…Reopening to international visitors
As Southeast Asia countries are easing travel restrictions and opening borders, yacht captains and owners are once again dreaming of cruising journeys to and around stunning Asia Pacific destinations. Among South East Asia’s extraordinary cruising grounds are Phuket Island, opened to international visitors April 1st and the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar (Burma), opening April 17th.
PHUKET
Thailand’s ‘Superyacht Hub of Asia Pacific’ in Phuket is known for its surrounding stunning islands and vibrant culture and also used by yachts as a base for the season (November to April). Many yachts then voyage on to Myanmar to visit the stunning islands of the Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago.
Foreign-flagged yachts are now being welcomed into the kingdom of Thailand without the need to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test as of April 1st. If the CCSA approves it, the country could have new entry rules starting on May 1st.
Thailand stopped requiring pre-travel PCR tests April 1st and all travellers – vaccinated and unvaccinated – no longer need to take the pre-departure test. However, requirements after entry vary depending on the scheme and looking ahead, the Thai government is gradually easing entry requirements as the country prepares to transition from a pandemic to an endemic in the next several months.
Thailand plans to declare Covid-19 an endemic by July 1, but the date could change if there is a spike in the infection rate following the Thai New Year, Songkran, on April 13.
“It’s great the governments of both Thailand and Myanmar are lifting restrictions for yacht visitors, with even more restrictions to be dropped in the near future. We are keeping our yacht and superyacht clients advised of all these positive changes and the many adventure opportunities in South East Asia”, enthused Gordon Fernandes of Asia Pacific Superyachts, heading up APS Phuket and APS Myanmar.
Steeped in an exotic culture, cruising options are made even more attractive by the Thai people, among the friendliest on the planet and offering up the world’s most popular cuisine, from road stalls to 5-star dining. Phuket’s incredible scenic adventures await through the island’s hundreds of uninhabited islands and pristine beaches, an amazing display of colourful marine life and timeless beauty.
Four well-equipped marinas in Phuket and the island’s upscale surroundings are a perfect hosting for yachts before embarking on the ‘Gateway to Myanmar’. The natural beauty, high end luxury resorts and villas, vibrant nightlife, famed spas and world-class dining coupled with nearby secluded bays and a luxury lifestyle has dubbed Phuket the ‘Monaco of South East Asia’, a growing destination to yachts and superyachts from throughout the world.
MYANMAR
Voyaging the 695 NM to Myanmar from Phuket, when arriving the archipelago and ancient culture offers an adventurous journey and the magnificent cruising grounds of the mysterious Mergui Archipelago.
The Mergui Archipelago is located in far southern Myanmar (Burma) and is part of the Tanintharyi Region. It consists of more than 800 islands, varying in size from very small to hundreds of square kilometres, all lying in the Andaman Sea off the western shore of the Malay Peninsula near its landward (northern) end where it joins the rest of Indochina.
Myanmar has announced that it will resume international passenger flights from April 17, the military said on March 19, lifting a two-year ban on foreign tourists. The Southeast Asian nation closed its borders to visitors in March 2020 and will restart international passenger flights April 17 stated the military in an announcement in the lifting a two-year ban.
APS keeps a close watch, advising clients of important information, sharing the following recent news from the National Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease statement: “We will open all international flights on 17 April, and can fly as regularly”.
It was further stated that the decision was taken to improve the tourism sector along with having a smooth trip for visitors who come to visit Myanmar. The health ministry also said that as of now only fully vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter the country.
Taken into consideration that the political situation is volatile, there is always a possibility of civil unrest; however, your yacht agent will ensure you are kept well advised. Also noted is that violent crime against tourists and even petty theft are virtually unheard of. You can walk around safely at pretty much any time of the day.
Looking ahead to the season and to further relaxing of restrictions, APS Myanmar’s Fernandes said December to February offers the most beautiful and comfortable conditions – warm, sunny weather, steady winds and calm seas. There is less wind and higher temperatures in March and April, however – this also makes for clearer waters and it’s the best time for diving and snorkeling among hundreds of uninhabited islands.
Myanmar is an undiscovered gem of Southeast Asia, a cultural wonderland and a huge mix of ethnic groups, rich history, and stunning nature.
The name ‘Myanmar’ doesn’t mean a lot to most people as the word has only been associated with a short portion of that country’s long history. Mention the name ‘Burma’, however, and it evokes something completely different. Burma is old, exotic, romantic and mysterious and still being discovered. It is a nation with a long and glorious history and an enormous variety of stunning cruising landscapes and vistas.
The country’s remote archipelago has a rich history of maritime trade and mysticism but was closed to foreign visitors for about 50 years (until late 1996). Its virtual isolation provided protection from modern developments, leaving the archipelago pristine and untouched.
Entering the southern province of Myanmar and the border town of Kawthaung, you are literally at the gateway to the vast and beautiful Mergui Archipelago, one of the world’s last paradises. Formerly known as Victoria Point, the southernmost town in Myanmar, Kawthaung, is separated from Thailand by the broad estuary of the Pakchan River.
Kawthaung retains the charming character of a prosperous fishing village and is surrounded by the Mergui National Reserve. Cruising into Myanmar is like entering an ancient world and visiting yachts are slowly discovering the vast waterways of the archipelago, mostly uninhabited, some with ‘Sea Gypsy’ communities living off the seas, as did their forefathers.
Only a few places on earth can match the untamed wilderness and primal seclusion of this incredible Archipelago. With an amazing diversity of marine life, wildlife and plant life, island after island just waits to be explored – with countless white beaches under green hills of dense rainforest, their canopies alive with birds and butterflies.
MYANMAR 7-DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 1 – Overnight from Phuket to Kaw Thoung (or Kawthoung – border town in Myanmar)
DAY 2 – Kaw Thoung (Victoria Point)
Morning check into Myanmar via Kaw Thoung is handled by your agent working with officials until local guide boards and immigration, customs and harbour formalities are completed.
After formalities a visit to Island 115 is a nice introduction. Also known as Frost Island, there is a white sandy beach with crystal clear waters that are rich in hard coral with thousands of sea urchins and small colourful tropical fish darting around. 115 Island offers opportunities for snorkelling, kayaking – and jungle trekking on the island itself.
DAY 3 – Island 115 to Great Swinton Island
Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago
Made up of more than 800 islands which vary in size from smaller ones with just a few palm trees to larger islands of several hundred square kilometres, the archipelago offers great opportunities for exploration and diving amongst spectacular marine life and untouched coral reefs.
A hugely diverse range of wildlife can be found on the islands, including monitor lizards, pythons, civets, chevrotains, gibbons and crab-eating macaques. Up in the air, the colourful diversity is perhaps even greater: you can see hornbills, white-bellied sea eagles, while kites, kingfishers, eastern reef herons, emerald doves, to name but a few of the species that circle the islands. Whether it is barracuda, Spanish mackerel, tuna, snapper, or even marlin and sailfish, the archipelago offers the opportunity to enjoy catching your own dinner!
Great Swinton Islands
Explore this fabulous Great Swinton Island – where beaches will be empty, sand will be golden and water will be clear – and known as ‘heaven on earth’. There are numerous beautiful beaches along the shores of great Swinton (Kyun Pila). One that stands out is the beach on the south side on the very western tip of the island.
DAY 4 – Great Swinton to Lampi Island
Explore and enjoy the Mangrove Rivers, beaches and swimming and visit the sea gypsy village at the southern end of Lampi, the largest Island in the Archipelago. North to south the island is 20 nautical miles long and from east to west at its largest extremity, 10 nautical miles wide.
Established in 1995 as Myanmar’s first marine national park, Lampi is rich in biodiversity, mangroves and coral reefs. The Lampi River offers great kayaking – and is witness to some of the area’s exotic flora and fauna. The island is famed for its many wild animals, Mangrove rivers and birds, clean water, coral reefs and virgin forest as well as the National Marine Botanical Garden.
DAY 5 – Lampi Island to Salet Galet
The channel of water separating the islands of Lampi and Wa-Ale Kyun is about 150 meters wide and about two miles long. Either side of the channel is banked with steep sloping rainforest and by fringing coral reef below. It is a much protected piece of water and an area of outstanding beauty. This is a good place to spot monkeys, wild pigs, hornbills, sea eagles and more.
Here you might spot the Lesser Mouse-deer, the only mammal that is endemic to the Mergui Archipelago. Fortunately, the Lesser Mouse-deer is still abundant on Lampi Island but together with wild boar, civet cats and large lizards – it is the most hunted animal on the islands of the Mergui Archipelago.
Odd fact: some scientists believe that mouse-deer were the ancestors of whales and dolphins as they have been around since the Oligocene 34 million years ago (and haven’t evolved much since) and some mouse-deer species dive into the water when threatened, where they stay under the surface for up to 4 minutes.
DAY 6 – Lampi to Pu Nala
Moken People – or Salone or Sea Gypsies. Visit the ‘Moken’ Sea Gypsy village which is on the northern end of Pu Nala. The main attraction of Palau Nala is undoubtedly the Moken village on the northern shore of the island.
The Moken are traditionally a nomadic sea-fairing race that does not belong to any one country. They travel without passports, crossing international boundaries without care and probably without the knowledge that they are even doing so. Whole families live as a unit on a single boat.
The Moken boats, the sphere of their universe, are passed on from generation to generation. They are of a wooden build with an average length not exceeding 15 meters. The Moken people are one of the most distinct of Myanmar’s many ethnic groups, living a nomadic, sea-based life here. Having adapted themselves to the water over many hundreds of years, they are the masters of free diving, being able to focus their vision under water and hold their breath far longer than most humans.
DAY 7 – Back to Kawthaung – check out
Remote and isolated, Myanmar’s extraordinary cruising grounds are often deserted bar the phenomenal diversity of flora and fauna that calls the region home in a beautiful and culturally rich country.
For more information email gordon@asia-pacific-superyachts.com and visit www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com
PHOTO CREDIT: Asia Pacific Superyachts Phuket, Myanmar and Myanmar Tourism
By Linda Cartlidge
