A Trip Journal - Snorkeling at Surin Islands

:: General Information of Surin Island::

Phraya Surintharacha Thesa Muang Phuket (formerly Mr. Nokyung Wisetkul) was surveying Andaman Sea at Koh-phrathong sub district, Khuraburi district, Phang-nga province and discovered the islands. He named them Surin Islands. Upon the 30th day of December, 1971, Royal Forest Department proclaimed Surin Islands as a national conservation forest. Surin Islands National Marine Park is a group of islands located in Andaman Sea next to Myanmar boundary. The islands are approximately 70 kilometers away from west coast of Thailand. They include 5 islands: Surin Nua; Surin Tai; Ree; Khai; and Klang. The national park has total area of 84,375 rais or 135 kilometer squares.

History: Royal Forest Department proclaimed Surin Islands as a national conservation forest upon the 30th day of December, 1971. According to meeting Ref. 1/2519 dated January 14, 1976, Wildlife Conservation and Protection Committee had a resolution to categorize Surin Islands as wildlife conservation area. Afterwards, the forest department contacted Department of Mineral Resources about the resolution but, in return, received a comment that Surin Islands were located within concession boundary of Weeks Petroleum Company’s per land registration ตก. 9 W1. Besides, Surin Islands were once proposed as a Peguans’ evacuation camp. Therefore, the wildlife conservation announcement for the islands was suspended. However, considering plentiful supply of natural resource both on land and under sea, esthetic scenery so perfect for tourism and ecotourism, Forest Department protested.

National Park Division, Royal Forest Department resurveyed the islands and beheld beautiful appearance of the ocean; coral and forest in perfect condition; cleanly white sand beach; and numerous breeds of birds. The forest department submitted the proposal once again to National Park Committee. The committee agreed with new resolution following meeting Ref. 2/2523 dated August 8, 1980, and since then Surin Islands have been categorized as a national marine park. Under royal decree, Surin Islands located in Koh-phrathong sub district, Khuraburi district, Phang-nga province are registered as a national park. They were proclaimed in government gazette Book 98 Section 112 dated July 9, 1981 as the 29th national park of Thailand.

:: Topography ::

Surin Islands always have windshield conditions due to gathering characteristic of the islands and their enormous bay. Lines of coral reefs are produced around the shores of Surin Nua’s, Surin Tai’s and subordinate islands’. Perfect environments for development of coral include: clear water; appropriate temperature; mixture of seawater with nourishment carried by sea current striking the islands from beneath; and abundance of plankton the food for fishes and marine animals. Another important factor is semidiurnal (twice in 24 hours) tide in Andaman Sea. The difference between highest and lowest surface level can be as much as 3 meters and thereby inshore current is fairly strong.

Surin Nua and Surin Tai are located next to each other like twin islands. Lies between is a 200-meter wide path in shallow water that during descent time we can walk across to Chong-khad Bay. Other three tiny islands are composed of rocks and contain loose batch of undergrown trees. Growing on the islands is tropical evergreen forest, the source of largest and most productive shallow-water coral reef of Thailand.

:: Climate ::

There are two seasons on Surin Islands: summer from mid February to mid May and rainy season from mid May to mid October. Average annual rainfall is higher than 3,000 millimeters, relative humidity around 83%. Climate in rainy season is influenced by south-west monsoon wind. Beside heavy rain, the islands are affected by strong wind and wave. By these reasons, it’s not safe for tourists to visit Surin Islands at these times of year. Tour season is scheduled as follows:
Closed: May 16 – November 15; every year
Opened: November 16 – May 15; every year

:: Wildlife ::

Surin Islands National Marine Park accommodates wildlife and marine animals as described below.

Abundant tropical rain forest covers most area and contains various botanical families such as (botanical names) Aglaia edulis Gray, Bouea oppositifolia Meissn, Diospyros cauliflora Bl, Hydnocarpus ilicifolius King, Pterospermum diversifolium Bl, Diospyros areolata King & Gamble, Diospyros sumatrana Miq, Diospyros wallichii King & Gamble, Diospyros undulata Wall, Knema globularia Warb, Knema laurina Warb, Microdesmis caseariifolia Planch, Parishia insignis Hook. f., Dracontomelon mangiferum Bl, Dipterocarpus grandiflorus Blanco, Dipterocarpus costatus Gaertn. f., Vatica cinerea King, Endospermum diadenum Airy Shaw, Antidesma bunius Spreng, Citrus ichangensis Swing, Stemonurus malaccensis Sleumer, Adenanthera pavonina Linn, Prunus arborea Kalkm, Antidesma sootepense Craib, Cleistanthus helferi Hook. f., Galearia fulva Miq, Anisoptera costata Korth, Ficus annulata Bl, Ficus altissima Bl, Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk, Canthium dicoccum Merr, Antidesma bunius Spreng, Flacourtia jangomas Raeusch, Garcinia merguensis Wight, Hunteria zeylanica Gard. ex Thw, Drypetes longifolia Pax & Hoffm.

In addition, there are other types of plants such as:

Palms: Caryota mitis Lour, Borassodendron machadonis Becc, Other palms.

Shrubs: Hedyotis andamanica Kurz, Rinorea horneri Ktze, Psychotria adenophylla Wall, Randia oppositifolia Koord.

Vines: Strychnos colubrina Linn, Bauhinia pulla Craib, Ancistrocladus tectorius Merr, Poikilospermum suaveolens Merr, Scindapsus cuscuaria Presl, Ficus altissima Bl.

Undergrowth: Chassalia curviflora Thw, Phyllanthus roseus Beillem, Schumannianthus dichotomus Gagnep, Molineria latifolia Herb. ex Kurz, Bolbitis virens Schott, Carex cryptostachys Brongn, Taenitis blechnoides Sw, Livistona saribus Merr.

Beach forest consists of : Hernandia nymphaefolia Kubits, Calophyllum inophyllum Linn, Cerbera odollum Gaertn, Casuarina equisetifolia J.R. & G. Forest, Barringtonia asiatica Kurz, Hibiscus tiliaceus Linn, Guettarda speciosa Linn, Colubrina asiatica Brongn, Premna collinsae Craib, Clerodendrum inerme Gaertn, Scaevola taccada Roxb, Acrostichum aureum Linn, Pandanus odoratissimus Linn. f, Ischaemum muticum Linn.

Mangrove forest consists of : Rhizophora mucronata Poir, Rhizophora apiculata Bl, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Lamk, Xylocarpus granatum Koen, Sonneratia griffithii Kurz, Cerbera odollum Gaertn, Epiphytes, Drynaria quercifolia Linn, Some species of orchid.

Due to its abundant characteristic, the forest hosts various kinds of wildlife especially bird. More than 80 species of bird are found on the islands such as hill myna, pied imperial pigeon, greater racket-tailed king-crow and rare nicobar pigeon. If one strolls along the beach it’s most likely to run into pacific reef egret, sea gull or brahminy kite hovering above sea level to hunt for fish. In the woods it’s much possible to meet with pig-tailed monkey, squirrel, mouse deer, reptile, python, fruit bat and bumblebee bat.

Wildlife along coral reef:

Types of coral reef generally found on Surin Islands are inshore coral reef or “fringing reef”. Mostly seen are cauliflower coral, staghorn coral, mountain coral or finger coral, mushroom coral, galaxea coral, lettuce coral, maze coral, disc coral, fire coral, sea anemone, soft coral, sea fan and sea pen.

Besides common hard coral, 3 types of sea grass are also found in the bay area of Surin Islands including (scientific name): Halophila ovalis (frog's bit), Halodule pinifolia, Thalassia hemprichii.

Other marine inhabitants include: Sponge, Marine worm, Lobster, Shrimp, Crab, Shells, Squid, Starfish, Brittle star, See lilies, Sea urchin, Sea cucumber, Fishes, Damselfish, Wrasse, Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Parrotfish, Grouper, Goldfish, Spotted surgeonfish, Rabbitfish, Moonrish idol, Cardinalfish, Blenny, Goby, Lionfish, Stonefish, Scorpionfish, Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Monocle bream, Jacks, Travelly, Scad, Triggerfish, Puffer, Rare species, Whale shark, Shark, Sea turtles, Leatherback turtle, Green turtle, Hawksbill turtle, Ridley's turtle

:: Beautiful Nature ::

Tao Bay

Tao Bay is located east of Surin Tai Island, 2 kilometers from the national park office. It consists of 50-200 meters wide fringing reef that promptly takes a steep turn into 20-25 meters depth. The reef hosts small coral inside and other kinds of coral in the middle. The reef edge is a residence for large hump coral, and clumps of soft coral plus sea fan in deep water. Hawksbill turtle is most prominent in this zone. Yet there are other types of marine animals such as manta ray or whale shark that skin divers have occasionally discovered.

Phak-Kad Bay

Phak-kad Bay is a small bay located south of Surin Tai Island and beyond Tao Bay. It is 5 kilometers away from the national park office. It boasts a fringing reef of 50-150 meters wide with a small beach. The reef takes a sharp turn at its edge and goes down to depth 15-20 meters. Underneath is sand where some soft coral and sea fan could be found.

Despite its narrowness, Phak-kad Bay collects variety of coral such as coral foliose, coral tabulate, staghorn coral, etc. Moreover, some interesting species like sea anemone and giant clam inhabit mostly in deepwater where they are not clearly seen by skin divers. As most kinds of Surin Islands’ fish are here, divers shall mainly observe fishes especially butterflyfish and angelfish, which are numerous.

Pajumba Island

Pajumba Island, also known as Koh Mungkorn, is 5 kilometers away from the national park office with Mungkorn Bay on east side. This area is dedicated to sea turtle preservation. Water is not deep except in the north. There are heaps of rocks underneath but no soft coral or sea fan. Sometimes the current is too strong for diving.

Mai Ngam Bay

Mai Ngam Bay is located 2 kilometers away from the national park office west of Surin Nua Island. On west side is a large bay with coral reef, of which the edge is 200-500 meters offshore. Traveling to this bay can be done in 2 ways; hiking for 2,000 meters along Mai Ngam Beach nature study trail; or boat riding. Water is too shallow for boats to enter the bay. The boat has to be parked at a small beach before its passengers walk for another 200 meters. This is an opportunity for tourists to take a jungle trip before diving around beach area. Mai Ngam Bay has very beautiful sand, lots of hermit crabs, and in some season hill mynas nesting up trees.

Corals in this bay comprise coral foliose, mushroom coral, staghorn coral and hump coral. They are found at a considerable distance from the shore. Besides coral, there are marine animals such as sea anemone, sea cucumber and fishes. To skin dive around this bay, it is recommended to strictly follow the line otherwise one might end up running aground onto coral jungle. Try to drift near ground level and go along coral side. Floating directly above coral may result in accidental contact with coral or sea urchin.

At Mai Ngam Bay, the national park provides tenting area and restrooms for people who love camping. The national park officer’s recommendations shall be followed. Fresh water shall not be wasted. Tourists shall help and respect the rights of each other.

Torinla Island

Torinla Island, also known as Khai Island, is located 6 kilometers away from the national park office south of Surin Tai Island. It is a terrific diving zone of Surin Islands that some people call “Gong Lueng”. There are series of coral reef and underwater rock lump. Torinla Island is categorized as a large diving zone due to its extensive territory that stretches from Torinla Island to Surin Tai Island, covering most of the channel. It lodges an expansive bush of staghorn coral and more than 200 kinds of beautiful fish such as garden eel, silvertip shark, leopard shark, whipray, humpbacked grouper, batfish, waspfish, ribbon eel, etc. Outstanding figure is leaping marlins that are frequently seen. Torinla Island is one of Thailand’s most spectacular marlin seeing spots. Warning for divers is to dive carefully. Do not underestimate the strong current and sometimes whirlpool at Torinla Channel.

Chak Bay

Chak Bay is located 10 kilometers away from the national park office east of Surin Nua Island. The huge bay embraces a coral reef that is 200-400 meters offshore. The inner side comprises staghorn coral, coral submassive and branched coral. The outer side is an expansive combination of hump coral and staghorn coral. Most marine animals are small beautiful fishes. Large animals are scarcely found.

Suthep Bay

Suthep Bay is the biggest bay of Surin Tai Island. It bears a 1,200-meter long coral reef positioned at least 200-500 meters offshore. Inside the reef is small coral mixed with coral fragments. Outside is a combination of large hump coral reef and very large coral tabulate. The reef edge inclines down to the ground at 15 meters depth. Soft coral, sea fan, giant clam and beautiful fishes can also be seen.