The Surin Islands (Mu Ko Surin National Park) are five jungle-covered islands about 60 km off the coast of northern Phang Nga, a few kilometres from the sea border with Myanmar. Where the Similans are about granite and depth, Surin is about shallow, sheltered bays with hard-coral gardens you can snorkel over for hours.
The islands are home to a community of Moken, sea people who traditionally spent much of the year on their boats. And about 18 km to the east lies Richelieu Rock, a submerged pinnacle generally rated the best dive site in Thailand.
Top things to do: Surin Islands
Snorkel the bays
Longtails run from the park stations to reefs such as Ao Mae Yai, Ao Suthep and Ao Tao. Expect giant clams, anemonefish, reef sharks in the shallows and turtles.
Visit the Moken village
The village at Ao Bon Yai can be visited on most trips. Be a considerate guest: ask before photographing people, and buy woven or carved handicrafts directly if you want to support the community.
Dive Richelieu Rock
A horseshoe of rock covered in purple soft coral, known for seahorses, ghost pipefish, schooling barracuda and — mainly from about February to April — the chance of a whale shark. It is reached by day boat from Khuraburi or Khao Lak, or by liveaboard.
Stay the night
The national park runs simple bungalows and a campsite with rented tents on Koh Surin Nuea. Sleeping here, after the day boats leave, is one of the great low-key experiences of the Thai coast. Book through the Department of National Parks.
How to get to Surin Islands
- From Khuraburi: speedboats take about 1–1.5 hours from Khuraburi Pier, the closest mainland port.
- From Khao Lak or Phuket: day tours include the road transfer north to Khuraburi (about 1.5 hours from Khao Lak, considerably more from Phuket).
Insider tips
- The park is closed from about mid-May to mid-October. The fee is around 500 baht for foreign adults.
- There is no mobile signal in most of the park and electricity only at set hours. Bring cash, a torch and a book.
- Wear a rash vest rather than relying on sunscreen in the shallow reefs.
Best tours & tickets for Surin Islands
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Surin Islands:
Speedboat snorkelling trip from €101 From Khao Lak: Full-Day Snorkeling in the Surin Islands
A long day, but the Surin Islands reward it with some of the best shallow-water snorkelling in Thailand. Runs only in the park’s open season, about mid-October to mid-May.
- Shallow hard-coral reefs
- Far fewer boats than the Similans
- Lunch at the national park station
Speedboat or catamaran trip from €95 Khao Lak: Surin Island & Moken Village Day Tour with Snorkel
Pairs the Surin reefs with a visit to the Moken community that lives inside the park. Go respectfully: ask before photographing people and buy handicrafts directly if you want a souvenir.
- Visit the Moken sea-people’s village
- Several snorkelling stops
- Speedboat or catamaran options
