ANDAMAN SEA THAILAND & BURMA

Jan - May
$ 2720 8 days/9 nights, $3420 9 days/ 10 nights, $4560 12 days/ 13 nights

Off the west coast of exotic Thailand and Burma lies what is know as the Andaman Sea Triangle. This triangle is well know for its luxurious marine life including whale shark encounters. Forming the points of this fabulous triangle of life are the beautiful Similan Islands, the Burma Banks, and the Mergui Archipelago including the famous dive site- Richlelieu Rock.

The Similan Islands are a national park and the water surrounding these nine densely wooded islands are protected. The east side of the islands have gently sloping healthy coral reefs inhabited by a plentora of colorful reef fish. The west side of the islands are a completely different diving environment with huge granite boulders covered with rainbow colored soft corals and gorgonians. Often the boulders are stacked atop one another creating caverns and archways. Pelagics are often seen as are rays and turtles.

Our next destination is the Surin Islands.  This is an excellent opportunity to see the bizarre Shovelnose Rays-half shark, half ray and up to 3 meters in length. Some of the other creatures we may see are large Napoleon Wrasse, docile Leopard Sharks, black Frogfish, False Killer Whales, possibly even Bryde's Whales! After a full day at Richelieu Rock the boat will transit at night to Kawthoung (Victoria Point) where we check in with Burmese (Myanmar) immigration and take on our official guide from the Ministry of Tourism. Then its onward to the Burma Banks.

The Burma Banks lie 100 miles offshore. They are a series of sea mounts rising from the ocean depths. This is the place for the big pelagics, tuna, eagle rays, sharks. Anything is possible here. At Silvertip Banks, so get your cameras ready for some outrageous close-ups of the numerous Silvertip Sharks. Don't forget to look around the bottom for the Zebra Sharks laying on the sand. We will also visit nearby Black Rock and Western Rocky Island before returning to Kawthoung to drop off our guide and head south to dive the Surin Island again as we head home to Phuket.

Trip price includes liveaboard accommodations, meals, diving, and transfers from airport to the Ocean Rover Office or your hotel. Price does not include the $130 Burma port fee, airfare, gratuities, or personal purchases.

Dive Sites THE SIMILAN ISLANDS

• Distance from Phuket: 55 NM
• Diving Depth: 6-40m.(20-135ft.)
• Visibility: good to fabulous
• Currents: moderate to strong, unpredictable.
• Surface conditions: can be choppy
• Diver Level: experienced divers only

The Similan Islands National Park is the centerpiece of all live-aboard trips in Phuket. Nowhere is the diving more varied or colorful than here. There are nine, densely wooded islands lying north to south. Each has its own name but everyone knows them simply by number. Most islands have gorgeous beaches with fine talcum powder-like sand. The underwater scenery changes as you alternate between the east and the west side of the islands. On the east side, the diving is on sloping hard coral reefs and shallow coral gardens. Here, photographers can happily lose themselves for hours on end.

Change over to the west side and it is as if you are at a totally different location. Here, huge granite boulders stacked on top of one another create caverns and swim-throughs. Soft corals cover everything, huge gorgonian seafans and bright yellow tube corals add to the orgy of color. Plus of course fish, fish and more fish. Few places on earth offer as much variety and enjoyment as the Similan Islands. All colorful reef fish are happy to pose for your camera. Remember to look up from time to time or you will miss rays or even whale sharks cruise overhead.

Or ask the divemaster to show you the hideouts of some of the rarer species such as ghost pipefish, jawfish, frogfish or ribbon eels. If you are a marine biology buff, this is the place to visit!

Some of the Similan Islands' best loved dive sites are: Elephant Head, Ocean Rover Reef, Sharkfin Reef, Christmas Point, Boulder City and East of Eden. Though each of these locations has its own characteristics, they all share the underwater panorama that is uniquely Similan. Many divers return to the Similan Islands year after year. They all agree the islands never fail to impress them, time and again.

SURIN ISLANDS and RICHELIEU ROCK

• Distance from Phuket: 110 NM
• Distance from Similans: 50 NM
• Diving Depth: 3-40 m. (10-130ft ft.)
• Visibility: fair to good, sometimes bad
• Currents: can be strong
• Surface conditions: can be rough
• Diver Level: experienced divers only

The Surin Islands Marine National Park lies just a few miles south of Burmese border. The five islands are closely grouped together, the main island larger than any of the Similans and covered in verdant rainforest. A small sea gypsy community lives on the east coast. The diving here is mainly on hard coral fringe reefs, similar to the east side of the Similans. One of our favorite dive sites is Turtle Ledges. Besides hawksbill turtles one can also observe juvenile batfish and ghost pipefish.

Richelieu Rock lies 8 nautical miles east of Surin Islands. This world-class dive site is by far the best in Surin area and justifiably known as the place to see whale sharks. We encounter more of them here than at any other location. Moreover, often more than one animal will stay around for several hours. Swimming along with these huge fish is any divers dream come true. Even our dive crews, who see plenty of big fish action, are thrilled each time we come across these gentle giants of the ocean. But Richelieu Rock has more to offer than whale sharks and mantas. This rocky outcrop is covered in soft corals and seems to act like a magnet when it comes to attracting fish. Every imaginable variety of fish is here including the shy and, elsewhere rarely seen, shovelnose ray or guitarfish. You can spend hours observing the mating rituals of cuttlefish or photograph golden morays. Watch schools of barracuda cruise by while thousands of colorful fusiliers swirl around the rocks. This is truly a special place.

Halfway between Similan islands and Surin islands are two islands: Koh Tachai to the west and Koh Born to the east. Both islands are also good places for encountering manta rays and whale sharks.

Koh Tachai's southeast tip is a dive site called Twin Peaks, two pinnacles connected by a reef. Schools of batfish circle this site which is also a favorite with stingrays. Strong currents make this a good place for huge sea fans.

KOH BORN's west side is a steep rockface that drops to 40 meters. At the bottom, we often find leopard sharks and stingrays.

THE MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO IN MYANMAR

The Mergui Archipelago consists of over a hundred islands and reefs. Our permission to operate in this area was granted in 1997. The gateway to the archipelago is Kawthoung (Victoria Point) on the south tip of Myanmar, a 25 minute boat trip from the Thai port of Ranong.

So far, our explorations have shown that the area closest to Myanmar's shore is very scenic but has no decent diving. The middle area is more interesting. Visibility is only fair, but there is plenty of interesting marine life. Different species of sharks and stingrays as well as a good assortment of small and semi-rare creatures such as ghost pipefish and razorfish were spotted here. The reefs are mainly rocky with hard corals although some areas have sponges, fans and soft corals as well.

The westernmost region of the Mergui Archipelago is where the water gets deeper and clearer. This is where the sharks roam. Silvertips, grey reef, whitetip, bullshark –a wonderful variety. The underwater scenery is somewhat like a cross between the Similans and the Burma Banks. Nice big schools of jacks swirl around the rocks, stingrays rest on the seafloor nearby huge seafans. Our favorite divesites (so far) in the Mergui Archipelago are Western Rocky Island and Black Rock. "Unique" is the best way to describe the Mergui Archipelago. Here you have the one thing Thailand's islands lack: good anchorage. There are hundreds of deserted coves and bays fringed with white sandy beaches. There is a bay for every boat, in any weather. The islands are covered with rain forest and mostly uninhabited. We have spotted wild boar and even heard reports of salt-water crocodiles. Very few foreigners have been here in the last 50 years. Come and explore with us!

WESTERN ROCKY

• Distance from Phuket: 150 NM
• Distance Victoria Point: 40 NM
• Diving Depth: 6-35m. (20-120ft)
• Visibility: fair to good
• Currents: can be strong
• Surface conditions: mostly calm, can be choppy
• Diver Level: experienced divers only

There is no dive site quite like Western Rocky in either Thailand or Myanmar. Situated in open sea, the island has a long sloping reef on the northeast side. The other sides offer wall diving. The sand bottom starts at 30 to 35 meters and is dotted with boulders and coral heads that are covered with large fans and colorful soft corals.

Just east of the islands four pinnacles break the surface, while a number of submerged pinnacles are found off the south side. Western Rocky's unique feature is a large tunnel that sharks and scores of lobsters. Diving around Western Rocky means spotting lots of sharks: nurse sharks, whitetip reef sharks, common blacktips and bullsharks. All in all a true world-class dive site!

BLACK ROCK

• Distance from Phuket: 220 NM
• Distance from Victoria Point: 90 NM
• Diving Depth: 6-45m (20-150ft)
• Visibility: fair to excellent
• Currents: can be strong
• Surface conditions: can be rough
• Diver level: experienced divers only

For high voltage diving, visit Black Rock. There must be nice small stuff to be seen here as well, but looking for nudibranchs is hard if you are constantly buzzed by sharks, rays and schools of jacks. Oh well, the macro photography will just have to wait until later.

So far, at Black Rock our divers have seen bull sharks, grey reef sharks, whitetips and silvertips. And a great assortment of different rays as well: marbled rays, jenkins (or coachwhip) rays as well as the rare mangrove ray. Other treats included schooling mobula rays, mantas and eagle rays.

THE BURMA BANKS

• Distance from Phuket: 130 NM
• Distance from Victoria Point: 90 NM
• Diving Depth: 15-35m (45-120 ft)
• Visibility: good to crystal clear
• Currents: always there, mostly strong
• Surface conditions: can be quite rough
• Diver level: experienced and fit divers only

The Burma Banks are a series of completely submerged seamounts. The shallowest Bank tops out at 15 meters from the surface and the surrounding ocean floor is over 400 meters deep. The Banks do not offer much in the form of pretty coral reefs but are one of the world's best shark dives thanks to a thriving population of silvertip sharks. Diving here is exciting to say the least.

m/v Ocean Rover  live-aboard Specifications

WHAT TO BRING: Passport, bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts, sunscreen, a light pullover or windbreaker, CERTIFICATION CARD. Please pack in a soft bag for easy stowing on board. You'll need less than you think.

DIVING EQUIPMENT: Bring all the basic gear, except tanks and weights. Dive computers are recommended to get the most enjoyment out of the cruise. The average water temperature is 26C, (78F), a thin wetsuit or dive skin is recommended. We also recommend using dive computers to get the most enjoyment out of your cruise. For those who prefer to travel light, Ocean Rover has a complete range of quality equipment including divelights, wetsuits, dive computers and underwater camera equipment. Rental fees are modest.

WHAT NOT TO BRING: Big suitcases, sleeping bags, stereos other than walkman, spear guns, game bags, etc. Our experience is that the less stuff you bring, the more comfortable your stay on board. Any excess luggage can be stored at the Ocean Rover office or at your hotel during the trip.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Passengers on the Ocean Rover live aboard cruise are entitled to free airport transfers before and after their cruise. However, we feel we must clarify our free transportation policy: Before the cruise we will pick you up from the airport and bring you to our Patong Beach headquarters OR to your hotel. On the day the boat returns we bring you to the airport OR to your hotel, should you decide to spend a few more days in Phuket. All free of charge transfers are only available between 08:00 hrs. and 18:00 hrs. Our office staff will be happy to arrange any additional transfers for you, but these are not free of charge.

DRINKING WATER: All drinking water on our cruises is bottled water.

FIRST AID: Extensive medical supplies are on board, and the crew is trained in first aid techniques. However, do bring any medications you may need or think may be useful. m/v Ocean Rover cruises are affiliated with the local recompression chamber, but we recommend having your own diving insurance, DAN or similar.

INSTRUCTION: Here is a great opportunity to combine your holiday cruise with a PADI continuing education program. Courses offered on board include the Advanced Open Water, Underwater Photographer, and other Speciality courses.

NON-DIVING ACTIVITIES: While diving is the priority, there are lots of other possibilities. When the location is suitable, there is swimming and snorkeling. The Ocean Rover also has a good selection of music, movies, books, and games, but feel free to bring your own if you wish.

DAY OF DEPARTURE: You can help us greatly by bringing your luggage to our shop before 12:00 noon on the day, so everything can be stowed properly on board before the evening's departure. If you wish, we can pick up your bags at your hotel. Please have name tags on all your bags.

VERY IMPORTANT: Be sure to reconfirm your onward flights before leaving on the boat; otherwise you may find your seat has been sold! Your hotel or our office staff can be of assistance.

DEPARTURE: is at 20:00 hrs.(8PM) from Ocean Rover's office near Phuket’s marine tourism jetty. The 600 meter long pier is located in Chalong Bay on the island’s east coast. The Ao Chalong Pier, as the jetty is formally called, will be the official departure point of Ocean Rover’s liveaboard cruises in Thailand and Burma.
There is a chance that we may be able to allow passengers on board a few hours earlier so they can unpack and get settled in. Make sure that you have eaten already, as dinner is not served on board this first night. Usually it is a smooth cruise to the islands, but if you are prone to sea sickness, the time to take medication is before boarding. After everyone is settled, you'll have a brief orientation and welcome drink, then we'll get underway. Arrival in the islands is late that night. Next morning we have breakfast, a pre-dive briefing and the first of many dives.

THE DIVING: Diving on the m/v Ocean Rover is more or less unlimited. Generally there are opportunities to do at least 4 dives per day, with additional night dives when the location is suitable (usually 3 nights per trip).

Ocean Rover has a desalination plant so there is sufficient fresh water on board for showers and camera rinsing. As on all ships, passengers are asked to use water sparingly.

SLEEPING: Air-conditioned cabins for all passengers are located on the main and upper decks; blanket, sheets and pillows are provided. Each cabin has a panoramic window; you won't be sleeping in a "cave"!

ELECTRICITY: For recharging strobes and batteries, both 220 and 110 volts currents are provided.

PHOTO / VIDEO CONSIDERATIONS: We are well equipped: camera table on the dive deck, large rinse tanks for cameras & computers only, equipment storage bins, photo work table, E-6 film processing, light tables, color-TV monitor (NTSC & PAL), complete photo & video rental and instruction.

RETURN TRIP: We depart the islands after the afternoon dive on the last day, arriving back in Phuket in the evening. We disembark the next morning at 07:00 hrs. Please do us, and yourself, a big favor and avoid booking flights that depart Phuket before 10:00 hrs that day. There are dozens of flights later in the day. Check with your travel agent.

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