Mergui , Myanmar

Mergui Archipelago Blackwater Liveaboard Expedition

8 Days • 12-19 February 2028

Dive with The Smiling Seahorse

$3,330.00 AUD

Tax included.

Cabin Type: Standard Cabin

Standard Cabin Deluxe Cabin Master Cabin

This seven-night trip leaves Ranong, clears Myanmar immigration at Kawthaung, and heads into the Mergui Archipelago: South Twin and Shark Cave, the open-ocean pinnacle of Black Rock, three days on the remote Burma Banks, then Seafan Forest and Western Rocky before the run home. Expect up to 25 dives, up to four a day, with as many as five blackwater dives built into the schedule.

Blackwater diving turns the night ocean inside out. You hang on a line over deep water, lights pointing into the dark, as larval lionfish, tonguefish and mantis shrimp drift up to meet you, alongside diamond squid, juvenile flying fish and, with luck, a paper nautilus riding a jellyfish. By day the scale flips: nurse sharks resting on the Banks, grey reef sharks around Shark Cave, mantas and eagle rays at the Twins, and a tunnel at around 20 m through Western Rocky where lobsters crowd the walls. These waters see few boats, so most sites feel like your own.

Trip Highlights & Key Regional Features

Up to 5 blackwater dives over deep water, with a full briefing from the crew before the first
Three days of exploratory diving on the Burma Banks, with nurse sharks on the reef
Swim the tunnel at about 20 m through Western Rocky, home to lobsters and bowmouth guitarfish
Look for grey reef sharks, nurse sharks and eagle rays at Shark Cave
Manta rays, eagle rays and leopard sharks around North and South Twin
Open-ocean pelagic life and stronger currents at Black Rock
Barracuda, batfish and fusiliers at Seafan Forest, with whale shark and manta sightings
Macro finds including frogfish, seahorses, harlequin shrimp and pygmy squid

What's Included

Full board: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner, plus a BBQ night
Soft drinks, electrolytes, drinking water, fresh coffee and tea
Fresh fruit, yogurt and snacks all day
Up to 25 dives, including up to 5 blackwater dives
12 L tank, weights and weight belt
PADI professional dive guide, maximum 4 divers per guide
Two towels per guest and reef-friendly toiletries
Use of the photo room, sunbeds and Thai-style seating

Itinerary

Day 1: Ranong and Kawthaung
Check in at the dive centre in Ranong (10:00 to 12:00), then Thai exit formalities at about 14:00 and board. Myanmar immigration boards at Kawthaung. Departure ceremony after sunset, then dinner.

Day 2: South Twin and Shark Cave
Granite boulders at South Twin, with a chance of manta rays, then Shark Cave for grey reef sharks, nurse sharks and eagle rays, including a night dive.

Day 3: Black Rock
An open-ocean pinnacle reached after a night crossing, with pelagic life and stronger currents. Blackwater briefing and first blackwater dive.

Days 4 to 6: Burma Banks
Exploratory dives on rarely visited banks, with blackwater dives over deep water.

Day 7: Seafan Forest and Western Rocky
Barracuda, batfish and fusiliers at Seafan Forest, then the tunnel at about 20 m through Western Rocky. Optional night or blackwater dive, then the BBQ night.

Day 8: Return to Ranong
One or two final dives, finishing by 09:00. Myanmar exit at Kawthaung, Thai re-entry and arrival in Ranong at about 16:00 to 18:00. Allow 24 hours after your last dive before flying.

This is the operator's sample route. Sites and days can change with weather, sea conditions and the crew's safety calls.

Agencies

Languages

English, French

Meeting Point

Click to view the location.

Important

Requirements

Open Water Diver certification (PADI, SSI or equivalent) with at least 10 logged dives
Advanced Open Water recommended: some dives go deeper than 18 m, night and blackwater dives run most days, and Black Rock has stronger currents. Maximum depth is 30 m. Advanced Open Water can be completed on board.
Myanmar e-visa required (port of entry: Kawthaung)
Your passport must allow visa-free land entry back into Thailand, or you need a Thai visa or re-entry permit arranged in advance
Dive insurance covering diving accidents, evacuation and recompression treatment is mandatory. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
A completed medical questionnaire is required. Any "yes" answer needs a doctor's certificate dated within the last 12 months.
Children under 12 by special arrangement only

Mandatory fees (paid in new, unmarked US dollar notes)

Myanmar entry and diving fees: USD 260 per person, subject to change
Myanmar e-visa: USD 50, applied for online before travel

Optional extras

Nitrox: USD 7 per tank, or USD 142 for the cruise
15 L tank: USD 9 per day, or USD 62 for the cruise
Dive computer rental: USD 9 per day
Equipment rental: USD 18 per day
Extra blackwater dive: USD 30 per person
Private guide: USD 118 per day
Advanced Open Water course on board: from USD 252; single Adventure Dives USD 44
Underwater photo coaching: price on request
Transfers to and from the boat: price on request
Beer and wine: sold on board
Crew gratuities: optional, about USD 30 per day is customary

Not included

Flights, hotels, alcohol and cigarettes

On-board extras are paid in Thai baht cash, Wise or PayPal. Cards carry a 5% surcharge. Money can't be exchanged at the border. Allow 24 hours after your last dive before flying.

Cancellations

Life happens, so we keep cancellations simple. Enjoy free cancellation for 14 days from the time of booking, or find an equally qualified replacement up to 30 days before your departure.

Mergui Archipelago Blackwater Liveaboard Expedition