Explore Surin Islands
The Surin Islands, located off the west coast of Phang-nga, offer a diving experience that's both exhilarating and diverse, making them a must-visit destination for underwater enthusiasts. Part of the Mu Koh Surin National Park, these islands boast world-class dive sites like Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, and Koh Torinla. Known for their stunning reefs and vibrant marine life, divers can expect encounters with a plethora of sea creatures, from the elusive ghost pipefish and charming seahorses to the majestic manta rays and whale sharks that occasionally grace these waters. The area's unique underwater landscapes, featuring coral gardens and giant sea fans alongside intriguing boulders where fish take refuge, add an element of mystery and excitement to each dive. Diving in the Surin Islands caters to all skill levels, with shallow sites perfect for beginners and more challenging spots like Richelieu Rock that attract advanced divers. The best way to explore these underwater wonders is through liveaboard trips, starting at Koh Bon and progressing through Koh Tachai and Koh Surin, culminating at the renowned Richelieu Rock. These excursions offer the opportunity to not only explore the Surin Islands but also extend to the nearby Similan Islands, enhancing the overall experience with additional dive sites like Elephant Head and East of Eden. While dive centers in Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, and Kuraburi offer day trips, staying on the islands provides a more immersive experience, albeit with limited accommodation options like bungalows and tents on Koh Surin Nua. Seasonal variations bring different marine visitors, ensuring that every dive is a unique adventure in these remarkable waters.
Dive Activity
Diving in Surin Islands
Diving in the Surin Islands can be incredibly diverse, from colorful coral reefs, huge granite boulder formations, drop-offs and plunging walls, and submerged pinnacles that provide excellent seascapes. The reef diving is vibrant and life is prolific, and depending on current, drift diving may also be possible.
Due to awesome rock formations, cave diving and fun swim-throughs provide impressive obstacle courses for divers. Wreck diving is also possible on the Boonsung Wreck, near Khao Lak. Night diving here is also unforgettable, with some operators and liveaboards offering the opportunity.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Surin Islands
The Surin Islands host an extremely diverse marine ecosystem. All dive sites are overflowing with an abundance of incredible species, from tiny macro cuties like nudibranch, shrimp and sea horses, all the way up to large pelagics, like reef sharks, leopard sharks, manta rays and whalesharks.
Richelieu rock in particular is known as a magnet for whalesharks, so make sure to add this site to your must-dive list. The coral life here is just as prolific, with tons of hard and soft corals, sponges, sea fans and gorgonians of all sizes and colors.
Common tropical reef species include an array of colorful fish, like anemonefish, angelfish, lionfish, parrotfish, pufferfish and so many more. Other favourites to spot include turtles, eels, sea snakes, scorpionfish, and even frogfish. Shoals of barracuda, trevally and snapper are also just as abundant.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
598 Sightings
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72
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76
M
169
A
95
M
10
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0
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0
A
1
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0
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23
N
74
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78
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
197 Sightings
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6
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45
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135
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6
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3
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
73 Sightings
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0
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3
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56
A
4
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1
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0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
9
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0
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0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
1.1k Sightings
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136
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177
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494
A
92
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12
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1
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0
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1
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0
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17
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58
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100
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
1.1k Sightings
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98
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177
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539
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97
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11
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1
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0
A
1
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0
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9
N
46
D
86
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
995 Sightings
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92
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175
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528
A
64
M
10
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1
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0
A
0
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0
O
7
N
46
D
72
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
974 Sightings
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73
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147
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535
A
82
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12
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0
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0
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1
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0
O
9
N
41
D
74
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
733 Sightings
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43
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146
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420
A
47
M
8
J
0
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0
A
1
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0
O
4
N
31
D
33
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 150
Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts
663 Sightings
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24
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136
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439
A
37
M
3
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0
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0
A
1
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0
O
4
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14
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 85
iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish
642 Sightings
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27
F
132
M
406
A
35
M
4
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0
J
0
A
1
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0
O
2
N
8
D
27
The best Months to dive in Surin Islands
The Surin liveaboard season runs from mid October to May, but for the best diving experience, visit between December to April, as the monsoon season brings rainy days and high winds. Many trips simply don’t visit the islands during the monsoon period.
Water temperatures fluctuate between 28-31°C all year, peaking during the dry season (November to April). This season also boasts the best sea conditions, like calm oceans and clear visibility that can reach 30 meters.
For the best chance of seeing pelagics like manta rays and whalesharks, visit between February and April, while schools of barracuda and trevally are seen more often from November to January.
