Diving at the much less crowded Surin Islands has become famous because of its spectacular coral reefs and inhabitants.

The Surin Islands are 68 km north of the Similan islands and consist of five islands, named Koh Chi, Hin Rap, Koh Surin Nua, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Torinla and Koh Pachumba. The area only seven km south of Myanmar was designed a national marine park in 1981. Today there is still a fully self providing and small Sea Gypsy community (Moh Kaen) living in bamboo huts on the east coast of the island. When divers refer to diving near the Surin Islands, they include some other islands and isolated areas, which are officially not part of the Surin islands. Most boat operators only have time to visit the Similans which make the Surin islands more remote en less crowded, but definitely not less interesting.

Visiting these islands is best between November and April. The water temperature is at its coldest then, but with 24 degrees in winter and 28 degrees in summer, nobody can really complain. Between February and May whale sharks and manta rays visit this area so if you are interested in these animals and why should you not, try to dive here during these months. Most dives are shallow, highly colourful and extremely active with fish. Its structure is a mixture between reefs and rocks almost all dropping down fast to deep waters creating some excellent walls.

Try to walk along Surin's verdant evergreen forests which is laced with small beaches and mangroves. You will most likely see macaques, kingfishers and pigeons. The Surin Islands are pretty far away from Phuket and Khao Lak and are therefore often dived with live aboard tours. The currents are often strong and most dive sites are shallow and perfect for starting divers and snorkellers. Especially the south of Ko Torinla and near Koh Chi have coral reefs started to grow at one meter below the surface, bringing all sorts of marine life close to the surface. Wreck divers won't have an excellent time here as the area is mostly famous for its spectacular coral formations and enormous amounts of marine life. During daytime your best chances of spotting big fish are in the north. Famous dive sites are Richelieu Rock, which consists as one of the best places in the world to dive with whale sharks and Ko Tachai island with some excellent pinnacle dives.

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Dive Travel Asia

Dive Travel Asia www.divetravelasia.com/ +66 (0)86 291 5723 +66 (0)76 381 885

82/9 Kinnaree House, Moo 4, Pa... 83130 Phuket

Aidc (2005) Co, Ltd

Andaman International Dive Cen... www.aidcdive.com +66 (0)898141092 +66 (0)77834824

Phet Kasem Rd. 97/21, Moo 1 85000 Ranong

World Class Diving in Thailand and Burma. Liveaboard trips from 3 to 7 days.

Thailand, Burma, Andaman Sea, Ranong, Similan, Surin Island, Richelieu, Burma Banks, Black Rock

Liveaboard, Charter

Sunrise Divers

Thailand Diving - Phuket Livea... www.sunrise-divers.com/ 076 398040 076 286 130

269/24 Patak Road, Karon Beach 83100 Phuket

Sunrise Divers is Thailand's number 1 liveaboard specialist, with boats to suit all budgets and years of experience in Asia. We offer trips from 2 - 10 days in Thailand, Burma and Indonesia.

Scuba Diving Adventures

The most comprehensive source ... www.highclass-adventure.com/ +43 664 494 69 84

Khao Lak 82190 Phang Nga

Asia Marine

Asia Marine www.asia-marine.net +66 76 27 33 20 + 66 76 23 89 74

Boat Lagoon 83000 Phuket

Asia Marine is the largest and most experienced yacht charter agency in Phuket, and also Thailand's leading boat broker. Phuket sailing is our special expertise. Sailing Phuket is our forte. We operate from the resort island of Phuket on Thailand's west coast, Asia's center for yacht charters, sailing and a wide range of marine activities, including fishing boat trips, scuba diving, Phuket sailing, pleasure boating, and snorkeling.

Paradise Diving Asia

Diving Paradise Phuket www.dive-paradise.com/ +66 81 891 55 39

116 Moo 1. Sakoo Village, Thal... 83110 Phuket

Dive Center Phuket Nai Yang Beach. Paradise-Divers lead you to the best dive sites around Phuket. We do Liveaboard to other Islands as Similan or Koh Phi Phi as well as PADI-Courses at the Hotelpool and near beach. We would be pleased to hear from you!

Phuket Thailand 5* Gold Palm Dive Center. Daytrips, Liveaboard, PADI Courses, Similan and Phi Phi Tours

Manta Point Dive Center Khao Lak

Diving and snorkeling in Khao ... www.mantapoint.com/ 089 8728213

91 moo 6 Khukkak 82190 Takuapa

Panunee Sea Master Co.,ltd

Panunee Yacht www.panunee.com/home.htm +6626841040 +6626521546

518/3 Maneeya Center North Bld... 10330 Bangkok

Panunee Yacht is the luxury liveaboard operating diving trips in Similan, Myanmar(Nov-May), Derawan-Sangalaki/Indonesia (Jul-Sep) , Andaman Islands/India (Feb - Apr)

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You can find all the best scuba diving liveaboard safaris at ThailandLiveaboards.com. Trips from one to ten nights duration, diving at all of Thailand's premier dive destinations including:

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The best dive sites and top diving locations in Surin Islands rated by divers since last year.

1. Rated 5.0, 7 ratingsRichelieu Rock
2. Rated 5.0, 2 ratingsDome or Ko Tachai Plateau
3. Rated 4.7, 3 ratingsKo Bon Pinnacle