Surin Islands Snorkeling Adventure

The drive from Phuket to Surin isn't 1.5 hours but actually 2.5 hours & I hadn't bought my headphones along so would have planned better if Id known this. The aircon in the van was freezing & had to use my towel as a cover. Breakfast & dinner at the boat pier was poor. Lunch at the National Park was disappointing as I couldn't eat anything since the food was so spicy. I had to order from the tuckshop. No variety of did at the pier and I ended up eating ice cream for dinner on return to the pier. Snorkeling was fine and the weather was good. Although we weren't told about the places we stopped to snorkel at. The Moken village was quite boring as all of the market stands sell the same items.

Phuket’s Best Trip for Real Snorkelers If you are a serious snorkeler, skip the high-rated Phi Phi "mass-market" tours. Those trips target casual tourists who often can't swim and prioritize buffet food or Instagram photos over the water. On those tours, I’ve been forced to wear a life jacket and stuck in crowded spots where guides feed fish for "pretty pictures." This trip is different. It’s tailored for people who prioritize underwater time over everything else. The Highlights: • Cultural Start: Visited a Moken village to see their unique, traditional way of life. • Serious Snorkeling: Three distinct spots with 30–40 minutes of swim time at each. • Marine Life: Stunning reefs, diverse fish, and I even spotted a small shark. • Expert Crew: Very competent captains and guides who actually know the water. The only downside: It is extremely far from Phuket (we stayed in Karon). Mentally prepare for several hours of travel each way, but it is 100% worth it if you want to escape the crowds. I struggled to find a non-tourist-trap excursion and was hesitant due to the low review count, but this exceeded all expectations. Highly recommended for enthusiasts.

It was a great experience, with great instructors and program, and was organized exceptionally. First we had breakfast in their base, they provided us with every equipment we might need (fins, goggles, gopro). Then we departed from the pier and headed towards big adventure. It was all-inclusive day - water and coke + snack during the day, also very delicious thai lunch on the island. After the adventure we had dinner, and delicious homemade coconut ice cream and headed back to our hotels.

Amazing experience with unbelievable view. I love smoking here. but lunch is way too spicy for me unfortunately

This was a great excursion, but it does make for a long day of travelling to get to the Surin islands. If you’re willing to make the effort these islands are amazing, with spectacular reefs and super clear water. But unless you’re staying near the marina be prepared to spend most of the day driving to and from the dock. Personally, I’m glad I did it, but that’s me. 😊😊😊