A stunning example of the incredible marine landscapes off the coast of Thailand, Surin Islands Marine National Park is one of the best kept secrets in the world of scuba diving and snorkeling.
The Surin Islands boast the most varied collection of coral in Thailand and the seas around the islands are home to lots of turtles and species of fish which cannot be found in other waters. Plus, of course, the beaches are immaculate.
Situated off the coast of southwest Thailand and just seven kilometers south of the Myanmar border, the Surin Islands benefit from being farther north than their busier counterparts, the Similan Islands. The national park is made up of the two main islands, Surin Nua and Surin Tai (north and south), plus three smaller islands.
It was given national park status in 1981, and due to the Similan Islands National Park being much larger and busier than Surin, Surin Islands National Park remains absolutely unspoiled and can be enjoyed in peace and quiet without masses of other dive charters and tourist boats.
The Surin Islands themselves are uninhabited by humans, save for the national park camp and one small village which is occupied by Mokken sea gypsies. Just east of the Surin Islands is Richelieu Rock, one of the world’s most famous dive locations.
Visitors can stay over in the national park’s campsite, which is home to both tents and several bungalows, and there is also some nice hiking to be had on the islands’ nature trails.
Getting There & Away
Boats can be chartered from many resorts in Khao Lak, Phang-Nga or from Phuket, though this is a longer journey up the coast. Liveaboard boats can also be found, particularly for divers heading for Richelieu Rock, though they are not common. The nearest airport is Phuket, a 1-hour, 20-minute flight from Bangkok and a subsequent 1-hour drive to Phang-Nga. Phang-Nga can also be reached by road via Thailand’s National Highway 4, which connects the coast to Bangkok, though this drive takes around 12 hours.