Snorkeling the Surin Islands | Clownfish, Coral Gardens & Crystal Waters

Last Updated on November 20, 2025 by Charlotte

It’s not often that you find yourself far out at sea, where the water is warm, the waves are calm, and richly colored corals and fish sparkle just below the surface. On the nearby islands, the thick overstory of the rainforest carpets the mountains and hills, and the hoots of monkeys and sea eagles carry on the light breeze. We’re in the Surin Islands, a small island chain far off the coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Ko Surin’s surrounding coral reefs are home to a dazzling display of biodiversity and arguably host the most untouched diving and snorkeling in Thailand. In this post, we share everything you need to know about snorkeling the Surin Islands—from how to get there to what you’ll see beneath the waves.

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One Day Snorkeling Koh Surin

At Bon Bay, the energy of our group is sizzling with excitement. With a leap, I am the first one off the boat into the water. Bon Bay is a shallow reef at the edge of a drop-off. In the shallows, the sea floor is a patchwork of vibrant brain corals, sponges, and giant clams. Here in these protected waters, the fish are unafraid. A rainbow parrotfish painted in pinks, lime green, and teals lazily munches on coral.

The heads of corals are massive. Some are as big as a car. These ancient corals grow extremely slowly, their calcified exoskeletons gradually building upon themselves, creating homes for all matter of creatures. In fact, with the growth rates of most massive corals being 0.3 to 2 centimeters per year, these coral reefs grow so slowly that it can take over 10,000 years for a coral reef to form.

Smaller fish school, swimming past my face in a flash of blue and yellow glitter. On the ocean floor, a crown of thorns starfish exists like an alien organism, its many purple arms armored with black spikes. Crown of Thorns Starfish can have up to twenty-one arms covered with hundreds of toxin-tipped thorns. These starfish feast on reef building corals and are a major threat to reef health in some parts of the world.

Snorkeling Nemo Paradise

At the second dive site, we spot the dancing arms of an anemone and dive closer to take a look. Peeking out from the safety of the stinging tentacles is a clownfish! We found Nemo! My heart feels as though it will explode from my chest with happiness.

We hold very still. One by one, a whole family of clownfish unveil themselves from where they were hiding in an anemone. The nemofish dart in and out of the anemone and snuggle into the tentacles as if climbing into a cozy bed. Sea anemones are stinging predatory animals related to jellyfish and corals. While their bodies stay firmly attached to rocks, they use their toxic tentacles to ensnare prey that swims by. Clownfish (like nemo) have a protective layer of mucous on their bodies that allows them to live in the anemones unharmed.

Clownfish and anemones have what is called a mutualistic relationship, where both animals benefit from working together. The anemone provides the clownfish with a home, and the clownfish brings back the anemone food. I see why they call this place Nemo Paradise. This density of anemones home to colonies of clownfish in such a small area is insane.

I feel like I am healing an old regret. Ten years ago on my first trip to Thailand, I was so excited about the clownfish and I didn’t see a single one. Here in the Surin Islands, the clownfish are everywhere. Whereas the coral reefs in Hawaii feel like an oasis in the middle of the desert, the reefs in the Surin Islands are overflowing with fish and corals in every color imagineable.

The Fragility of the Reef

Sometimes, I get the sinking feeling that people should not be allowed to go to some of the most untouched places on earth. Around us, visitors (who were obviously nonswimmers) walked on top of the massive coral heads or kicked the fragile stag horn corals with their fins. My heart broke to see this. Here was one of the most beautiful reefs that I’d ever seen, and yet the tourists were blissfully unaware of the destruction they were causing just below their feet.

Lunch and Exploring Koh Surin Nua

On land at Ko Surin Nua, we stop for lunch at the National Park kitchen and have free reign to explore the island for the next hour. The lunch is basic but satisfying. We serve ourselves from a buffet of fried chicken, stir-fried vegetables, and fried noodles. Overhead in the tree canopy, naughty monkeys lie in wait for the chance to swipe our table scraps. After our meal, we wander off to explore the other side of the island.

Mai Ngam Beach

At Mai Ngam Beach, the water is clear and blue, enhanced by the white sandy bottom of the shallow bay. We find a spot on the sand in the shade of a tree to place our towels and go for a float. In the water, tiny jellyfish drift by now and then. Other visitors start to arrive, and we haul out on the rocks to enjoy the sunshine.

Wildlife On Land at Koh Surin Nua

Time flies, and it is almost time to rendezvous back at the boat. On the walk back to the docks, we’re puzzled by a small group of people staring intently up at the trees. Suddenly, a Flying Lemur leaps from a branch. The Lemur’s fleshy membranes act like a wingsuit as it glides over to a different perch. The crowd erupts with cheers as the Flying Lemur hops up the trunk. Although the name of these critters is the “Flying Lemur”, they are not lemurs, and they do not fly.

These islands are home to a number of creatures found in few other places on earth, like the Flying Lemur, along with Monitor Lizards, and Hornbills. While we only saw the monkeys and Flying Lemurs on this trip, we heard that you can easily spot most of the wildlife after mealtimes when the critters try to eat the leftovers from lunch out of the trash cans.

How to Plan Your Trip to the Surin Islands

The Surin Islands are part of a protected marine national park, so visiting them requires some planning. In this section, you’ll find everything you need to know about booking a snorkeling tour, choosing between a day trip or overnight stay, and what to expect when snorkeling the Surin Islands, so you can make the most of your time in this remote paradise.

How to Get to Koh Surin

Getting to Koh Surin is not for the fainthearted. The Surin Islands are located 105 km (~65 miles) from Khao Lak, and reaching them requires a speedboat journey of over two hours. But despite the long ride, the discomfort pays off—compared to the coral reefs we visited in Krabi, the Surin Islands are an untouched paradise.

Surin Islands Tour Departure Points

Most snorkeling expeditions leave from the Thap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak. Typically, tour operators will offer complimentary pickup and dropoff from within the Khao Lak area and some parts of Phuket. Given the distance from the mainland, Surin Island snorkeling trips are a full day, almost 12 hours door to door.

Snorkeling Day Tours & Ticket Options

Booking Online In Advance

I booked the “From Khao Lak: Full-Day Snorkeling in the Surin Islands Tour ” online in advance of my trip. Expect to pay around $100 USD per person for advance online bookings. This guarantees your spot and provides more flexibility with cancellations.

What The Tour Includes

The tour I booked included more than just snorkeling; it was a full experience. We were picked up directly from our hotel in Khao Lak, and the day included:

• A light breakfast before boarding the speedboat
• Mask and snorkel, life vest, and mask defogger (flippers require a refundable deposit)
• Coffee, cold drinks, and snacks on board
• The National Park Fee was included in the ticket price
• A freshly cooked buffet lunch on the island
• Unlimited water throughout the day
• And even a cold beer waiting for us when we got back to the harbor

I really appreciated how well-organized and generous the inclusions were—it made the long day feel comfortable and enjoyable from start to finish.

Is this tour beginner friendly?

You don’t need to be an expert snorkeler to enjoy the Surin Islands. Even if you’re required to wear a life jacket, the visibility is so good that you’ll still see colorful fish, coral gardens, and even the occasional turtle from the surface. We love to dive down for a closer look, but much of the magic is visible just by floating calmly at the surface. If you’re not confident in the water, don’t worry: the guides were helpful, and the pace felt relaxed and beginner friendly. Our tour included people from children to age 80, and everyone had fun.

Booking In Person

If you’re booking in person, you’ll find tourist stands all over Khao Lak selling Surin Island trips. Tours typically cost around 2,500 baht per person, but availability is not guaranteed. You might also be able to find discounted last minute tickets. However, boat tours tend to sell out, especially in peak season.

Overnight Stays & Multi-Day Snorkeling

If a single day in the Surin Islands isn’t enough, you have two options for extending your stay: camping on the islands or a liveaboard tour.

Staying on Koh Surin: Camping & Bungalows

The Surin Islands National Park offers tent camping for travelers who want to wake up to pristine beaches and early-morning snorkeling. Note that the facilities on the islands are basic, with limited food options and no luxury amenities.

• What’s Available? Basic tents and bungalows are available throughout the park.
• How to Book? Arrangements are typically made through the National Park office or tour operators in Khao Lak and Phuket.

Liveaboard Multiday Snorkeling & Diving Tours

For a multi-day experience, liveaboard tours allow you to eat, sleep, and dive/snorkel directly from the boat. If you’re a serious snorkeler or diver, a liveaboard trip can offer an incredible immersive experience exploring the Surin Islands’ best marine sites.

• Best for: Dedicated snorkelers and divers who want to explore multiple reefs.
• Duration: Typically ranges from 2 to 5 days.
• Cost: Prices vary depending on the operator and duration but tend to be higher than day tours.

Packing Tips For Snorkeling the Surin Islands

• Bring earplugs or noise-canceling airpods: The boat motors are extremely loud, and the sensory overload can contribute to nausea
• Dramamine: Even if you are an avid waterman, you will want Dramamine or Bonine for this boat ride. For Dramamine to work, you need to take it a few hours before you get on the water. Once you are nauseous, it is already too late. Indeed, my poor Travel Buddy was stuck sitting next to a vomiting granny for over an hour.
• Mask and fins: As avid divers, we brought our personal snorkeling masks. We were also surprised to find that fins were not automatically included in the tour and required an additional refundable deposit.
• Defogger: Here in the USA, we typically use Johnson & Johnson No Tears Baby Shampoo as a defogger. While the tour provided defogger, it did not work as well as our normal baby shampoo, and stung my eyes.
• Hat and UV protective clothing: The sun in the Surin Islands is no joke. During our visit, the UV level was at 11, which burns fair skinned people in about 10 minutes. I was thankful for my sun-protective hoodie during the long boat ride.
• Reef Safe Sunscreen: In general, myself and Travel Buddy try to not wear sunscreen prior to snorkeling. Most sunscreens are harmful to the coral reefs, and most of the sunscreen you put on will wash off as soon as you get in the water. Instead, try opting for sun-protective clothing if possible.
• Dry bag: The things you bring on this trip are inevitably going to get wet. With all the getting on and off the boat, some people’s bags were soaked through by the end of the trip.
• Cash: Many trips also visit the Moken Village where you’ll have the opportunity to purchase handmaid souvenirs.
• Leave your jewelry and valuables at home: Our guide warned us that multiple people’s diamond rings have ended up at the bottom of the ocean on this tour. It’s best to leave your valuables back at your hotel.

Was It Worth the Trip?

100% Yes! Snorkeling the Surin Islands was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Thailand. The diversity of both terrestrial and marine life in these islands is fascinating. If you are a fan of Finding Nemo and wish to see these happy orange fishies yourself, I highly encourage you to consider snorkeling the Surin Islands (over Krabi) for your next trip. In addition to the calm waters, many of the snorkel spots around the Surin Islands are not very deep, meaning that you can appreciate the reefs from the surface. In all honestly, I don’t know how much longer these reefs will exist. Thailand has a bad rap with overtourism, and many other beautiful reefs in Thailand have since died out.

Ready to plan your trip to Khao Lak?

• Where to Stay: Check out our full review of La Vela Khao Lak, our home base for exploring the area.
• More Adventures: Hike to Small Sandy Beach in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park (just watch out for the jellyfish!)
• Khao Lak Sea Turtle Conservation Center: Read our guide on how to visit the Khao Lak Turtle Conservation Center to see baby sea turtles and learn about conservation efforts!