Hackford Bank - Mergui Archipelago

Hackford Bank is one of those deeper, flatter spots in the Mergui Archipelago that often gets overlooked, but it’s worth a stop if the conditions are right. We've often found it a good place to drift along, keeping an eye out for larger pelagics moving through the blue. The bottom at 25m is mostly sandy with scattered rocky outcrops and some surprising coral patches, home to various reef fish. Visibility here can vary a lot, so we’d suggest checking with your dive operator before setting off. It's a relaxed intermediate dive, best for those who enjoy covering some ground and don’t mind a bit of a current.

Location
Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
10.325700, 97.254800
Maximum Depth
25m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Best Time to Dive in Mergui Archipelago

The warmest water temperatures in Mergui Archipelago occur in May, averaging 30.8°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.5°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.6°C
  • April: 30.7°C
  • May: 30.8°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.5°C
  • August: 29.2°C
  • September: 28.9°C
  • October: 29.0°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.7°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Mergui Archipelago

Nearest Dive Centres to Hackford Bank

Marine Life in Mergui Archipelago

Home to 173 recorded species including 106 reef fish, 49 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other, 2 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Hackford Bank

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories