Year 2 -24 December 2025 -La Flora -Koh Lak-Surin Islands -Thailand

The alarm was set was 6.30am as we were being picked up at our hotel to go to the trip to the Surin Islands. Some of us had a quick breakfast first.

We were picked up at 7.00am and driven to the Thap Lamu Pier where we checked in.

There was breakfast prepared for us and we could borrow snorkelling equipment for a deposit for those who did not have it.

We were given a short briefing and then led on to our boat. This took about 35 people and we had to sit inside on bench seating with some seats in the middle which 4 of us took. We chose this trip as they are more remote and the snorkelling is supposed to be better and less people go to them. It was also not damaged so much from the Tsunami in 2004. 

Surin Islands (Mu Ko Surin National Park) are a pristine archipelago in Thailand's Andaman Sea, famous for stunning, healthy coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, incredible snorkelling/diving, and untouched natural beauty, home to the Moken sea gypsy village, offering tranquil escapes with options for day trips or overnight stays. Located off Phang Nga province, near the Myanmar border, it features five main islands, especially the larger Ko Surin Nua & Tai, separated by shallow, walkable channels making it an eco-friendly environment.

Once we got on the boat we set off and once out of the harbour the Captain opened up the 250 x3 engines and we were soon doing some 25 or so kts. The journey took about 2 hours and everyone just rested or pondered their thoughts.

As we arrived at the islands we noticed how lovely and blue the water was and we came into a bay with blue water and coral bommies. We edged in and reversed up to a beach which had a whole load of huts on it. These were the huts of the Moken People who live on this Island. The Moken people were nomadic sea travellers from the Mergu Archipelago in present day Myanmar to the South and the Sulu Sea of the Philippines. Some of them have become Thai and the others have no country to which they are associated.

They had a line of huts and we walked between them and they were all selling carvings bracelets and jewellery. Their way of life was clearly poor and the selling was mainly done by the women and children. Unfortunately the quality was not good and we felt odd that we were descending on their village.

Once we had been to the village we got back in our boat and went into the next bay for a snorkel. This was quite good but there were few fish and the coral was not very colourful. We then went to the next island where we moored and they have us a buffet lunch under the trees which had flying lemur’s and lots of bird life. This was the main place where all the boats came in.  We could walk after lunch to the next bay for a swim which we did in the lovely blue water.

We then got back on the boat and had 2 snorkels not far from each other. However, these snorkels were very good with the quality of the health of the coral and fish life being excellent particularly in the last location. We saw many varieties of fish including clam fish (Nemo type fish). These snorkels made the trip worthwhile and it lovely to see such a remote set of islands.

We then got back on the boat and had 2 hours blating back at high speed where they have us supper at the pier. We then returned to our hotel and decided to have a shower and then go out for a drink.

We headed out and found a nice bar and played games etc. Francesca, Isabel and Rosanna wanted to go on to the market again whereas Jules and I had an early night. It had been a long and worthwhile day.           

 The picture of the day is a picture from the Surin Islands.

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. 

I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com