Burma Banks - Mergui Archipelago - Burma Dive safaris - Scuba diving Burma

A largely unexplored area, the Burma Banks are a series of large underwater flat-topped sea-mounts that lie approximately 180 kilometres (100 nautical miles) northwest of the Similan Islands. The Banks' surrounding waters are over 350 metres deep and large areas rise to within the depth limits of recreational scuba diving. The name derives from the fact that this 1,500 square kilometre area lies within the exclusive economic zone of Burma. The Banks offer some exciting, stimulating diving, but since this is true open-ocean diving, they certainly are not for everyone.

These mountains rise very gradually from the depths and are covered with hard coral growth and large patches of sand. Although the huge plate corals (some of these 'plates' could seat all the knights of the round table easily) are in many areas fantastic, that is not the reason for travelling so far out to sea. After all, the Similans and the islands north of them boast of some of the loveliest coral in the world. No, the reason for diving all the way out here is for what the Similans don't have; BIG ANIMALS-and that means big sharks as well.

Close shark encounters are virtually guarantied here. The most common type of shark is the nurse shark that grows to over 3 metres in length. Where else can you go to see tens of large nurse sharks freely swimming nose-to-tail over the top of the reef on every dive, which have so little fear of divers that they sometimes accidentally swim harmlessly (for both parties) into us? They are truly the clowns of the banks as it is difficult not to laugh at their frenzied movements. Not enough? How about large silver tip sharks that when attracted by bait swim within range of your Nikon's 15 mm lens?

If the nurse sharks are the clowns, then the silver tips are the stars. Reaching an impressive length of two to three metres, these sharks -- often compared to the Galapagos shark and easily identified by the white trailing edge on their pelvic, dorsal, and caudal fins -- are full-bodied, serious predators. Although cautious by nature, and certainly not aggressive towards divers, these sharks are spotted on virtually every dive. And these days, all three of the diving companies that visit the banks feature a controlled shark attraction by placing fish in the water down current from all divers, baiting the sharks in for an up-close, personal look.

These attractions offer the opportunity to photograph these silver tips and nurse sharks, with the occasional tiger or hammer head making an appearance. In addition, you'll see larger reef fish than in other areas of Thailand, such as huge sweet lips and the occasional grouper. The most common diving technique at the banks are large drift dives over the mountain flats. Currents can be quite tricky here-sometimes changing in direction 90º to 180º very quickly - and very fast. It is common to drift over one kilometre on certain dives - assuming the current is taking you in the direction you originally planned! All dive operators that dive at the banks are strict with safety rules. Although these vary slightly from operator to operator, it is roughly agreed that all divers must dive with a 'safety sausage', a whistle or other signalling device, and that either the dingy or the larger vessel should follow the diver's bubbles on the surface. Finally, it is a must that buddy pairs stay together at all times, and in fact some operators insist that divers dive in a group of at least four. To become separated from your dive boat this far from land would surely be a disaster.

Burma: Mergui Archipelago

Finally, the Burmese authorities pulled the curtain and opened up this amazing archipelago to foreigners. The Mergui Archipelago contains more than 800 islands and stretches over 10.000 square miles.

In times when remote-controlled robots are discovering planet Mars it almost sounds like a fairy tale: The Mergui Archipelago is one of the world's last areas which has never before been explored by divers.

The port of Mergui was the main gate to the gulf of Siam in the 17th century and acts of piracy were rampant, as all passing traders had to come into the port.
Mergui Archipelago seems to have passed our computerized civilization without notice and still contains the spirit of the old days. The diver will find untouched reefs, sharks, big fish and an endless variety of coral.

Uninhabited islands, white sandy beaches and the mystic jungle of the Mergui Archipelago are waiting to be explored - by you!
Twin Islands, Northern and Western Rocky, Black Rock, Torres Islands, Tower Rock

The bay of South Twin Island contains three dive spots with an average depth of 16 metres (53 ft). Large boulders, covered with elk and staghorn coral are home for the whole spectrum of reef fish. Further away, big schools of jacks, tuna and trevallies pass the blue. The wide plateau of North Twin Island starts at 20 metres (66 ft.) with clusters of seafans, building a safe haven for the colourful inhabitants. Curious, small white tip reef sharks and barracudas are guiding the diver along this outstanding reef.

A great observation station for divers is the barren, submerged pinnacle of Western Rocky, which is rises from 40 to 20 metres (132- 66 ft.). Whitetips and big triggerfish are playing cat-and-mouse between geometrically shaped boulders which are characteristic for this area. Big stingrays are found here also as they flourish at almost every dive spot of the Mergui Archipelago.

Plenty of grey reef and blacktip sharks are calling the Northern Rocky their home. Parrotfish and wrasse are found in a vast mixture of soft coral, sea fans, gorgonians and hardcoral. This exciting and mind dazzling drop off ends at 50 metres (165 ft.) and is one of Mergui's top spots for big fish encounters.

Black Rock is where anything can happen - anything to do with fish, that is. You might see Leopard Sharks dancing a graceful ballet just for you or Manta Rays enjoying the sensation as your bubbles tickle their mighty wings. Grey Reef Sharks roam around the rock as shoals of Barracuda and Trevali form great spirals nearby. Smaller fish abound too, Frog Fish, Devil Scorpion Fish, all the way down to countless varieties of tiny Nudibranches.

Little Torres: these four islands south of the Great Western Torres offer beautiful dive sites with good visibility and mild currents. At the depths of 18 to 25 meters you will experience a diverse landscape of giant boulders, table corals and soft corals, gorgonian fans and sea whips. This wonderful coral garden is also an excellent place to see both sharks and rays.

Tower Rock, located on the north-west side of Prinsep Island is a place you won't want to miss! You will find towering walls cascading down into whole cities of underwater boulders covered with soft corals that partially conceal many enticing swimthroughs. The variety of marine life is never-ending with Grey Reef and Nurse sharks and schoals of Devil Rays cruise beneath your fins as you make your safety stop. Here the best night dives in the Mergui Archipelago introduce you to Ghost Pipefish, juvenile Batfish and too many invertebrates to name them all.

Dive safaris at Burma