About Mu Ko Surin
Established as a national park in 1981, Surin Islands are an archipelago of five islands in Phang Nga Province 55km off the coast at Andaman Sea on the oceanic border of Burma. The park is covering an area of 141 km² of which 76% is sea. The islands are popular destination for divers from all around the world for it's various coral reef life and white beaches.
The main islands are Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai, the other three small islands are Ko Ri, Ko Khai and Ko Klang. Although being outside the national park boundries, Richelieu Rock is part of the park. Headquarters are located at Ko Surin Nuea.
Many websites counts Koh Ban and Koh Tachai to Surin Islands for business reasons and offers trips to these islands only. Both islands are 50km south and belongs to Mu Ko Similan National Park.
The islands are populated with two small communities of the ethnic Moken minority, locally known as "Chao Lay". Mokens are nomadic sea people who live in the Burmese Mergui Archipelago. The Moken population of the Islands is around 150 persons in two villages.
Possibly caused by global warming, 90% of the coral life in Surin and Similan islands died out followed by temperature changes back in 1998 and 2010. The 2010 event called Reverse Indian Ocean Dipole caused a natural "coral bleaching" killed almost most of the marine life. The coral reefs are slowly recovering but it may take decades for full recovery. Both national parks also surrefered from 2004 Tsunami.
Except the villages and campsites, most of the land area on islands are off limits to the visitors. Visitors breaking the rules may expect a penalty of 2000 THB and deportation from the islands.
The entrance fee to the national park is 500 THB for foreigners (children 300 THB) and 100 THB for local tourists (children 50 THB). Mu Ko Surin Marine National Park is open from 16th November to 15th May and closed during the rainy season. Some websites misleadingly mentions periods during closed season as "best time for diving", probably to operate to alternative Islands nearby for commercial reasons.
Diving in Surin Islands
Together with Similan Islands 100km south, Surin Islands are one of the most famous diving and marine life viewing sites in the world. It is no doubt the best snorkelling spot in Thailand. The popular horseshoe-shaped Richelieu Rock Reef discovered by Jacques-Yves Cousteau is situated 18km south of Surin Islands.
Manta ray, whale shark, pickhandle barracuda are only few of many exciting species sighted. As much as the islands are a Mecca for the professional divers, the reefs around the islands are perfect spot for beginners. The average water deep around the islands is 5-30 meters.
The best time for diving is around December to April with dry conditions, minimum wind and an average water temperature at around 29 °C. February to April is the more ideal time to spot large pelagic species like manta ray and whale sharks. Due to marine conservation initiatives diving is not allowed in certain areas of the national park.
Attractions of Mu Ko Surin
Richelieu Rock
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A horseshoe-shaped reef discovered by diving pioneer Jacques-Cousteau, located