Exploring Phang Nga: Surin Islands & Khao Khai Nui's Sea of Mist

Greetings! This trip takes us south again. During this hot season, we were looking for a beautiful beach with fewer crowds and decided on Surin Island. At the beginning of this year, we focused on the sea before the mountains. We will wait for the rain to come before chasing the mist. However, southern Thailand also offers sea mist during the hot season. This trip was very worthwhile, with both clear blue sea and white sea mist. Let's see how it went!

This trip will take place from March 10th to 12th, 2018.

Here is a rough itinerary for the trip.

The first day, we drove all night and arrived at the park in the morning. We took a boat to Surin Island, set up our tents on Mai Ngam Beach, and went snorkeling in the afternoon.

Day 2: Diving and Exploring the Coast

The second day began with a chartered diving trip to Koh Torinla, Ao Pakkad, Ao Tao, and Ao Sapparot. After exploring the underwater world, the group landed on the beach of the Moken village. On the way back to shore, they stopped at Takua Pa to visit the Kok Khanun Iron Bridge, the Takua Pa Walking Street, and finally checked into their accommodation in Khao Lak.

The third morning, we woke up early and climbed Khai Nui Mountain to enjoy the stunning 360-degree view of the sea of mist. After descending, we had breakfast at the viewpoint overlooking the sea near Ban Bo Dan. We then visited Wat Tha Sai temple and concluded our trip with a visit to the Ao Toh Lee viewpoint before returning to Bangkok.

Watch the video first. All photos were taken with Nikon D7200, 35mm fixed lens, 70-300mm VC lens, Tokina 11-20mm f2.8 (finally got a wide lens, just got it 3 days before the trip and used it for the first time), and GoPro 4 Silver.

The journey began at 9 p.m. from Don Mueang, heading straight to eat at the To Rueng restaurant in Thap Sakae, where tour buses stop all night. I stop there every time I go south. It's delicious and not expensive. I then drove to Hat Phra Phas to take pictures of the stars because it should be dark. It's not far from the main road.

Today, we're taking a ride with Big Vigo in his trusty car. This time, we have five members in our group.

The moon was almost half full during my visit, making it impossible to photograph the elephants. However, I was able to capture some beautiful stars.

We then drove to Surin Islands National Park, which is open all night. We parked the car and slept in it, waiting for the morning. The bathrooms were clean. We arrived around 5:00 AM and took a nap until 7:00 AM. We then woke up, washed our faces, brushed our teeth, and went to contact the boat that we had arranged.

I contacted Sabina Tour for a boat trip. The round-trip price was 1500 baht per person for a speedboat. Sabina is located directly opposite the park entrance, clearly visible. After checking in, I received an orange rope to tie to my luggage and waited at the pier.

Before you go, don't forget to fuel up with a breakfast at the fried chicken shop in front of the park entrance. Let me tell you, the fried chicken is amazing.

After finishing breakfast, I bought extra food to eat for lunch on the island to save money.

The chicken rice is delicious, the fried chicken is a must-try for children.

Waiting for the boat.

During this time, there were approximately 4-5 hawks, eagles, or other birds of prey flying around, which I was unable to distinguish.

It looks truly elegant.

The time has come to board the large speedboat. To be honest, I don't like speedboats, but it seems that if we don't take the speedboat, it will take a long time. So I have to sit in it, but luckily it's a big boat and doesn't bump like the small boats I've been on before. It's also fast.

After about an hour's journey, we found ourselves surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters. The beauty was breathtaking.

However, to reach the beach where we will be staying, we need to take a small long-tail boat because the larger boats cannot enter. We will wait for the small boat to pick us up and take us to Mai Ngam Beach. There are two camping areas: Mai Ngam Beach and Ao Chong Khad.

Love at first sight.

Board a small boat and head to Mai Kham Beach.

Upon arrival, wait for the luggage boat to follow. Then, carry your belongings and walk approximately 200 meters to the other side to reach the camping zone.

Please pay the park entrance fee first, then find a place to set up our tent. We will be in the back of the line.

And most of them will not be by the sea because the tent rental is already booked. I got the second row.

After setting up the tents, we prepared for an afternoon of diving. We were told that there were many monkeys in the area, so we were advised to lock our tents securely as they were known to open them. Snacks should be kept in sealed containers.

The cost of the submarine ride is 200 baht per person per round, payable to either Sabina or the park.

While waiting for the submarine in front of the beach.

The number of visitors to Surin Island was relatively low on the day I visited.

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Let's explore the underwater world through pictures.

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The coral reefs at Surin Islands, which I visited for two days, are in the process of recovery. While they may not be as visually stunning as other reefs, they are truly magnificent in their natural diversity.

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The water here is crystal clear, offering a breathtaking view of the coral reefs, even at considerable depths.

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After the dive, we will head to the beach.

I've encountered the resident monkeys! The Westerner who has been camping here for a while told me that there is a family of macaques living here. These are still small; there are bigger ones than these! Haha.

The atmosphere seems quite tense, so be careful with your belongings. 555

However, the fun doesn't stop there! You can also go snorkeling right off the beach. And the best part is that there's a hidden gem right near the beach itself.

The photo shows a person walking very far out into the water during low tide. The water is so shallow that even at the furthest point, it does not reach their chest.

The water level is low at the moment.

Two friends continued diving while I stayed on the surface due to the presence of a camera.

And then I met Nemo.

Swimming around, looking adorable.

We also encountered sea turtles swimming near our beach.

It may seem slow, but it's actually quite fast.

Foreigners play volleyball.

Found it again.

After playing until almost dusk, they went to take a bath.

The bathroom here is excellent. The shower is comfortable, and the toilet is of high quality.

We then had dinner at the park. He said that we were not allowed to cook our own food.

After eating, we sat in front of the tent. The wind was very strong at first, so strong that we were afraid the tent would fly away. But after 8pm, the wind calmed down and it was comfortable.

This light bulb is safe from electric shock as it uses 3 AA batteries. However, it was a bit hot that night, probably because the tent I used was not suitable for the beach. I used a K2 tent, which I usually use, but it has poor ventilation. It is more suitable for high altitudes and cold weather as it provides good wind protection, but it is not very suitable for the beach.

The next morning, we prepared to go diving again before returning. This time, we contacted a boat for 2,000 baht that could accommodate up to 10 people. We chose to rent the boat because we also wanted to visit the Moken people. If we had followed the program, we might not have had enough time to visit the Moken if other people were diving for a long time. Therefore, we chose to rent the boat so that we could go to more diving spots.

Fuel your morning with instant noodles and canned fish.

Swing a little.

It's 9 o'clock, the boat is leaving.

Our destination today is Torinla Island, rumored to be teeming with sharks. We will also explore Ao Pak Kad, Ao Tao, Ao Sapparot, and finally reach the beach of the Morgan community.

Will I find it? Let's go see.

The first spot, Koh Torinla, boasts an abundance of diverse fish species.

Unfortunately, the boat was surrounded by a large number of black sharks, making it difficult to see anything else. We only caught a glimpse of a shark in the distance before it quickly swam away. As a result, we were unable to take any photos. We only saw it briefly from afar.

We continued diving at Ao Phai. After the dive, I felt exhausted, not sure if it was from seasickness or the rough waves today. I was so seasick that I threw up my lunch. My girlfriend was also feeling unwell. We were both completely drained. I even threw up the instant noodles I had eaten earlier.

Make a stop before ascending to the Morgan village.

Go rest at Morgan's to get rid of your dizziness.

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The houses are all the same.

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A wood carving by Moken people.

These are wooden blocks that are carved into various shapes.

Throughout the village, there are many handicrafts for sale. Please support them.

Upon arrival, we prepared to return after having another lunch at the park.

After 1 p.m., I took a boat from Mai Khao Beach to Ao Chong Khad. I waited for the people who were on a day trip to pick me up at 3 p.m. In the meantime, I sat and lay down to wait.

After 3 pm, we took a speedboat back. It was another impressive island. If I have the chance, I must come back and dive at every spot. Most importantly, there were far fewer people than at Similan. On the day we went to Similan, it was crowded, but at Surin, there were few people.

After arriving at the shore after 4 pm, I will start looking for a place to sleep tonight. My plan is to climb Khai Nui Mountain in the morning. Originally, I planned to sleep in Takua Pa, but I was afraid that it would be too early, so I found a new place to stay near Khao Lak to be closer. Today, I will visit Takua Pa and find a place to stay before it gets dark. I haven't showered since I went diving, so I'm feeling a bit sticky.

The first location was the Kok Khanun Bridge, a passageway before entering Takua Pa. It is a steel bridge that villagers actually ride motorcycles across. During filming, a motorcycle came by and we had to dodge it.

Walk a little further and you'll find street food at Takua Pa Walking Street.

Old Town

In the evening, the area becomes a walking street with paintings on the walls, so you may not be able to take pictures.

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We arrived at the accommodation at almost 8 pm, feeling very tired and sticky.

Our accommodation for tonight is Sunshine Inn Resort. We got a call after dark and got a price of 1,000 baht for a room for 5 people. The air conditioning is cold, the room is new and clean, and it is located right on the main road, making it easy to get to 7-Eleven and nearby entertainment venues.

Today, we had shabu in front of our room because we were originally going to eat it on Surin Island, but they told us that cooking was prohibited. So we packed ice in the back of the car. We won't have to spend any extra money tonight.

After a satisfying dinner, I went out to experience the vibrant nightlife of Takua Pa. However, most of the entertainment venues catered to Western tourists, and there were few Thai people enjoying the scene. I returned to my accommodation around midnight and prepared for an early start the next day.

Waking up before 5:00 AM, I showered and prepared for the day's challenge. Today's route will be a bit rough, as the road leading up to Khai Nui Hill is a dirt path. The off-road conditions are moderate, not too difficult. Stock 4WD vehicles can easily navigate the path, while skilled 2WD drivers should also be able to manage with some effort. There are a few steep sections near the summit. Passenger cars are not recommended for this route.

Despite arriving at 7:00 AM and finding clear skies and cool air, the fog was nowhere to be seen. However, upon reaching the summit, we were greeted with a breathtaking sight: a vast expanse of fog blanketing the valley below.

The highlight of the South is that you can experience both the crystal-clear sea and the white mist in one trip. If you go to the North, you won't see the sea, haha.

Let's see.

It is beautiful.

On the other side, you can see the sea view.

The distant view is obscured by fog, making it difficult to see clearly in the photo.

It's 8 o'clock, so I'm going down.

The route is roughly like this, but there are some sections with significant elevation changes.

We have reached the concrete road, thankfully we are safe.

Descending from Khao Khainui, I searched for a beach to have a shabu-shabu breakfast. I still had some pork left over, so I could save another meal. Originally, I planned to eat at the beach near Wat Tha Sai, but I drove past it.

Following the sign for Ban Bo Dan Beach, I turned in and discovered a serene and beautiful spot with crystal-clear turquoise waters and a long stretch of pine trees. This beach is part of the same coastline as Wat Tha Sai.

After taking a picture of the shabu-shabu meal, we continued on. It was very peaceful here, perhaps because it was still early.

Next, we will visit Wat Tha Sai, a riverside ordination hall.

The final stop of this trip was the Ao Toh Lee viewpoint, which is not far from Wat Tha Sai. It didn't take long to get there. This time, I came to Toh Lee because I could drive my car to the top. I wanted to see what it was like.

The view from Wiwakan is higher than Samet Nang Chee, but I think the view from Samet Nang Chee is more beautiful. They are located close to each other, about 2 kilometers apart.

The navigator is here. Hehe.

While driving, I came across a mountain range that seemed to be under construction for some purpose. I stopped to take some pictures.

After that, we stopped for lunch in Phang Nga town again, then drove straight back to Bangkok, stopping for another meal near Sam Roi Yot.

Everyone arrived in Bangkok safely. The trip ended at midnight sharp.

Total expenses are as follows:

Rice porridge 265

Sticky rice with chicken, morning and noon, snacks 1000

Round trip boat 7500

Life jacket rental fee 200

Afternoon dive at 1000 meters.

The cost of dinner at the park is 590.

Tent rental fee: 80 baht per person, total 400 baht.

Second morning submarine fare 2000

The cost of lunch before returning is 500.

The cost of Coke for two days on the island is 350.

Accommodation in Khao Lak costs 1000.

Entrance fee to Ao Toh Lee is 30 baht per person.

Dinner near Sam Roi Yot 720

The remaining expenses were minimal, with everything divided equally among the group, resulting in an approximate cost of 4,500 baht per person. This is considered reasonable, considering the significant portion allocated to round-trip boat fares and diving excursions at Surin Islands. Other expenses were relatively minor. This information may be helpful for those planning a trip to Surin Islands. A two-night stay is recommended to fully appreciate the beauty of the islands. I personally regret not staying longer and would definitely return for another visit.

See you on our next trip, just the two of us. Goodbye!