Approximately 3-4 hours off the coastline of Phang-Nga Province , this

group of islands was registered as the National Maritime Park in 1982 so as to preserve the rare and precious flora and fauna on land and underwater. Covering the area of 140 square kilometers, the land area of all nine islands is as scarce as 15 square kilometers. The teeming archipelago boasts as much as 25 world-class diving venues. The name of the islands itself derived from the Malay word ‘sembilan’ which means nine islands. From north to south, each heavenly island is lining in parallel with the shore; beginning with Ko Bangu, the topmost isle, following with Ko Similan, the largest island, Hin Pusar or Skull Rock, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Ha, Ko Payan, Ko Payang and Ko Huyong.

Interestingly, Similan islands are close to Surin Archipelago. The two island groups are renowned as the best snorkeling and scuba diving site in Thailand . Under the sea, the marine creature is of great variety, from massive soft corals, sea fans to colorful and rare fish. Besides numerous colorful coral reefs, divers are given the chance to see silvertip sharks, leopard sharks and sea turtles there are deep valleys – thanks to the visibility of the underwater scene that can be reached from 18 to 25 meters or even 40 meters at times.

For the snorkeling, Ko Miang is the best place to get started.
It’s where the park office is located and where accommodation, foods, drinking water and other necessary diving gears can be found. Only 300 meters eastward of the park office, divers will be on Had Lek opposite of which is Ko Ha. Down under at this point, the water is shallow and clear; the corals scatter yet beautiful fish can be easily seen. So it is perfect for beginner divers. Also on the beach, explorers may be able to find Pu Kai–hairy leg mountain crab, one of the symbols of these islands.

A bit further snorkeling site is Ao Kueuk or horseshoe-shaped bay, situated on the north of Similan Island or the eighth island. The coral reefs around the bay scatter around but with a variety of species. Night dive is recommended at this spot. At the top north of the island is the Boot-shaped or Donald Duck-like Rock where climbing for panorama can be done. Nonetheless, scuba diving is also great at the southern tip of the island where divers would be able to witness sharks. Advanced current check is needed every time before diving at this point.

For experienced divers, recommended adventurous diving venues are at Hin Pusar or Skull Rock and Hin San Chalarm or Shark Fin Rock. Apart from soft coral reefs, sea fans and frogfishes, one will see large sea creatures like sharks and turtles. Again, a current check is a must before heading down under the sea and no night diving at these two spots.

However, due to a myriad wildlife and the rich condition of forest on land, activities are not limited to swimming and diving. Hiking, trekking, bird watching, night safari, night campfire and photography are possible when ones are free from nosing down the sea. All you have to do when traveling to these islands is to plan long ahead before getting on board.

This is a rich national maritime park on Thailand’s southern west coast. A quiet and beautiful spot in the Andaman Sea, it edges the Thai-Myanmar nautical border and is under the administration of Khuraburi District, Phang-Nga Province. Lying about 60 km offshore, it covers an area of 135 square kilometers, 76% of which is the sea. Because of the abundance of the untouched flora and fauna both on terrain and underwater, the islands were delegated as the nation’s 29th national marine park on July 9, 1981. This archipelago consists of five islands: Koh Ri, Koh Surin Neua, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Klang (Koh Pachumba) and Koh Kai (Koh Torinla). Koh Surin Neua and Tai are the largest.

Acclaimed as a divers’ paradise, these five islets are host to beautiful shallow coral reefs — a fringing reef type formed by the accumulation of limestone. It has an enormous solid coral foundation, the largest shallow coral reef in Thailand . The reefs are in three sections: the Reef Flat next to the shore, the Reef Edge where the reefs are the most abundant and the Reef Slope, so that both snorkeling and scuba diving are an easily accessed delight. Visibility is a spectacular 20 meters. And thanks to the great diversity of coral and the creatures that call it home, divers stand a good chance of seeing nine rare creatures: Whale Sharks (the world’s largest fish), Manta Rays, Silvertip Sharks, White-Spotted Guitarfish, Humphead Parrotfish, Cockatoo Fish, Seahorse, Ghost Pipefish and Triton Trumpet. Examples of these rare creatures are also on display alongside a load of others at the Exhibition Center at Surin Archipelago National Park Office. It’s worth checking this out on advance of diving, so you get a feel for what you see below the surface.

For those at the beginner level, take a little walk southward from the park office and try snorkelling at Ao Chong Kad, the strait between Koh Surin Neua and Tai, where the water is only 1-3 meters deep. However, the currents can fluctuate, so it’s worth checking before you dive. Here you can see huge schools of tiny Anemone Fish, Pipe Fishes, Parrot Fishes, shells, coral bushes and sponges. Thee more advanced divers can take a long tail boat to Ao Suthep, northwest of Koh Surin Tai, and Ao Jak, northeast of Koh Surin Neua. Reefs at these two bays are a bit further offshore and still untouched by mass diving because because it is only accessible by boat. Ao Suthep is famous for its pristine coral reef that extends as much far 1,200 meters while Ao Jak is attractive for a wide collection of curious but tame colorful fishes and beautiful corals. For advanced divers, Ao Tao and Ao Pak Kad are places to see the soft coral reefs, the rare Hawksbill Turtle, the Yellowmask Angelfish or even sharks.

The truly adventurous can opt for a night dive to see rare night sea hangers like Hingebeak Shrimp, Cleaner Shrimp and Dendronephthya, a kind of sea crab. Others include Moray, Pufferfish, Barracuda and Rock Lobster.

Other bays and islets of the archipelago are preserved areas where diving is not recommended or the coral reefs need to be restored or studied. They are Koh Ri, Koh Pachumba, Koh Kai (Koh Torinla), Hin Pae, Ao Mae Yai, Ao Sai En and Ao Sai Daeng.

Points of interest on these islands are not limited to sea creatures. There are also indigenous Sea Gypsies (the Morgan) who lead a simple way of life, making a living from fishing using centuries-old methods, and living in boats during the rainy season.

Staying on this group of islands requires at least two overnights. Accommodation is very basic with no air-conditioned rooms. There are eight bungalows for 6-8 persons with fans and private restrooms, a row of five rooms for three persons with shared restrooms and campsites. Accommodation must be reserved in advance. Coupons are used instead of the cash on these islands. Fees are 40 baht for adult tourists, 20 baht for children and 200 baht for foreigners. Food can be found at the park office canteen at reasonable prices. Breakfast costs 80 baht, lunch at 90 baht and dinner 180 baht.

The trip there takes four hours by boat from the pier at Khuraburi District. Just remember to respect the environment there as much as possible. Garbage bins on the islands are covered with nets thwart scavenging monkeys and all garbage generated offshore is removed and disposed of on the mainland.

Laem Son Beach
This pine tree franked beach sticks out to the sea like a big cape. The sand here is grey with some rugged surface. The beach may not look attractive but this is the place where travelers get on a boat to many of the islands such as Koh Khang Khao and Koh Kam Yai. An office of Laem Son National Park is located on this beach with restaurants, bungalows and tour centres in close proximity. The beach is about 53 km from Ranong Town .

Koh Khang Khao
Visible from Bang Ben beach in Laem Son National Park , the small island of Koh Khang Khao is truly an exotic island. The island has abundance of colourful shallow corals and a lovely beach with soft fine white sand. Its finest beach is situated in the east. You can rent a boat from Had Bang Bane at Laem Son National Park . The trip lasts about 30 minutes for a long-tailed boat and 10 minutes for speedboat. The best time to visit is between November and April.

Koh Kam Yai
Koh Kam Yai may not be famous for coral reefs or sandy beach – the island has more forested hills than beaches – but it is known by the local as the island of sea birds. Fifteen kilometers from the shore, it is the largest island of Koh Kam archipelago, which is also part of Laem Son national Park. There is no human settlement on the island, making it perfect for a variety of migrating birds that seek refuge during the cool season. Tourists, who take a diving trip to Koh Fai Waeb, stop by this island for bird watching. At low tide, you can walk on a sand dune causeway to another nearby island Touring period is between November and April.

Koh Chang
Koh Chang, the largest island in Ranong. The island is part of Mu Koh Phayam National Park. There are small fishing villages on the island. Most of villagers moved from Surat Thani and Koh Pha Ngan about four decades ago. This is an interesting site worth visiting since their way of life remains untouched by mainstream tourism. Many of Koh Chang’s nice beaches are found at the west. There are some shallow coral reefs around the island for snorkeling. The longest beach on the island is Ao Yai. The four kilometer long beach is safe for swimming and has a wooden bridge that links to another beach on the eastern part of the island. Several bungalows are available on Ao Yai. Another nice beach is Ao Khai Tao. The beach is located in the western end of the island and can be reached by boat only. It is the site of Ao Khai Tao National Park Ranger Unit. You can swim at the beach or trek to the viewpoint for 5 kilometres. There is no accommodation is on this beach.

To get to the island, you can get on a local boat at the pier near Ranong estuary. The trip takes about 2 hours.

Koh Phayam
Thirty three kilometers from the shore is a small island of Koh Phayam . The island has beaches that are both peaceful and pristine. The wide sandy beach has the backdrop of forested hills, which is a habitat of monkeys, boars and a variety of sea birds. There is a small community of friendly Buddhist islanders on the island, mostly cashew nut farmers. They get around the island via a small tarmac road which is capable of accommodating motorcycles only. That means there is no car on this island.

Perhaps the island’s best beach is Ao Yai. It is located at the southwest of Koh Phayam Pier. The beach is about 2 kilometres long and filled with white clear sand. From this beach, you can see Koh Kam, Koh Surin and Koh Yan Chuek in Myanmar .

Bungalows for rent can be found at the north of Ao Yai. At the back of the bungalows are coconut and cashew nut farms. The beach offers a real retreat for travelers who prefer quiet surroundings.

There is another beach called Ao Khao Kwai at the northwest of Koh Phayam Pier. The beach has white clear sand and crystal clear water. Koh Yan Chuek of Myanmar can be seen from this beach. You can find bungalows for rent on this beach as well.

To get there, travelers take a boat from Koh Phayam pier behind Pak Nam police station in Ranong. The journey takes about 2 hours. The best time to visit the island starts from November to December.