the arch

Good diving all year

Why dive here

With 164+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, eagle rays, giant moray eels, whale sharks and clownfish - the arch offers some of Mergui Archipelago's richest cave diving. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest April, May, June.

Best timeYear-round

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBlacktip Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Giant Moray Eels, Whale Sharks and Clownfish · 164+ species recorded

Water28-31°C · warmest April, May, June

CharacterCave dive · max 22m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Arch in Mergui Archipelago feels a bit like peeking behind a curtain. It's a shallow cave system, maxing out at 22 metres, making it very approachable for newer divers looking for something a little different. We usually find schools of fusiliers hanging out near the entrances, and often a few reef sharks patrolling the fringes. It’s a good spot to practise buoyancy in a confined space without ever feeling truly enclosed.

Typical the arch Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Depth of 22m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:1718:1411h 57m daylightGolden hour 17:46

Reviews for the arch

Conditions

Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for the arch

the arch Ocean Conditions

Monthly averages for the arch, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (9.78, 97.85) (1km away)