We will spending 8 nights in Khao Lak, Thailand next February. We love to snorkel (I don't dive) & are considering taking day snorkel trips to both the Surin & the Similan Islands... Has anyone gone to both? Is one better than the other for SNORKELING FROM THE BEACH? It's too difficult for me to get in/out of boat out in the water... due to a back injury.

Any recommended tour operator? Should we book via our hotel (KhaoLak Orchid Beach)?

We also plan to do a day snorkel trip to Phang-Nga (lunch at Muslim fishing village, mangrove/island tour) that does not involve hiking or caving... any advice on a tour operator that doesn't go out in a giant boat crammed with tourists?

Also, are these 3 all day excursions (plus a day renting a self drive car in the national park) a bit too much for an 8 day visit to Khao Lak?

Advice please!

If I'm not mistaken, these trips generally focus on snorkelling/diving off of the boat. You might book a private trip to ensure that you get what you are looking for. These sets of islands are also quite far out, with the closest of the Similans being 45 minutes by the fastest boat...but count on more like 3 - 4 hours each way unless you are prepared to spring for the fastest boat, private tour, which won't be cheap.

When we were in Khao Lak, we had 6 days, and did one trip, with John Gray Sea Canoe, which was outstanding. Day trips into Phang Nga bay all tend to do the same itinerary and go out at the same time. We did the Hongs by Starlight trip, and as we were going out, we passed lots of boats going in, and our first stop was still occupied by 3 boats (rather than 28) and felt really crowded...we waited until they all left and then kayaked around and swam.

I would recommend John Gray for you, but I'm not sure about the 4 stairs you need to climb to get onto the deck...steep ones. You then need to go down those stairs, and another steep set of about 7 or 8 to get to the kayak level, and step into the kayaks.

Maybe June Batra cruise would be nice? Nice boat anyway. Phuket Sail Tours also does nice trips, and will book privately and customize.

I was reading in LONLEY PLANETS THAILAND guidebook (the just published version) that there are day tours to both the Similan & Surin Islands. The Surin Island one goes to a beach for snorkeling & the speedboat takes one hour each way (and about $80pp).

The Similan Island one is similar, but snorkeling seems to be from the boat, also an hour each way, but a lunch from the island... where one can snorkel. Getting out of smaller speedboats is no big deal, I just have some guy lift me into the waiting arms of my husband.

I looked into John Gray & the prices were OUTRAGEOUS... $900 pp on his website for a day tour & doing an all day self-kayak would be exhausting for me. His actual 2--4 day tours sound wonderful, but way too rustic for me.

I was just curious if anyone had actually done the speedboat day snorkel trips to the Similan & Surin islands... the reservations prince at my KL hotel tells me that Surin is better for snorkeling.

I've done these types of excursions in Rangiroa... 2 hours & 1.5 hours by speedboat each way. The lagoon in Rangiroa looks like a sea, one can't see the other side & the boat is much smaller, so any waves are far more frightening on a 29 foot boat. There are always men who will help me to get in/out... it's a matter of asking and showing them how to help.

The John Gray Hongs by Starlight trip we did was I think 3450 baht per adult, 1/2 price for kids, guide paddling. You can charter the whole boat if you want a private trip, then it gets spendy...that is really the only way you could spend $900 for a day, and that's not per person, but per boat...it's a good option for large groups who don't want to be with other guests. His website is www.johngray-seacanoe.com and all prices are listed there.

I didn't recommend it for you though, because of the steep stairs on the boat.