Ko Surin Islands Travel Guide, the best snorkeling site in Thailand

Ko Surin Islands Travel Guide, the best snorkeling site in Thailand: This is a travel guide and travel information about Surin Islands National Park that you should know before you get there.

Ko Surin is an archipelago of National Park, Thailand. It is located in Phang Nga province, Andaman Sea, South of Thailand. The park is located approximately 60 km from Phang Nga province main land. The islands cover area around 135 square kilometers in total. The islands consisting of five islands, which are Ko Surin Nuea Island, Ko Surin Tai Island, Ko Ri Island, Ko Kai Island and Ko Klang Island. Recently, the park was expanded to include the Richelieu Rock. It is also the home of the best snorkeling site in Thailand as well.

The best time to visit is from January until April of each year because the water in this period is very clear and the winds are calm. The national park is closed from May 16^th to November 15^th of each year.

Scuba diving, The Park has many beautiful scuba diving spot. Especially is Richelieu Rock (Emerged Rock), which is the world’s most famous scuba diving spot. In here, you will have a change to see some rare fishes such as whale shark, manta ray and sharks etc.

Snorkeling, this is the most famous activity for the tourists when they visit here. You will enjoy swimming, and seeing the beautiful coral reefs and various fishes surrounding these islands.

Beach, let swimming with the crystal water sea, and lay down on the white sand beach.

Ao mae yai, in here, you will see Scleractinian coral, soft coral and Giant Clam.

Ao Tao, There are several big fishes surrounding this area.

Ko Pajoompa or Mungkorn Island, enjoy snorkeling with beautiful various coral and fishes.

Ko Khai, you will see Staghorn Coral, Turtles and Blackfin shark.

Ao Suthep, you can see Gorgonians, Scleractinian coral, Ray and guitarfish

Ao Mai Ngam, you will see a lot of fishes here.

Ao Jaak, There are several coral reef and fishes.

Ao Pakkard, This Island has a lot of fishes

Ko Ree Island, This island has several fishes.

Richelieu Rock, enjoy diving with the world’s most famous scuba diving sites. In here you will have a chance to see whale shark, manta ray and sharks.

Adult: 200 Bath

Children: 100 Bath

For scuba diving: 200 Bath/person/day

The diving equipments are available for rent: Mark: 100 Bath/day, Fin: 100 Bath/day and Lifejacket: 50 Bath/day

To access to Surin islands is easiest from Khao Lak and Khuraburi in Phang Nga province mainland.

By Car: For the tourists who need to go there by your own car, you can follow the map direction here: BarracudaDive Office

By Bus: You can take a bus from Sai Tai Mai Bangkok station to Khuraburi district, Phang Nga.

Diving liveaboards and dive trips:

Barracuda Dive: Kuraburi Office: 179-180 Moo 1, Tambon Kura, Amphure Kuraburi, Phang Nga 82150 Tel: (66 76)491 900 Fax: (66 76)491 899 wensite: http://eng.barracudadive.com/

Sabina Tour: 140/66 Moo 3 Tambon Kura, Amphure Kuraburi, Phang Nga 82150 Mobile: (66 81)737 5801, (66 81)737 2625, Tel: (66 76)472 216 Fax: (66 76)472 180 E-mail: sabinatour@hotmail.com website: http://www.sabinatour.com

Jack similan: 79/36 Moo 5 Tablamu T.Lumken  A.Thaimuang  Phang-Nga 82210, Tel: (66 76)443 205 , (66 89)874 2314 Fax : (66 76)443 205 website: http://www.jacksimilan.com/

Medsye travel& tours: Thaplamu Head Office: 78/46 Moo 5, Thaplamu, Taimuang, Phang-nga 82210 Thailand. Tel: (66 76)443 276, Mobile (66 86)663 4666, (66 81)538 7097 Fax: (66 76)453 255 website: http://www.similanthailand.com/index.php

Sea Star (one day trip): 112/151 Udomsuk Village, Paklok, Phuket, 83110 Thailand. Tel (66 76)350 144, Fax (66 76)350 145, Mobile (66 86)276 2112 E-mail info@seastarsite.com website: http://seastarsite.com

Medsye travel& tours: Phuket Office: Tel: (66 76)367 604, Mobile: (66 81)415 2323, (66 81)536 3454 Facsimile: (66 76)367 605

You can buy the package tour from travel agency, and let them book the rooms for you.

For the tourists who need to stays overnight at the park and do not need to buy package from travel agency, you can make an online reservation by yourself at National Park official website, by following the link here: website Also, you can rent the boat trip from National park officer for going to the diving sites as you want.

For my recommendation, for easily ways, you should buy the package tour from Barracuda Dive. Then you book a hostel beside Barracuda Dive just sleep at night before you start your dive trip in the early morning next day. You do not need to wake up so much early because the hostel is located beside Barracuda Dive. It is so very comfortable for you.