Mu Ko Surin National ParkAbout Mu Ko Surin National Park
Mu Ko Surin National Park is a marine and island protected area in the Andaman Sea off Thailand’s west coast, administered from Phang Nga Province. The park comprises a small group of islands surrounded by coral reefs and clear waters.
The park is primarily visited for snorkeling, reef diving and short island hikes; the two largest islands, Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai, host the majority of trails, beach landing sites and ranger facilities. Coral gardens and shallow reef slopes are the main attractions for day-trippers and liveaboard visitors.
The islands and their surrounding reefs are managed for marine conservation and tourism. Local sea nomad communities historically used the area, and park management balances visitor access with reef protection.
Mu Ko Surin sits offshore in the northern Andaman Sea, west of Phang Nga Province; boat access is required from the mainland and seasonal weather patterns strongly influence visiting windows.
- Seasonal access: The park’s visiting season is seasonal and weather-dependent; boat trips and liveaboard services generally operate in the calmer months when visibility is best for snorkeling and diving.
- Cultural and marine highlights: Traditional sea nomad (Moken) presence historically links the islands to local maritime cultures, and sightings of reef species are best near shallow fringing reefs around the main isles.
What to See#
- Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai: Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai are the two largest islands with beaches, trails and ranger facilities; they form the primary visitor areas for snorkeling and beach access.
- Coral reefs and dive/snorkel sites: Fringing coral reefs and offshore dive sites surrounding the islands host hard and soft corals with abundant reef fishes, making the marine zones the park’s main attraction.
Nearby Attractions to Mu Ko Surin National Park
Best Time to Visit Mu Ko Surin National Park
The best time to visit is the dry season from November through April when dive operators and park services are running and coral visibility is at its best.
Weather & Climate near Mu Ko Surin National Park
Mu Ko Surin National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (4239 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 22° - 32° | 27° | 24 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.5h |
| February | Excellent | 22° - 32° | 30° | 28 mm | some cloud | 77% | 2.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Very Good | 23° - 33° | 31° | 66 mm | some cloud | 76% | 1.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 24° - 33° | 33° | 176 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 1.5 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 32° | 505 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.8 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.4h |
| June | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 31° | 618 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.5h |
| July | Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 670 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.5h |
| August | Good | 24° - 30° | 31° | 772 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.1 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 722 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.7 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 430 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.5 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.8h |
| November | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 179 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| December | Excellent | 23° - 31° | 27° | 49 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
How to Get to Mu Ko Surin National Park
Boats to Mu Ko Surin depart from Kuraburi Pier (Phang Nga Province); many operators run day trips and liveaboard snorkeling/diving boats from November-April. Kuraburi is reachable by bus from Phuket or Phang Nga; the pier is approximately a 30-60 minute drive from Kuraburi town.
Tips for Visiting Mu Ko Surin National Park
- Book liveaboard or day-trip boats out of Kuraburi - most departures are early (6-8am) and return late afternoon.
- Snorkel at Ao Mae Yai and Hin Kong for the best coral; bring your own reef-safe sunscreen - rental gear is usually basic.
- Avoid the monsoon months (May-October) when the park closes or services are limited; the ranger station sometimes restricts access during heavy seas.