Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
adobe-style addition with floating beds and polished concrete floors, a shaded pool and a
lake for canoeing.
Getting There & Away
Any Ranong- or Phuket-bound bus will stop in Khuraburi. Take a Phuket-bound bus to
Takua Pa, about 50km south of Khuraburi, to transfer to destinations such as Surat Thani
(ordinary/air-con 100/160B, three hours), Krabi (ordinary 180B, four hours) and Khao
Sok National Park (60B to 100B, one hour).
The pier for the Surin Islands is about 9km north of town. Whoever books your boat to
the islands will arrange free transfer.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Surin Islands Marine National Park
The five gorgeous islands that make up the
Surin Islands Marine National Park
(
www.dnp.go.th
;
adult/child 500/300B; mid-Nov-mid-May)
sit 60km offshore, just 5km from the Thail-
and-Myanmar marine border. Healthy rainforest, pockets of white-sand beach in
sheltered bays and rocky headlands that jut into the ocean characterise these granite-out-
crop islands. The clearest of water makes for great marine life, with underwater visibility
often up to 35m. The islands' sheltered waters also attract
chow lair
- sea gypsies - who
live in a village onshore during the monsoon season from May to November. Around
here they are known as Moken, from the local word
oken
meaning 'salt water'.
Ko Surin Neua (north) and Ko Surin Tai (south) are the two largest islands. Park
headquarters and all visitor facilities are at Ao Chong Khad and Ao Mai Ngam on Ko
Surin Neua, near the jetty. The shapes and colours are what you'll remember most. The
flaxen sand and sparkling blue-green bays, the purpling depths, and the sheer granite pen-
insulas that tumble down in a permanent geological avalanche forming arrow-like points
and natural breakwaters are spectacular.
Khuraburi is the jumping-off point for the park. The pier is about 9km north of town,
as is the mainland
national park office
(
8am-5pm)
, with good information,
0 7649 1378;
maps and helpful staff.
Sights & Activities
