North of the Thai border the islands do not stop: the Mergui (Myeik) Archipelago runs for some 400 km along the coast of Myanmar’s Tanintharyi Region, around 800 islands of rainforest, mangrove and white sand, nearly all uninhabited. The area was closed to foreigners until the late 1990s and has never had more than a trickle of visitors.
Please read this first. Since the military takeover in Myanmar in 2021, many governments advise against travel to all or part of the country, and tourism to the archipelago has been heavily disrupted. Permits, operators and border rules have changed repeatedly. Treat everything below as background, and check official travel advice and a reputable operator before making any plans.
Top things to do: Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar)
Liveaboard diving and sailing
The archipelago has traditionally been visited on multi-day dive boats and sailing yachts, with sites such as Black Rock, Western Rocky and the Burma Banks known for sharks, rays and large schools of fish. Boats have operated out of Kawthaung, with guests commonly arriving through Ranong in Thailand.
Empty islands
Kayaking mangrove creeks, walking beaches with no footprints and snorkelling reefs that see a handful of boats a year are the appeal. A very small number of island eco-resorts have operated in the southern part of the archipelago.
The Moken
The archipelago is the heartland of the Moken sea people. Their traditional boat-dwelling life has largely given way to settled villages; visits should be arranged with sensitivity through a responsible operator.
How to get to Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar)
- Via Ranong and Kawthaung: the usual approach has been to cross the estuary from Ranong to Kawthaung, where liveaboards cleared immigration and obtained cruising permits. Whether this is currently possible for foreigners must be confirmed.
- Independent travel among the islands has never been permitted; visits have always required a licensed operator and permit fees.
Insider tips
- Check your government’s travel advisory and whether your travel insurance is valid for Myanmar.
- The season mirrors Thailand’s: roughly November to April. The monsoon closes the area to small vessels.
- If the archipelago is off limits, the Surin Islands just across the border offer similar scenery and marine life in Thai waters.
Best tours & tickets for Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar)
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar):
Speedboat snorkelling trip from €101 From Khao Lak: Full-Day Snorkeling in the Surin Islands
A long day, but the Surin Islands reward it with some of the best shallow-water snorkelling in Thailand. Runs only in the park’s open season, about mid-October to mid-May.
- Shallow hard-coral reefs
- Far fewer boats than the Similans
- Lunch at the national park station
Speedboat or catamaran trip from €95 Khao Lak: Surin Island & Moken Village Day Tour with Snorkel
Pairs the Surin reefs with a visit to the Moken community that lives inside the park. Go respectfully: ask before photographing people and buy handicrafts directly if you want a souvenir.
- Visit the Moken sea-people’s village
- Several snorkelling stops
- Speedboat or catamaran options
