Mergui Archipelago Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes
The Mergui Archipelago’s sheer scale – over 800 islands spread across 14,000 square kilometres – means that itinerary design matters more here than in almost any other charter destination. Distances between island groups can be significant, and the government permit system requires your route to be submitted in advance. The itineraries below are designed by experienced Mergui captains and can be tailored to your group’s interests, pace and diving ability. Every route departs from Kawthoung, the archipelago’s gateway port, and every day is fully customisable – your Boatcrowd charter specialist and onboard captain adjust stops, activities and pacing to suit the conditions and your preferences on the day.
Day Charter Routes
Nyaung Oo Phee Island and the Southern Reefs
Depart Kawthoung mid-morning and cruise south-west into the archipelago’s southern islands – roughly 20 nautical miles, about 90 minutes at comfortable cruising speed. Anchor off Nyaung Oo Phee Island (formerly McKenzie Island) and tender ashore to Madame Beach, a crescent of dazzling white sand with a photogenic sea swing in the lagoon shallows. Spend the late morning snorkelling the reef off the western shore – colourful hard coral, parrotfish, butterflyfish and the occasional turtle in crystal-clear water. Your chef serves lunch on the aft deck with the island’s jungle canopy as a backdrop. In the afternoon, cruise to a nearby uninhabited islet for a second snorkel or a paddleboard session in the glassy shallows. Return to Kawthoung in the golden late-afternoon light.
Bo Cho Island and the Lampi Coastline
Head north from Kawthoung towards Bo Cho Island – roughly 35 nautical miles, about two hours. Anchor near the island’s famous mile-long sandbank, which emerges at low tide as a ribbon of white sand stretching into turquoise water. Snorkel the surrounding reef, then tender ashore to visit the Ma Kyone Galet Moken village with your onboard guide – observe traditional boat-building, fishing nets drying in the sun and the simple stilt-house community. After lunch aboard, cruise a short distance north along Lampi Island’s southern coastline, anchoring in a sheltered bay for a late-afternoon kayak through the fringing mangroves. Return south to Kawthoung by evening.
Shark Cave and the Swinton Islands
Depart early and cruise to the Great Swinton Island area – roughly 40 nautical miles from Kawthoung, about 2.5 hours. This route is designed for divers. Descend at the Shark Cave site: three small islets with a ragged cave entrance on the north-west corner at 5–16 metres depth. The 20-metre tunnel at the canyon’s bottom leads to a lower cave where nurse sharks rest on the sand. A second dive on the outer wall reveals frogfish, ghost pipefish and schools of trevally. Your chef serves a hot lunch on the aft deck between dives. In the afternoon, snorkel a shallow reef on a nearby island or simply relax on the swim platform. Return to Kawthoung by late afternoon.
Multi-Day Itineraries
7-Day Mergui Archipelago Yacht Charter Itinerary
This seven-day route covers the archipelago’s highlights from the southern reefs to the northern reaches of Lampi Island, with a mix of diving, snorkelling, beach days and cultural encounters. Designed for guests who want a comprehensive introduction to the Mergui Archipelago without the long open-water passages required to reach Black Rock or Western Rocky.
Day 1: 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.
Day 2: 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.
Day 3: 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.
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: 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.
10-Day Mergui Archipelago Yacht Charter Itinerary
This extended itinerary adds the archipelago’s most spectacular open-ocean dive sites – Black Rock and Western Rocky – to the seven-day route, along with deeper exploration of the northern islands and additional time at Lampi. Designed for guests who want to see everything the Mergui Archipelago has to offer, including its world-class big-animal diving.
Day 1: 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.
Day 2: 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.
Day 3: 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.
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: 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.
Day 8: 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.
Day 9: 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.
Day 10: 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.
