THE SURIN ISLANDS — Thailand's finest shallows
A visit to the Moken village — the first inhabitants of the Surin Islands, who built their homes on boats and lived here before the national park was created.
+ 22 more photos in the gallery below
Hotel pick-up — the van collects everyone from their accommodation in Phuket, Khao Lak or Krabi and drives to the Thap Lamu pier in Phang Nga province.
Check-in at the pier, with a light breakfast: sandwiches, fruit juice, tea and coffee.
Meet your guide and get ready to board — a guide who cares about the reefs.
The guide explains the programme, how to travel without damaging the coral, and where to sit on the boat for safety.
Departure — the crew are ready. We leave the pier for the Surin Islands national park, on a safe speedboat with life jackets and equipment on board.
Surin Islands — arrival at the national park.
The first stop is Nemo Bay, one of the finest corners of the Surin Islands and made for snorkelling.
Rich coral reefs, clownfish and shoal after shoal of other fish.
Moken village — a visit to the Moken people and a look at how they live.
Lunch at the Surin Islands National Park office, with a snack bar and drinks.
Back in the water. Snorkelling at Mae Yai Bay, still full of broad coral reefs of every kind and fish to match, then on to Tao Bay, where the reef has also survived intact — this is where you may meet a hawksbill turtle.
There is time on the beach too: a walk, or photographs.
Time to say goodbye and start the journey back from the Surin Islands, heading for the pier.
Back at the pier, and the van takes you safely to your hotel.
See also
A paddle along a natural waterway and a swim in clear, cool water. You will also learn how to approach elephants and bathe them.
Half day
Snorkelling over coral and fish, a walk on the sand, a small barbecue on the beach and the sunset to finish.
Half day
A paddle through mangrove forest among shapes that nature carved itself, with limestone cliffs the whole way.
