Surin National Park

For many years the Surin Islands were an unspoiled group of islands where local fishing boats sheltered during storms and where small communities of sea gypsies lived. In 1981, the Surin Islands group was declared a Marine National Park. The park includes 5 main islands: Surin Nua, Surin Tai, Ri (or Satok), Glang (or Pachumba) and Khai (or Torinla). The national park is open for visits from mid-October to mid-May. There is a fee to visit the park: 500 baht for foreigners (children 300 THB) and 100 THB for local tourists (children 50 THB).

The greatest value of the Surin Marine National Park is the coral reefs. Because of them as well as the rich marine fauna Surin Islands together with Similan are considered to be the best diving place in Thailand. Many corals grow at shallow depths and you can explore them with a mask and snorkel. 

The Surin Islands are home for three species of sea turtles, the bissa turtle, the green turtle, and the Ridley's olive turtle. Surin Islands is the best place in Thailand for those wishing to swim with sea turtles (most often bissa turtle).

The vegetation of the islands is tropical forest. There are also some mangrove forests.

There are about 90 species of birds on the islands most of which are local, 6 species of reptiles, (Bengal tarantula, water ram, reticulated python, etc.). Mammals are represented by 22 species, twelve of which are bats.

The settlement of the Sea Gypsies who still live on the island is interest for tourists. The village is located on North Surin.

Every year in April the Surin Islands hold an important ceremony with the sea gypsies during which they pay tribute to their ancestors and ask the spirits for care and protection.