Surin Islands

Surin Island National Park, Thailand

The Surin Islands (Thai: หมู่เกาะสุรินทร์, Thai pronunciation: [mùː kɔ̀ʔ sùʔrin]) is an archipelago of five islands of the Andaman Sea, 55 km from the Thai mainland. Administratively, the islands are part of Tambon Ko Phra Thong, Amphoe Khura Buri, in Phang Nga Province, Thailand.^[1]

Mu Ko Surin National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสุรินทร์) encompasses the islands and their surrounding waters. The park is home to one of the most famous dive sites in the world, Richelieu Rock. In addition the islands feature pristine reefs, making it home to some of the best snorkeling in Thailand.

Geography

The five islands are Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Ko Kai, and Ko Klang, with Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai being the two main islands of the group. The Thai-Burmese oceanic border is a few kilometers north of the park. Christie Island, Burma's southernmost point, lies 18 km to the north of Ko Surin Nuea and about 100 km to the south is Mu Ko Similan National Park.^[2]

Attractions

Moken boat in Surin Islands

The Surin Islands have a broad selection of animal life - including Nicobar pigeons and mangrove monitor lizards.^[3]

Below the water can be found a very rich and pristine coral reef ecosystem. While small portions of the islands were affected by the 2004 tsunami, most reefs are still quite healthy.

The Surin Islands host two small communities of the small ethnic Moken minority, known as "chao lay" or "Sea Gypsies". The Moken population of the Surin Island averages around 150 persons.^[3]^[4]

Dive sites

Richelieu Rock, a rock in the middle of the sea, about 18 km east of the islands,^[5] is commonly referred to one as one of the ten best dive spots in the world. Named after Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu, the first (and only foreign) commander-in-chief of the Thai Navy,^[6] the remote rock is home to some of the largest marine life species in Thailand. Sightings of whale shark,^[3] manta ray and sharks are common.

Other popular dive sites include Hin Kong, Ko Torinla, and Ko Chi.

Mu Ko Surin National Park

Mu Ko Surin National Park covers an area of approximately 141.25 km2. It contains the Surin Islands and the surrounding waters. Of the protected area, 108 km2 or 80% is sea. The park was gazetted as the 29th national park of Thailand on July 9, 1981.

Access

Access to Surin Islands Marine National Park is easiest from either Khao Lak, Khura Buri or Ko Phra Thong on mainland Phang Nga Province. Travel to the Surin Islands is only safe from November to May. The park is closed in the other months. The mainland office of the park is in Ngan Yong, just north of Khura Buri. Dive operators in Khao Lak offer liveaboard diving trips and day trips via speedboat. Ferry tickets to the islands can be bought in Kuraburi as well. All boat operators in Kuraburi provide free land transfer to the ferry pier, which is a 10-minute ride from the town centre.

Weather

The monsoon play an important role in all aspects of life on the Surin Islands. The monsoons always head in from the South West over the Andaman Sea. So The east coast is protected from the monsoons features powdery coral beaches, coral gardens of hard and soft corals which slope dramatically from the surface down to approximately 30-40 meters. Whereas the West coast is generally made up of the large boulders dropping into the depths. The flora is very much affected by the constant winds and have very dramatic scenery with only a few beaches^[7]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mu Ko Surin National Park.

Surin Islands travel guide from Wikivoyage
Phang Nga Tourist Association
Map of Surin Islands
Presentation of Surin and Similan in French

National parks, forest parks and wetlands in Thailand

National parks	Budo-Su-ngai Padi Chae Son Chaloem Rattanakosin Doi Inthanon Doi Khun Tan Doi Luang Doi Pha Hom Pok Doi Phu Kha Doi Phu Nang Doi Suthep-Pui Erawan Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai Huai Nam Dang Kaeng Chet Khwae Kaeng Krachan Kaeng Krung Kaeng Tana Khao Khitchakut Khao Kho Khao Laem Khao Lak–Lam Ru Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang Khao Luang Khao Phanom Bencha Khao Phra Wihan Khao Sok Khao Yai Khlong Lan Khlong Phanom Khlong Wang Chao Khuean Srinagarindra Khun Chae Khun Khan Khun Nan Kui Buri Lam Nam Nan Lan Sang Mae Charim Mae Ping Mae Wa Mae Wong Mae Yom Mukdahan Nam Nao Nam Phong Namtok Chat Trakan Namtok Mae Surin Namtok Phlio Namtok Sam Lan Op Luang Pa Hin Ngam Pang Sida Pha Daeng Pha Taem Phu Chong–Na Yoi Phu Hin Rong Kla Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham Phu Kradueng Phu Pha Man Phu Phan Phu Ruea Phu Sa Dok Bua Phu Sang Phu Soi Dao Phu Toei Phu Wiang Ramkhamhaeng Sai Thong Sai Yok Salawin Si Lanna Si Nan Si Phang-nga Si Satchanalai Sirinat Ta Phraya Tai Rom Yen Taksin Maharat Tat Mok Tat Ton Thale Ban Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan Thap Lan Thong Pha Phum Thung Salaeng Luang Wiang Kosai

Marine national parks	Ao Phang Nga Phang Nga Bay Hat Chao Mai Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet Khao Sam Roi Yot Laem Son Mu Ko Ang Thong Mu Ko Chang Mu Ko Lanta Mu Ko Phetra Mu Ko Similan Mu Ko Surin Tarutao

Forest parks	Khao Kradong Phae Mueang Phi Phu Chi Fa Phu Langka Phu Phra Bat Buabok Pranburi Sa Nang Manora

Wetlands	Bueng Boraphet Don Hoi Lot Krabi River Estuary Kraburi River Estuary Phayao Lake Kuan Ki Sian of the Thale Noi Non-hunting Area

Coordinates: 9°25′N 97°52′E / 9.417°N 97.867°E / 9.417; 97.867

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