Sailing, Yacht Charter and Private Cruises in Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago. More info on http://www.burmaboating.com

1. Burma
Sailing Holidays in
5-Night Luxury Adventure in the Mergui Archipelago
Private Cruises
Group Tours

2. www.BurmaBoating.com
Freepier Ltd.
9B, Amtel Building
148 Des Voeux Road Central
Central, Hong Kong
Website: www.burmaboating.com
Email: info@burmaboating.com
Phone: +66 2 1070 445
Skype: BurmaBoating
Image copyrights: Corinna Bremer,
Grischa Rüschendorf

3. BURMA BOATING
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
What We Do ................................................................................................................. 4
The Yacht ..................................................................................................................... 5
The Mergui Archipelago ............................................................................................... 8
Nature and Activities .................................................................................................. 10
Itinerary ....................................................................................................................... 12
Getting There ............................................................................................................. 13
Yacht Charter ............................................................................................................. 14
SY Meta IV
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4. BURMA BOATING
WHAT WE DO
Sailing to Lonely Islands...
Expect white sand, crystal clear waters
and unspoilt nature - all for yourself
At Burma Boating, we organise
sailing holidays in Burma (Myanmar)
We have a classic wooden, twomaster sailing yacht with an
experienced crew to take care of
your every desire. You can do the
sailing yourself or we can do it for
you. Chill out on empty beaches,
drink in hand.
Or perhaps you prefer racing
with the dolphins? It’s your choice.
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And it’s easy with Burma Boating.
We are a group of passionate sailors
who were spellbound when we first
sailed into Myanmar’s perfect
waters. We discovered endless
horizons, pristine islands, and freespirited people. Right there and
then, we decided to share these
wonders.

5. BURMA BOATING
THE YACHT
Welcome on Board
A classic yacht, an
unforgettable experience
Our yacht, Meta IV, was designed
by the naval architect Thomas E.
Colvin, who gifted the vessel her
beautiful shape and robust hull. She
is made entirely of Thai teak, one of
the best woods for building classic
boats. Meta IV was constructed in
1998 as a private yacht for a Swiss
businessman who made his fortune
in hotels. In 2010 the Austrian skipper
Herbert Mayrhauser found her at a
pier in Phuket and immediately fell in
love. After two years of intensive
restoration work and refitting, Meta
IV began her new life as a luxury
charter vessel in the fall of 2012.
Meta IV measures 85 feet in length or
25 meters. That's even longer than
the Santa Maria, the boat that
Christopher Columbus sailed into
history when he discovered the
Americas. In fact, with all her space,
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you could almost forget you were
holidaying on a yacht. The sheer size,
and the facilities on board, make for a
holiday getaway that your family or
friends won‘t forget. It's your trip of a
lifetime. And the crew of Meta IV will
do everything possible to make it an
amazing experience. Man the wheel,
navigate the waters, or simply relax
and snooze in the sun. The decision
is yours.

6. BURMA BOATING
THE YACHT
Cabins and Quarters
1-Anchor Locker 2-Head/Shower 3Crew Quarters 4-Double Stateroom 5Dining Area 6-Galley 7-Workshop &
Sail Loft 8-Triple Stateroom 9-Lazaret
Meta IV has four guest cabins, each
fully air conditioned with ensuite
bathrooms and electric toilets. Two of
the cabins boast queen-size beds,
while the other two feature twin beds.
And behind the cockpit there is the
triple stateroom. The entire aft of the
boat is shaded and fitted with
multiple dining spaces and
sunbathing areas. The boat‘s centre
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is dominated by the generous galley
and saloon dining area. But chances
are that you'll be enjoying most of
your meals outside in the sun or in
Myanmar's mild evenings.

7. BURMA BOATING
THE YACHT
Crew and Specifications
Herbert was born in Austria and
is Meta IV's captain. He has been
working as a professional skipper for
more than 30 years in the Caribbean,
the Mediterranean and South East
Asia. During this time he has logged
over 300,000 nautical miles.
Koon is the ray of sunshine on
board Meta IV and is in charge of
guest services. She'll bring
cocktails to your hammock and is
also an excellent chef,
specialising in European and
South East Asian cuisine. Be
warned: you will probably gain a
kilo or two during your holiday.
Equipment
- RIB dinghy boat with 30 HP
Yamaha outboard engine
- Hydraulic steering Wagner
T-13-35
- Electric anchor windlass
- Life jackets
- Radar
- GPS chart plotter
- Wind instruments
- Depth sounder
- Autopilot
- VHF radio
- Stereo
- TV flat screen
- Water maker Aquatechnology
200 litres per hour
- Dishwasher
- BBQ
Technical Specifications
- Rig: Bermuda
- Type: Ketch
- Design: Thomas Colvin, USA
- Year built: 1998
- LOA: 25.30m / 85 feet
- Draft: 2.83m
- Beam: 5.7m
- Displacement: 65t
- Engine: 15.7 Litre Cummins N-855-M 195 KW
- Generator: Kohler 7 KW
- Electricity: 12V / 24V / 220V
- Total sail area: 317 sqm
Won is a native Thai who has been
working as a professional sailor for
the past 5 years. In 2010 he joined
Meta IV. He loves the oceans,
everything about boating, and you
are most likely to see him with a rope
in his hand.
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8. BURMA BOATING
SAILING AREA
800 Islands, Just For You
somewhat less
elusive. If you
are interested,
we can take
you to Moken
villages where
you will be able
to enjoy Moken
food, buy fresh
cuttlefish, and
watch men
building dugout
canoes the way
they have been
made for tens
of thousands of
years.
Myanmar is
home to more
than 100
ethnicities from
the SinoTibetan, Tai,
Virtually unknown to the outside
foreigners in the late 1990s. With
world, the Mergui Archipelago is
and Austroasiatic ethnolinguistic
three of the 800 islands sparsely
located in Myanmar's (Burma's)
groups and you will see an array of
populated and only a few dozen
remote south and is a group of 800
visitors to the entire area each month, starkly differing features amongst the
deserted islands that lie at the
people you’ll meet.
the Mergui Archipelago remains one
heart of our sailing area.
of the planet’s most unspoilt
Sailing Conditions
Think white beaches lined with
destinations.
Under full sails, keeling over, the
palm trees and dense jungle. Think
wind and sun in your face, salt on
Meet the Sea Gypsies
swimming in azure waters amongst
your lips, and no land in sight.
The traditional inhabitants of the
colourful reef fish, spotting corals,
Or, a leisurely cruise to the next
Mergui Archipelago are the Moken, a
and collecting one-of-a-kind
beach, feet up on the helm, drink to
people who live off, and on, the sea.
seashells. Now, picture eagles
Sometimes called "sea gypsies", this hand, and watching the dolphins soar
circling above, gibbons and monitor
and dive.
ethnic minority group leads a
lizards eyeing you from the thickets,
Whether you’re an experienced
traditional, semi-nomadic lifestyle,
while a sundowner is being mixed for dominated by diving for sea
sailor, or are on board a ship for the
you on board the yacht.
first time, you will love Myanmar’s
cucumbers, fishing and bartering.
And best of all: You have this
Mergui Archipelago, an area so
Until the recent changes in
entire experience to yourself. You can Myanmar’s government, the
versatile and boundless that you can
sail for days on end and meet not a
relationship between the Moken and beach hop for weeks on end or go on
soul but the odd fisherman in a
the central authorities was marked by multi-day blue-water passages. Or
dugout canoe.
both, of course. The Mergui
tensions.
Just across from the Thai border,
Archipelago lies in tropical waters
Recently, however, things have
the archipelago only opened to
started to improve and the Moken are and temperatures are consistently
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9. BURMA BOATING
SAILING AREA
warm and pleasant, with average
highs ranging between 28-33°C
(84-92°F) and average lows between
20-24°C (69-76°F).
Sailing is possible throughout the
While some areas of the
archipelago have not been entirely
charted and explored, the region
provides safe sailing, with few underwater obstacles or dangerous reefs.
year but there are major differences
between the seasons.
The best time for sailing in the
Mergui is between November and
July. Conditions during December to
February are perfect, with warm,
sunny weather, a steady 20 knots of
wind, and calm seas. March and April
have less wind, which is why they are
the best time for diving and
snorkelling with clear waters.
From May to July there are
strong, onshore winds and a larger
swell. There are occasional
hurricanes in the Mergui from May to
June, and again from October to
December. The rainy season is from
July to November.
Even when winds are strong and
swells are sizeable, the numerous
large islands provide hundreds of
protected anchorages for any
season, as well as “hurricane holes”
for stormy days.
The entire island group is replete
with good and safe anchorages in
sandy or muddy grounds.
And in case we
encounter a day without
wind, there is much to
explore in the water and on
land to keep us busy. Plus,
the yacht’s engine runs up
to 8 knots ...
Beyond Mergui
Of course, there is
more to explore in the area
than the Mergui
Archipelago alone.
The island group
belongs to Myanmar’s
Tanintharyi Region, the
country’s southernmost
province. Its coastline
provides endless vistas
and sites for you to
explore, whether for an
afternoon or for several
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days. The towns of Kawthaung and
Myeik are the southern and northern
gateways to the island group,
respectively. If you enter Myanmar
from Thailand, you will have time to
walk around sleepy
Kawthaung with its
Buddhist temples, colonialera back streets and
bustling markets, while we
handle Myanmar
immigration procedures for
you.
The Mergui Archipelago is
located along the northern
end of the Malay Peninsula
and in the part of the Indian
Ocean that is known as the
Andaman Sea – in itself an
immensely diverse region
ranging from India to
Myanmar, and from
Thailand and Malaysia to
Singapore and Indonesia.
The opportunities are
endless and we are happy to take
you as far as you want to go.
Mergui
Archipelago
Myanmar
Thailand

10. BURMA BOATING
NATURE AND ACTIVITIES
A Tropical Paradise
Explore tropical forests, hike through valleys and up hills, walk
along kilometers of beach with the only foot prints those
behind you, kayak through enchanted mangroves, swim,
snorkel, scuba dive, and go fishing: you’ve got it all. The Mergui
Archipelago is teeming with wildlife.
On Land
Due to government neglect and
the region’s long isolation, its 800
plus islands have remained virtually
untouched. They are mostly
composed of limestone and granite,
and vary in size from tiny to islands
larger than Singapore. Most of them
(we have yet to find one that isn’t) are
covered in thick jungle growth, which
drops into azure waters, interrupted
only by beaches, rocky headlands,
tidal rivers, and mangrove forests.
Lampi, the largest of the islands, is
part national park and home to some
of the planet’s oldest mangrove
forests. Animals on the islands
include gibbons, pythons, civet cats,
huge monitor lizards and the rabbitsized mouse deer. Hornbills are a
common sight, while kites and whitebellied sea eagles circle above every
island as kingfishers dart around
eerily quiet mangrove forests. Frigate
birds, pacific reef egrets, green
imperial pigeons, and emerald doves
are just some of the birds native to
this diverse archipelago.
surgeonfish, puffer fish abound, and,
with some luck, you can spot the
world’s largest fish, the planktoneating whale shark. Further out west,
where the continental shelf drops off
into the deep sea, a range of
underwater mountains called the
Burma Banks are a thrilling diving
area for the experienced. We provide
you with snorkelling equipment,
which is available for free.
Snorkelling and Diving
The whole area is an underwater
paradise. Extensive coral reef
landscapes provide a home to sea
creatures: sea turtles, lionfish,
cardinalfish, rays, triggerfish,
Fishing
Stock up on your food supplies
with the best produce possible: fresh
fish directly from the sea! Cast for
tuna, barracuda, mahi mahi, giant
trevally, Spanish mackerel or snapper
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11. BURMA BOATING
NATURE & ACTIVITIES
while sailing or when close to shore.
Or go for the truly big guys and try
your luck catching marlin and sailfish.
Either bring your own rods or just use
ours! Most of the local fishing boats
in the area catch squid and cuttlefish,
and if you want, we can always buy
directly from them.
UNESCO World Heritage Site?
UNESCO examined the Mergui
Archipelago as a potential World
Heritage Site for its biodiversity, and
the organisation‘s report concludes:
“While the biodiversity is largely
unknown, the intact vegetation on
such an array of islands, with
associated marine habitats and
spectacular geomorphology, is likely
to be of high global biodiversity
significance. The biodiversity values
of this set of forested continental
islands, and the limited protection
afforded such coastal islands
elsewhere in the region, indicates that
they are likely to be of global priority
and form a potentially important
trans-boundary World Heritage
inscription.“
Let's hope for the best – but also:
Be there before the area becomes
too famous!
In the last two years, Myanmar (or Burma) has undergone tremendous changes. Few countries are making
greater headlines these days than Myanmar. Until recently one of the world’s most isolated nations, under an
Orwellian military dictatorship, the country’s leadership has suddenly – and to everybody’s surprise – decided to
open up to the West, to liberalise its political system, move towards more pluralism, and to invite in foreign
investment.
These days, the world leaders of politics and business are queuing up to talk to the country’s decision
makers, or to gain an early foothold in an untapped market of almost 50 million people.
Most armed conflicts between the central government’s army and various ethnic groups that formerly ravaged
the country have stopped and Myanmar is now witnessing a degree of peace and stability it hasn’t experienced in
decades.
Myanmar is still a very poor nation after decades of mismanagement, sanctions and stagnation. But what was
once the richest economy in South East Asia – with still vast natural resources – looks like it might be on its way
back to former glory. Tourism is certainly flourishing and never have so many foreigners visited the former British
colony as these days. We are aiming to play our part towards opening up this wonderful country by carefully
making accessible one of the regions that has so far been almost totally neglected.
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12. BURMA BOATING
ITINERARY
Five Nights in Heaven
Day 2
Early the next morning we will
arrive at Lampi Island, the largest in
the region. We will brunch on board
and visit a village of Moken sea
nomads. This is one of the
highlights of our tour and we‘ll most
likely spend a few hours here to play
with the children, who take us by
the hand and show us their little
village school and the mangrove
forest. Later we buy some squid
from the fishermen for dinner before
(c) Google Maps
Already traveling in Myanmar? Spent a
week or two visiting temples and
villages? Myanmar is a beautiful
adventure in itself, but the holiday truly
comes into its own when you can
spend time at the end of your travels
relaxing and enjoying the empty
beaches – not to mention your own
personal yacht.
Day 1
We'll meet you at the airport
in Kawthaung (Myanmar) or
in Ranong on the Thai side of the
border and you'll be on board in no
time. Relax on deck with a welcome
drink while we glide toward the
Mergui! As soon as we leave the busy
river behind us, we‘ll be alone with
the wild and beautiful nature of the
Mergui. At the end of the day we‘ll sit
on the beach of Hasting Island, drink
cocktails and gaze at the stars.
There‘s not a single light within view.
We can hear the monkeys shout and
play in the jungle.
Day 4
We pick up the east winds and
speed towards the Mid Group. We
could spend a whole week exploring
its small islands, hidden coves and
beaches, so we choose the prettiest:
Frost and Potter Islands, famous for
their spectacular huge fig trees, right
beside the beach.
Day 5
We spend most of the day on the
water, only stopping for a dip in the
open ocean! Some get busy sailing,
others lie on deck and watch the
dolphins jump. It‘s our last evening
and in the afternoon we head
towards Zadetkyi Island, where we
find a gorgeous bay. One more time
we barbecue at the beach. It won‘t
be easy to leave!
Day 6
We set sail in the early morning,
back towards Kawthaung. We arrive
by noon, just in time for our
connecting flights. We‘re sure we‘ll
see you again!
sailing northwest to the gorgeous
Clara Island. The water is
exceptionally clear here!
Day 3
It’s a beautiful cruise to Pila
Island and we will try our luck fishing
for tuna. Once there, we barbecue on
the long, long beach and go for a
jungle walk along a little creek. Before
a relaxed sundowner, we cool down
by snorkelling in the azure water. 800
islands and each one is a paradise!
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13. BURMA BOATING
GETTING THERE
A Well-Connected Paradise
45m
from
Myeik
1h 20m
from
Yangon
Kawthaung
1h 30m
from
Bangkok
Ranong
4h
from
Phuket
All our regular 5-day trips depart in Kawthaung in Myanmar’s south, just
across the border from Thailand.
Flying to Ranong
There are daily flights from
Bangkok to Ranong by Nok Air and
Happy Air. Ranong Airport is well
served by local taxi drivers but we
can also pick you up, of course.
across the Pakchan River to
Kawthaung on the Burmese side,
which takes just a few minutes. We
will help you with the immigration
procedures before boarding the
yacht.
Arriving via Phuket
Another option is to fly to Phuket
International Airport, a convenient
and well-connected hub. From there,
it’s a scenic 4-hour car ride to
Ranong, the Thai border town. We’d
be more than happy to help you
organise transportation or even meet
you at the airport. Once you are in
Ranong, we will take a longtail boat
Flying to Kawthaung
If you are arriving from within
Myanmar, you can fly directly to
Kawthaung Airport, which is
connected to various domestic
airports with flights by Air Mandalay
and Myanma Airways. Here, too, we
are happy to assist you and help you
get organised.
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14. BURMA BOATING
YACHT CHARTER
Yacht Charter:
Planning a Private Cruise
Looking for a group holiday
with total flexibility? Charter our
yacht Meta IV for up to 10 people
and plan your own sailing trip in
Myanmar, Thailand or even
Malaysia. This option is ideal if you
are a sailor and want to skipper the
boat yourself, or if you are
travelling with a bigger group and
want the freedom to plan your own
tour. Our sales team will he happy
to assist you. We recommend these
ports of departure:
your journey, especially if you want to
combine your yachting holiday with a
trip through the country. Kawthaung and the Thai border town of Ranong
just across the river - mark the
southern entry point into the Mergui
Archipelago. There's a domestic
airport in Kawthaung. We recommend
this as a starting point for all trips
ranging from 4 to 7 days.
most stunning diving locations in the
world with its crystal-clear waters. We
recommend this tour if you plan to
travel for 7-10 days.
Yacht Haven Marina (Thailand)
In the north of Phuket, Thailand,
Yacht Haven Marina is just 10
minutes away from the international
airport, so you'll be able to board
your yacht in no time at all. Yacht
Haven is the ideal starting point if you
want to explore both the natural
wonders of Thailand and the
adventures of a virtually undiscovered
Myanmar. Our yacht will take you to
the stunning, rocky cliffs
and hidden islands off
the Phuket coast. We'll
visit famous the Phi Phi
Island and, after a few
days, continue our tour
with an exciting 22hour, day-and-night
journey up to Myanmar.
Ideal for trips ranging
from 10 to 14 days.
Kawthaung (Myanmar)
Kawthaung is located right on the
Chalong Bay (Thailand)
Chalong Bay is in the south of
Thailand's Phuket Island, about an
hour's drive from Phuket airport with
its many international connections.
southern tip of Myanmar near the
Thai border. A golden temple
overlooks this bustling little trading
town, which makes a great start for
Langkawi (Malaysia)
Langkawi in the
Malaysian state of
Kedah is a beautiful
area with over a
hundred pristine islands
and wonderful waters.
Start your trip from here
if you have plenty of
time and want to see a
From here, it's a pleasant 22-hour sail great collection of Asia‘s most
to the Mergui Archipelago. If you
beautiful islands and sailing areas. If
want, you can spend your first night
you want, we can also start our tours
on the Similan Islands, one of the
to Thailand and Myanmar from here.
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