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Burma Banks divesites
Areas that we dive around the Burma Banks
Western Rocky Island
This island is a series of pinnacles rather than one big rock and the
soft limestone makes for crevices offering shelter for a wide variety
of sea creatures. Depth is 20 metres. Some of the marine life you will
see here include manta rays, grey reef and spinner sharks Humphead
Parrotfush, and eagle rays. Reef fishes include anglefish, moray eels,
snappers, and frog fish.
Fan Forest Pinnacle
This site is a few miles north of Western Rocky. The pinnacle rises
from a depth well beyond the limits of recreational divers. It features
huge sea fans, black coral and large barrel sponges. You will come
across larger than normal fishes, and the dive site is very dramatic
and fish-life excellent! If you venture deep, you may spot the famous
potato cod!
The
Burma Banks
Here there are series of seamounts that rise up from 300 metres to
just below the surface. Depths average 15 - 22 metres, and some banks
have a more dramatic drop than others. Diving here requires careful
planning as the currents can be unpredictable and guided drift dives
are the norm, usually starting at the edge of the banks in 35 metres
of water. If you do not encounter sharks, the dogtooth tuna, Spanish
mackerel and jacks patrol the reef edges. Corals in all its shapes
and forms are present in abundance and variety. You never know what
you are going to see out there! Look out for the small Nudibranchs
on the rocks.
Three Islets
One of the most extraordinary dive sites, these three rocks rise out
of the sea from 40 metres deep. They harbour some of the best marine
life in the archipelago, where you will encounter huge schools of fishes
and silversides. The sandy base of the islands reveals unusual anemones
and starfish, while the walls are covered with orange cup corals, and
whip corals. It is one of the best places to see the harlequin shrimp
and pipe fish.
North
Twin Island
Although there are several interesting dive sites surrounding this
island, the most beautiful lies to the west, several hundred metres
from the island itself. Here you will find large, colourful sea fans
and beautiful soft corals. Visibility is generally very good and is
normally a striking dive.
North Twin Plateau
Located just northwest of the North Twin, this large plateau starts
at around 6-metres until about 30 metres. Many sea fans, barracuda
and rainbow runners cruise the outer edges of the reefs.
Black Rock
Black Rock is a rocky islands approximately 100 metres long, located
about 50 miles north of the North Twin Island. Depths can range to
a whopping 60 metres and there is a dramatic drop-off in most areas.
Currents can be strong hence visibility can vary. However, there is
still plenty to see, and even do as you try to dodge the currents!
Tower
Rock
Tower Rock rises dramatically out to sea. Schools of mobula rays are
often seen here. It is also a good place to spot sharks, as well as
the ghost pipefish.
West Canister
The best site is a pinnacle located almost in the middle of the bay,
and is almost connected to a ridge that runs from the westernmost point.
There you will find a hard coral reef sloping down to over 60 metres,
as well as barracudas, fusiliers, jack fishes, mackerel and rainbow
runners cruise over the top of the reef. Visibility can be excellent
here - well over 30 metres
