Similan or Surin Islands from Phuket: Which for Snorkelling?
By the PhuketGO tour desk on Phuket — we book and run these trips every week · Updated 13 October 2026
From Phuket, the Similans are the snorkelling trip we run; we don't have a Surin tour in our catalogue, so we can't sell you one or compare them from our own boats. What we can say: both are national parks closed for the monsoon from mid-May to mid-October, Surin's boats leave from Kuraburi pier further north in Phang Nga province, and our Similan days collect you from your hotel on Phuket or in Khao Lak.
Tours and prices in Thai baht
| Tour | Duration | Adult | Child 4–9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similan islands, early departure | One day, 04:00–17:00 | 2,800 ฿ | 2,500 ฿ |
| Similan islands: the classic day trip | About twelve hours | 2,600 ฿ | 2,400 ฿ |
Prices come straight from our booking system. Children under four join free on most trips — each tour page says so.
What we know about Surin, and where it comes from
Everything here about Surin comes from Thailand's Department of National Parks, which runs Mu Ko Surin National Park, and from the Tourism Authority of Thailand's park closure notices. The park lies in Kuraburi district of Phang Nga province, with coral reefs along the shores of Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai and smaller islands. Snorkelling, scuba diving and camping are among the activities the park lists.
Getting there, by the park's own description, means reaching Kuraburi pier and then a boat of about 60 kilometres, which takes roughly one to two and a half hours depending on the boat. The park describes mid-February to mid-May as the best season, and the rainy season from mid-May to mid-October, when the park closes.
What we run instead: the Similan islands
Our Similan days are the closest thing in our catalogue, and both are built around snorkelling. The classic day visits four islands with two snorkelling stops (island 9 at 09:00 and island 7 after lunch), the climb to Sail Rock on island 8 and a Thai buffet lunch on the boat, about twelve hours in all.
The early departure is the first boat out: the speedboat leaves at 06:00, reaches Miang island at 08:00 ahead of the main groups, then snorkels in open water where turtles are often seen before the Sail Rock climb. Both collect from hotels on Phuket and in Khao Lak, so you don't need to sort out a pier in another province.
- Snorkelling first, before the main groups — Similan islands, early departure
- Beaches, two snorkel stops and the view — Similan islands: the classic day trip
- Surin — not in our catalogue; book it directly with the park or a local operator
How the two compare, honestly
We can describe the Similan day from our own cards, and we can't do the same for Surin, so we won't rank Surin's reefs against the Similans'. What's clear from the official information is the logistics. Surin starts from Kuraburi pier in the north of Phang Nga, with the park's own boat schedule; our Similan trips start at your hotel.
The seasons line up. Both parks close for the monsoon from mid-May to mid-October, so whichever you choose, it's a trip for the dry half of the year. Inside that season, our early Similan boat is the one for clear water and fewer boats.
Staying overnight, and beginners
Overnight stays are a Surin question rather than a Similan one on our trips: the national park lists camping among its activities, and bookings go through the park, not through us. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has also posted notices of Mai Ngam bay closing earlier than the rest of the park in some seasons, so check the park's notices for your dates.
For a first-time snorkeller we can only speak for our own trips. On the classic Similan day masks, snorkels and life jackets are on the boat; on the early boat, fins and life jackets too. Tell us in the chat if someone hasn't snorkelled before.
Booking a Similan day
Send the trip, the date, your hotel and everyone's ages in the chat. Children under four travel free, without a separate seat or meals, and 4 to 9 pay the child price; the early boat isn't recommended for children under four. Payment by card online is agreed in the chat once the booking is confirmed. The full steps are on how to book a Similan islands tour. Still choosing between sea days? Similan or James Bond island compares a reef day with a calm bay. The beach stop both our Similan boats make is described on Koh Miang, Similan island 4.
The tours on this page
Questions people ask
Similan or Surin Islands — which is better for snorkeling?
We can only speak for the Similans, which we run; we don't have a Surin tour. Our early Similan boat reaches Miang island at 08:00, ahead of the main groups, and snorkels where turtles are often seen.
Are Surin Islands suitable for beginner snorkelers?
We can't judge from our own trips, as we don't run Surin. The national park lists snorkelling among its activities. On our Similan days masks, snorkels and life jackets are on the boat.
Can I stay overnight on the Surin Islands?
The national park lists camping among its activities; bookings go through the park, not through us. Check the park's notices for your dates, as parts of it can close earlier in the season.
When are the Surin Islands open?
The park closes for the monsoon from mid-May to mid-October, according to Thailand's Department of National Parks. The Similans follow the same rhythm.
Do you run Surin tours from Phuket?
No. From Phuket we run two Similan day trips, the classic day and the early departure, with hotel pickup on Phuket or in Khao Lak.
How do you get to the Surin Islands?
Through Kuraburi pier in Phang Nga province. By the park's description the boat covers about 60 kilometres in one to two and a half hours, depending on the boat.
Tell us your dates
Send the trip you like, your dates and your hotel. We confirm the pickup time and how the sea looks for that day. Payment is agreed in the chat after the booking is confirmed: by card, bank transfer or USDT.