The Surin Islands are five islands in the Andaman Sea, about 55 km off the coast of Phang Nga and 18 km from Myanmar's maritime border. They are protected as Mu Ko Surin National Park. Apart from the park station and a Moken village, there are no buildings. The two main islands, Koh Surin Nuea and Koh Surin Tai, are densely vegetated and lie 200 m apart. They offer white sandy beaches and shallow coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling.
The Moken village, home to a community of sea nomads, is located on Koh Surin Tai. Accommodation options include the park's tents and a few bungalows. The park is open from October 15th to May 15th. Most visitors arrive as a day trip from Khao Lak, but a one- or two-night stay on the island is recommended. Below you will find information on snorkeling, the Moken village, how to get there, camping, Richelieu Rock, entrance fees, and the best time to visit.
Accommodation in Khao Lak
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Key facts
Open from October 15th to May 15th
The park closes during the monsoon season and may close earlier in case of sudden weather changes.
500 Baht parking fee
250 Baht for adults, and for children. This is included in most tours.
Boats from Khuraburi
There is no public ferry. Private speedboats depart from the coast near Khuraburi around 9:00 AM and take 1.5–2 hours.
Tents from 300 ฿
The park rents out 70 tents and three bungalows on Koh Surin Nuea and operates two restaurants.
Bring cash.
There are no ATMs on the islands. Bring cash for restaurants, rentals, and Moken handicrafts.
Stay on the paths
Outside the campsites and the village, most of the area is closed off; violations will be punished with a fine of 2,000 Baht.
Snorkeling
The reefs are the main draw for visitors. Over 260 species of reef fish and 68 species of coral have been recorded in the park. Since most of the reefs are shallow, they can be explored even without a diving certificate. The sheltered bays on the east coast are calm and ideal for beginners and children, while the north and south coasts have stronger currents and are home to larger fish. Blacktip reef sharks, turtles, and large schools of fish are frequently seen, and the park bills itself as the best place in Thailand to observe sea turtles.
From the beach, Ao Mai Ngam on the west side of Koh Surin Nuea offers the calmest and shallowest waters for swimming. The channel between the two main islands around Ao Chong Khad is a popular spot. Ao Suthep on Koh Surin Tai boasts Thailand's first marked underwater snorkeling trail, Turtle Ridge in southeast Surin Tai is known for its hawksbill turtles, and the small island of Koh Khai has a long reef of staghorn coral. Day boats stop at about three of these locations, and from the campsite, you can hire a longtail boat with a skipper to reach the remaining destinations. Diving masks, snorkels, and life jackets can be rented at the park for 40 baht each per day.
The reefs have been severely damaged in the past. Coral bleaching killed most of the coral here in 1998 and 2010. According to the park, they had almost recovered by 2019, but the marine heatwave of 2024 caused further coral bleaching on the Andaman reefs, including Surin. It remains one of the best shallow-water snorkeling spots in Thailand, but expect white and damaged areas. Use reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching the coral, and stay close to your boat operator in the current.
The Moken village
The Moken are sea nomads whose home is the Mergui Archipelago, the 800 islands that stretch north from here along the coast of Myanmar. They speak their own Austronesian language and traditionally spent the quiet dry season on kabangs, wooden houseboats, from which they traveled between the islands to fish and dive. During the monsoon season, they went ashore to build boats and gather food. Moken children are known for their sharp underwater vision, which one study attributes to their eyes' adaptation to water. Moken living in Thailand hold Thai citizenship, and the Surin community preserves more of their ancient traditions than those on the mainland.
The village is located in Ao Bon Yai on the east side of Koh Surin Tai and had a population of approximately 330 in 2019. The 2004 tsunami destroyed the villagers' two previous villages, but no one was killed. When they saw the sea receding, they knew what was coming and fled to higher ground. The community rebuilt the village. In February 2019, a boat engine fire spread to the tightly packed houses, destroying 65 of them. Carved poles in the village honor the ancestors, and an ancestor worship ceremony is held in April. The last kabang on Surin was built in 2006, but there are efforts to revive this traditional building style.
Most day trips take about half an hour, and the park offers short visits from the campground. Treat the park like a private home. Keep your clothes on, ask permission before taking photographs, especially of children, and don't hand out sweets. Buying handcrafted items like woven pandanus bracelets and handmade jewelry is the most worthwhile thing you can do, so bring small bills.
The Surin Islands on a map
The parking station, both campsites, and the boats are located on Koh Surin Nuea. The Moken village is on the other side of the channel on Koh Surin Tai, and Richelieu Rock is 18 km to the southeast.
Getting to the Surin Islands
Day trips to Khao Lak cost approximately 6,700 baht for two days and 8,200 baht for three days, according to GetYourGuide and a tour operator in Khuraburi. Overnight packages from Khuraburi, including boat, park fees, and a tent or bungalow, cost approximately 6,700 baht for two days and 8,200 baht for three days.
Day trip or overnight stay
All boats depart from the coast near Khuraburi, about 85 km and 1.5 hours north of Khao Lak. There is no public ferry, only private speedboats. You can either book a tour or purchase a boat ticket from an agency in Khuraburi. From Khao Lak, you will be picked up from your hotel before 7:00 AM for day trips. The journey north takes 1.5–2 hours by speedboat. Along the way, there are three snorkeling stops, a visit to a Moken village, and lunch on the beach at the park station. You will return after dark. It is a long but easy day trip, and most travelers choose this tour. From Phuket, it is 3.5–4 hours to the pier—too far for a relaxed day trip, so it is best to spend a night in Khao Lak.
A stay on the island is highly recommended. Day boats arrive in the late morning and depart again in the early afternoon. Before and after these times, you'll have the reefs, the beach, and the sunset almost entirely to yourself. Overnight packages from Khao Lak and Khuraburi include the boat trip, park fees, meals, snorkeling excursions, and a tent or bungalow. Alternatively, you can book an open round-trip speedboat trip and reserve your own accommodation. Independent travelers can take a bus from Bangkok towards Phuket or a minivan from Khao Lak, Phuket, or Krabi to Khuraburi, stay overnight, and catch the boat the following morning.
The best-rated hotels in Khao Lak
Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Khao Lak. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you can enter your travel dates.
Camping and the park bungalows
All beds belong to the national park on Koh Surin Nuea. There are two campsites, which are used seasonally: Ao Chong Khad from October 15th to November 30th, and the larger Ao Mai Ngam from December 1st to May 15th. The park rents out 70 tents: 300 baht per night for two people and 450 baht for three people, plus 60 baht per person for a sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and pillow. Those bringing their own tent pay 80 baht per person per night. Toilets and showers are available, and each campsite has a restaurant serving Thai cuisine from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm. Three bungalows for four people cost 3,000 baht per night; a 900 baht discount is offered Monday through Thursday.
Booking is difficult. The park administration's online booking system was out of service until the end of the 2026 season. Therefore, it's best to book through a tour operator's accommodation package, ask someone who speaks Thai to call the park on 076 472 145, or inquire upon arrival whether tents are free. You'll generally have cell phone reception at the campsites and bungalows on AIS, True, and DTAC. Also, bring a flashlight, cash, insect repellent, and something for the evening, as there's nowhere else to buy.
Diving and Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is a horseshoe-shaped rock located 18 km southeast of the islands. It rises 30–35 m and is covered with purple soft corals and anemones. Snappers, bannerfish, lionfish, triggerfish, and octopuses abound here, and with a bit of luck, you might spot whale sharks or manta rays, which, although rare, are more frequently seen from February to April. Liveaboard dive trips from Khao Lak and Phuket combine Richelieu Rock with the Similan Islands and last four to five days. Some dive centers in Khao Lak also offer longer day trips. Around the islands themselves, Ko Khai and Turtle Ridge are good and easy dive sites. Information on dive costs and other dive sites can be found in our dive guide.
Surin or the Similan Islands?
The Similan Islands, located 100 km south, are closer to Khao Lak, more lively, and better known for their rock formations and diving. Overnight stays are not possible there. The Surin Islands are farther away and offer shallower reefs, better for snorkeling, as well as a Moken village and beachfront tents and bungalows. Choose the Similan Islands for the famous scenery and diving opportunities in a shorter day trip, and the Surin Islands for snorkeling, culture, and an overnight stay on the island.
When should you go?
The park is open from October 15th to May 15th and closes earlier in case of storms. The calmest seas with the clearest water are from December to April. The best time for manta ray and whale shark watching at Richelieu Rock is from February to April. Conditions can be rough in late October and November. From mid-May to mid-October, the park is closed due to the southwest monsoon, and boat traffic is suspended.
More impressions from the Andaman coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the travel guide for the Surin Islands.
By private speedboat from the coast near Khuraburi in Phang Nga province. Most people book a day trip from Khao Lak with hotel pick-up; the boat trip takes about 1.5–2 hours each way. Independent travelers stay overnight in Khuraburi and take the morning boat; the day trip costs about 3,700 baht including parking fees.
From October 15th to May 15th. The park is closed for the rest of the year due to the monsoon and may close earlier in bad weather.
500 Baht for adults and 250 Baht for children aged 3 to 14. These costs are usually included in the tour price.
Yes, you can stay in the national park's tents (300 baht for two people) or in one of the three bungalows for four people (3,000 baht) on Koh Surin Nuea. Book via an overnight package or by phone, as the park's online booking system is currently unavailable.
Yes. Most day trips stop at the village on Koh Surin Tai, and the park also offers guided tours from the campsite. Please keep your shirt on, ask permission before taking photos, and purchase a handicraft if possible.
Yes, for snorkelers. It's a long day, about 12 hours from Khao Lak, but the reefs offer the best shallow-water snorkeling in all of Thailand. If possible, you should stay overnight to enjoy the reefs without the day boats.
Surin is suitable for snorkeling, visiting the Moken village, and an overnight stay on the island. Similan is known for its cliffs and diving opportunities and is closer to Khao Lak, but without accommodation options.
Yes. Richelieu Rock, 18 km southeast of the islands, is the country's most famous dive site and can be reached on liveaboard dive trips from Khao Lak and Phuket or on day trips. Ko Khai and Turtle Ridge are easier dive sites near the islands.
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