Just 7km south of Thailand's border with Myanmar (Burma) and 80km west of Ranong province on Thailand's west coast is the Surin Islands National Marine Park. There are two main islands in the marine park, they are Surin Nua (North) and Surin Dtai (South). There are also three smaller islands, Koh Pachumba (Dragon Island), Koh Chi (Nun Island) and Koh Torinla.  Then there are two exposed rock outcroppings called Hin Gong and Hin Rap. There is a national park HQ on the islands plus a village of the nomadic sea gypsy tribe known as Mokken or Chao Ley. Otherwise the islands are uninhabited, no resorts here. Fewer dive boats visit this area despite many of them advertising that they do. Often when a liveaboard company says that they visit the Surin islands they are actually refering to Koh Bon and Koh Tachai islands which are south of Surin islands and located within the Similan Islands national marine park.
The diving season for the Surin islands is November to the end of April when the sea should be flat and the weather fine. November-December can see some wind. February to April is the best time to spot large pelagic species like Whale sharks and Manta Rays. Boats are advised not to visit the area from May to the end of October when waves can make travel hazardous. Continued >>
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