Surin Islands Liveaboard Diving

The Surin Islands is a mini archipelago close to the border with Myanmar (Burma). The five islands are not nearly as popular as The Similan Islands, which are a little further south, but they are very worthwhile visiting for a number of reasons. Diving Surin Islands is great for all levels of diver. There are some excellent diving sites, including Richelieu Rock and the gently-sloping shallow reefs in protected bays make for some of the best snorkelling in Thailand. In addition, for activities out of the crystal-clear sea, there are local villages to visit and some very special wildlife species, including mammals and birds.

Underwater Activities at The Surin Islands

The sea around the Surin Islands in southern Thailand is crystal clear and turquoise in colour. Due to the distance from any civilisation, there is almost no pollution in the environment, and therefore the corals are healthy which enables reef life to flourish. There are lots of resident species which spend their whole lives here, as well as some pelagic species which visit to hunt, breed or be cleaned. This truly is an underwater oasis, and it can be enjoyed by new & experienced scuba divers as well as those who just like to snorkel.

Scuba Diving at The Surin Islands

Richelieu Rock is technically & geographically within the Mu Ko Surin National Marine Park, it is a submerged pinnacle with no beach and very little to see within 5 metres of the surface. This text is about the Surin Islands, which have beaches, flora, fauna and human settlements. There are several diving sites around The Surin Islands, with Ko Torinla being the most popular. Not many boats come just here to dive because day trip & liveaboard diving boats need to come past the better dive sites to reach the Surin Islands. Therefore, almost every diving boat here is combining diving at Surin with other dive sites, most notably Richelieu Rock. In general, the dive sites are nice, but not spectacular. They are also relatively easy to dive, due to the protected bays.

Snorkelling at The Surin Islands

Unlike some areas of the Similans, most reefs around The Surin Islands are in very shallow water and are protected from winds, waves and even currents. The mangroves are perfect nurseries for many fish species, including small sharks. This means that snorkelling here is very popular. The remote location ensures that pollution is kept to a minimum and the reefs are not overcrowded because visiting the area is at least a whole-day trip and sometimes longer. In general, snorkelling trips to the Surin Islands don’t offer scuba diving. However, most diving trips welcome non-diving guests who pay a lower rate and can enjoy some wonderful snorkelling. The problem is that the itineraries focus on diving, meaning that snorkellers need to fit in with that, which can be frustrating.

Land-Based Activities at the Surin Islands

The Surin Islands aren’t just for spending time in the water. There are other activities to enjoy there, which include visiting local communities and looking for birds, mammals and reptiles. Everyone who enters the park must pay an entry fee, and scuba divers have to pay an extra fee per day. Those who come to snorkel or stay on the land do not need to pay the diving fee.

Visiting local villages at The Surin Islands

There are two local villages which are home to about 150 Moken people in total on the islands. Some scuba diving liveaboard trips often visit these villages to break up the time they spend at sea. Although the local people are quite used to foreigners and their gadgets, they are still very much islanders. Their way of life is very traditional, and for generations, they have lived off of the land and sea. Not all of the effects from tourism are beneficial, but there are certain rules and procedures that visitors must adhere to so that the island way of life can continue unspoilt.

Special Birds, Mammals, & Reptiles Live on The Surin Islands

Coming to the Surin Islands is not just about what creatures you can see in the crystal clear sea. There are plenty of interesting mammals, birds and reptiles which live here and almost nowhere else. Also, several species of migratory birds come and go during the year. In particular, the Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) & the Sunda Flying Lemur (Galeopterus variegatus) are popular attractions for birdwatchers and mammal enthusiasts.

Is There Accommodation on The Surin Islands?

There are some government-run tents and bungalows on the northern of the two main Surin Islands. Booking to stay there needs to be done through specific local travel agents who work with the national park authorities. The bungalows are very simple, and the rates are reasonable.

The Surin Islands Summarised

This wonderful group of 5 mostly-uninhabited islands just inside Thailand very near to the Burmese border is home to a community of local people and several species that live almost nowhere else. However, most people come to see what they can find underwater in the clear & warm sea. Snorkellers tend to come on day trips from Ranong or the northern parts of Phang Nga Province. Scuba divers who visit The Surin Islands are usually doing so as part of a scuba diving liveaboard trip that could be four days in length or more.

What marine life can you see at Surin Islands?

There is a wide range of marine life at The Surin Islands. Large pelagic species don't usually visit because Richelieu Rock is better for them and nearby. However, there are plenty of resident fish, reptiles and invertebrates that make the coral reefs and sandy seabed into their homes.

Whale Shark

(Rhincodon typus)

Reef Manta Ray

(Mobula alfredi)

Giant Moray Eel

(Gymnothorax javanicus)

Common Octopus

(Octopus vulgaris)

Barracuda

(Sphyraena)

Giant Trevally

(Caranx ignobilis)

Orbicular Batfish

(Platax orbicularis)

Clown Anemonefish

(Amphiprion ocellaris)

Whitetip Reef Shark

(Triaenodon obesus)

Moorish Idol

(Zanclus cornutus)

Ribbon Eel

(Rhinomuraena quaesita)

Leopard Shark

(Stegostoma fasciatum)

You can also see

Tuna

Banded Sea Krait

Skunk Anemonefish

Clark's Anemonefish

Titan Triggerfish

Oriental Sweetlips

Clown Triggerfish

Peacock Mantis Shrimp

Bluespotted Stingray

Honeycomb Moray Eel

Green Turtle

Powder Blue Surgeonfish (Tang)

Blacktip Reef Shark

Tigertail Seahorse

Whitemouth Moray Eel

Yellow Boxfish

Black-Blotched Porcupinefish

Ornate Ghost Pipefish

Horned Boxfish

Harlequin Shrimp

Porcelain Anemone Crab

Spotted Boxfish

White Eyed Moray Eel

Yellow-Margin Moray Eel

Black-Spotted Pufferfish

Blue-Spotted Pufferfish

Leaf Scorpionfish

Green Humphead Parrotfish

Yellow-Banded Sweetlips

Valentini Puffer

Maroon Anemonefish

Ribboned Sweetlips

Napoleon Snake Eel

Squat (Sexy) Shrimp

Giant Sweetlips

Banded Pipefish

Even more marine life

Harlequin Sweetlips

Tawny Nurse Shark

Humphead / Napoleon Wrasse

Starry Pufferfish

Hawksbill Turtle

Redtooth Triggerfish

Pharaoh Cuttlefish

Tassled Scorpionfish

Emperor Angelfish

Redtail Butterflyfish

Cockatoo Waspfish

Crocodilefish

Yellow-Margin Triggerfish

Thorny / Spiny Seahorse

Robust Ghost Pipefish

Warty Frogfish

Broadclub Cuttlefish

Striated / Hairy Frogfish

Painted Frogfish

Durban Dancing / Hingebeak Shrimp

Black Garden Eel

Zebra / Banded Garden Eel

Painted Sweetlips

Blue-Ringed Octopus

Narrow-Lined Pufferfish

Map Pufferfish

Spot-Fin Porcupinefish

Pickhandle Barracuda

Big-Eye Trevally

Fusilier

Angelfish

Butterflyfish

Damselfish

Grouper

Wrasse

Parrotfish

Surgeonfish

Goby

Scorpionfish

Black Combtooth Blenny

Dragonet

Commensal Shrimp

Unicornfish

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Cheesecake Nudibranch

Dusky Nembrotha

Oceanic Manta Ray

Pikachu Nudibranch

Velvet Sea Slug

Swallowtail Aglaja

Ocellate Phyllidia

Coleman's Chromodoris / Sea Slug

Red-Margined Glossodoris

Co's Goniobranchus

Miller's Nembrotha

Whitenose Nudibranch

Glorious Flatworm

Cryptic Phyllodesmium

Morose Nudibranch

Linda's Flatworm

Indian Caloria

Lined Nembrotha

Marine Flatworm

Purple-Edged Ceratosoma

Ridged Pearl Ovulid

Ringed Chromodoris

Bullock's Hypselodoris

Multi Pustuled Mexichromis

Pyjama Chromodoris

Swollen Phyllidia

Yellow-Spotted Flatworm

Yellow Masked Angelfish

Blue Ring Angelfish

Day Octopus

Bigeye Snapper

Acanthozoon Flatworm

Teira Batfish

Pinnate Batfish

Bluestripe Snapper

Anemone Shrimp

Zanzibar Whip Coral Shrimp

Ambon Crinoid / Commensal Shrimp

Streaked Spinefoot

Clearfin Lionfish

Common Lionfish / Devil Firefish

Red Lionfish

Zebra Lionfish

Spotfin Lionfish

Domino Damselfish

Dark-Striped Squirrelfish