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Surin islands review
Surin Islands are genuinely unspoiled, the secret destination of Phang Nga province in Thailand. With shallow, jade waters in between its five islands, Koh Surin is a beautiful home to a small community of Moken ‘sea gypsies.’ Having settled on Surin Islands for decades, the fascinating Moken guarantee an authentic welcome to paradise.
There are five islands in the Surin archipelago: Koh Surin Nuea, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Ri, Koh Khai, and Koh Klang. Only two islands (Surin Nuea and Surin Tai) feature a minimal level of infrastructure. In contrast, three others are ideal for a private boat tour and exploration of the untouched nature. With shallow waters in between, the color of the sea around islands is of incredible emerald color. Quite the opposite of nearby turquoise Similan Islands.
Koh Surin Tai is the place to be if you like the idea of having the whole paradise for yourself. Since the entire island features a dense, thick jungle covering white powder beaches, you’ll have a chance to explore diverse flora and fauna. The waters are calm and shallow, which allows you to snorkel from any beach. In addition to secluded beaches and diving spots, you can immerse in the authentic culture and traditions of the Moken community – gypsies of the sea.
Getting to know the real sea gypsies and even go fishing together is what attracts most visitors to visit Surin Islands. Here you can find a quiet refuge from the tourist trap of the Similans. The Surin Islands tour is definitely for you if you’re searching for the most beautiful diving spots with abundant sea life, shallow waters, and untouched nature. An overnight snorkeling tour is the best option to discover this quiet refuge of the lost world.
- AIRPORT Phuket
- BEST TIME TO VISIT Nov - May
Snorkeling
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Day Trip
Surin islands day trip
How to reach Surin Islands
Surin Islands consist of five unspoiled islands in the northern part of the Andaman Sea in Thailand. Surin Islands are about 100 km north of Khao Lak, and 60 km off the west coast of Phang Nga province, just off the Myanmar border. There are snorkeling day trips by speed boat running from Khao Lak to Surin Islands during November-May. At the same time, Islander offers premium snorkeling tours from Khao Lak to Surin Islands by private boat.
If you’re planning a trip to Surin Islands from Phuket, there are a few time-consuming options. The first option is to drive to Khao Lak from Phuket (2 hours), from where you can take a day trip by speedboat. Alternatively, you can drive further to Khura Buri Pier, which is the closest to reaching the Surin Islands. The speedboat from here takes about 60 minutes. With Islander, you can take a private boat tour to Koh Surin from Phuket, and discover more fascinating islands while cruising there.
Surin Islands open season
Like Similan Islands, the Surin Islands opens its doors to visitors from October 15 to May 15. If you’re worried about the weather during that time, don’t be. December to April is a high season, featuring turquoise waters, calm seas, and sunny weather. Tourists visiting Surin islands from Khao Lak often encounter giant manta rays during March-April. You can join an open day trip by speedboat, or take a private boat tour with Islander to enjoy a tailored experience around this paradise.
Surin Islands closed
Surin Islands are closed from 15 May until 15 October because of the monsoon season that brings the rough sea, regular heavy rains, and poor underwater visibility to this part of the Andaman Sea.
Surin Islands overnight
The Thai government is putting much effort into preserving the ecosystem of Surin Islands National Park, making overnight stays of lesser priority. Tourism infrastructure on the Surin Islands is scarce, offering few accommodation options such as simple bungalows and staying in an equipped campsite. With limited amenities, camping on Surin Islands is possible in Chong Kat, where official headquarters are located. The lack of accommodation and its remoteness make Surin Islands an ideal destination for yacht holidays and private boat tours. Nothing matches to living onboard while enjoying the most preserved nature in Thailand.
Surin Islands or Similan Islands
Despite being more remote, Surin Islands are au par with Similan Islands in terms of terrific snorkeling spots, clarity of the sea, and abundance of marine life. Yet still, travelers visiting Surin Islands from Phuket are amazed by the authenticity of the local Surin community of sea gypsies. Compared to uninhabited Similan Islands, this is an excellent advantage of the Surin Islands tour. For those staying in Khao Lak, Surin Islands are much closer, so we recommend visiting both Similan Islands and Surin Islands during their vacation.
Surin Islands or Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi Islands and Surin Islands are very different. Surin Islands tour is mostly exclusive for those seeking to explore raw and wild nature, on islands with minimal facilities. Surin Islands are remote and harder to access from Phuket when compared to Phi Phi Islands. You are guaranteed secluded beaches surrounded by calm and shallow waters promising excellent diving and snorkeling during the Surin Islands tour. At the same time, the local Moken community allows tourists to learn more about the culture and practices of the sea gypsies. Such authentic experiences simply do not exist on the busy Phi Phi Islands.
