Surin Islands
The Surin Islands are located in the northern Andaman Sea, above the Similan Archipelago. They are a stone's throw from the maritime possessions of Myanmar, and on the mainland the closest to it is from the city of Kuraburi on the western tip of Indochina: 60 kilometers as the crow flies across the water. But many travelers plan to visit them during their vacation in Phuket and Khao Lak. Therefore, we will tell you more about them in this article.
Nature of the Surin Islands
The Surin Islands themselves are made up of five parts: two large pieces of land measuring 10 and 20 square meters (Koh Surin Nua and Koh Surin Tai) and three rocky outcrops that are more interesting for aesthetic reasons.
All of them are covered with dense tropical groves and dotted with quiet bays where you can find wild, untouched nature. The ecological purity of this region is also indicated by coral reefs with a variety of inhabitants. Divers also note the Richelieu Rock - a landmark for fans of water diving 15 kilometers from Surin.
The larger islands are open to visitors from Phuket and Khao Lak. At low tide, the 200 meters separating them are no longer an obstacle, and the bravest can walk this distance. If you catch the islands at high tide, you can appreciate the convenience of this area for swimmers.
The archipelago and the surrounding sea waters have been part of the Mu Ko Surin National Park since 1981. About 140 square kilometers of territory are protected, and this is what helps preserve the cleanliness of the water, beaches and nature.
Moken settlement on the Surin Islands
There are people here too: on Ko Surin Tai there is a settlement of sea gypsies, as they call themselves, Moken. The people settled on the pristine beaches in the last century and help preserve the nature of the archipelago. In addition to fishing and hunting other sea creatures, the gypsies have adapted to the tourist business - they sell handmade souvenirs. Life on the seashore has hardened them: the locals are excellent swimmers, including at depth without scuba gear, do not strive to accumulate unnecessary things and are most often in boats, moving around their sea possessions.
Sea Gypsies are conservative and honor the way of life that their ancestors led. Therefore, you will not see signs of progress here. The people can hardly read, they can hardly count, their dwellings resemble primitive buildings. Knowing your age is also not accepted.
The settlements are very small by modern standards: there are no more than 150 Moken left. According to UNESCO, these sea gypsies are dying out, and it is for the sake of saving this unique people that the reserve does not interfere with the sea fishing of the Moken.
Seeing a sea gypsy village is an experience that will be remembered for a long time. Nowhere else will you be able to see the authentic life of the tribes so closely. Getting inside a hut on stilts is a real stroke of luck: not everyone gets an invitation from the locals to come in and have a look around. But you will definitely be able to take a look when visiting the village.
When to visit the Surin Islands
The climate on Surin is generally similar to the climate of the Similan Islands: the weather is divided into rainy and dry depending on the season. The rainy season brings storms and tempests from the sea, so it is too dangerous to get to the archipelago from mid-May to mid-October. Navigation can be closed earlier in case of bad weather. To see Surin with your own eyes, it is better to come between November and the end of April.
The overall impression of Surin is conveyed by our clients: it is incredibly untouched and the local scenery is mesmerizing. It is difficult to avoid comparing the archipelago with its neighboring islands, the Similan Islands. Although they may seem even more spectacular, the snorkeling in Surin is much more varied. In addition, Surin is not crowded with tourists, as on Phi Phi or Racha, and a visit to these islands is much more relaxed.
How to get to the Surin Islands
You won't be able to get to the Surin Islands from Khao Lak or Phuket on your own, there is no public transport and you need to register in advance at the national park. We don't recommend traveling from Phuket to families with small children or to those who don't tolerate long journeys (about 2 hours by land and about 2 hours by sea). From Khao Lak it's much closer to these islands, as the pier is less than 30 minutes away from most hotels in Khao Lak and Phang Nga.
Currently, a one-day excursion with departure from hotels in Phuket and Khao Lak - "Surin Islands" is available for booking, it is conducted with English-speaking licensed Thai guides, but this will not cause any inconvenience even for those who do not speak English well.
Although we have bungalows available for overnight stays, we do not offer a two-day program for booking.
To book this program, click the button below this article.
