Surin Islands national park

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The Surin islands, close to the Burmese border, are included in Thailand's National Park System, and consist of two large densely forested islands. They are the home of a wide variety of fauna, including pythons, flying lemurs, rare mouse deer and sea eagles.

Surin is also the home of a number of Sea Gypsies or Chao Lay, an indigenous seafaring people who live in two small settlements near the waters edge.

Underwater, Surin offers some challenging diving on pinnacles to the west and south. Vigorous currents through 'Swift Passage' make for exhilarating shallow drift diving, allowing one to 'fly' over this densely populated, colorful reef. Surin provides an idyllic, protected anchorage with excellent access to the world famous 'Richelieu Rock', only 10 miles away to the south east.

Richelieu Rock is a horse shoe shaped pinnacle of rock rising from the sand at 33 meters to just break the surface at low tide. Constantly bathed in nutrient rich tidal currents, 'Richelieu Rock' supports an incredible diversity of marine life. A photographers dream from macro to wide angle, nudibranches and cuttlefish to mantas and whalesharks (50% of dives at Richelieu Rock include whaleshark sightings). This 'world class' dive site is perfect for repetitive multi-level diving to allow one maximum time to experience its wonders.

Koh Bon Island lies approximately 17 miles north east of Similan Island number 9 and provides not only a scenic protected anchorage but is also regularly frequented by manta rays. The dive extends along a sharp ridge of rock covered in hard and soft corals and huge gorgonian fans to a depth of 40 meters. Large pelagic including mackerel and tuna are also commonly encountered hunting in the blue water along the ridge.20 miles or so north of Koh Bon lies the island of Koh Tachai where the prime dive site is known as 'Twin Peaks.' It consists of a long boulder strewn ridge rising to pinnacles at either end.As the reef lies perpendicular to prevailing currents and is constantly bathed by plankton rich nutrients, the variety of hard and soft corals and reef and schooling fish here is awesome. On the deeper reef edges can be found leopard and nurse sharks as well as stingrays foraging in and resting on the sand. From January to May, manta rays and whale sharks are also frequently sighted here.