Surin Islands snorkeling tours

Recommended day trip, overnight and liveaboard tours to the Surin Islands

Choose one of these Surin Islands tours:

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Snorkeling at the Mu Ko Surin national park

Surin Islands snorkeling tours dropped in popularity in past years because of the el nino which raised water temperatures in 2010 and had the effect of bleaching some hard corals in the shallow areas that are most suited to snorkeling. These corals are recovering quickly though and we now recommend the Surin Islands ahead of the Similan Islands as far fewer boats visit the Surin islands each day making for a better snorkeling experience. The reefs are shallower and better for snorkeling. The Surin Islands trip also  includes a visit to the traditional Moken sea gypsy community.

The Surin Islands are popular with domestic tourists on weekends but less visited by overseas tourists than the Similan Islands. This fact will appeal to anyone who wants to avoid the crowds.

On a Surin Islands day trip there is a good chance to see black reef sharks and if you are lucky turtles. You’ll see all the usual colourful reef fish such as parrot fish, moorish idols, banner fish, surgeon fish and so on. If you are really lucky you may see something special like an eagle ray.

Surin also has a small traditional community of Moken sea gypsies. The day trips briefly visit the village, some of the liveaboard trips stop and visit the local school, one even has an arrangement where you can participate in an English lesson.

Day trips from Khao Lak involve a 1.5 hour transfer time. Surin day trips from Phuket are quite long because the transfer time from Phuket hotels to the boat pier is 2 hours before the 1.5 hour speedboat ride. Ideally we recommend a two or three day liveaboard that includes the Similan and Surin Islands.