Attraction Details :
Mu Koh Surin National
Park is an archipelago in the Andaman Sea located approximately 70
kilometers off the western shore next to the Thailand – Myanmar border.
The Park comprises 5 major islands; namely, Koh Surin Nuea, Koh Surin
Tai, Koh Kai (Koh Torinla), Koh Klang (Koh Pachumba), and Koh Ri (Koh
Satok). It was proclaimed a national park on July 9, 1981, and includes
islands with beautiful coral reefs in the shallows and various schools
of fish of different colors. It offers ideal spots for snorkeling to
admire coral reefs in the shallows, especially at Koh Torinla and Koh
Pachumba. An ideal spot for scuba diving is the Richeliu Rock, 10
kilometers to the southwest of Koh Surin. This site is a fertile
undersea nature habitats various kinds of fish, colorful corals, and
where whale shark, the kind Giant of the Sea, is frequently encountered.
The most suitable period for a visit is between November and April
whereas from May to October is the period of monsoons when there are
heavy rainfalls and windy wavy sea.Interesting Attractions within the National Park:
Koh Surin Nuea and Koh Surin Tai are two attached islands separated by a water channel. There are both large and small bays scattered around the islands, all with distinctively beautiful beaches. Koh Surin Nuea is where the Park’s Ranger Station is located with a Tourist Service Centre, bungalows, camping site, and long-tailed boats for rent to visit various islands are all here.
Ao Chong Khat is located south of Koh Surin Nuea and has a camping spot on a clean white sandy beach suitable for swimming and snorkeling to see coral reefs with various kinds of colorful fish such as parrotfish and wrasse.
Ao Mae Yai is also south of Koh Surin Nuea and offers a bay of calm sea. It is the largest island in the Surin Archipelago with coral reefs in the shallows.
Ao Sai En is situated east of Koh Surin Nuea, with boat people known as Chao Le or Mogen People the sea tribes settled their life here. They believe in Indian icons carved wood regarded as their sacred items. During the full moon day’s period of April every year, they will gather to pay respect to their revered spirits for 3 days.
Ao Luek is to the southeast of Koh Surin Nuea and offers coral reefs in the where it acts as schools of clown fish.
Ao Chak is to the north of Koh Surin Nuea and offers a white powdery beach and snorkeling spot to admire coral reefs in the shallows.
Ao Mai Ngam is to the west of Koh Surin Nuea next to the headquarters bay. It is a large bay with a long curving beach, beautiful coral reefs. Moreover, there is Ao Mai Ngam Nature Trail through an evergreen forest along the beach, with nature interpretation signs along the 2-kilometres route, taking approximately 1 hour. Along the route, various species of wildlife and flora such as mouse deer, flying lemur, and rare birds like Nicobar pigeon and pied imperial pigeon can be seen.
Ao Bon is located east of Koh Surin Tai and inhabited by another group of the Mogen or Chao Le people.
Ao Tao is located east of Koh Surin Tai and a habitat of a large number of sea turtles near the coral reefs. It offers a snorkeling spot to view soft corals and sea fans.
Ao Phak Kat is to the south of Koh Surin Tai and offers a snorkeling spot to view staghorn coral reefs. It’s also a good spot to do scuba diving.
Ao Suthep is to the north of Koh Surin Tai offers a beautiful coral reefs to snorkle.
Koh Pachumba or Koh Klang situates on the north of Koh Surin Tai. It offers clean white powdery beaches and intact coral reefs where Manta rays and other rare fishes including giant lobsters. The bay is called Ao Mang Kohn after the Thai name of lobster, Kung Mang Kohn (Dragon prawn). It is also a spawning site for sea turtles as well.
Koh Kai or Koh Torinla is south of Koh Surin Tai. To the east of the island, there is a very long stretch of coral reefs that are still in perfect condition and ideal for scuba diving.
Accommodation: The Park provides 16 bungalow rooms for 2 persons each at 2,000 Baht per bungalow. A tent for rent is also available at 300 – 450 Baht a night. While those who has their own tents will pay 40 baht fee person for an overnight stay.
Get Around: There are two boat trips a day to go around the island in the morning and afternoon. It’s 60 baht per person while diving gear is available for rent at 150 baht.
Opening hours: 9am-5pm
Admission: 500 baht for adult and 300 baht for children
Contact: Mu Koh Surin National Park, Tambon Khura. Amphoe Khura Buri, Phang-nga 82150 Tel. 076-491-378, 076-491-582, 02-562-0760 or the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Flora, BangKohk, Tel. 0 2562 0760 or visit www.dnp.go.th
How Getting there:
To Khura Buri district: By car, from Amphoe Mueang Phang-nga, take Highway No. 4 (Phetchakasem Road) toward Khura Buri district (Amphoe) and turn left at Km. 721, 6 kilometers before reaching Amphoe Khura Buri, for 3 kilometers. The Park’s direction sign will be seen on the right.
By bus, the Transport Company Limited operates air–conditioned buses from the Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal on Borommaratchachonnani Road once a day, leaving Bangkok at 8.00 p.m. and arriving in Amphoe Khura Buri at 8.00 a.m., taking a total of 12 hours. For further information, please call the BangKohk Office, Tel. 02-894-6122, Amphoe Khura Buri Office, Tel. 076-491-218. Lignite Tour Company Limited operates a daily bus leaving BangKohk at 7:05pmand arriving in Amphoe Khura Buri at 5am. For more details, please call the BangKohk Office at Tel. 02-435-5016, 02-435-7428, Phang-nga Office, Tel. 076-412-300, 076-412-014, Takua Pa Office, Tel. 076-441-107.
Ferry and Charter Boat
Khura Buri Pier is the nearest point to Mu Koh Surin. Khura Buri is some 125 kilometers north of Phang-nga. A boat trip takes around 3 hours. There is no regular boat service for travelers to Koh Surin. Boats leaving from Khura Buri are suitable for group tours. Contact Mu Koh Surin National Park at Tel. 076-491-378. Thap Lamu Pier in Amphoe Thai Mueang offers 4-hour-journey of ferryboat. Visitors may contact any travel agency nearby.
Note: The best way for individual travelers is to join a trip out of Phuket that includes Mu Koh Surin on the itinerary. This typically lasts at least 3 days and includes visits to Mu Koh Similan.
