The Mergui archipelago is a string of some 800 almost completely deserted tropical islands off the coast of Burma (formerly known as Myanmar) in the Andaman Sea.

This forgotten wilderness is sometimes dubbed “the lost world” and not without reason; it’s a veritable paradise, where cruising gives access to spectacular natural wonders, endemic wildlife and interesting culture alike.

Want to try something different to the Caribbean or Mediterranean? You're in the right place.

Burma’s Seasons

The Mergui archipelago is best visited between November and April, when our handpicked private charter yachts spend the winter months cruising with favourable weather, winds and currents.

Burma’s People

For almost 50 years following Burma’s independence, the Mergui Islands were off limits to the outside world, frozen in time due to the Burmese government’s isolationist policies. As an indirect result, the islands were handed back to the indigenous Moken, a people of Sea Gypsies who have lived a semi-nomadic sea dwelling lifestyle there for centuries, surviving off the land and bartering fish and sea cucumbers.

A remarkable combination of ethnicities in Myanmar results in a diverse and contrasting people. At the Moken villages, visitors can observe the locals crafting dugout canoes with traditional techniques used for thousands of years, and taste Moken specialities such as fresh cuttlefish.

Burma’s Natural Attractions

While sailing in Burma offers an insight into fascinating communities, the Mergui islands also reveal a myriad of natural wonders among a sequin trail of islets edged with pure white sand beaches sloping to clear turquoise water and coral reefs.

The distinct landscape here is characterised by jungle-clad hills, lagoons, rivers and mangroves. Wildlife thrives, with monitor gibbons, civet cats, monitor lizards, pythons and mouse deer inhabiting the tropical forests alongside a plethora of birds including hornbills, white kits, kingfishers, emerald doves and sea eagles.

Getting to Burma

Ultimate Burma Yachts can take care of all internal arrangements, so all that’s left for you to do is relax and look forward to your private yacht charter.

There are several airports to choose from when travelling to the Mergui archipelago. Shorter Mergui itineraries begin and end at Kawthaung, while a longer itinerary may begin or end in Phuket. Kawthaung is connected to a number of domestic airports in Burma, alternatively guests can fly into Ranong just across the Thai border. From Phuket in Thailand, we can also arrange 4-hour transfers to Kawthaung.

Wherever you fly into, Ultimate Burma Yachts is well equipped to assist with transfers and immigration procedures.