Near Khao Lak lie two places famous for their white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and numerous snorkeling and diving spots: the Similan Islands, which attract many visitors, and the somewhat less well-known and therefore less crowded Koh Surin Islands, making excursions there particularly pleasant. This is especially true if you start early in the morning, as some agencies offer. The speedboat trip to Koh Surin, located 55 kilometers off the coast, takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Koh Surin consists of two main islands, Koh Surin Tai in the south and Koh Surin Nuea in the north, separated by a small bay. They belong to the Mu Koh Surin National Park, which is only open to the public for six months of the year during the peak season (see dates below). Day trips to Koh Surin typically include three snorkeling stops, the exact locations of which depend on the weather and the number of visitors. Wherever you stop, you can observe colorful fish of all kinds and, with a bit of luck, even sea turtles. If you are not a strong swimmer or cannot swim at all, you can still snorkel by wearing a life jacket. Often, dive instructors offer to accompany less experienced swimmers in the water. Please note that to protect the environment, there are some rules in place, and violations can result in a fine: it is forbidden to feed the fish, take anything (shells, coral, sand, etc.), walk on coral reefs, leave trash, or bring plastic bottles (operators usually provide gourds). I would also like to remind you that sunscreen is very harmful to coral. The Surin Islands are inhabited by two small communities of marine nomads, the Moken, also known as Chao Lay. Visiting one of their villages is often included in tours, but I personally preferred a tour that left them undisturbed.

National Park entrance fee: 500 THB per adult and 300 THB per child (usually included in the tour price). Mu Koh Surin National Park is only open to the public from October 15th to May 15th. It is closed for the rest of the year to allow the ecosystem to recover. Cost of a day trip from Khao Lak or Phuket: approximately 4,000 THB per person, all-inclusive (snorkeling equipment, fins, park entrance fee, meals, insurance, hotel pick-up, etc.). Each boat carries approximately 20 people. Bungalow rental in Koh Surin: 2,000 to 3,000 THB per night. Tent rental in Koh Surin: 300 THB per night plus 140 THB for equipment (mattress, sleeping bag, etc.). You can book through the official website of the Thai National Parks, although it is neither very intuitive nor easy to use, or through a local agency: dnp.go.th (change the language at the top of the page).

Excursions to the Koh Surin islands are usually offered from Khao Lak and Phuket, with Phuket being significantly further away. Therefore, the minivan journey to the pier is longer, and early departures are less frequent.

How to get there

How do you get to the Koh Surin Islands? Tours to the Koh Surin Islands are usually offered from Khao Lak and Phuket, which are considerably further away. Therefore, the minivan journey to the pier is longer, and early departures are less frequent.