Other activities like snorkeling, kayaking, trekking and sunset cruise are also available on the island.
