Surin Islands Snorkeling Trip From Phuket

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. 😊😊😊

I was staying at LeMeridien Phuket, and was picked up at 5:40am (punctual). We picked up some more people in Patong before driving for two hours to Khao Lak. There we had breakfast, a briefing for the day, and then grab a fast boat for another hour and a half until we arrived to Surin at 10:30am meaning it took 5 hours just to get there so that you keep that in mind before booking. Boat was filled with about 30 people and felt a bit crowded sometimes. Nevertheless, the guide Moana was good! All of the snorkeling places were very nice and we were at each of them for about 40min as well as in the local village which is ok. They provided coke, water, cookies and fruits after each stop which was nice. Lunch was ok, a nice Thai food buffet in the beach with beverages included. Masks with new mouth pieces as well as life jackets and fins were provided at no cost. Transportation was super organized with buses assigned specially to your destination. After the end, it took 2 hours and a half to go back to Karon in Phuket, thus it is a REALLY exhausting tour. Would definitely recommend if you don’t mind that much time required to get here from Phuket as the islands are beautiful and worth to pay a visit.

Be prepared for a long and crazy ride to and from the dock, like an hour to two hours each way. And you might think your driver has a death wish, but it's the way they drive here. The three snorkle sites were all within a stones throw of one another but were different enough due to depth, current and time of day, that they held our interest. We had about 40 min at each. The supplied equipment was excellent, even towels. Due to the event length, over 12 hrs, they supplied breakfast, lunch and dinner, which were okay and plentiful. I'm glad I did it.

The overall trip was just amazing. Seastar is a wonderful tour company with trained staff. We started with a detailed briefing with a light breakfast. They provided nausea tablets, snorkel masks and flippers to all. The journey to the snorkelling spots was a little rocky because of the sea, but once we reached, it was amazing. We don’t know how to swim so there was a guide who took us snorkelling. The views were beautiful, lots of corals and fish. Really close view even while snorkelling. Overall a very recommended tour, although the travel is pretty long.

Not the most assistive agency if you want to book your tours with. Post booking the tour with the agency. There was no longer correspondence from the operator online apart from pre-sent emails for the tour booked. We had to arrange for transport which was part of the package. But we could not contact the agency. Our car battery went flat, so we needed to organise the transport, but customer support totally ghosted. We had to organise transport on our own. And we could not get our clarifications on when the tour started. I will never book through agencies again and if I need to book any tours in the future. I will go directly with the tour operator (like seastar or love Andaman). Don’t waste your time and stress out. I would not have give a poor rating if they least responded online

The program was completely different from what we read. We never stayed for 4 hours at any beach. The beach time was only 1 hour, and we did non-stop snorkeling at four different locations instead of enjoying more hours at the beach. The details were not explained at all, and people were confused. Also, the staff on the boat, specifically two girls, were extremely rude. When we asked a question, they laughed mockingly. I would not recommend this trip to anyone; we had a very bad experience

Pickup was on time and the entire tour was prompt with timelines for leaving each stop throughout the day. We stayed in Patong Beach, so heads up that the drive to the boat launch is about 2.5 hours in the morning and 3 hours on the way back to the hotel since there will probably be traffic. Check in was easy, they give you a number that you use throughout the day for towels and your gear. We were provided all the snorkeling gear we needed, a light breakfast, lunch buffet, and dinner so no need to bring any snacks. It was about an hour and 30 minute speed boat ride to and from the launching spot to get to Surin Islands. Boat ride was bouncy but didn’t get sea sick since it was just up and down, not side to side. The Moken village was the first stop so bring cash if you want to buy a souvenir. Our tour guide was Moana who was very happy and informative. The water was extremely clear and the coral and fish were amazing. Lots of clown fish and interesting clams with vibrant colors. Wonderful snorkeling experience!

One of the best tour operator. Very nice and organised team to go out sea with. Snorkeling spots were super enjoyable as we were able to see different fishes and corals.

Surin Islands are beautiful and I truly recommend this tour! Everything was so well organized didn’t have to worry about anything! The staff was very nice and heart warming always there for everything you would need! I need to leave a special thank you to Moana and her crew, you guys were amazing such good vibes making everyone laugh taking us to beautiful places to snorkel! And the most amazing about this tour is even if you do not know how to swim don’t worry you can go! The crew goes with you to the water and shows you the places where you can see the nature under the sea! Also in the end they cooked some food for everyone leaving this feeling of family and unity. I could go on but hopefully more people will go and experience what we did! We loved it!

The boat ride over actually wasn’t that bad ay all and well worth when you see the views. Visiting the Monken village was most memorable.

Our group, consisting of families and members of all ages from around the world, enjoyed a fantastic trip with an experienced tour guide, friendly lifeguards, and delicious meals and snacks, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We particularly loved the crystal clear snorkeling at Paradise - the Surin Island.

Overall great trip, and our guide Moana was brilliant! Especially great to have prescription snorkel goggles available, this isn’t usually the case. Transfers were only downside where route back ended up going around half the island and taking 3 hours back towards Patong

Surin was breathtaking place. Clear waters. We had a time snorkelling in the clear waters. Being a non swimmers crew helped us to enjoy it. Amazing place and wonderful staff. Awesome trip. Thanks for a great time.

A really fantastic tour. Well worth the early pickup. Amazing snorkelling. Great guides and very well organised!

Our trip to Surin was amazing! The whole day was organised so well with a delicious lunch provided. Snorkelling was incredible, we were able to see so many beautiful fish and corals! Our stopover in the Moken village was also wonderful, got to meet the lovely sea gypsys and their families. Overall a wonderful day with such stunning views! Thank you to our guide Moana who especially made the day enjoyable.

Amazing sea life while snorkeling. Loved gypsy town. Crew was friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend this trip.

We tried booking snorkelling at Surin Islands through this Tripadvisor page only to have almost all the money refunded a day later because the trip was apparently full. Went to a recommended woman in Patong who got us onto the boat for less - check out Better Call Nika & Gzonetour on Facebook. It's a long day with a 6am collection from the hotel in Patong. A good 2 hour van drive north takes you up to Seastar's dock with being one of the first collected beneficial as you can use a window as a pillow. Breakfast is available for those who can eat, coffee is industrial strength for the rest of us who are normal people. We sat at the rear of our boat, trading off less bounce from the swell for noise from the engines. It's just over an hour to our first stop. The wife was scared of the thought of wearing a snorkel and mask but took to it really well as soon as the beauty of the reef below shared its life with us. Remember UV bounces off the surface of the water and your back will be exposed - get some reef-safe factor 50 on your flesh. Reapply after each dip. You don't want a 2 hour journey back to Phuket with sunburn. One more snorkelling stop before stopping at an island for lunch and time to spend on the beach, see the turtle hatchery, and play in the shallow water. We watched shoals leaping from the water, it was a delight. Leaving the beach, we called in at the sea gypsy village for a wander and shopping opportunity. Show me the man who says he has enough key rings and I'll point to a liar. A final snorkel over another reef and the day was done far too quickly. There's the option to camp overnight for brave souls who don't mind being kept awake all night by monkeys and insects. Back at the dock, yet another meal in case people hadn't eaten enough (on top of the snacks and drinks on the boat). Then there was chaotic confusion finding out where to return the flippers and how to identify our van home - compounded by drivers deciding to switch up where they were going between themselves. I managed to sleep for most of the journey home fortunately as some bloke decided the world needed his YouTube video like yesterday - so spent the entire trip editing it on his phone, which entailed playing part of a Moby track over and over until my wife began looking for a club or knife. I had a fish ID pdf from my scuba course the previous week - strongly recommend hunting something like that out on the internet before you go. We saw two types of moray, angelfish, starfish, urchins, cucumbers, crabs, fusiliers, gobies, damsels, butterflies, clowns, groupers, and more. Next time we head to the Similan Isles. It was ace.

We booked a trip for tomorrow and send a question to confirm, didn’t hear back- do you still exist? Will the tour operate? Thanks

Breakfast style is not much, but the taste is very good, there are a lot of snacks in the whole process, soda and water will not worry about the hungry return before there is a meal

The tour guide was helpful and friendly, the overall schedule was well-planned.The time arrangement is good. Breakfast and tea break is good.

Punctual pickup and professional guide. Plenty of water and small bite food from the organiser. Be prepared to sit for 2 hours on bus and 1.5 hours on speed boat. Other then that, it’s a 5 star trip!

I loved this tour. For the price I paid, the value was really delivered. Our tour guide Man was a true treasure and everyone was gracious and accommodating. The itinerary was great and Surin island was a dream. I saw seahorses and clown fish. Loved this trip!

The tour is awesome, staff are friendly, the National Park is like paradise, 1.5 hours of bus and 1.5 hours of boat ride

Beaches were very nice and syneric but it's crowdy as well. The tour guide were nice as well. I don't like tour itinerary. They should have given more time either for beach stay or for snorkeling. I don't why this island known as one of the best place for snorkeling.

The tour guide was very informative and helpful. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were provided even though the choices was very limited.

Very good guide and good arrangement. The speed boat is new and not over crowded. Recommended! Good experience and the view is so good

The trip is well organized and our guide was top. The food is much better than what you might expect ..... The snorkeling areas are very nice.

The trip itself is very nice. Really nice places where you can snorkel among the coral and tropical fish. You will be well taken care of by the crew, soda, water and (fruit) snacks are also offered regularly. But you're on your way a long time to get there. From Phuket (Surin Beach) it is a 2 hour drive to the pick-up point (with the transfer van) and then it is another 1.5 hours by speedboat to the first stop. Definitely back (after a whole day on the water) that is exhausting. It was worth it but you have to give it for that.

Sehr schöne Unterwasserwelt zum schnorcheln. Gut organisiert und reibungslos abgelaufen. Verpflegung war super, Früstück- Mittag- und Abendessen!

Super excursion, plages magnifiques, fonds marins superbes et très émouvant de visiter le village des mokens - je regrette de ne pas avoir pris des feutres des cahiers et des petits jouets pour le donner aux enfants Mokens