Burma vs. Similan/Surin

[antithesis]

In opposition we are going to Thailand mid-January next year, & are considering a liveaboard trip.
It seems the Burma trips are significantly more expensive than those to
Similkan/Surin. Is Burma worth the extra money? In that respect can anyone recommend a good liveaboard operator? Sadly what are the "must-see" dive sites in the region?

[Aquamarine]

Can't believe nobody replied to you on this one. Hope you managed to have a good trip to Thailand anyway!

[sharky]

Hmmm yes, and I with you, Aquamarine. Wonder what happened here...

I don't think a trip to Burma/Similan can be disappointing really so gather he must have had a nice time.

Welcome to the forum, Aquamarine

[Aquamarine]

Definitely! I had no luck with whale sharks in Similans this last season but i saw 2 in Burma - one in March & one in April. Also discovered a great manta cleaning station in Burma.

It's heavily fished in parts but it's improving all the time.There's some great diving to be had... and really good weird nudibranchs. Yes, i love my macro too

[sharky]

Wow, you are so lucky B) I hate to ask this, but I am so curious :blush: Do you have photos to share? (For us, like me, that are not in the position at the moment to view such spectacular sights) :blush:

[Aquamarine]

Sure - get this... Went diving yesterday. Since coming off the liveaboard at the end of high season, it was 2 months that i had been out of the water. It is the low season here in Phuket and so there are very few people but... We had flat sea, beautiful sunshine and i was swimming with 4 feeding whale sharks on my surface interval. I kid you not! The pictures are on my boyfriend's camera just now but i will post them asap!!!!!
I am sooooo happy and i love my job :woohoo:

[sharky]

sooooooooo looking forward to those pix aquamarine. you have no idea! sounds ever so exciting. "no people" isn't necessarily a bad thing :P

[TimA]

Burma (Myanmar) is alot better than Similans..mostly because you are out there alone. I saw Whalesharks 3 times last year at Richelieu,and once at Tachai. None at Burma. Burmas awesome but the politics suck there. No more of my money will go into the hands of the regime there. People are starving, their killing religious folks.
50 Burmese suffocated in a Re-fer truck only 6 miles from my house trying to escape poverty and a brutal regime in Burma. The nudis and sharks will just have to wait. Its a shame because you can see Burma from Richelieu...beckoning....

[sharky]

TimA you are living in Myanmar?

[Aquamarine]

I'm guessing you live in Thailand since that happened with the Burmese trying to escape into Thailand. It's been happening for years and ignoring it will not make it go away. Customers that have joined me for dive trips in Burma learn more about the situation and take that home with them. It is only after visiting Burma that some people can see the the beauty of the place and the people, and therefore the need to protect it. Word spreads...
I wouldn't say the diving there is 'better' than the Similans because it is less protected from the fishing industry than the Similans meaning generally less fish. It is however different to the Similans and definitely worth the experience to be the only boat on the dive sites at any one time. Can't wait for our first trip of this season in November...
For more info on the political situation in Burma as it relates to diving check out http://www.philkade.com/content.php?page=faq-burma .