Mergui Archipelago Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes

Kawthoung to Nyaung Oo Phee Island

Board your yacht at Kawthoung by mid-morning. Your Myanmar government guide joins the crew, the captain briefs the group on the week’s itinerary, and a champagne toast on the flybridge marks the start of the voyage. Cruise south-west to Nyaung Oo Phee Island, roughly 20 nautical miles, about 90 minutes. Anchor off Madame Beach for a late-morning swim and snorkel on the pristine reef. Your chef lays out a welcome lunch on the aft deck: fresh prawns, tropical salads and chilled wine. Spend the afternoon paddleboarding in the lagoon or exploring the island’s jungle fringe by tender. As the sun sets behind the island’s silhouette, sundowners on the flybridge, dinner beneath the stars.

115 Islands

Cruise north to the 115 Islands cluster, roughly 30 nautical miles, about two hours. These small islands, named for their number on old Admiralty charts, are surrounded by some of the clearest water in the archipelago. Spend the morning snorkelling the coral reefs: vibrant staghorn formations, clouds of damselfish, anemonefish colonies and, in the deeper sections, large barrel sponges and gorgonian fans. After lunch aboard, tender ashore on one of the larger islands for a jungle trek through dense tropical forest, freshwater streams, towering hardwoods and exotic birdlife, including hornbills and white-bellied sea eagles. Return to the yacht for sunset and a barbecue dinner on the aft deck.

Shark Cave and the Swinton Islands

Cruise to the Great Swinton Island area, roughly 15 nautical miles from the 115 Islands. Morning dive at Shark Cave: descend through the ragged entrance, follow the tunnel to the lower cave where nurse sharks rest in the dim light, and surface amid schools of trevally and sweetlips. A second dive on the outer wall delivers macro treasures, frogfish, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp and porcelain crabs. Non-divers snorkel the shallow reef on the island’s lee side. Lunch aboard, then cruise to a deserted beach on a nearby island for an afternoon of swimming and paddleboarding. Your crew sets up a firepit on the sand for a beach barbecue as the sun goes down.

Bo Cho Island and the Moken Village

Cruise north to Bo Cho Island, roughly 20 nautical miles. Anchor near the mile-long sandbank and spend the morning walking its length in knee-deep turquoise water, the sand seems to stretch into the sea forever. Tender ashore to the Ma Kyone Galet Moken village with your government guide. Observe traditional boat-building and fishing practices, and learn about the Moken’s oral traditions and extraordinary free-diving skills. Gifts of rice, fishing line or children’s supplies are welcomed. After lunch aboard, snorkel the reef on Bo Cho’s western shore or kayak through the sheltered mangroves. Climb the hill to the pagoda for panoramic views across the archipelago before returning to the yacht for dinner.

Lampi Island Marine National Park: South Coast

Cruise north into the waters of Lampi Island Marine National Park, roughly 15 nautical miles from Bo Cho. Anchor in a sheltered bay on Lampi’s southern coast and spend the morning kayaking through the mangrove estuaries. The root systems form natural tunnels over the water, alive with juvenile fish, mudskippers and the occasional monitor lizard basking on a low branch. After lunch, snorkel the reef off the bay’s headland, healthy hard coral, hawksbill turtles and clouds of anthias in the shallows. In the late afternoon, take a guided jungle walk into Lampi’s interior: primary rainforest, macaque troops, flying foxes at dusk and the sounds of hornbills overhead. Dinner aboard at anchor in total silence.

Lampi Island: North Coast and Open Water

Cruise north along Lampi’s western coast, stopping at a deserted beach for a morning swim, white sand, no footprints, the jungle pressing right to the waterline. Continue to one of the northern dive sites for an afternoon dive or snorkel over a pristine reef, granite boulders draped in soft coral, cuttlefish hovering in the current and reef sharks patrolling the drop-off. Your crew anchors in a volcanic lagoon for the night, sheer limestone walls rising from emerald water, the only sound the call of a fish eagle. Cocktails on the flybridge, a long dinner on the aft deck, and the clearest night sky most guests have ever seen.

Southern Islands and Return to Kawthoung

Begin the return cruise south towards Kawthoung, stopping at one or two islands en route for a final snorkel and a farewell beach session. Your chef prepares a special farewell lunch on the aft deck. Arrive at Kawthoung by mid-afternoon for immigration clearance and disembarkation. Guests continuing to Thailand are transferred across the Kraburi River to Ranong within 30 minutes.

Kawthoung to Nyaung Oo Phee Island

Board at Kawthoung by mid-morning. Government guide joins the crew, captain’s briefing and champagne toast on the flybridge. Cruise south-west to Nyaung Oo Phee Island, 20 nautical miles, about 90 minutes. Anchor off Madame Beach for a welcome swim and snorkel. Lunch aboard, afternoon paddleboarding and island exploration. Sundowners and dinner at anchor.

115 Islands

Cruise north to the 115 Islands, roughly 30 nautical miles. Morning snorkelling the crystal-clear coral reefs: staghorn formations, damselfish, anemonefish colonies and barrel sponges. Afternoon jungle trek on one of the larger islands, freshwater streams, hornbills and sea eagles overhead. Barbecue dinner on the aft deck.

Shark Cave and the Swinton Islands

Cruise to the Great Swinton Island area. Two dives at Shark Cave: the tunnel system, nurse sharks, frogfish and macro critters. Non-divers snorkel the shallow reef nearby. Afternoon beach session on a deserted island. Beach barbecue at sunset.

Bo Cho Island and the Moken Village

Cruise to Bo Cho Island. Morning on the mile-long sandbank, Moken village visit with your government guide, and a hilltop pagoda hike for archipelago views. Afternoon snorkelling and kayaking. Dinner aboard.

Lampi Island Marine National Park: South Coast

Anchor in a sheltered bay on Lampi’s southern coast. Morning kayaking through the mangrove estuaries. Afternoon reef snorkel and a guided jungle walk into Lampi’s interior, macaques, monitor lizards, flying foxes at dusk. Dinner aboard in total silence.

Lampi Island: North Coast

Explore Lampi’s northern coastline: a deserted beach swim in the morning, a dive or snorkel over granite-boulder reef in the afternoon. Anchor overnight in a volcanic lagoon surrounded by sheer limestone walls. The night sky from this anchorage is extraordinary, the Milky Way stretches horizon to horizon.

Passage to Black Rock

Depart Lampi early and cruise north-west towards Black Rock, roughly 37 nautical miles, about 2.5 hours at cruising speed. The passage crosses open water, and your captain assesses conditions carefully before committing. Arrive at Black Rock by late morning and prepare for the signature dive of the voyage. Descend along the islet’s steep walls into nutrient-rich currents, manta rays, schools of mobula rays, whitetip and silvertip sharks patrolling the blue water. A second dive in the afternoon if conditions allow. This is Myanmar’s premier big-animal dive site and the highlight of any extended Mergui itinerary. Anchor overnight near Black Rock or reposition to a sheltered island group.

Western Rocky and the Outer Islands

Cruise south to Western Rocky, one of the southernmost dive sites in Myanmar waters. Morning dive through the dramatic tunnel that passes clean through the island at 20 metres depth, emerging onto walls draped in soft coral and sea fans. A second dive on the sloping wall reveals cuttlefish, large sea fans and occasional pelagic visitors. Lunch aboard, then cruise to a nearby outer island for an afternoon snorkel or beach session. The outer islands feel even more remote than the inner chain, sheer jungle-clad cliffs, no signs of human habitation and an almost eerie stillness.

Macleod Island and the Southern Archipelago

Cruise south-east towards Macleod Island, one of the most visually striking islands in the group, with jungle-clad hills rising above white-sand bays. Anchor in a sheltered cove on the western shore and spend the morning snorkelling: healthy hard coral, hawksbill turtles, cuttlefish and colourful reef fish in water so clear you can see the bottom from the flybridge. Tender ashore for a beach walk along one of the island’s pristine sand crescents. After lunch, cruise south towards the inner islands, stopping for a final snorkel or paddleboard session at a deserted reef. Your crew prepares a special farewell dinner on the aft deck, locally sourced seafood, candlelight and the last night’s starscape.

Return to Kawthoung

A gentle morning cruise south to Kawthoung, with a final breakfast on the aft deck and time for one last swim from the yacht. Arrive at Kawthoung by late morning for immigration clearance and disembarkation. Guests are transferred across the Kraburi River to Ranong within 30 minutes, with onward connections to Phuket, Bangkok or international flights.

Guests looking for a combined Thailand-Myanmar experience can add three or four days in Thai waters at the start or end of either itinerary, the Similan Islands, Phang Nga Bay or the Surin Islands make natural companions. Your Boatcrowd charter specialist designs a seamless cross-border itinerary that maximises time on the water and minimises border formalities.