Island Safari - Mergui Archipelago
Island Safari - Mergui Archipelago
5
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Full view
About
One Day in Tropical Paradise in the Mergui Archipelago! Mergui Archipelago located southernmost part of Myanmar compromises more than 800 islands wrapped with sandy beaches, and bounty of flora and fauna, and a variety of colourful tropical birds. Our Day Tour starts in Kawthoung which is close to the Thai border town of Ranong (300 km north of Phuket) and cruise to Myauk Ni(Red Monkey) Island.
Kawthoung, Myanmar
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Island Safari - Mergui Archipelago
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5.0
24 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Alex Mtch
Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago, Myanmar5 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Business
Mergui island Country
2021 started ICAO Mergui Office MIC.GOV
Jelli/Alex Mtch/
+959789685858
Island Light Electron
2021 started ICAO Mergui Office MIC.GOV
Jelli/Alex Mtch/
+959789685858
Island Light Electron
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrandonNelson7
Sammamish, WA31 contributions
Jan. 2020 • Solo
Booked a 5D4N island safari aboard the Sea Gypsy and it was a magical experience. The boat was spacious and comfortable, especially since we only had 8 of 10 max people in the group. There are only 2 toliets/showers, so sometimes that could be a challenge, but most of the time it was fine.
The food was absolutely delicious, every meal felt like a culinary delight. Various meals included calamari, shrimp, pork, white pumpkin and chicken soup, all sorts of curry, papaya, pineapple, morning glory, etc. The chef was a master, I cannot compliment him enough.
For the islands themselves, there are white sand beaches, pristine waters, and so many incredible corals, rich with colorful sea life, like starfish, cuttlefish, clown fish, sea horses, harmless jellyfish, squid, and others. Be forewarned, there are a lot of sea urchins, which makes the snorkeling a little more adventurous. The only disappointment was seeing trash/rubbish on the beaches. I do hope that aspect of the culture changes in the future.
Our guide was absolutely amazing and so funny, we all had a great time together and I was absolutely thrilled. This was definitely one of the more expensive parts of my trip, and I thought it was worth every penny. From the pickup at my hotel to the final drop-off, I was well taken care of and had an amazing adventure. Definitely recommend this!
The food was absolutely delicious, every meal felt like a culinary delight. Various meals included calamari, shrimp, pork, white pumpkin and chicken soup, all sorts of curry, papaya, pineapple, morning glory, etc. The chef was a master, I cannot compliment him enough.
For the islands themselves, there are white sand beaches, pristine waters, and so many incredible corals, rich with colorful sea life, like starfish, cuttlefish, clown fish, sea horses, harmless jellyfish, squid, and others. Be forewarned, there are a lot of sea urchins, which makes the snorkeling a little more adventurous. The only disappointment was seeing trash/rubbish on the beaches. I do hope that aspect of the culture changes in the future.
Our guide was absolutely amazing and so funny, we all had a great time together and I was absolutely thrilled. This was definitely one of the more expensive parts of my trip, and I thought it was worth every penny. From the pickup at my hotel to the final drop-off, I was well taken care of and had an amazing adventure. Definitely recommend this!
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for sailing with us in the Mergui Archipelago and welcome back at a later time.
Written 14 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travelingbandacoot
Medical Lake, WA223 contributions
Feb. 2020 • Couples
My family and I just finished this cruise a few weeks ago and it was incredible! The islands were stunning, food delicious and the crew spectacular. The last island (Boulder) is breathtaking. The beaches are deserted and some of the finest I’ve ever seen. The snorkeling there is incredible, my sister even saw a shark! I must also mention the crew, they accommodate your every need, especially John. He goes exceptionally out of his way to make sure you get to experience everything. My sister and I love snorkeling and so he offered it every chance we could. He even offered to take us an hour before we had to set sail back to port! Now the cabins are open air, beds are large cots and bathrooms are shared, but everything else about this trip is 5 star. If you want to experience deserted beaches and an adventure of a lifetime, this cruise is for you!
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for joining our cruise in the Mergui Archipelago and welcome back again at a later time.
Written 11 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thomas N
1 contribution
Apr. 2019
Breathtaking sunsets, amazing snorkelling, friendly staff and very cool boat. A true once in a lifetime experience.
Written 30 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for joining us exploring the Mergui Archipelago and welcome back again at a later time.
Written 4 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jonas V
Paderborn, Germany7 contributions
Nov. 2019 • Couples
Absolutely incredible experience! Very helpful and friendly staff, excellent food, very clean and tidy cruise ship.
We loved the snorkeling with beautiful corals and many many fish at magnificent beaches which you had absolutely for yourself.
This was a trip we will certainly not forget!
We loved the snorkeling with beautiful corals and many many fish at magnificent beaches which you had absolutely for yourself.
This was a trip we will certainly not forget!
Written 21 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for joining us exploring this pristine last frontier in South East Asia and welcome back again at a later time.
Written 4 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JSP0404
London, Canada5 contributions
Oct. 2018 • Couples
I read the reviews of this boat before I booked. Some people made criticisms, which the owner denied. Another man said it was "A very old boat and had an oil smell in sleeping cabin". I was advised, by online travel agents, that the boat was "not recommended". A little too rough, they said...... And then I went on the cruise.
The guy who complained that the boat was "Very old and smelled of oil in the sleeping cabins" was clearly far to delicate to be in that part of the world in the first place. I actually checked for the oil smell a number of times. The boat smells exactly like what it is. But, not offensive in any way. And, above decks, the boat smells like ocean breezes....The boat is old. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the Sea Gipsy entertained the British Viceroy in 1890. And, to my way of thinking, that is part of it's charm.
There are other people on this review page who clearly are complaining about someone else's boat. I feel sorry for the owners of the Sea Gipsy, that they have to suffer because some else can't figure stuff out before making a review.
The Sea Gipsy is a million miles from a Carnival Cruise ship. The sleeping accommodations are a little more like a night in a really cool tree fort, than the floating apartment building Carnival Cruises will give you. If you are too "delicate" for what the Sea Gipsy has to offer, stay out of Myanmar altogether. At least, don't leave Yangon.....The Sea Gipsy is an adventure. A tour through a remote part of a strange land. It is not a "vanilla" holiday with all the comforts of home, complete with the 3000 other people who are waddling up to the buffet, on Carnival Cruise ship.
Now for the good part.
If you go to Thailand, the excursion boats are six feet apart. There is nothing the Thai's cannot wreck by simply overselling it...... By contrast, when you are on the Sea Gipsy, it's you and the odd local fishermen, and that pretty much it. I never saw another tourist on my whole trip.....Book soon. Something like this can't last.
We looked at other luxury yachts for cruises in the Andaman Sea. But, I noticed something about them. They give everyone a relatively spacious private cabin, but space above decks was very limited. The Sea Gipsy is completely the opposite. The space on the top deck is huge. I'm estimating 16 feet by 30 feet. There is a generous dining area, and lots of space for the plenty of deck lounge chairs, which are scattered about. This is really what you want. During the day your cabin space is irrelevant. What you really want is a great place to watch the ocean and islands go by as the boat cruises along..... And this boat has it.
Food on the boat is plentiful and really good. We had ridden motorcycles all over Myanmar before getting on the boat. The crew came up with some of the best versions of common Burmese food we had tasted anywhere in the country. Another reviewer complained about food coming out of the freezer. Hmmmm? Our experience was that it came from the passing fishing boats..... A second review did say that beverages were limited to beer and soft drinks. That is accurate. If your drink is gin & tonic or rum & coke be sure to bring your own. The supply of wine may also not be what some people would like but, mention that beforehand and the crew will make adjustments.
We like to snorkel. We used to think that nothing would improve on the reefs off Belize. But, the reef off of Shark Island is something to behold. Pretty much like going to the biggest aquarium store you have ever seen, and diving in...... If you don't try it, you will be missing out.
We have travel a lot. The Sea Gipsy cruise through the Mergui Island is one of the few genuine experiences left in the world. In fact, that is pretty much true of all of Myanmar. Places I thought were going to be tourist traps were not. Pretty much everywhere we went it was us, and the locals. When the Sea Gipsy pulled into a bay for the night, invariably a small boat would come by to take a look at us. It was pretty clear they don't get a lot of tourists.
The country has gotten a lot of bad press, but compared to many places I've been (Mexico), it's practically Disneyworld. The Western press talks about the military in the country. Hmmmm? I'm still wondering where they were. But then, the fears of other Westerners, was our gain. We were able to experience Myanmar before the tourist herd descends on the place..... I expect the price for the Sea Gipsy will be going up.
Last thing..... I could comment that the correct spelling is actually "Gypsy"..... But, by Burmese standards "Gipsy" is close enough.....lol.
The guy who complained that the boat was "Very old and smelled of oil in the sleeping cabins" was clearly far to delicate to be in that part of the world in the first place. I actually checked for the oil smell a number of times. The boat smells exactly like what it is. But, not offensive in any way. And, above decks, the boat smells like ocean breezes....The boat is old. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the Sea Gipsy entertained the British Viceroy in 1890. And, to my way of thinking, that is part of it's charm.
There are other people on this review page who clearly are complaining about someone else's boat. I feel sorry for the owners of the Sea Gipsy, that they have to suffer because some else can't figure stuff out before making a review.
The Sea Gipsy is a million miles from a Carnival Cruise ship. The sleeping accommodations are a little more like a night in a really cool tree fort, than the floating apartment building Carnival Cruises will give you. If you are too "delicate" for what the Sea Gipsy has to offer, stay out of Myanmar altogether. At least, don't leave Yangon.....The Sea Gipsy is an adventure. A tour through a remote part of a strange land. It is not a "vanilla" holiday with all the comforts of home, complete with the 3000 other people who are waddling up to the buffet, on Carnival Cruise ship.
Now for the good part.
If you go to Thailand, the excursion boats are six feet apart. There is nothing the Thai's cannot wreck by simply overselling it...... By contrast, when you are on the Sea Gipsy, it's you and the odd local fishermen, and that pretty much it. I never saw another tourist on my whole trip.....Book soon. Something like this can't last.
We looked at other luxury yachts for cruises in the Andaman Sea. But, I noticed something about them. They give everyone a relatively spacious private cabin, but space above decks was very limited. The Sea Gipsy is completely the opposite. The space on the top deck is huge. I'm estimating 16 feet by 30 feet. There is a generous dining area, and lots of space for the plenty of deck lounge chairs, which are scattered about. This is really what you want. During the day your cabin space is irrelevant. What you really want is a great place to watch the ocean and islands go by as the boat cruises along..... And this boat has it.
Food on the boat is plentiful and really good. We had ridden motorcycles all over Myanmar before getting on the boat. The crew came up with some of the best versions of common Burmese food we had tasted anywhere in the country. Another reviewer complained about food coming out of the freezer. Hmmmm? Our experience was that it came from the passing fishing boats..... A second review did say that beverages were limited to beer and soft drinks. That is accurate. If your drink is gin & tonic or rum & coke be sure to bring your own. The supply of wine may also not be what some people would like but, mention that beforehand and the crew will make adjustments.
We like to snorkel. We used to think that nothing would improve on the reefs off Belize. But, the reef off of Shark Island is something to behold. Pretty much like going to the biggest aquarium store you have ever seen, and diving in...... If you don't try it, you will be missing out.
We have travel a lot. The Sea Gipsy cruise through the Mergui Island is one of the few genuine experiences left in the world. In fact, that is pretty much true of all of Myanmar. Places I thought were going to be tourist traps were not. Pretty much everywhere we went it was us, and the locals. When the Sea Gipsy pulled into a bay for the night, invariably a small boat would come by to take a look at us. It was pretty clear they don't get a lot of tourists.
The country has gotten a lot of bad press, but compared to many places I've been (Mexico), it's practically Disneyworld. The Western press talks about the military in the country. Hmmmm? I'm still wondering where they were. But then, the fears of other Westerners, was our gain. We were able to experience Myanmar before the tourist herd descends on the place..... I expect the price for the Sea Gipsy will be going up.
Last thing..... I could comment that the correct spelling is actually "Gypsy"..... But, by Burmese standards "Gipsy" is close enough.....lol.
Written 7 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
63Mark63
Toronto, Canada138 contributions
Jan. 2018 • Solo
... You'll love it!
There's no air conditioning, which can make a still, hot and humid night uncomfortable. Live with it.
There's also no one making drinks on board, though there is always an ice chest full of cold soft drinks [included] and Singha Lager [cheap]. But, feel free to bring your own bottle.
There's little privacy but your new shipmates will quickly become friends, so that won't matter.
There is an efficient and very pleasant crew, a fun boat, kayaking and paddle boarding and wonderful snorkelling, as well as plentiful food that is tasty if simply prepared.
There will be a relaxed camaraderie, memorable moments and fond memories.
Not to mention the privilege of sailing through a part of the world near the end of human habitation.
If I had one regret, it was that all the fish and sea food came from the onboard freezer -- we stopped one day in a fishing village and could have bought freshly caught fish from the people on the island!
You will be picked up from your hotel or met on the jetty. After, you will be dropped at your hotel or escorted by long tail boat through both Myanmar and Thai border control to a taxi in Ranong, and then to the airport.
In between, you will be well cared for and safe.
This is not a trip for carousers. It is a trip for people who enjoy waterspouts, meeting new people and relaxing. And it is very well done.
There's no air conditioning, which can make a still, hot and humid night uncomfortable. Live with it.
There's also no one making drinks on board, though there is always an ice chest full of cold soft drinks [included] and Singha Lager [cheap]. But, feel free to bring your own bottle.
There's little privacy but your new shipmates will quickly become friends, so that won't matter.
There is an efficient and very pleasant crew, a fun boat, kayaking and paddle boarding and wonderful snorkelling, as well as plentiful food that is tasty if simply prepared.
There will be a relaxed camaraderie, memorable moments and fond memories.
Not to mention the privilege of sailing through a part of the world near the end of human habitation.
If I had one regret, it was that all the fish and sea food came from the onboard freezer -- we stopped one day in a fishing village and could have bought freshly caught fish from the people on the island!
You will be picked up from your hotel or met on the jetty. After, you will be dropped at your hotel or escorted by long tail boat through both Myanmar and Thai border control to a taxi in Ranong, and then to the airport.
In between, you will be well cared for and safe.
This is not a trip for carousers. It is a trip for people who enjoy waterspouts, meeting new people and relaxing. And it is very well done.
Written 1 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2travelingperson
Chefchaouen, Morocco5 contributions
Nov. 2017 • Couples
As part of our honeymoon my wife and I were lucky enough to book this adventure. Jojo and the crew were amazing. Easy pick from our hotel to get to the boat, amazing views, beautiful beaches, wonderful meals, and a easy transfer back to the airport. The crew and Jojo were very helpful with snorkeling (amazing coral), paddle boarding and many other activities we were able to do. I would highly recommend this adventure.
Written 1 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Guests,
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback. We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the MV Sea Gipsy Cruise's Islands Safari Trip in the Mergui Archipelago and satisfied our services. Thank you very much for the recommendation. We deeply appreciate your kindness.
Truly yours,
The MV Sea Gipsy Cruise Team
Written 8 January 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brittany H
8 contributions
Nov. 2017 • Couples
Wonderful experience on the boat with Jojo and his crew. We were on the only people booked for our 5 day/4 night cruise In November 2017. They treated us like a king and queen. Excellent attention to detail and cater the trip to your specific interests/requests. My only complaint was a few of the nights it wasn't very windy and the batteries went out on the fan in our open air cabin and it was very warm. I would do this trip again and bring friends! Some of the best snorkeling of my life.
Written 25 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Guests,
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback. We appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to let us know what you have experienced from the MV Sea Gipsy Cruise's Mergui Archipelago Islands Safari Trip. We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the trip and satisfied our services. Sorry for the inconvenience caused by the shortage of battery power on the fan at some nights. We appreciate your point out to this matter and we will make sure the battery is fully charged on each fan while the generator is running.
We await the pleasure of welcoming you and your friends on board MV Sea Gipsy in near future and please be sure to let us know when you are coming so we can reserve the spaces for you.
Sincerely yours,
The MV Sea Gipsy Cruise Team
Written 8 January 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marine Dolphin Travel and Tours
Myeik, Myanmar209 contributions
May 2017
Merui archipalago is surrounding with over 800 untouched islands varying in size from very small to hunddreds f square kilometers,in Andaman sea/
Written 4 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmy L
London, UK14 contributions
Hi,your description of your trip sounds so much fun I would like to give it a try.Can you give me their email address or web site so I can contact them for more information and booking etc.Thanks in advance.
MVSeaGipsyTeam
Kawthoung, Myanmar4 contributions
Hello!
Thank you for your message. Please contact Mrs. Heike through the enquiry form of our website. Please use the keywords "Island Safari MV Sea Gipsy" while you search on Google. We are sorry as the TripAdvisor is not allowed to give the E-mail and Website addresses through their message box.
Thanks
MV Sea Gipsy Team
snowflakeisme
Shanghai, China
hello, me and my friend are interested in the tour so could you please let us know how much the total cost per person? and we would like to go straight to Pagan when this tour ends, how would that work? Many thanks!
BoulderBayEcoResort
Nga Khin Nyo Gyee Island, Myanmar9 contributions
Hello,
Thank you very much for your inquiry.
The price for 5days/ 4nights Islands Safari package tour is USD 1,110 per person. For more information, please visit our website and send a message through the website.
You will have to fly from Kawthaund where you disembark the cruise to Yangon before you fly out to Bagan (Pagan).
Hope this information may help you.
Thank you very much.
The MV Sea Gipsy Team
Aye Myat Mon O
Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar51 contributions
Hi we are interested in your 4 nights island trip. We live in Myanmar. Any such tour can be arranged for coming thingyan holiday 2018? We will fly from Yangon to kaw Thaung. We are only 2 persons. Can you let me know your tour availability and price per person ? Thanks a lot
MVSeaGipsyTeam
Kawthoung, Myanmar4 contributions
Dear Customer,
The Islands Safari tour by MV Sea Gipsy cruise is also operating during Thingyan Holidays but you are requested to contact Mrs. Heike through our website's contact form for more details.
Best regards,
The MV Sea Gipsy Team
Aye Myat Mon O
Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar51 contributions
Hi we are interested in your 4 nights island trip. We live in Myanmar. Any such tour can be arranged for coming thingyan holiday 2018? We will fly from Yangon to kaw Thaung. We are only 2 persons. Can you let me know your tour availability and price per person ? Thanks a lot
MVSeaGipsyTeam
Kawthoung, Myanmar4 contributions
Dear Customer,
The Islands Safari tour by MV Sea Gipsy cruise is also operating during Thingyan Holidays but you are requested to contact Mrs. Heike through our website's contact form for more details.
Best regards,
The MV Sea Gipsy Team
Kumar S
Hyderabad, India78 contributions
please let me know from where the tour has started and the tour ended,what are the places covered in the tour.can we have this tour with kids of 5 years age.
Ampli M
Lachen, Switzerland1 contribution
Hi, we started and ended at Kawthoung. But you only get there if you book via a professional organisator, you need special permission. So try to book at Island Safari Mergui. They are great. They can help you, if you have more questions.
Andrew H
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK3 contributions
Can we make arrangements from Thailand and travel overland from ranong ? If so is it possible to arrange in the next 1-2 weeks for a 3-5 day cruise ?
MVSeaGipsyTeam
Kawthoung, Myanmar4 contributions
Yes, you can. Please contact to Mrs. Heike through our website for more details.
Rolanda
Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar14 contributions
how do i book for this day tour..i can't call the phone u give above !
MVSeaGipsyTeam
Kawthoung, Myanmar4 contributions
For your inquiry and booking. please send E-mail to Mrs. Heike through our website.