Myanmar is one of the least visited countries in the region—it's only been open to divers since 1997— and the unexplored regions of the Mergui archipelago offer amazing dive sites, uninhabited white sand beaches, and a spectacular variety of marine life. Liveaboard diver will most likely not encounter another dive boat for the duration of their stay. While a major draw for divers has been the big sharks that populate the area, recent years have seen Burma become known as a destination for seeing smaller critters that have taken advantage of the clear waters and absence of human activity.

Excellent shallow reefs such as the Burma Banks offer opportunities to see Leopard sharks, nurse sharks, and lots of species of fish. Keep an eye out for exotic nudibranch species, a myriad of sea cucumbers, and other creatures such as moray eels, sea snakes, and colorful sea urchins.

(click on photo to enlarge)