Mergui Archipelago

I may be incorrect, but I think its accessed either via India or Thailand...

Mergui:
Only possibility is doing a dive-liveaboard departing from Phuket, Thailand - but beware of the price, it's unbelivably expensive, since a lot of money has to flow into the hands of the Burmese junta to get the concession to go diving there. No resort, hotel, guesthouse on the islands (yet) and access from the Burmese mainland (with fishing boats or the like) is heavily controlled by the military.

Thus: To answer your questions: No. Yes. Yes. No impression - except that it lookes georgeous on Google Earth.

Safe travels!

Buggar... I was looking at going there too... for diving, but saw the prices on the liveaboard option from Phuket and it's bloody ridiculous!!

Anyone know what the south coast is like?? Where is it possible to cross the border?

It is possible to set up a multiple day tour from inside Myanmar as well, with hired boat and guide, there was a post here as well, they started off in Myeik, but again not cheap and has to be set up in advance to get neccessary permits. No diving on that boat however.

Without those permits you are restricted to the towns of Kawthoung (where the border is), Myeik and Dawei. In Dawei you can see the close by surroundings, in Kawthoung you can take a long tail to some nearby islands (no permit for those). However there's no dream beach with bamboo huts on these spots.

New is the following resort, with diving, off Kawthoung:

Andaman Resort
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Hey, Tools, that resort looks pretty neat - do you have any info on prices and whether they are (relatively) independant from the Burmese junta?

No, it's new and havne't been there (yet...) They sure need to arrange something with the government to be able to put up a resort there...everybody in the toruism business has to...
Dunno about prices, contact them and let us know!
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Wow-
That place looks fantastic.....pretty remote....very cool...PADI too

Alright, I've contacted them and got a quick reply:

Price for 5 Days / 4 Nights based on two person sharing one twin / double room:

US$ 590 per person

Inclusive services
- Twin Sharing accommodation in Superior Cottage
- Meals : Half – board (breakfast & dinner)
- Airport transfer (Kawthaung Airport – Kawthaung Jetty – Kawthaung Airport)
- Jetty transfer (Kawthaung / Ranong Jetty – Myanmar Andaman Resort – Kawthaung / Ranong Jetty)
- Kawthaung Zone Fee (Royalty Fee)

Exclusive services
- Yangon Services
- International and domestic airfares and Airport Taxes
- Meals : lunch
- Cost of visa
- Personal expenses
- Personal or baggage insurance
- Diving, Kayaking, Snorkelling and Sightseeing are not included in the above quoted prices.

USD & Euro notes can be used at the Resort. And yes, you need to apply visa to visit our country.

...not exactly budget, but of course, they are pioneers in the region and I suppose you're paying for that too...

Thanks for sharing elziax.

At the end of the day that's about hundret bucks per night. Little too much for those cabins in my opinion, even taking the pioneering premium into account.
In particular if it is based on twin sharing. Does that mean one has to pay extra if only one person in cottage?
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