Raja Laut

It would be no exaggeration to say that the Mergui Archipelago is the 'newest' cruising destination on earth having only been 'opened' to visiting yachts since the late 1990's. Dense mountainous rainforests, white silica sand beaches and perfect natural bays - that provide ideal shelter for visiting yachts - characterize an archipelago of some 800 virtually uninhabited islands.

Underwater, the Mergui offers abundant coral reefs, fascinating topography and prolific fish and invertebrate life, including many unusual species, some of which are rarely encountered in Thai waters just 100 miles south.

On the beaches macaques and monitor lizards can be seen feeding on crabs at low tide. Hornbills and sea eagles fly from the rainforest canopy, and the dense jungle is home to an amazing diversity of flora & fauna. Tracks have been found of the rare Asian rhinoceros and crocodiles have also been seen.

The native of Mergui are known as the Moken people. They are sea gypsies and can be observed fishing and living on their boats in entire family groups. They follow a traditional way of life, still doing things very much the way they have been done for centuries. Their knowledge of the sea enables them to live off its fauna and flora by using simple tools such as nets and spears to forage for food. What is not consumed is dried atop their boats, and then used to barter for other necessities at local markets.

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Mergui Highlights

Scuba Diving in the Mergui Islands

Underwater, the Mergui offers abundant coral reefs, fascinating topography and prolific fish and invertebrate life, including many unusual species, some of which are rarely encountered in Thai waters just 100 miles south. Many more dive sites are undoubtedly waiting to be discovered as the Mergui Archipelago has a vast number of islands and reefs. Owing to the archipelago's remoteness, a yacht charter or live aboard cruise is the only way for visitors to go diving in areas with names such as Big Bank, Rainbow Reef or Silvertip Bank.

Photographers are attracted by frogfish, ghost pipefish, ribbon eels and cowries as well as many crustaceans such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimps. The Mergui Archipelago has something for everyone, and although the dive sites, here can often learn towards the advanced, even intermediate divers will love the place as long as the dive sites are picked carefully. Standing alone in the Andaman Sea, Black Rock is just as famous for its incredible schools of mobula rays. Then, there are the majestic encounters with manta rays and eagle rays soaring above and around you off the deep north western corner, and huge marble stingrays and leopard sharks on the sandy bottom.

Another of the top Mergui Archipelago diving sites are the Shark Cave and are known for its resident docile nurse sharks. The ragged cave entrance is on the North West corner of the islet, and is 5-16 metres deep. Often found guarding the entrance are several grey reef sharks, long-fin trevally and silver sweetlips. On the far side of the bowl, a tunnel leads to the other side of the island and a beautiful hard coral reef.

Mergui Forests and Wildlife

The forests that grow on the island have a variety of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems and inhabitants. On the beaches macaques and monitor lizards can be seen feeding on crabs at low tide. Hornbills and sea eagles fly from the rainforest canopy, and the dense jungle is home to an amazing diversity of flora & fauna.Tracks have been found of the rare Asian rhinoceros, and crocodiles have also been seen. There is a plethora of birdlife in this remote area. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your view, there is only one place to be able to view it from, namely Fork Island, as this is the only island with reasonable standard accommodation.

Sea Gypsies

The only human inhabitants in the area are sea gypsies, namely Salon in Myanmar. They live on boats during the dry season and remain on land during the rainy season. They are sea dwelling people, and they follow a traditional way of life, doing things such as fishing and building boats very much the way they have been done for centuries.