Dive Spots You Can't Miss in Myanmar

Dive Spots You Can't Miss in Myanmar

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is an emerging travel destination that offers more than just historic temples and cultural landmarks. With its pristine waters and diverse marine life, Myanmar has become a hidden gem for scuba divers.

The currency of Myanmar is the Myanmar Kyat (MMK), and the main airport is Yangon International Airport (RGN). Diving in Myanmar is primarily focused on the Mergui Archipelago, a group of 800 islands in the Andaman Sea, and a series of five seamounts known as the Burma Banks.

The best dive sites in Myanmar, particularly in the Mergui Archipelago, include Black Rock and several other remote locations in the southern waters near the Thai border. These sites are known for their exhilarating dive experiences with strong currents and deeper profiles, making them more suitable for experienced divers.

Marine life found at top Myanmar dive sites:

• Black Rock (Mergui Archipelago): This site is a pinnacle rising from deep water, attracting large pelagic species. Divers can encounter manta rays, reef sharks, and a vibrant coral reef ecosystem with diverse reef fish.
• Other southern Myanmar sites featured in some liveaboard itineraries combined with Thailand's Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock may include a variety of large pelagics such as manta rays and whale sharks, along with rich coral reefs supporting macro life and reef fish.

While detailed lists of species per site in Myanmar are limited, the region's reputation as remote and relatively pristine indicates abundant marine biodiversity, including pelagics (manta rays, reef sharks), reef fish, macro critters, and healthy coral communities.

For comparison:

| Dive Site | Location | Key Marine Life | Notes | |------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Black Rock | Mergui Archipelago| Manta rays, reef sharks, diverse reef fish | Exhilarating site with strong currents | | Myanmar southern sites | Southern waters near Thai border | Pelagics such as manta rays, potentially whale sharks; reef fish | Accessible by specialized liveaboards | | Richelieu Rock (TH) | Thailand | Manta rays, whale sharks, tuna, macro critters | Famous for high biodiversity, often paired with Myanmar trips | | Koh Bon, Koh Tachai (TH)| Thailand | Manta rays | Also included in multi-destination trips around Myanmar border |

Diving in Myanmar is primarily done through Thai-based liveaboards, with very few resorts offering diving and most of the coastline still under military control. Dive sites like Black Rock attract various pelagics during peak season, especially mantas.

The diveable areas of the Mergui Archipelago are remote, requiring long travel distances, and relatively few dive operators, resulting in blissfully uncrowded reefs. Some of the best dive sites in Myanmar include Western Rocky in the Mergui Archipelago.

The dive season in Myanmar runs from October until May, with the best diving between December and April. However, Myanmar does not have direct flights from the US or Europe to Yangon International Airport, with most flights connecting in the Middle East or major Asian hubs.

Visitors to Myanmar often go for its historic temples, landmarks, and cultural interest, such as Bagan, rather than for diving. Nevertheless, the country's rich marine life and unique diving experiences make it a must-visit destination for experienced divers.

Since 2011, Myanmar has become more accessible due to improved foreign relations and a civilian government, making it an exciting time to explore this hidden diving paradise. New dive sites in the north of the Mergui Archipelago are being discovered and may become more accessible as new resorts start to appear. The Burma Banks, more remote than the Mergui Archipelago, offer diving that is quite different, with one site, Silvertip Bank, featuring colorful soft corals and encrusting sponges on a steep slope.

1. Myanmar, previously known as Burma, is an emerging travel destination that offers not only historic temples and cultural landmarks, but also thriving marine life for scuba divers.
2. The Mergui Archipelago, comprising 800 islands in the Andaman Sea, is a prime diving location in Myanmar, popular for its diverse coral reefs and exhilarating dive experiences with manta rays, reef sharks, and vibrant coral reef ecosystems.
3. Travelers can explore the best dive sites in Myanmar, such as Black Rock, through specialized liveaboards, with some itineraries combining Myanmar dive sites with Thailand's Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock for a rich marine life experience.
4. Though detailed species lists per site in Myanmar may not be readily available, the region's reputation for remote, relatively pristine waters indicates a high marine biodiversity, with various pelagic species like manta rays and reef sharks, macro critters, and healthy coral communities.
5. Diving in Myanmar can be combined with a lifestyle of cultural exploration and sightseeing, as visitors often go for the country's historic temples and landmarks like Bagan before diving into the underwater world.
6. As Myanmar continues to evolve and open up to foreign travels, divers can look forward to new discoveries in the north of the Mergui Archipelago, with resorts and additional dive sites potentially becoming accessible in the near future, offering unique diving experiences and further enriching Myanmar's status as a must-visit destination for experienced divers.

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