Mu Koh Surin National Park: How to Get There, Facilities, and Lodgings

Ko Surin Preparation and Planning | Chong Khat Bay Station | Lodging

Covered Seastar longtail boat navigating the sparkling emerald waters of the narrow straight between Ko Surin's Nuea and Tai islands

Koh Surin is a true tropical paradise. Wild, untamed jungle vegetation cover the towering limestone hills and cliffs of the islands, while marine life flourishes in the shallow waters of the coral reefs that surround them. The visual experience is unparalleled- white beaches of miniscule fragments of broken coral and shells set against sparkling emerald waters, vivid sunsets as the fiery star gently melts into the sea. Surprisingly, however, is that this particular national park is better-known for what lies under the water: what many call the best snorkeling and diving sites in Thailand. Avid snorkelers, Tiger and Bird planned to visit these islands and found November 2020 to be the perfect time for an ocean adventure. Our personal preparation for the trip began several months prior and included increased gym time and a daily four reps of two-minute planks so we could adequately tackle the three-hour-per-day snorkeling sessions in the currents of the open ocean.

Happy Holidays from Tiger and Bird

When life throws you lemons, you take that sour fruit and mix it with sugar water to make something delicious. 2020 has been a no good, downright scary year. As travel between countries has mostly shut down (one of our trips was cancelled at the airport- the flight attendant literally stopped everyone from boarding the plane and announced that Myanmar had just closed its borders, turning back the preceding flight), Thailand remained relatively open. Unfortunately, as of December, the situation has changed.

But for much of 2020, we took the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy Thailand in its raw, natural beauty. The experiences have been unforgettable. And all the while, it provided us the opportunity to directly support locals involved in the beleaguered tourism industry. We always travel with an emphasis on authentic experiences and spending local- some Thai boat captains wistfully asked us to extend our stay on remote islands, talking about pristine locations teeming with fish. Other restaurant owners in deserted locations simply thanked us for being there and giving them some business.

The future looks dark and scary with all the uncertainty. But we trust in God and believe that this too while pass. In the meantime, and as always, our best wishes to you and your family for a safe, healthy, and joy-filled Merry Christmas and a Happy - and hopefully better! - New Year.

The Powdery White Sand Beaches, Sparkling Azure Waters, and Coral Reefs of Lipe Island in Thailand

Koh Lipe | General Information | Photojourney

Koh Lipe in the sparkling azure waters of the Andaman. In the distance, larger Koh Adang and Koh Ra Wi are uninhabited islands that are part of Tarutao Marine Park

Koh Lipe is a remote tropical island nestled in the sparkling azure waters of the Andaman Sea near Thailand's border with Malaysia. As a tropical paradise the island is without equal. Powdery white sand beaches line shores mere meters (yards) from coral reefs teeming with all kinds of aquatic life. Every moment of every day, from morning until night, the surrounding beauty is such that it feels as if the visitor has stepped into an Instagram photograph or tourism brochure. The island is low-lying, relatively developed, and fully walkable. Longtail boats transport visitors to numerous additional snorkeling sites as well as the nearby uninhabited paradises of Koh Adang and Koh Ra Wi. And the scuba diving is majestic! A friend visiting the island in November sent back enviable underwater photos taken with whale sharks feeding nearby. Note that Lipe is also a very popular tourist destination; we avoided the crowds and found the island almost deserted in late 2020 near the end of the travel lockdowns.

Koh Lanta: An untouched tropical paradise for world travelers

Koh Lanta | Getting There | Pimalai Resort | Old Town 

Koh Lanta from the south. The white line in the ocean is where the Andaman Sea meets the waters of the sheltered bay to the eastern side of the island (and yes, like all photos that you find on our blog, we took this picture ourselves!)

Koh Lanta is a beautiful island paradise situated a short ferry ride away from Thailand’s southern shore in the Andaman Sea. Relatively remote and difficult to access, the island is huge and remains mostly wild and untamed, still in the early throes of development. Dense mangrove forests line the northern shore of the island, eventually giving way to alternatively long white sand beaches or rocky formations stretching along aquamarine waters- all visible to visitors traveling to the resorts in the South. Many local people call Koh Lanta their home and live in villages clustered near the shoreline, leading to a mix of shops catering to both tourists and residents. The island has a touch of je ne sais quoi, perhaps a refreshing authenticity that Tiger feels is now missing from many popular Thai tourist destinations (even distant Koh Chang has changed as supermarket chains move in, tourists begin to vastly outnumber residents, and general infrastructure increases). 

Southern Thailand adventures abound- more posts coming soon!

The tranquil aquamarine waters off of Koh Lipe are a great place for snorkeling!

August has been very busy, with Tiger and Bird focusing on extensive trips around a recently reopened Southern Thailand (Thailand has done a fantastic job containing the spread of the coronavirus. As of the time we began our trip, more than seventy days had passed with no domestic cases). A peninsula here, an island or two there- we plan to spend many days exploring areas that are usually crowded with tourists. These are strange months of a strange year since international visitors are still mostly barred and domestic visitors are far fewer in number.