Surin Islands

Thailand 's Surin islands remain one of the undiscovered gems of South East Asia. Designated as national park, the group of 5 islands cover an area of 135 square km and are located about 60km from the mainland and 50km from Koh Phra Thong. The granite islands are covered in tropical evergreen forest, fringed by white sandy beaches and mangrove. There are many beautiful coral reefs, making the Surin Islands a paradise for snorkeling. Golden Buddha Beach Resort organizes day trips by speedboat that include all equipment, meals, and beverages.

Getting there

After breakfast our guests make their way down the main path to the secluded bay at the northern tip of our island. Morning Yoga classes and a troop of monkeys make for interesting viewing while waiting for the boat under the shady palm trees. At around 9:30 the speadboat's engines can be heard as it rounds the bay. Guests wade through the water and board the boat in anticipation of the best snorkeling in all of Thailand. There is a relaxing covered sitting area in the back that offers protection from the tropical sun. But the more adventurous will prefer the open front with amazing views and thrilling bumps and bounces as the boat cuts through the waves of the Andaman Sea.

The trip from Koh Phra Thong to Koh Surin lasts just a little over an hour. The boat passes right by Koh Ra and our other neighboring islands where the normally hidden mouths of caves can be seen in plain sight. Uncharted Burmese islands dot the horizon. (A recent, although “unofficial”, exploration of one of them found footprints on the beach which were determined to be Rhino.) This part of the Andaman Sea is still very much frontier. Dolphins, whale sharks, and the occasional killer whale are occasionally spotted among the Thai and Burmese fishing vessels. It is not until reaching Richelieu Rock that other recreational boats are more prevalent. Speedboats, diving boats, and live-aboards all cluster around the submerged rock. At this point Koh Surin can be seen in the distance.

What to expect

For starters, you can expect some of the best snorkeling in the world. No where else in Thailand is the coral so vibrant, abundant, and undisturbed. A permanent moratorium on coral blasting by Surin fishermen has been enacted by the Royal Thai Government. Most boats no longer anchor in favor of mooring buoys which do not damage the reef.

Living coral in every shade of the rainbow (and some colors that glow fluorescently) overwhelm the senses as soon as your mask hits the water. Tropical fish are equally as colorful and plentiful. Giant clams weighing more than 50 kilos can be found at the seafloor only a few meters down. Younger giant clams grow inside the coral, their brilliant purple membranes waiving in the current outside their shells (until you get too close and they retract at lightening speed!) Sea cucumbers, moray eels, and manta rays are just a few of the more interesting predators that inhabit the reef.

After much anticipation, the first snorkeling session usually begins right off the coast of Surin Nuea, the main island. Surin Nuea has several bays surrounding the island, each offering a unique experience and world class snorkeling. Guests snorkel at Ao Mae Yai, the largest bay at Surin's largest island. Although supervised, we recommend that participants be experienced swimmers since there is much open space in the expansive reef to explore. Otherwise life/flotation jackets can be worn. Regardless of ability, it is always good idea to go snorkeling in pairs.

Throughout the day, participants snorkel in multiple locations around Surin Nuea and Surin Tai. Each session lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. At anytime guests can relax on the boat and soak up some sunshine. A well stocked cooler and snack bar manned by our friendly crew offer refreshments throughout the day.

Lunch is served around noon under a covered pavilion on the main island of Koh Surin Nuea . Fresh seafood, prepared in the classic Thai tradition, is the highlight of the meal. Spicy curries, crisp vegetables, and aromatic rice can also be expected. No meal in Thailand is complete without an array of tropical fruit including fresh pineapple and young coconut. Just a couple minute's hike from the pavilion is a long stretch of beach on Koh Surin Nuea's northern shore. After a big lunch, guests can relax on the beach or burn off the calories by hiking around the island's 2 kilometer nature trail.

After the hour long lunch break, the boat heads to Hat Tao (Turtle Beach ) on the more secluded southern island of Koh Surin Tai. Named for the once prevalent sea turtles that nested there, Hat Tao still offers great snorkeling but only the occasional turtle. One is more likely to spot a sea turtle nesting on Koh Phra Thong, including the giant leatherback.

Snorkeling, nature, and abundant marine life are not all that the Surin Islands have to offer. Surin Tai has a small community of Moken, the nomadic sea gypsy people of the Andaman Sea, who call this island home. Unlike on Koh Phra Thong where the Moken have integrated and intermarried with the Thai people, the Moken living on Koh Surin retain all of their culture including their language and religion (an ancient Animist tradition involving sprit and ancestor worship.) Every year on the night of the full moon of the third lunar month, the Moken of Koh Surin gather around their sacred idol which stands in front of the national park station on Koh Surin Nuea. The indigenous wooden idol, carved from the trunk of a single tree, resembles a Native American totem pole. The faces on the idol also have aspects similar to the rock sculptures of Easter Island.

The Moken first settled Koh Surin after World War II, building their iconic stilt houses on the sandy beach only a few meters from the sea. For generations the Moken actually lived their entire lives on small family boats in the Andaman Sea. Even now it is not uncommon for the men of the Moken community to venture out to sea for months at a time. While the men fish, the Moken women spend most of the day preparing meals or playing cards in small groups with their children nearby.

The last stop of the day before heading back to Golden Buddha is the Moken village on Koh Surin Tai. Here guest have a unique culture experience to observe the Moken way of life and support the local economy (hand crafts made from indigenous materials are sold by the villagers). The Moken of Koh Surin Tai are not shy people and have grown accustomed to daily visits from outsiders. After about 45 minutes in the village, guests board the speedboat for the ride back to Golden Buddha.

What to bring

A towel, sunblock, beach sandals, and pair of UV blocking sunglasses are all you really need. Some guests prefer to swim in a T-shirt because of the intense tropical sun. Sunblock should be reapplied after each snorkeling session. And make sure to coat the backs of your legs and neck. Snorkelers who neglect to do so may regret it the next day.

Where to stay

The Royal Thai National Park Service offers some basic accommodations on Koh Surin. A few bungalows are occasionally available but tend to be booked up during the high season months when Surin is accessible by boat. Most overnight visitors rent tents and an area of camp ground from the park service. Unfortunately the camping area is high density and offers little of the privacy that most guests wish to experience at a place like Koh Surin. The campgrounds are also limited to the granite inland area rather than the soft sands of the beach. Because of Surin's close proximity to Koh Phra Thong, most of our guests prefer to take day trips and sleep in the comfort of their private island beach houses at Golden Buddha Beach Resort. Click here to see some of our accommodations.