Surin Islands Snorkeling Tour: Reefs & Moken Culture

Four snorkel stops on remote reefs, plus the Moken village and a turtle nursery in one day

Snorkel the Surin Islands from Khao Lak on a guided day trip with hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, breakfast, lunch and national park entry included. The boat leaves Nam Khem Pier at 9am and returns by 6pm, stopping at Chong Khat Bay, Koh Surin Tai (where you meet the Moken sea gypsies), Mai Ngam Beach and two reef sites—Bon Bay or Pineapple Bay and Mae Yai Bay—where you swim over coral and watch for turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays and occasionally whale sharks or dolphins. The tour follows Green Fins conservation guidelines to protect the reefs. Children from age 4 are welcome; the guide speaks English, Thai or Chinese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Surin Islands snorkel adventure

• Pickup from hotel in Khao Lak
• Meet boat crew at Nam Khem Pier
• Enjoy light breakfast
• Cruise to Surin Islands by speed boat
• Snorkel at Chong Khat Bay
• Visit Moken Village and learn culture
• Buffet lunch at park ranger station
• Relax on Mai Ngam Beach and hike trail
• Snorkel at Bon Bay or Pineapple Bay
• Snorkel at Mae Yai Bay
• Return to Nam Khem Pier
• Transfer back to hotel in Khao Lak

The Experience

The day starts with hotel pickup in Khao Lak before 8:30am, then a 90-minute speed boat ride to Mu Koh Surin National Park, about 60 kilometres offshore. You'll meet the SeaStar Andaman crew at Nam Khem Pier, grab a light breakfast, and head out. The first snorkel stop is Chong Khat Bay, where the water is shallow enough to walk across at low tide—your guide explains the Green Fins reef-protection rules before you enter the water, so you know what helps the coral survive.

Next is Koh Surin Tai, the southern island, where about 150 Moken sea gypsies live on their boats called kabang, fishing and gathering shellfish from the reefs. You'll see their settlement and learn how they've lived this way for generations. Then Mai Ngam Beach opens up: you can swim, walk the 2-kilometre trail through the island, or just rest before lunch. The park canteen serves a buffet meal to refuel you for the afternoon snorkeling sessions.

The afternoon brings two more reef stops—Bon Bay or Pineapple Bay (the crew picks based on sea conditions that day) and Mae Yai Bay, where the water is clear and the coral is vibrant. You'll see schools of colourful fish, and if conditions align, reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles and occasionally larger animals like whale sharks or manta rays patrol these waters. The boat heads back to Nam Khem Pier by 5:30pm, with coffee and sweets on board before your transfer back to Khao Lak by 6pm.

What’s included

• Hotel round-trip transfer from Khao Lak.
• snorkeling gear, life jacket and beach towel.
• light breakfast and buffet lunch.
• national park entrance fee.
• drinking water, soft drinks, snacks, coffee and fresh fruit.
• basic accident insurance.
• professional guide in English, Thai or Chinese.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Trip Store Krabi

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to visit four separate reef sites and a Moken village in one day—the 90-minute boat ride and multiple stops mean you'll need the full commitment, but it's the only way to fit this much into a single departure.

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Top questions

What kind of marine life will I see when snorkeling at the Surin Islands?

The reefs around the Surin Islands hold colourful fish, turtles, reef sharks and eagle rays as regular sightings. Whale sharks, manta rays and dolphins patrol the area and appear occasionally, depending on the season and conditions on the day you visit.

Who are the Moken and what will I see when we visit Koh Surin Tai?

The Moken, called Chao Leh or "The Sea People" in Thai, are a nomadic sea culture of about 150 people living on the southern Surin Island. They spend most of their lives on their boats, called kabang, and survive by fishing and gathering shellfish and marine life from the reefs. You'll see their settlement and learn about their traditional way of life during the stop at Koh Surin Tai.

What is the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery?

The Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery is a conservation facility at Mu Koh Surin National Park where sea turtles are protected and raised. The tour includes a visit to this nursery as part of the day's itinerary.

How long is the boat ride to the Surin Islands from Khao Lak?

The speed boat ride from Nam Khem Pier to the Surin Islands takes less than 90 minutes. You'll depart at 9am and arrive with time to begin snorkeling by mid-morning.

What's included in the tour, and do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

The tour includes snorkeling gear, life jacket, beach towel, light breakfast, buffet lunch, national park entrance fee, hotel round-trip transfer and a professional guide who speaks English, Thai or Chinese. You don't need to bring your own equipment—everything is provided.

Do I need a passport to book this tour?

Yes. To confirm your booking, you'll need to send a copy of your passport ID page to the operator, who passes it to the Thai Marine Department before the trip. Bring a digital photo of your passport on your phone or a printed copy with you on the day.