Burma Liveaboard snorkeling
with MV Sea Gipsy
Burma Liveaboard MV Sea Gipsy is a Burmese-style Junk offering relaxed adventure cruises in the Mergui archipelago. This simple yet stylish boat has 4 and 6 day trips departing from Kawthaung. Sea Gipsy accommodates a maximum of 10 guests for scheduled “join in” excursions. A minimum booking of 4 passengers is required to confirm a trip. (it used to be hard to find four people for each cruise but Burma tours are so popular now that it’s hard to find any available space on a tour) It is also possible to charter the boat for your group.
Sea Gipsy features five open air gazebo areas on the main and upper decks. These are converted into sleeping areas at night with the addition of mosquito nets for protection. There are no fans or air conditioners on board, this is an open air, back to basics boat.
There are three bathrooms with toilet and freshwater showers on the main deck. There are guest lockers on the lower deck to securely store belongings. There is also a big sundeck with wooden sun loungers for sunbathing or star gazing. The swim platform aft has a ladder for easy access back onto the boat.
Food on board is a mixture of Thai, Burmese and International cuisine. Special diets can be catered for with advanced notice. Beer and wines are available for purchase at our Galley Bar.
4 nights
4 night itinerary
Start and finish Kawthaung, Myanmar
Embarkation 1200 hrs (12.00pm). Disembarkation 0900 hrs (9.00am)
Departure Day: Kawthaung – The Three Islets (115 Island)
Your guide will meet you at the airport/ pier in Kawthaung and transfer you to your boat for check in. Embarkation time is 1200 hrs (12 pm). Along the way to the boat, observe the bustling border town. If you are interested and if time permits, you may take part in a short sightseeing tour (optional). Stroll through the lively market near the jetty, visit the famous Victoria Point, the southern most tip of Myanmar’s mainland, photo stop at the King Bayint Naung statue. Visit the Pyi Daw Aye Pagoda with scenic views across the river to Ranong and finish the tour with a short drive through the fishermen settlements on the outskirts of the town. Overnight cruise to The Three Islets.
Day 1: The Three Islets (115 Island) – Nyaung Wee Island – Bo Cho Island – Lampi Island
Wake up with a stunning view at The Three Islets (115 Island). After breakfast, swim and snorkel with tons of fishes through the crystal-clear water. Later follow your guide through the lush tropical jungle to a small beach where you can find a lot of beautiful shells swapped in from the ocean. Before Lunch cruise to Nyaung Wee Island and visit the Moken Village. During lunchtime we will cruise to the largest sea gypsy settlement in the area on Bo Cho Island. Be prepared to get surrounded by curious kids. Bring some small gifts and be even more overwhelmed by their warm welcome. Walk through the village and take scenic pictures from the Pagoda located on the hill overlooking the entire village. Chill-out on board and observe the daily life of the almost extinct sea-gypsies. Cruising to Lampi Island (if time and tide okay visit the mangrove forest). Do some night fishing. Overnight on board nearby Lampi Island.
Day 2: Lampi Island – Tar Yar Island – Ko Phawt Island – Pilar Island
Early morning kayaking along the mangrove forest or snorkeling / swimming / beach time. Cruising north to Tar Yar Island kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, beach. Cruising between Ko Phawt Island and Lampi Island for another mangrove forest, beach etc. Cruising in the early evening south to Pilar Island. Overnight at Iguana Bay.
Day 3: Pilar Island – High Rock (Hlaing Gu Island) – Zar Det Nge Island – Salon Island
Early morning Iguana Bay. Departure around 9am to High Rock (Hlaing Gu Island), swimming, visiting Island, kayaking, snorkeling. Continue to Zar Det Nge Island. Snorkeling, Kayaking etc. Continue to Salon Island. BBQ dinner on boat. Overnight on board nearby Salon Island.
Day 4: Salon Island – Kawthaung
After breakfast cruising to Kawthaung. Disembark MV Sea Gipsy at around 0900 hrs (9 am).
6 nights
6 night itinerary
Start and finish Kawthaung, Myanmar
Embarkation 1000 hrs (10.00am). It is recommended to arrive in Kawthaung on the day before.
Disembarkation 1200 hrs (12.00pm).
Departure Day: Kawthaung – The Three Islets
Your guide will meet you at the airport/ pier in Kawthaung and transfer you to your boat for check in. Embarkation is at 1000 hrs (10am). Along the way, observe the bustling border town. If you are interested and if time permits, you may take part in a short sightseeing tour (optional). Stroll through the lively market near the Jetty, visit the famous Victoria Point, the most southern tip of Myanmar’s mainland, photo stop at the King Bayint Naung statue. Visit the Pyi Daw Aye Pagoda with scenic views across the river to Ranong and finish the tour with a short drive through the fishermen settlements on the out skirts of the town. Overnight cruise to The Three Islets (115 Island).
Day 1: The Three Islets (115 Island) –Nyaung Wee Island – Bo Cho Island
Wake up with a stunning view at The Three Islets (115 Island). After breakfast, swim and snorkel with tons of fishes through the crystal-clear water. Later follow your guide through the lush tropical jungle to a small beach, where you can find a lot of beautiful shells swapped in from the ocean. Before Lunch cruise to Nyaung Wee Island and visit the Moken Village. During lunchtime we will cruise to the largest sea gypsy settlement in the area on Bo Cho Island. Be prepared to get surrounded by curious kids. Bring some small gifts and be even more overwhelmed by their warm welcome. Walk through the village and take scenic pictures from the Pagoda located on the hill overlooking the entire village. Chill-out onboard and observe the daily life of the almost extinct sea-gypsies. Do some night fishing. Overnight onboard nearby Bo Cho Island.
Day 2: Bo Cho Island – Lampi Island – Tar Yar Island – Ko Phawt Island
Early morning cruise to Lampi Island. This huge island, which is one of Myanmar’s National Parks, gives us more than just one stop. Our first stop will be, on the southern tip, right in front of a mangrove lagoon. Learn how to use a kayak and take the chance to explore the ancient mangrove forest. Take a short rest, while we cruise to Tar Yar Island. Here we will take kayaks for an extended tour through the 4 km long tidal river. Follow the stream right into the heart of the island. Immerse yourself in this fragile eco-system, while passing noisy monkeys looking for food on large sand bars. At sunset we will cruise along the coast and stop at another island called Ko Phawt Island. Overnight on-board nearby Ko Phawt Island.
Day 3: Ko Phawt Island – Sa Let Ga Let Island
After breakfast swim and snorkel at Ko Phawt Island. Learn more about the trees, herbs and wild life. Meet the locals here who still live in perfect harmony with nature. Lunch on the boat then go back and join up with the island inhabitants. Maybe try out some ancient spear fishing techniques or paddle in one of their traditional canoes which is hand-carved out of one single tree trunk.Later cruise to Sa Let Ga Let Island for overnight mooring.
Day 4: Sa Let Ga Let Island – Wa Ale Island – Pilar Island
An easy going day. Start with a little fishing to try and catch dinner then head to the beautiful Wa Ale Island. The rest of the day is free and easy time. Take the sea kayak and cross the bay to a small islet or trek through the mangroves to the other side of the island. Enjoy the magnificent views or discover what kind of corals and fishes you can find underwater. Later cruise to Pilar Island for overnight mooring.
Day 5: Pilar Island – High Rock (Hlaing Gu Island) – Zar Det Nge Island – Salon Island
After breakfast continue further south to High Rock (Hlaing Gu Island) and explore the various secluded beaches. Return to the boat for lunch. Afternoon relax on the sundeck or in your gazebo and enjoy the fresh sea breeze while cruising to Zar Det Nge Island. BBQ dinner on board then continue the cruise to Salon Island for overnight anchorage.
Day 6: Salon Island – Kawthaung
After breakfast cruising to Kawthaung. Disembark MV Sea Gipsy at around midday and transfer to the Kawthaung airport / Ranong.
Schedule
Sea Gypsy Schedule
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Prices
MV Sea Gipsy Prices
4 Nights
Per Person (Open Double Bed) USD –
Single Supplement Surcharge USD –
6 Nights
Per Person (Open Double Bed) USD –
Single Supplement Surcharge USD –
Full boat charter price: US$ – baht per night
Prices Include: Accommodation on board based on double bed open-air gazebo, on board meals, soft drinks, fruits, snacks, sea kayaks (sit-on-top), snorkeling sets (mask, snorkel and fins), fishing gear, life jackets, local English speaking guide, round trip transfers from Kawthaung airport or from Ranong, Thailand .
Prices Exclude: Mergui Archipelago fees (Royalty fees) USD – per person, Myanmar visa (apply via https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/index.aspx), single supplement surcharge, alcoholic beverages, other personal expenditure such as souvenirs, tip for crew etc, personal insurance, air tickets, service not mentioned above, fuel surcharge, if applicable.
Medical/Accident insurance is mandatory for these trips.
Latest on visas: Guests entering and leaving Myanmar from Ranong, Thailand do not have to apply for a visa at the Myanmar Embassy. You are able to get a special visa for the duration of the trip in Kawthaung. Just make sure to bring 40$ and two passport photos along. (This information is subject to change).
How to book
How to book
Please contact us to check availability.
Read a review of a sea gipsy trip here
Burma, now Myanmar, is just opening up. It would be such a privilege to visit the Mergui archipelago. The beaches and water looks stunning. Very few tourists, perfect for nature lovers.