Ko Surin Nuea

Visiting Ko Surin Nuea was one of the most magical experiences I’ve had in Thailand. Unlike some of the more famous islands, Ko Surin Nuea still feels peaceful, unspoiled, and full of natural beauty. The beaches are simply stunning—powdery white sand, calm turquoise waters, and hardly any crowds, which makes it perfect for anyone seeking relaxation away from busy tourist spots. What makes this island so special is the snorkeling. The water is crystal-clear, and the marine life is incredible. I saw vibrant coral reefs, schools of colorful fish, and even a sea turtle swimming gracefully nearby. It truly felt like swimming in an aquarium. The Surin Islands are well known for their biodiversity, and experiencing it firsthand was unforgettable. There is also a fascinating cultural aspect to Ko Surin Nuea. The island is home to the Moken people, sometimes called “sea gypsies,” who have a long history of living in harmony with the ocean. Learning about their traditions and way of life added so much depth to the visit—it wasn’t just about beautiful beaches, but also about culture and respect for nature. What impressed me most was how well the island is preserved. The Surin Islands are a national park, and you can feel that conservation is taken seriously here. Facilities are basic, but that’s part of the charm—it keeps the island authentic and close to nature. Overall, Ko Surin Nuea is a true hidden gem. If you are looking for pristine beaches, amazing snorkeling, and an authentic cultural experience, this island is absolutely worth the trip.

Diving around the Surin Islands is an unforgettable experience for ocean lovers! 🤿💙 The water is crystal clear, and the coral reefs are vibrant with life — from colorful clownfish and parrotfish to majestic sea turtles gliding by. 🐢🌊 The underwater visibility is excellent, making every dive spot feel like a dream. Whether you’re snorkeling or scuba diving, the biodiversity here is stunning. The currents are gentle, so even beginners can enjoy. It’s one of the most beautiful and peaceful diving destinations in Thailand — truly a paradise under the sea. 🐠🌴

Surin Island is truly a magical place! Snorkeling alongside colorful fish was an unforgettable experience. The water was incredibly clear and clean — you could see several meters deep with no problem. Exploring the traditional homes of the local people and seeing their handmade decorations added a unique cultural touch to the trip. It’s the perfect destination for anyone looking for a peaceful, authentic, and nature-filled escape. Highly recommended!

It is a nice national marine park w good snorkeling and nice beaches, we even saw the Moken village of 77 pp. But the boat ride over is almost 2 hrs. I am not sure whether it is really worthwhile of your time if you have been to the Maldives and have snorkeled in good places. Nothing is really going to wow you here.

It’s sad to see the pollution and the lack of environmental care by locals. You can see trash all around their houses, the walk around town is basically one street with vendors and small children trying to sell you souvenirs from all sides. It was not at all pleasant and did not feel right. It felt a lot like a tourist trap. The island itself is nice but it was very sad to see it in under this conditions. Wouldn’t go back to be honest and would not recommend.

If you love wildlife, snorkelling, camping and messing around in crystal clear water, then this is the right place for you. It was my third time here. It's not easy, or particularly cheap to get to (park fee + speedboat about 1700 Baht) , but is well worth the effort. We stayed, in a tent (600 Baht per night) , for 2 nights but could have easily stayed longer. The snorkelling is easily the best in Thailand, but beware, after here the rest will be dissapointing. The snorkelling sites are deep and sometimes with current, so worth wearing a lifejacket if you're not a stong swimmer. Hire the gear before you go from Sabina tours near to the pier for a better price. The park office is very much Thai style, so a little confusing at times but ok once you work out their system - coupons for paying for food, not cash. Also, any sunblock you use must be eco-friendly - there is a really big fine for using other kinds. The food was quite decent value for money, but we were glad we took some of our own supplies, 7-11 croissants and 3 in 1 coffee sachets to supplement the breakfast. Drinking water is free but twice the normal price if you buy bottled water. Alcohol is officially not allowed. There are 2 beaches to stay on and both have their pros and cons. Chong Kat Bay looks cleaner and busier and slightly better organised, (more boat traffic and day trippers) with 2 small beaches and bungalow accomodation (1500-2000 Baht). It has a coffee shop and ice-cream freezer! Mai Ngam beach has the camping ground with maybe 100 tents set up and a space for bring-your-own. There are 3 glamping tents (with air con, 2000 Baht) but book early for these. The toilets / showers are fairly clean. The bonus to being on this side of the island is the long, fine sand beach, shallow sandy bay (perfect for kids) and a lovely little snorkelling area with clownfish, morays and baby black tip sharks (by the mangrove forest to the left). There are monkeys in the trees at night (Macaques), so hide your snacks well and don't leave anything edible outside. This is not the cheapest option in Thailand but an exceptional experience. If you need to make it cheaper, definitely hire the tent, snorkelling gear and trips from off the island and take some food and drinks with you.

What an amazing trip. I have been here many time in the past but this trip was something special. I boarded the Tao Talay 6 around 7am with fifteen other guests. Tao Talay 6 belongs to Seastar's new Oceanova Andaman package. It's a fifteen meter double deck catamaran with aircon cabin and sun deck. The trip out to the island was about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Our guide was the bubbly, Khun Latte. First stop was the Moken Village. Due to covid restrictions we weren't able to disembark. We then went on our first of three snorkel stops. We were the only boat there and the swim and great. Next stop was for a beach break and a little lunch. The food was hot and tasty. Other than the park rangers, we were the only ones there. The Surin Islands Marine Park allows overnight guests and has full toilet and shower facilities. We spent an hour eating and exploring the area. We got back on the boat and hit snorkel spot number 2, Honeymoon Bay. The marine life and coral was abundant and a few of us dove from the top deck into the cool Andaman sea. Last stop was Mother In-laws Bay. Not many people have access to this area but we were given permission. The coral was amazing and there were fish of all sizes inhabiting the reefs. The whole day we only saw two other speedboats which is a pretty amazing thing. The staff at Oceanova Andaman were amazing and I will be leaving a detailed review of that company on their page.

Great snorkeling on the reef teeming with life. Journey to the island is long about 2hrs by boat which keeps visitor numbers down.