Surin Islands Snorkeling from Phuket: Moken Village & Reef

Snorkel sheltered reefs and meet the Moken people in one morning, then lunch on the beach.

A full-day snorkeling trip from Phuket to the Surin Islands in Mu Koh Surin National Park, with speedboat transport, English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear and lunch on the beach. The itinerary includes a stop at a Moken sea gypsy village and time in two separate reef zones—the Nemo Gulf and the Mae Yai and Tao Gulfs—where the water is shallow and sheltered. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; the tour runs with a minimum of 10 people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Surin Islands snorkeling day trip

• Pick up at your hotel
• Check-in at Love Andaman pier
• Enjoy light breakfast and briefing
• Depart for Surin Island by speedboat
• Arrive at Surin Island, explore snorkeling spots
• Visit Sea Gypsy Moken Village
• Enjoy buffet lunch on the beach
• Snorkel at Mae Yai Gulf and The Tao Gulf
• Depart Surin Island for return
• Arrive back at pier and transfer to hotel

The Experience

Hotel pickup starts at 5:50am from your Phuket accommodation, arriving at Love Andaman's private pier by 7:30am for a light breakfast and safety briefing. The speedboat departs at 8am and reaches the Surin Islands by 9:50am. You'll have time to explore Twin Beach or snorkel the Nemo Gulf—a shallow, sheltered reef where the water stays clear and calm—before the boat moves to the Moken village at 11am.

The Moken are sea people who have lived on these islands for generations, and the village visit lets you see how they live on the water and the land. It's a short stop, enough to walk around and understand their way of life without the feeling of a staged performance. By 11:45am you're back on the beach for a buffet lunch with fresh fruit, soft drinks and all you can eat—the meal sits right on the sand in the national park, so you eat looking out at the water you've just left.

After lunch, the second snorkeling session runs from 1:15pm in the Mae Yai and Tao Gulfs, where the reefs are deeper and the coral more extensive. The snorkeling gear—mask, snorkel and life jacket—is provided, and the guide stays in the water with the group. Dolphins and sea turtles appear sometimes, though not on every trip; the guide will point them out if they're there. The boat leaves the islands at 3:10pm and returns to the pier by 5pm, with a transfer back to your hotel by 5:30pm. The whole day runs about 11 to 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer.
• English-speaking guide with ecotourism training.
• snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, life jacket).
• speedboat transport.
• light breakfast at the pier.
• buffet lunch on the beach with fruit and beverages.
• travel accident insurance covering 1,000,000 THB.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Oh-Hoo

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full-day speedboat trip with two separate reef zones and a village visit included—the early departure gets you in the water by mid-morning when conditions are calmest and visibility is best.

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Top questions

What's the Moken village visit actually like?

The Moken village is a working settlement where sea gypsies live in traditional stilt houses and boats. The stop lasts roughly 45 minutes—long enough to walk through, see how families live on the water, and understand their fishing and diving traditions, but short enough that it doesn't feel like a museum exhibit.

Will I see dolphins or sea turtles?

Sea turtles and dolphins do appear in the Surin Islands waters, and the guide watches for them during both snorkeling sessions. They're not guaranteed on every trip—it depends on the day and the season—but when they're there, the guide will alert the group and position the boat so you can see them.

How deep is the snorkeling, and do I need experience?

The Nemo Gulf in the morning is shallow and sheltered, suitable for beginners and non-swimmers who want to stay in the shallows or on the beach. The afternoon reefs in the Mae Yai and Tao Gulfs are deeper but still accessible to anyone comfortable in the water with a snorkel and life jacket. The guide is in the water with you both times.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in most conditions, but rough seas or storms can force a cancellation. Love Andaman will notify you in advance and offer a different date, an alternative tour, or a full refund if the trip can't run.

Is the speedboat ride rough?

The boat is a first-class speedboat designed for the Andaman waters. The ride to the islands takes about two hours and can be choppy depending on the sea state, but the boat is built for speed and stability. Life jackets are provided and worn during the crossing.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is a buffet served on the beach with hot food, fresh tropical fruit, soft drinks and water—all you can eat and drink. It's included in the price; the national park entrance fee (400 THB per adult, 200 THB per child) is separate and paid on the day.