Surin Islands (Mu Ko Surin): Season, Fees, Access

The Surin Islands are a small national marine park near the Myanmar border, known for shallow coral reefs close to the beach and for the Moken sea-nomad village on the main island. The short answer: Mu Ko Surin National Park only takes visitors in the dry season, press reports on 15 October 2026 say the 2026-27 season opened that day and runs to 15 May 2027, you reach it by boat from Khura Buri pier or from the Khao Lak coast, and the foreign adult park fee has been 500 baht since the 2022 national-park rates.

We checked these facts on 2026-10-16 against the Department of National Parks (DNP) booking page for the park, two national news reports from opening day, and Wikipedia. The park page and the press disagree on the season dates, and the guide below shows both.

Verified facts, and the dates that disagree

Why the dates differ: the DNP sets the season each year, and the park page text is the long-standing default. The opening-day reports are newer and match the pattern of recent years (closed mid-May to mid-October). Plan around the press dates, and ask your operator for written confirmation of the first and last sailing dates.

Season: when to go

The Andaman monsoon closes the park roughly from mid-May to mid-October. The DNP page itself explains why: the south-west monsoon brings heavy rain and strong waves, making the trip unsafe for visitors. Wikipedia's diving section calls December to April the best time to dive, with dry conditions and minimal wind, and February to April the best months for rare big animals such as whale shark and manta ray.

For the wider picture, see Thailand's best time by region and the Andaman versus Gulf comparison. The same season question applies to the Similan Islands: read the Similan Islands guide if you are choosing between the two.

Surin or Similan?

What you see and do

• Snorkel the shallow reefs. The DNP page describes fringing reefs around North Surin, South Surin and the satellite islands, with cabbage, staghorn, mushroom, brain and plate corals, soft corals, anemones and sea fans. The reefs sit in sheltered bays, which suits beginners. Four sea turtle species occur here and whale sharks are listed among rare visitors.
• See the bays. Typical day stops include Ao Mai Ngam on North Surin and Ao Chong Khad, where the park headquarters stand. A Thai travel site names the "Nemo" bay as the usual first snorkel stop.
• Cross the tidal channel. The two main islands are separated by a channel about 200 metres wide that dries out at low tide, called Ao Chong Khad on the DNP page.
• Dive Richelieu Rock. The pinnacle lies about 45 km from the mainland, east of Ko Khai, and its dive season is mainly December to April.
• Watch birds. The DNP lists over 80 bird species on the islands.

Moken village: how to visit with respect

The Surin Islands are home to a small community of Moken people, estimated by Wikipedia at 150 to 330 people. They have traditionally been sea nomads who lived on boats called kabang, and many lack Thai citizenship, according to Thai media. Most of the land in the park is closed to visitors except the Moken village and the campsite.

Practical etiquette, which is our advice rather than park policy:

• Join the village visit through your guide and follow the rules he or she gives; village visits are often scheduled around the tide.
• Ask before photographing people, especially children. Do not take photos of private interiors.
• If you buy handicrafts, pay a fair price and do not bargain hard.
• Do not hand out sweets, money or gifts to children. If you want to help, ask the park or a registered community group.
• Keep voices low, stay on paths and take all litter back to the boat.
• Do not enter houses or restricted areas without an invitation.

Getting there

There is no public ferry timetable that we could find. Wikipedia says access is typically by speedboat day trips from Khao Lak and Khura Buri pier, or by multi-day trips. Tour operators describe about an hour of speedboat time from Khura Buri, with Khao Lak pickups making the day roughly 10 to 12 hours door to door. Treat those as operator figures that change with sea conditions.

To reach Khao Lak first, from Phuket airport or Phuket town, see Phuket airport transport and compare buses and minivans for Phuket to Khao Lak in the 12Go box on this page. That search takes you to Khao Lak only; you still need a transfer to the pier. If you need a car, see Phuket car rental and eSIM and Thailand getting around.

Staying overnight

The DNP booking site lists four accommodation zones: Zone 3 on the mainland near Khura Buri pier, Zones 1 and 2 at Ao Chong Khad on North Surin with bungalows, and Zone 4 at Ao Mai Ngam with a tent camping area. Sleeping bag, mat and pillow are listed as rental items. Booking is online at booking.dnp.go.th, which requires registering as a member, or by phoning the park on 07 647 2145-6. Wikipedia notes that besides the Moken village and park facilities there are no other buildings on the islands. If you would rather stay on the mainland, see Khao Lak where to stay and Phang Nga where to stay.

Park fees and tickets

The park fee is separate from the boat price unless the operator says it is included. The rate for Mu Ko Surin is in group 4 of the 2022 national-park fee schedule: foreign visitors 500 baht (adult) and 250 baht (child), Thai visitors 100 baht (adult) and 50 baht (child), reported by Thansettakij when it took effect on 7 June 2022. Some tour listings show a 300 baht child fee or even 400 baht for adults, so confirm the figure on your own date. Wikipedia says visitors can pay at the Surin Islands Visitor Center in Khura Buri, the headquarters at Chong Khad Bay, or to staff at Richelieu Rock. Press in 2025 listed Surin among six marine parks planned for online E-Ticketing; we could not confirm the current rule, so ask your operator whether tickets must be bought in advance.

The Klook button in some boxes on our Khao Lak pages opens Similan tours, not Surin, because that is the product we are registered for. The box on this page is the 12Go search for Phuket to Khao Lak, which is a getting-there tool, not a Surin ticket. For a Similan-focused day trip, see our Similan guide. To compare sights near Phuket, see the Phang Nga Bay tour.

What to bring and safety

• Strong currents. The DNP page says the tidal range can reach 3 metres, producing quite strong shore-hugging currents. Wear a life vest and swim near the guide.
• Reef rules. Do not touch, stand on or collect coral, shells or clams. Use mineral sunscreen or a rash vest.
• Seasickness. Speedboat crossings can be rough in the first weeks of the season. Take medication in advance.
• Cash and signal. There is little on the islands except park facilities and the village. Bring cash and expect little mobile signal; see Thailand eSIM versus SIM.
• Insurance. Check that travel insurance covers boat trips and snorkelling; see Thailand safety, scams and health.
• Entry rules. Foreign visitors should read Thailand entry requirements and TDAC.
• Emergency numbers. 191 police, 1669 medical emergency, 1155 Tourist Police.

Sample plan and what to pair it with

A realistic plan is a day trip from Khao Lak, a night on the Khao Lak coast before and after, and a rest day. If your base is Phuket, the road to the pier is long, so a Khao Lak night is usually worth it. Pair it with a temple morning in Phuket using our Big Buddha and Wat Chalong guide, plan the whole trip with the Phuket 3-day plan, or read where to stay in Phuket and the Phang Nga hub. Thai readers can use the Thai version of this guide.

FAQ

Prices, schedules and entry rules change. Figures here are approximate as of 2026; always confirm on the official or operator page before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.