Surin Islands National Park Reopens for Tourism Season
Surin Islands National Park in Phang Nga reopened on October 15 after a five-month monsoon closure, welcoming tourists to its white-sand beaches, clear waters, and vibrant shallow coral reefs ideal for snorkeling. Park officials confirm the marine ecosystem remains pristine, hosting whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles, while urging visitors to follow strict conservation rules to protect the underwater environment.
After a five-month closure to avoid the southwest monsoon and allow nature to recover, Surin Islands National Park in Phang Nga province reopened its tourism season on October 15, 2026, ready to welcome visitors back to experience the beauty of the Andaman Sea — white sandy beaches, clear waters, and an underwater world full of colorful coral reefs and diverse marine life.
The Surin Islands comprise five main islands: Surin Nua, Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Ko Kai, and Ko Klang, with Surin Nua and Surin Tai as the primary islands lying close together like twins amid waters linking each island's ecosystem. The area's standout feature is its shallow-water coral reefs, considered one of Thailand's most important marine ecosystems and the reason the Surin Islands have become a destination for divers from Thailand and abroad.
A special feature of the Surin Islands is the abundance of coral reefs in shallow areas, allowing tourists to admire underwater nature through snorkeling without needing advanced diving experience. For deep diving, the world-class Richelieu Rock — an underwater pinnacle about 14 kilometers east of the Surin Islands — stands out for its rich coral reefs and diverse marine life, earning recognition as a diver's paradise from around the globe.
Park chief Atit Kayankij said Surin Islands National Park has prepared for the 2027 tourism season. Dive operation teams surveyed depths of 7–26 meters to check the marine environment, debris levels, and mooring buoy stability. They found the ecosystem remains highly intact, covered in colorful soft corals and serving as habitat for rare marine animals such as whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles, with high biodiversity that continues to attract large numbers of visitors each year.
Preserving the beauty and balance of the underwater ecosystem sustainably requires cooperation from all tourists in strictly following national park regulations — especially responsible diving: no touching, grabbing, or stepping on coral reefs; no disturbing marine animals; and no littering in the sea — to jointly protect the home of marine life and maintain the priceless underwater scenery.
Beyond its underwater coral world, the park offers other highlights popular among marine tourists, including:
Ao Chong Krad (Surin Nua) — location of the park headquarters, with fine white sand and clear water suitable for camping, and one of the island's most beautiful sunset viewpoints. Ko Kai — south of Surin Tai, about 6 kilometers from headquarters, a small island with one of the largest and most pristine dive sites in the Surin Islands. Ao Mai Ngam (Surin Nua) — a long, tranquil white-sand beach with a nature trail through beach and rainforest, and a notable spot for observing large herds of soldier crabs. Ao Tao (Surin...
