shark cave

Shark Cave is made up of three small islets, the centre islet being the largest at 200m wide. In sharp contrast to the bare rocks that identify this site at the surface, Shark Cave will surprise you with its abundance of marine life.

The southwest wall has many fine crevices. Dive slowly and you'll see Durban Dancing Shrimps and Red and White Banded Boxer Shrimps on the ledges, Mantis Shrimps, sea slugs, cowries and moray eels. If you're really lucky, you could see the feeding habits of Cuttlefish. They hunt in pairs; one acts as a look-out, as the other frantically searches in the crevices with its tentacles to pull out any food it can find.

The reef on the north east side of the islet is rugged with Black and White Featherstars, hard Green Tube Corals, and Green Cup Corals. Black and White Banded Sea Snakes and Black-blotched Fantail Rays hunt over the reef. Look closely for Ornate Ghost Pipefish and Tigertail Seahorses.

Another of Burma Mergui Archipelago's best dive sites, Shark Cave is known for its resident Whitetip Sharks. The ragged cave entrance is on the north west corner of the islet, and is 5-16m deep. Guarding the entance are Long-fin Trevally and Silver Sweetlips. They come to hunt for the masses of juvenile barracuda, Cave Sweepers and Silversides. The tunnel is 20m long and the ceiling is covered in beautiful Marigold Cup Coral. Watch out for the strong surge as you make your way through. Groups of Silver Tip Sharks can also make a surprising appearance.

Shark cave is also known as the Three Islets, the Three Stooges, In-Through-The-Out-Door and Colona Rocks

Shark Cave Reef Basics: Sharks and caves
Depth: 5 - 26m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 25 - 28°C
Experience Level: Advanced
Diving Season: November to April
PADI Course Compatibility: Shark Awareness and Cavern Diving
Distance: ~75 km north northwest of Kawthaung