West Canister - Mergui Archipelago

Up in the northern reaches of the Mergui Archipelago, West Canister often delivers when manta rays are on the move. It’s a site we’ve seen them cruise through, sometimes curious, sometimes just passing by. The currents can be a factor here, so we’d suggest it for divers comfortable with a bit of a drift. It’s a good spot to keep your eyes peeled for larger pelagics.

Location
Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
9.750000, 97.800000

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 West Canister

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 West Canister

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