Snorkeling Thailand & the Mergui Archipelago
Aboard the Mermaid I
From $7,095 per person, based on double occupancy; $1,995 single supplement (budget cabins only)
See the brochure (pdf)
See ship information and a deck plan for Mermaid I (pdf)
Trip Overview
Because the Andaman Sea is influenced by the temperature, tides and nutrients from both the Pacific and Indian oceans, it has unparalleled marine life, including many endemic species that were only recently discovered. The Mergui Archipelago is an ideal place to see a dazzling bounty of coral and marine life in a remote region that few travelers ever visit.
Accompanied by expert naturalists and WWF staff, this journey takes you to seldom-visited reefs inhabited by thousands of colorful fish and coral. Snorkel and visit palm-dotted islands via motored inflatable crafts. Travel aboard the comfortable, 15-passenger Mermaid I, an intimately scaled ship that provides access to secluded islands, tucked-away harbors and calm waterways that larger ships cannot navigate.
Trip Itinerary
Sunday & Monday, April 19-20: United States / Bangkok
Depart on your independent flight to Bangkok. Cross the International Date Line and "lose" a day. Upon arrival in Bangkok you'll be met and escorted to your airport hotel. Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (meals aloft)
Tuesday April 21: Phuket / Embark Mermaid I
Following breakfast, meet for a brief orientation before your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, drive four hours to Ranong, Thailand, where you will embark the Mermaid I, your home for the next 11 nights. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, April 22: Great Swinton Island
Disembark at Great Swinton Island and enjoy several miles of white-sand beaches before your first snorkel at Cuttlefish Reef. The healthy reef's exquisite coral gardens are home to large table, foliose basket and colorful fungus corals. Look for grouper, saddleback clownfish, parrotfish and cuttlefish. Return to the boat for lunch and a presentation on coral biology. Take another snorkel and beach walk at Golf Course Island, which hosts amazing shallow water-table corals. (B,L,D)
Thursday, April 23: Clara Island
Go on a bird walk and look for orioles, jewel-colored bee-eaters, sea eagles and other species. Wander another stunning white-sand beach—this one strewn with massive granite boulders. Snorkel right off the beach and admire the tranquil bay's large brain corals. During a drift snorkel at Barnacle Wall, see the Fields of Gold Coral Gardens. This is one of the most diverse coral gardens in the archipelago; lionfish, clownfish and butterflyfish are among the fish darting around branching, basket, boulder and table corals. This is truly a spectacular day of discovery. (B,L,D)
Friday, April 24: Lampi Island
Explore mangroves at high tide via motorized Zodiacs. Various bird species abound in this habitat, including the Nicobar megapode, green imperial pigeon, heron and emerald dove. Snorkel Nemo's Garden, an excellent, shallow- water habitat with anemone clownfish. Keep an eye out for surgeonfish, cardinalfish, triggerfish and hawksbill turtles. This afternoon, take time to stroll the beach and attend an informal lecture on the birds of Southeast Asia. Later enjoy more snorkeling at Castle Rock Coral Garden. (B,L,D)
Saturday, April 25: Lampi Island
Explore a mangrove habitat in search of long-tailed macaques, white-bellied sea eagles and Brahminy kites before snorkeling at China Hat Beach's emerald-colored lagoon. After lunch, enjoy a naturalist-led walk on Sandstone Beach and the surrounding forests. Keep an eye out for large monitor lizards, civet cats, wild pigs, mouse deer and monkeys, then snorkel off Kalangi Island. (B,L,D)
Sunday, April 26: Hayes Island
Spend two days snorkeling around Hayes Island, which has an abundance of shallow reefs. The island is predominantly granite, which creates stunning beaches studded with boulders. Snorkel among amazing corals that are home to a plethora of fish, and enjoy beach walks and birding. The evening includes a lecture on the geology of the Mergui Archipelago. (B,L,D)
Monday, April 27: Hayes Island
Continue your exploration of Hayes Island, including outings into picturesque coves. This area is home to the Moken people—nomadic sea dwellers who spend seven or eight months a year living in small, hand-crafted wooded boats called kabang. Less than 3,000 people continue the traditional practices of their ancestors, which includes foraging for food in the sea using spears and other simple tools. We may encounter them in this region. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, April 28: Princeps and Sargeants islands
During today’s snorkeling outings, look for giant table corals, sea turtles, angelfish and white tip reef sharks. Attend a lecture on the Moken people and the anthropology of Southeast Asia. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, April 29: McCloud Island
On this minimally developed island—one of the largest in the archipelago—spend the morning snorkeling, then stop at a beachside resort for lunch and relaxation time. Take a short nature hike on the island’s trails in search of wildlife. (B,L,D)
Thursday, April 30: Elephant and Dommel islands
At low tide, take Zodiacs through a tunnel into an interior lake to visit a sea gypsy family and explore the cave. At high tide, cruise via Zodiac to West Dommel to explore mangrove channels and beaches. (B,L,D)
Friday, May 1: Dunkin Island
Colorful clownfish take advantage of the safe haven that sea anemones offer, hiding from predators inside the anemone’s stinging tentacles, which they’re immune to. See them at Anemone Bay. Later, explore a giant limestone cave filled with swiftlet nests. A soup made from the nests is an expensive delicacy throughout Asia; harvesting the nests thus puts the swiftlets at risk. (B,L,D)
Saturday, May 2: Disembark / Phuket / Bangkok
Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your flight from Phuket to Bangkok. Check into your airport hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner. Novotel Suvarnnabhumi Airport Hotel (B,L,D)
Sunday, May 3: Bangkok / United States
Depart Thailand on your independent flight home. (B)
Optional Extension
