Similan and Surin Islands - good for snorkel?

I%26#39;ve heard alot about the two islands being good for diving, but are they just as good for snorkeling? I hope i won%26#39;t be let down by going to these islands instead of Phi Phi -- never been there either though!

I also read I think that Surin is better for snorkeling than Similian? What are your experiences?

I was thinking of doing an overnight trip for Surin, but maybe visit Similian on a day trip too. Should I do both? If the Similans are not as good as Surin, then I would do Similans one day and then do the Surins. I wonder if that is too much and we%26#39;d be all snorkeled out.

Similan and Surin Islands - good for snorkel?

IMO the Similans are better for snorkeling, but Surin is, because of depth and acceseaility of the reefs, easier.

Both are really worth it and offer very good snorkeling, by far the best Thailand has to offer for that.

Similan and Surin Islands - good for snorkel?

Havent been to Surin (yet) but loved Similians.... great snorkelling..the waters are sooo perfectly clear.. we could see heaps not even getting off the boat! sea turtles... fish .. just so colourful and the islands themselves are just gorgeous.. beautiful beaches...if you have the time for both and enjoy these kinds of trips def do both..

cheers

chelle

Thanks for the feedback! I%26#39;m so excited! I think our arrival day to Khao Lak will just be relaxing on the beach and eating, etc. First full day will probably be a day trip to Similian. And then maybe a 2 day overnight trip to Surin. How does that sound? Is it worth doing a 2 day trip?

I have been researching overnights to both Surin and Similians for my next trip and it def seems to be worth it.. there are overnights staying on boats and others tenting on the island or cabins.. and the costs are really good ... I am looking at doing overnight trip as it is a big daytrip and i would have loved to have stayed longer and seen more... but it is a personal choice..

overnight trips from 5000bht and two night trips from 6000bht.. including meals... this is one i have been checking out.. but havent used them as yet..

www.khaolaktravelcenter.com/index.php…

Cheers

chelle

If you had to choose one for overnight - would you choose Similians or Surin?

Surin is farther then Similians from Khao Lak I heard. Good thing we decided to add another beach day to our itinerary. =P

We are doing an overnight similan trip in january.Cant wait!.I think we will all enjoy the islands.And remember when you are there you cant get any farther west in thailand...?Cool

tw0travel -- how did you choose similian over surin. have you done either before?

If you%26#39;re going to the Similans, then I think it%26#39;s better to do a live-aboard since the boat will take you around to various islands/beaches for snorkelling. For Surin, which is much smaller, there are tents or %26#39;concrete bungalows%26#39; that you can stay at and you can take longtails for snorkeling excursion/s..

one of the overnights to the similians I have been looking at has tent accomodation but the itinerary goes to many of the islands.. they move not just the one main island..

Cheers

Chelle

Having done both (2 nights on Surins, day trip to Similans), I prefer the Surins for snorkelling as the reefs, coral and marine fauna were better than the Similans. The marine life was truly awesome. I wasn%26#39;t too impressed with 2 nights in a tent but that%26#39;s down to our arthritic bones!

Personally, I think 3 days in the Surins would be better than 2 days in Surins plus 1 day in the Similans which gets very busy with many speedboats arriving. As for visiting the various Similan Islands (where there is basis bungalow accommodation as well as tents as there is on the Surins) there are only a couple where you get off the boat. The view from Sail Rock is a wonderful viewpoint (take strapped sandals if you want to climb up to it) and Honeymoon Bay (across the island from the National Park HQ and bungalows) is beautiful and good for snorkelling from the beach.

However, with 2 World Class dive/snorkel sites on your doorstep it%26#39;s a difficult choice and I don%26#39;t think either would disappoint.

concealer