Crossing the Mergui Archipelago 5 Days - 4 Nights

DepaRture Date:

All dates are available

QUICK FACTS:

Period: Mid October until mid May

Route: North <—> South

Departure from: Myeik / Kawthaung

Arrival to: Kawthaung / Myeik

Activities: Swimming, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Light Hiking

 


NORTH TO SOUTH

DAY 1: EMBARK from MYEIK via Merui Island to Bentinck ISLAND (-/L/D)

We pick you up in the morning (8:45 AM) from your hotel in Myeik and transfer you to Seik Nge Jetty. We can also start the same day if you arrive with the first flight from Yangon (daily, around 8:30 AM). However we do advise to arrive the day before to explore Myeik and taste its unique food culture.

After more or less 2.5 hours we get to know a local grouper fish, where they farm for decades the most delicate local fish as well as a rock lobster farm.

We have lunch on the boat, before we take a short mangroves walk and explain about this sensitive eco system. After 40 min easy walk we arrive at the small Mergui Village, which totally relies on the fishing industry. Some are fixing nets, others make shrimp paste (nga pi, seasonal) and other fix boats. We have a chat about their daily routine.

In the early afternoon we cruise for Bentinck Island, where we drop the anchor for the night.

On the way we have a refreshing swim and enjoy the emptiness of the ocean.

Fresh cooked dinner will be served on the deck. Enjoy the countless stars at night time.

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Bentinck, the Secret Cove and La Ngann Island (B/L/D)

Wake up with the first sunlight and enjoy a morning swim or a cup of coffee/tea before we continue for the secret lagoon. We will need to swim through a tunnel in order to enter a hidden lagoon. This incredible looking lagoon is new to access and is hidden from any map so far.

In the afternoon we set over to La Ngann Island, where the best snorkeling spot can be found. Soft and hard coral alike as well as colorful underwater life is waiting here for our afternoon snorkel.

Take you time to relax with a sundowner while we prepare dinner for you.

Accommodation: Shared cabin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: La Ngann Island and the Sea Gypsies (B/L/D)

After breakfast we take the tender or kayaks over to the sea gypsy (Moken) village. As time passed by their natural habits did adapt to modern life ones and pearls been traded rather for money then for goods. Only a handful live the way there ancestors have moved around from Mergui to Indonesia. As borders been created their movements have been restricted. We take a small stroll through the village and explain how life works without bank accounts and insurances.

Before lunch we take you to another snorkeling site around the Eliza (La Ngann) Island group. This one is shallower with more Nemo’s, stone fish, more eels, angel fish, sea horses and many more colorful species.

Afterwards we cruise down Lampi Island, which is protected as a Mergui’s only National park. Here are small bays everywhere and we take you to our favorite snorkeling spot for the afternoon.

We anchor in another sheltered bay while preparing dinner for you. After dinner we recommend a night swim with to see the fluorescent plankton.

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Lampi Island to Kyun Pila (B/L/D)

In the morning we set over to Kyun Pila, exactly Jar Ohn reef, where we frequently swimming with cuttle fish. These gentle and slow moving creatures are always good for an underwater photo. Lunch we have near Shark Island, named after the sharks roaming around the islands. Every now and then we do explore a reef shark or two.

We reach Honeymoon Island, which is a fictive name because it is so beautiful. Old fishermen believe the Sea Gypsies after marriage made came here to enjoy their wedding night. The small reef offers a good variety of soft and hard corals. Enjoy a night under endless stars.

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Nyaung Wee to Aung Bar (B/L/D)

The morning is all yours. Have another cup of coffee or take the kayaks for a spin or snorkel at the nearby reef or chill on the beach before lunch.

After lunch we start cruising back towards Aung Bar Fishing Village. Say good bye to your crew. We transfer you back to Kawthaung by car (around 2 hours).

We recommend staying the night in Kawthaung in order to take you flight back to Yangon the next day. In case you would like to cross the border to Thailand before closing (5:30 PM), you will need to inform us before booking.

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

SOUTH TO NORTH

DAY 1: EMBARK from Aung Bar towards Nyaung Wee Island (-/L/D)

Pick from Kawthaung Hotel (8:30 AM) and transfer to Aung Bar Fishing village (2 hours by car). In case you want to arrive in the morning from Thailand (Ranong), please depart from Ranong Jetty 7:00 AM (Thai Time) sharp. Your guide will pick you up from Kawthaung immigration.

Depending on the tide we embark on a local boat to our cruise boat. Enjoy lunch on the boat will cruising along pristine waters. We pass a karst-rock lime formation where we talk about natural bird nest harvesting.

We reach Honeymoon Island, which is a fictive name because eat is so beautiful. Old fishermen believe the Sea Gypsies after marriage made came here to enjoy their wedding night. The small reef offers a good variety of soft and hard corals with more Nemo’s, stone fish, more eels, angel fish, sea horses and many more colorful species.

We cruise over to another virgin beach near Nyaung Wee Island and anchor in a sheltered bay for the night. Dinner will be served on board.

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Nyaung Wee – Pila and Lampi Island (B/L/D)

Afterwards breakfast we take you to Jar Ohn Bay on Kyun Pila Island, which is considered before we are going to snorkel with cuttle fish in the area. Look out for more eels in the between the hard coral.

We cruise over to the only national park in the whole Mergui Archipelago. Lampi Island is a huge area and we talk about the ways of protection. There is another small hidden reef with a lot of tree coral and nemo house.

We anchor in another sheltered bay while preparing dinner for you. After dinner we recommend a night swim with to see the fluorescent plankton.

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Lampi Island to Eliza (La Ngann) Island (B/L/D)

Say good morning to the sun while waking up. Have a coffee or a tea, go snorkeling or swimming before breakfast.

We set sail, actually motor, for Eliza Island Group, so the old English name. The Burmese one is La Ngann Islands, a group consisting of 4 bigger islands and more little ones right in the middle of the archipelago, which is far away from any civilization.

After lunch we take the tender or kayaks over to the sea gypsy (Moken) village. As time passed by their natural habits did adapt to modern life ones and pearls been traded rather for money then for goods. Only a handful live the way there ancestors have moved around from Mergui to Indonesia. As borders been created their movements have been restricted. We take a small stroll through the village and explain how life works without bank accounts and insurances.

Short ways can be covered easily with the kayaks and the two nearby snorkeling sites of great visibilities as well as colorful underwater life.

We have dinner prepared for you when you are back on board.

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Eliza – Secret Lagoon and Mergui Island

After breakfast we continue for the secret lagoon. We will need to swim through a tunnel in order to enter a hidden lagoon. This incredible looking lagoon is new to access and is hidden from any map so far.

From the secret lagoon we cruise pass Bentinck Island, which is facing the open sea. The hard monsoon winds form this coastline. There are small hidden coves with a lot of marine life between the boulders. Snorkeling and exploring is depending on the winds.

We make our way to Mergui Island, where we anchor for the night.

Enjoy the last night under a million of stars.

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Understand Mergui Island (B/L/D)

After breakfast we arrive at the small Mergui Village, which totally relies on the fishing industry. Some are fixing nets; others make shrimp paste (nga pi, seasonal) and other fix boats. We have a chat about their daily routine.

 A small walk (40 min) through local beetle nut cultivation and mangrove leads us to a hidden beach, where our boat is picking us up again.

We have lunch and later on set over to a local grouper fish, where they farm for decades the most delicate local fish as well as a rock lobster farm.

 In the afternoon we arrive to Myeik. Onward travel is only possible to Dawei (6 PM VIP Bus or private car). Flights to Yangon will be only the next day. We highly recommend joining our delicious Myeik Dinner Food Tour (2hrs). Tonight meals can be different or the same you had on the boat. Let us know what you favor (vegetarian friendly).

Accommodation: Private or Shared Cabin (AC or open windows), Shared bathroom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Remark: We have 2 different types of boats depending on the size of the group.
Please note: 
Program may change due to weather and tide conditions. Joint tour need a minimum of participants.

Adult: 949 USD
Child: 475 USD (4-11 years)

Note: This tour can be combine with other.
Continue: Flight to Dawei / Flight to Yangon
Alternative departure: Border Crossing into Thailand (30 Min by long tail boat)


INCLUDED SERVICES

  • Round Transfer from Myeik Hotel to Kawthaung Hotel

  • Accommodation shared cabin and shared bathroom

  • English speaking guide

  • On board meals (3 meals per day with minimum 3-4 dishes per meal)

  • Soft Drinks, Water Tea and Coffee

  • Free use of sea kayaks and snorkeling equipment

  • Life Jackets

EXCLUDED SERVICES

  • International or domestic flight (e.g. Yangon – Myeik)

  • Mergui Archipelago Royalty Fee (80 USD)

  • Myanmar Visa Fees (around 50 USD)

  • Single supplement surcharge

  • Services not mentioned above

  • Trip cancellation and medical insurance

  • Expenditures of personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, tip for crew