Surin Islands 2 Days 1 Night in a Tent or Bungalow (from Phuket or Khao Lak)
By late afternoon the day boats have gone and the Surin Islands change character. Staying the night is the only way to have the reef off Mai Ngam beach to yourself at first light, before anyone else has landed. Sunset at Kra Ting Bay, dinner in the park, a tent or a bungalow, and a second day of snorkeling on the way home.
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Surin Islands 2 days 1 night in a tent or bungalow: the archipelago after the day boats leave
Around four in the afternoon the engines stop, the bays empty out and the only people left on the islands are the park staff, the Moken and the handful of visitors who booked a bed. That is the whole reason to stay. You get the evening, when the sun drops behind Kra Ting Bay and there is nothing to listen to but the forest, and you get the first hour of the following morning, when the water is flat and the reef off Mai Ngam beach is a swim away with nobody in it.
You sleep either in a park tent pitched a few steps from the sand or, if it has been booked far enough ahead, in one of the park bungalows. Neither is a hotel. Both are inside a national park with shared bathrooms and simple food from the canteen, and that is the trade you are making for the silence. The rest of the programme covers the ground the day trips cover: snorkeling in the Chong Kad channel, a visit to the Moken village, the reef at Bon Bay or Mae Yai Bay, and Pineapple Bay, where the turtles are. What changes is the pace, and the fact that you are not watching a clock waiting for a boat back. Bear in mind that the park is open from mid-October to mid-May only, and that overnight places on the island are limited, so this one needs booking early.
Destinations visited
General Information
| Tour Code | TFSS20 |
|---|---|
| Starting from | Khao Lak, Phuket |
| Duration | Full Day, 2 to 5 Days |
| Tour Type | Excursions, Multi-Day Tours |
| Tour Format | Group |
| Guide Language | English |
| Interests | Adventure & Sport, Nature & Trekking, Sea & Islands, Snorkeling |
| Available Period | From 15 October to 15 May |
| Availability | Daily |
Sample Itinerary
06:30 – 07:00: Pickup at your hotel reception for the transfer to Namkhem Marina (pickup from Khao Lak to be confirmed).
08:30: Check-in at the pier, welcome snacks and hand-out of the snorkeling gear (fins and beach towel included).
09:00: Departure by speedboat for the remote Surin Islands.
Morning: Snorkeling session in the Chong Kad Channel and a visit to the Moken village, to learn how this sea-going community lives and what its long relationship with the archipelago has been.
12:00: Buffet lunch at the national park restaurant.
Afternoon: Check-in at your accommodation, tent or bungalow, and free time on Mai Ngam beach while the day boats leave.
Sunset: The option of a short walk over to Kra Ting Bay for the sunset, or simply staying put on the sand.
19:30: Dinner served by the national park, then your night on the island.
08:00: Breakfast at the national park canteen.
Morning: Free time to swim and snorkel straight off Mai Ngam beach, then packing up for check-out.
12:00: Final lunch at the park restaurant.
13:30: Back on the boat for two snorkeling sessions at the best sites in the group: Bon Bay or Mae Yai Bay, and the well-known Pineapple Bay (also called Tao Bay), where turtles are often seen over intact coral.
15:30: The speedboat starts the return crossing to the mainland.
17:30: Arrival at Namkhem pier, followed by the transfer back to your hotel.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.
Inclusions
What the Tour Includes
- Round-trip transfer between your hotel and the pier
- Speedboat crossing
- Overnight stay in a national park tent (camping), or in a bungalow if booked and confirmed in advance.
- National park entry fee
- 6 meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinner, snacks and fruit)
- Complete snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel and fins)
- Beach towel
- Professional English-speaking guide and trained crew
- Government accident insurance
Not Included
- Personal expenses and tips
- Toiletries / bathroom kit
- Any extra activity not listed above
- Bungalow supplement 2,000 THB per day (to be booked well in advance)
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether an excursion is right for me?
Every tour and activity is described in detail in your personalised itinerary. For each excursion you will find precise information on:
- Difficulty level: easy, moderate or demanding.
- Duration: from half a day to a full day.
- Requirements: minimum level of fitness, recommended age and accessibility.
Please also bear in mind that sea excursions by speedboat are usually not suitable for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems. Travellers with disabilities should be accompanied by someone who can assist them when needed. If you have any doubts or specific requirements, your Travel Consultant is always at your disposal for personalised advice.
What happens in case of bad weather?
Safety is our priority. If weather conditions make an activity dangerous or inadvisable, the excursion will be:
- Rescheduled: we will try to move the activity to another day of your trip.
- Replaced: if rescheduling is not possible, we will offer an alternative activity of equal value.
- Refunded: if neither rescheduling nor replacement is possible, you will receive a full refund for the excursion you were unable to take.
Please remember that rain during the wet season rarely spoils an entire day. You will always be informed in advance of any changes.
What are the pick-up times?
Pickup is between 06:30 and 07:00 on day one, with check-in at Namkhem Marina at 08:30 and departure at 09:00. On day two you are back at the pier at about 17:30 and driven straight to your hotel. Pickup from Khao Lak is agreed case by case; the exact time is in your final travel documents.
What should I bring with me on the excursions?
For every excursion we provide a list of recommended items. In general, we always suggest:
- Suitable clothing: a swimsuit under your clothes, something light to change into and comfortable shoes or sandals for walking on rock.
- Protection: hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen.
- Hydration: water, especially on hot days.
- Vouchers and documents: where required, a copy (digital or printed) of your booking voucher.
Are meals or drinks included during the tours?
Yes, six meals are included over the two days: breakfasts, lunches, dinner on the island, plus snacks and fruit. The food is what the national park canteen serves, simple and Thai, and there is no restaurant to switch to, so please tell us about any allergy, intolerance or vegetarian diet when you book.
Can I cancel or change a single excursion?
Yes, but specific terms apply. Cancellation and amendment conditions vary from one activity to another.
You will find the exact details for each excursion in the Terms and Conditions attached to your quotation. If you need to make a change or a cancellation, please write to us at info@thailandfantastic.com as soon as possible.
Are young children and infants allowed?
It depends on the child and on where you sleep. A tent on a national park beach with shared bathrooms is an adventure for some children and hard work for others, and the bungalows are limited. Give us the exact age of everyone travelling when you request a quote and we will tell you honestly whether it works.
