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This park is situated at Mu 5, Tambon Ko Phra Thong, occupying an area of 84, 375 rai. It was announced as a national park area on July 9, 1981. To access Surin National Park, the shortest distance between the park and Phangnga is to use the fish marketing pier of Ban Hin Lat around the mounth of Nang Yong Canal area (the folks there call it Thun Nang Dam Canal). |
The access road to the fish marketing pier is a one kilometer earth road which branches off from Ranong-Takua Pa Highway at Km.110 (from Ranong), 5 kms. from Amphoe Khura Buri. To travel from this pier take only 4-5 hours Traveling by boat from Phangnga (township area), it will take about 13 hours. If boating from Kapur of Ranong the time will be seven hours approximately.
The best time to visit Mu Ko Surin National Park is only from December to March. |
| Attractions within the national park are: |
 Surin Islands |
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The are consists of Ko Surin Nua and Ko Surin Tai with more than 10 bays among which Mar Khai or Mae Yai Bay is renowned for its serenity while Ao Luk or Deep Bay is famous for its deep dark green waters with a most beautiful coral reef in the shallows. |
Ko Surin Tai (South Surin Island)
The coral reefs of the South Surin Island are only 100-200 m. wide, but they have more diversity than those of the North Surin Island. Some famous diving sites are Ao Phakkat, and Ko Torinla. Ao Tao is the best site to easily see sea turtles, and has the first underwater nature trail established in Thailand to learn about the marine ecosystem.
Ko Surin Nuea (North Surin Island)
This island is surrounded by coral reefs in several bays, some more than 300 m. wide. The reef edge contains numerous corals before sloping to a depth of 20-30 m.; for example, Ao Chong Khat, Ao Mai Ngam, Ao Sai En, and Ao Chak. The coral reefs here suffer little in the way of strong current or wave action and provide a suitable place to snorkel. The nature trail at Hat Mai Ngam links many diverse ecosystems ranging through Evergreen Forest, Beach Forest, and Mangrove Forest to an “underwater forest”, the large coral reef.
Ko Torinla (Ko Khai)
Famed as the most beautiful shallow coral reef in Thailand, it hosts a vast Staghorn Coral reef, the habitat of several marine animals ranging from match-stick lengthed goby up to 4- metre-wide Manta Rays. |
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The Last Mokaen
Mokaen Sea Gypsies originally traveled widely in the Andaman Sea, from the islands of Southern Myanmar to the seas of Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun Provinces, and on to some of the Malaysian islands.
The Mokaen of the Surin Islands are the last of their kind living in Thailand. At present, about 160 live in large villages in Ao Bon Lek and Ao Sai En. They still continue their own traditions like the “Boat Floating Festival” to appease the sea in May. They are still living as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. They use Zalacca trees to construct boats and dwellings.
If you would like to see the lifestyle of these Sea Gypsies, you should contact the park rangers in advance to arrange a suitable time and transportation. Do not disturb them too much, and do not hurt them and the sea by buying their smuggled shells. If you’d like to help them, you may buy their handmade products such as natural utensils. |
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Getting to Surin Islands
- From Khura Buri pier,takes over 2.5 hours.
- From Khura Tablamu pier, takes about over 3 hours.
- From Phuket province, boats can be hired at the pier of Patong Beach Or Chalong Bay, taking about 6 hours.
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