Surin Islands: Arrival from Phuket or Khao Lak

Our island-hopping tours in Thailand took us to some truly idyllic spots, from Koh Lipe in the far south to Koh Kood in the far east. But none felt as remote as the Surin Islands. Miles off the mainland, near the maritime border with Myanmar, this protected archipelago offers travelers a true adventure: rugged beaches, world-class snorkeling spots, and sea nomad communities that add a unique cultural dimension to every visit.

The unspoiled beauty of the Surin Islands comes at a price: the journey is long, especially from Phuket. The four-hour drive (one way) deters most people from a day trip, which we completely understand. You're picked up early, dropped off late at night, and are utterly exhausted by the time you finally collapse into bed. But those who accept this challenge are rewarded with an unforgettable experience!

Unique rock formations on the Surin Islands

Pristine coasts of the Surin Islands

Where are the Surin Islands located?

The Surin Islands, also known as Mu Ko Surin National Park, lie about 60 km off the coast of Phang Nga Province in the Andaman Sea. This small archipelago consists of five main islands, the two largest being Koh Surin Nuea (North) and Koh Surin Tai (South). Both boast vibrant coral reefs, crystal-clear, emerald-green waters, and white sand beaches. Koh Surin Tai is home to the unique Moken settlement.

Since the Surin Islands are closer to Myanmar than to Phuket, getting there is a bit more complicated. But it is precisely this distance that ensures the islands remain so pristine and protected. There are no significant luxury resorts, no party beaches, and apart from basic ranger stations and campsites on Koh Surin Nuea, no substantial infrastructure. Because of this limited access, you'll often find yourself snorkeling with only a few other boats around, whereas the Similan Islands can seem quite crowded in comparison.

What the Surin Islands offer visitors

Wild beaches

The beaches of the Surin Islands are undeniably beautiful: powder-white sand, emerald-green water, and lush rainforest in the background define their character. Many beaches are situated in sheltered bays, such as Mai Ngam Beach and Chong Khad Bay, creating shallow waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Even just stepping onto the shore gives you the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere – exactly the feeling we always seek in Thailand!

Beaches of the Surin Islands

World-class snorkeling and diving

The main attraction of the Surin Islands is their vibrant coral reefs, which stretch across the entire marine park and are widely considered the healthiest in all of Thailand. This makes them a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Since many of the reefs are located in sheltered bays, beginners have countless snorkeling opportunities – in the shallow waters near the beach, schools of clownfish and even sea turtles can often be observed. Advanced divers will also find plenty to enjoy in the Surin Islands: steep walls, deep pinnacles, and the chance to see manta rays await them.

The Moken Sea Gypsy village

One of the most fascinating aspects of visiting the Surin Islands is encountering the Moken people. They are a sea nomad community who have lived for generations in the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar and on the islands along the Thai Andaman coast. The Moken maintain a unique way of life, closely connected to the sea. Traditionally, they live on boats they build themselves and use their exceptional freediving skills to harvest food from the ocean.

Ecological protection measures and restrictions

As a national marine park, the Surin Islands are subject to strict regulations to protect their fragile ecosystem. The most important, especially for travelers, is the seasonal closure from mid-May to mid-October, which gives the reefs six months to recover each year. In addition, private construction is prohibited, visitor numbers are limited, and plastics are banned. These rules ensure that the Surin Islands remain a sustainable destination and minimize some of the negative impacts of tourism.

Emerald green waters of the Surin Islands

How to visit the Surin Islands

day trips

Day trips are the most popular way to explore the Surin Islands. Tours typically depart from Phuket or Khao Lak. Several operators offer tours, but they all follow a similar itinerary: shuttle bus transfer to the pier, speedboat ride to the islands, multiple snorkeling stops, lunch on the beach, and a visit to a Moken village. If you're staying in Phuket, expect a significantly longer journey, but with the right attitude and enough time for a full day, it's certainly manageable. Here are some of the best day trips:

Liveaboard Adventures

For those seeking a peaceful and tranquil experience of the Surin Islands, liveaboard dive safaris are a fantastic option. These itineraries, often combined with other nearby destinations like the Similan Islands, typically last 4-5 nights (all-inclusive). You'll have the opportunity to snorkel and dive at sunrise and sunset, explore hidden coves inaccessible to most tourists, and admire the starry skies free from light pollution. Most dive safaris depart from Khao Lak and are ideal for photographers, underwater enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with nature.

Camping on the Surin Islands

Camping is definitely the best way to experience the natural beauty of the Surin Islands up close. On Koh Surin Nuea, tents are available in the national park, as well as simple bungalows. While you can organize your stay independently, the easiest way is to book through a tour operator. They organize transfers, permits, accommodation, and daily snorkeling trips all in one package. The facilities are basic, but there's nothing better than waking up to the gentle sound of waves on a deserted beach! You might be interested in this camping trip: a 3-day/2-night snorkeling tour from Phuket or Khao Lak.

Our experiences in the Surin Islands

We booked our day trip to the Surin Islands with Love Andaman, a company we've used several times in Phuket. We find their tours well-organized, environmentally friendly, and they have great staff – so it was the obvious choice for this adventure.

Early morning pickup

We set our alarms for 5:30 a.m. and waited for a shuttle bus to pick us up from our hotel in Phuket's Old Town. The drive to Thap Lamu Pier took almost two hours, as the bus stopped several times to pick up more passengers. Kat slept through most of the journey, but Cam was so excited about the day ahead that he enjoyed watching Phuket slowly awaken.

Upon our arrival at Thap Lamu Pier, where Love Andaman's headquarters are located, we were directed to the check-in area. There we received wristbands, a light breakfast, and a detailed overview of the tour itinerary: snorkeling stops, rules of conduct in the Moken village, safety instructions, and much more. Afterwards, we boarded the boat.

The long speedboat ride

After boarding the speedboat, we set off with about 30 other guests for the two-hour journey across the open sea. Fortunately, the trip was smooth and steady, as we were traveling in February, one of the best months for sea conditions in the Andaman Sea. Even so, the journey felt agonizingly long, and we all had sore bottoms when we arrived!

Snorkeling in the Gulf of Nemo

Our first stop of the day was the Gulf of Nemo, a bay famous for its schools of clownfish – hence the name "Nemo." The snorkeling here was fantastic: we saw many clownfish and vibrant coral and enjoyed swimming in the warm, crystal-clear water. The guides from Love Andaman provide snorkeling gear and life jackets, but allow you to remove the life jacket if you are a strong swimmer (like Cam).

Snorkeling at the Surin Islands

Relaxation at Twin Beach

We continued on to Twin Beach on Koh Surin Nuea. Two crescent-shaped beaches are connected by a narrow sandbar – ideal for swimming, photography, and relaxation. We were particularly taken with the rock that almost resembled a human heart. The beach was wildly romantic, beautiful, and one of the most unique we saw in Thailand.

A walk through the Moken village

Next, we visited the Moken village, the absolute highlight of our tour. We learned all about their history and cultural heritage: how they traveled between the islands in traditional houseboats called "kabangs," how they searched for seafood by free diving, and much more. Unfortunately, the Moken settlements on the Surin Islands were destroyed in the 2004 tsunami. As a result, they were forced to merge two villages and relocate permanently to Koh Surin Tai.

As we strolled along the sandy paths of the village, we admired the wooden huts on stilts, saw children in traditional clothing and with “thanaka” face paint, and bought some handmade bracelets and necklaces – souvenirs that we still keep at home today and that always remind us of this special experience.

Buying local handicrafts in the village of Moken

Lunch buffet on the beach

Around midday, we had lunch on the beach. It was the typical buffet for island tours in Thailand – nothing special, but sufficient to fuel us. Our buffet included fried chicken, stir-fries, curries, fresh fruit, and cold drinks. It was nice to take a break in the shade of the trees before snorkeling in the afternoon.

Mae Yai Bay and Tao Bay snorkeling

The day concluded with a snorkeling trip in Mae Yai Bay and Tao Bay, two locations in the Surin Islands known for their vibrant coral reefs and underwater visibility of up to 30 meters. We enjoyed gliding over the coral gardens, observing parrotfish, and simply admiring the view from the boat.

The tiring journey home

After our last snorkeling excursion, it was time to say goodbye to the Surin Islands and head back to Thap Lamu Pier, arriving at sunset. The boat trip back seemed endless, and we were glad to finally see land again. There was a lot of activity at the Love Andaman headquarters as guests were being distributed among various vans, which is why our return journey started later than planned.

Since we were the last ones dropped off in the old town, we didn't get back to the hotel until 9:00 PM. It was an extremely tiring day of travel, and we were completely exhausted, but it was worth it. Now we understand why travelers choose Khao Lak as a base for excursions to the Surin and Similan Islands: the final van ride back to Phuket is truly the last straw!

Read more: 20 top things to do in Phuket: Avoid the tourist traps

Beach swimming in the Surin Islands

Tips for visiting the Surin Islands

Book with a reputable company.

We highly recommend Love Andaman for day trips from Phuket or Khao Lak. We've booked through them several times and found them to be well-organized and environmentally conscious. Furthermore, any problems that arise are resolved quickly.

Choose Khao Lak as your starting point for easier access.

In hindsight, we should have stayed overnight in Khao Lak for our day trip to the Surin Islands – that would have significantly shortened the journey and probably made the day much more enjoyable. We were so exhausted from our tour that we barely left the hotel the next day. But it's certainly doable if you're adventurous and still have some energy.

Visit us between December and April

The Surin Islands are open to visitors from mid-October to mid-May. However, the best time to visit is between December and April, when the sea is calm, the weather is sunny, and underwater visibility is at its clearest. We have heard of some frightening experiences of people visiting the Surin Islands in rough seas, which made the two-hour boat trip considerably longer and more unpleasant. Therefore, be sure to choose the optimal travel period.

Surin Islands in February

Pack a day bag with the essentials.

Pack a small bag with everything you need for a boat trip: reef-friendly sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, a hat and sunglasses, and a waterproof bag for your devices. If you plan to photograph the underwater world, you can also bring a GoPro or a snorkel camera. Don't forget some cash for the Moken village. The residents depend heavily on tourism, and even small purchases can make a big difference.

Be environmentally friendly and respectful

Do not walk on or touch the coral and do not feed the fish, as this can disturb the delicate ecosystem. Please take your trash with you and leave the islands as you found them. Above all, please move respectfully through the Moken village – it is their home, not just a tourist attraction.

Final thoughts on the Surin Islands

The Surin Islands are simply breathtaking and, in our opinion, absolutely worth a visit, even from Phuket. To make your experience even more immersive, we recommend staying overnight in Khao Lak or taking a diving safari or camping trip, allowing you to explore the marine park at your leisure. If you're staying in Phuket and would like to visit a similar island paradise with a shorter travel time, the Similan Islands are the perfect choice. You can find more information here: Similan Islands Travel Guide.