Surin Island

[Surin Islands]
Surin Islands are mainly made up of two big islands. The biggest one is in the north called Surin Nuea, and the smaller one is the south called Surin Tai. The other smaller islands are around these two big islands. The islands here are covered in thick forest. For that reason, the white sandy beaches are shorter and fewer compared to the ones on Similan Islands.

However, the marine life around Surin Islands is rich—very likely the richest one in the Andaman Sea.

[Underwater Paradise]
The true treasure of Surin Islands is underwater—the dense coral reefs, colorful reef fishes, and the varieties of marine life well hidden, still unknown to us. From bay to bay all around the islands, the coral reefs seem to be in a long chain of one massive, interconnected population.

Snorkeling among them, you will see such a busy place where all kinds of fishes moving in and out of the coral reefs, truly bustling like in a big, interconnected city.

Surin Islands are a fantastic place for snorkeling.

[Sea-gypsy Tribe]
This sea-gypsy tribe has been there for at least 3 hundred years. Known locally as Moken people, this sea community has managed to live side by side with such a rich marine life in a sustainable way. The national park authority knows this. Accordingly, they let this tribe continue to live there.

The tribe village is located along a shore on Surin Tai. Their wooden huts are typically designed for the island’s lifestyle. Their wooden canoes are also designed to handle strong waves. These tribal villagers do catch fishes for their daily diet in a sustainable way, but they do not exploit the area for commercial purposes.

Therefore, the diversity of marine life around the islands is still high.