Surin Islands Early Bird Tour with English-Speaking Guide (from Phuket or Khao Lak)
Early Bird means what it says: a 04:00 pickup and a 06:40 departure, so you are already in the water while the regular boats are still loading at the pier. Mae Yai Bay before the crowd, a guided walk through the Moken village, the white sand of Ao Chong Kad and an English-speaking guide for the whole day.
Book with us
- English-speaking assistance and secure booking
- Fast reply and confirmation within 24 hours
- Officially TAT-licensed tour operator
Officially TAT-licensed tour operator
Surin Islands Early Bird tour: first boat in, snorkeling at Mae Yai Bay
A Surin Islands Early Bird tour, to enjoy one of the most unspoiled marine parks in Thailand before the other boats arrive: pick-up between 04:00 and 05:00 (depending on where your hotel is, between 05:00 and 06:15 from Khao Lak), a private lounge at Namkhem pier and departure around seven. You begin with snorkeling at Mae Yai Bay, one of the bays richest in marine life, among tropical fish and corals that here are among the best preserved in the country. Then a guided visit to the Moken village, the sea nomads, walking among their houses, and free time on the national park beach, in Chong Kad bay. Buffet lunch at the park restaurant and a second snorkeling session between Chong Kad and Suthep Bay. Back at 16:00. English-speaking guide, national park fee and transfers included. It is among the best excursions you can choose.
Destinations visited
General Information
| Tour Code | TFSA07 |
|---|---|
| Starting from | Khao Lak, Phuket |
| Duration | Full Day |
| Tour Type | Excursions |
| Tour Format | Group |
| Boat | Speedboat |
| Guide Language | Italian, English |
| Interests | Sea & Islands, Snorkeling |
| Hotel pick-up | See your hotel's pick-up time |
| Available Period | Available from 15 October to 15 May |
| Availability | Departures every day |
Sample Itinerary
Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the private lounge at Namkhem pier. (from Khao Lak the pick-up is between 05:00 and 06:15). The pick-up time depends on where your hotel is and is confirmed after booking.
Early departure by speedboat toward the Surin Islands, to enjoy the day before the crowds.
The adventure begins with a snorkeling session in one of the bays richest in marine life, among tropical fish and multicolored corals.
Guided visit to the Moken village. A unique chance to walk among their houses and get to know the culture and the fascinating traditions of these sea nomads.
Free time to relax, swim and sunbathe at the peaceful bay of Chong Kad.
Tasty buffet lunch served at the National Park restaurant, surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery.
After lunch, a second, longer snorkeling session to explore the unspoiled waters and the rich biodiversity of the archipelago further.
Return to Namkhem pier and transfer back to your hotel.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.
Inclusions
What the Tour Includes
- Transfer to/from the hotel (Khao Lak and Phuket)
- Light breakfast
- Lunch at the national park restaurant
- Soft drinks, water, snacks and fresh fruit
- Full snorkeling equipment
- Professional multilingual guide (TH / EN / IT / FR / DE / ES)
- National Park entrance fee
- Government accident insurance
Not Included
- Beach towel
- Personal expenses and tips
- Any extra activities not listed
Useful Tips
- Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Wear comfortable shoes or sandals for walking on the rocks
- Bring cash (Thai Baht) for extras
- Not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart or back problems
- Avoid touching or collecting corals and shells: the archipelago is a protected area
Notes
Minimum 15 participants for this excursion to run: if the minimum is not reached we find an alternative or refund the amount.
Maximum 20 guests on the 2-engine speedboat, 32 guests on the 3-engine speedboat.
The boat is chosen by the supplier according to the number of participants.
From 15 October to 15 May, daily. Departure from Nam Khem pier (Phang Nga).
From hotels in Phuket the transfer costs an extra THB 400 per person, already included in the "from Phuket" price.
Child rate from 4 to 11 years old. Children under 4 cannot board, for safety and insurance reasons.
Guests over 75 and pregnant women are not allowed.
No smoking on board. Alcohol cannot be brought into or consumed within the national park area.
Vegetarian or vegan lunch at no extra charge: it must be requested when booking, as must any food allergy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether an excursion is right for me?
Every tour and activity is described in detail in your personalized 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. Travelers 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 personalized 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 receive a refund for the excursion you were unable to take. Bank and collection fees on online payments are not refundable.
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 at 04:00, which is the price of being first on the reef. You are taken to the private lounge at Namkhem pier for the briefing, and the boat leaves at 06:40. The tour runs on three fixed days a week; your final travel documents confirm the day and the exact pickup time for your hotel.
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. A light breakfast is served before departure, lunch is a Thai buffet at the national park restaurant, and soft drinks, water, fresh fruit and snacks are available all day. Please tell us about any food allergy or intolerance when you book so we can warn the kitchen in advance.
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. The 04:00 pickup is the real obstacle, more than the boat: it means waking a child in the middle of the night. Tell us the exact age of everyone traveling when you ask for a quote and we will tell you whether one of the later Surin departures would work better for your family.
Does the tour start in Phuket or in Khao Lak, and is the price the same?
The boat leaves from Namkhem pier, in Phang Nga province, close to Khao Lak. That is why there are two prices:
- from Khao Lak, the base price, with pickup between 05:00 and 06:15;
- from Phuket, with pickup between 04:00 and 05:00 and the longer transfer already included in the price (worth 400 ฿ per person).
There is nothing extra to pay at the pier.
What time of year can the Surin Islands be visited?
From October 15 to May 15, every day. For the rest of the year the Surin Islands national park is closed for the monsoon, like the Similans, and nobody can enter.
That is exactly why the Surins are the most pristine marine park in Thailand: for half the year no one goes there.
What is the visit to the Moken village like?
It is a guided walk through the homes of the Moken, the sea nomads who live inside the park. Your guide explains how they live today and what changed after the 2004 tsunami.
You go in as a guest, not as an audience: you ask before photographing people, and you do not enter the houses. It is the part of the day that asks for the most respect, and the part that stays with you longest.
How old do children have to be?
The child rate applies from age 4 to 11. From age 12 the adult rate applies.
Children under 4 cannot board, for safety and insurance reasons. Passengers over 75 and pregnant women are not accepted either. Pickup from Phuket is between 04:00 and 05:00: with small children, starting from Khao Lak is far easier. The tour needs at least 15 people to run: below that we offer you another date or an equivalent excursion, or we refund the amount you paid.
