Surin's position on the northwest coast puts it within easy reach of several of Phuket's better beaches and a few worthwhile inland destinations.
Kamala Beach is five kilometres south and offers a different atmosphere — longer, less developed, and with a small village at its centre. The drive down the coast road takes ten minutes by scooter and passes the hillside site of Phuket FantaSea. Kamala is good for a quieter swimming beach in the dry season.
Bang Tao Beach is a short drive north. It is one of Phuket's longest beaches and home to the Laguna Phuket resort complex, but long stretches of it remain relatively uncrowded. The northern end near Layan Beach is particularly calm.
Phang Nga Bay can be done as a day trip from Surin — it's about an hour's drive to the pier at Bang Rong or Tha Don on the east coast of Phuket, from where longtail boats and tour operators run trips into the bay. The karst limestone formations and sea caves are among the most dramatic scenery in southern Thailand. Half-day and full-day tours are widely available; booking through a local agent rather than a large tour company generally means smaller groups.
Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area in Phuket's interior is a small protected forest with a gibbon rehabilitation project, a waterfall (best after rain), and some of the island's remaining primary forest. The gibbon project in particular is worth visiting for anyone interested in wildlife conservation. The drive from Surin takes around 30 minutes.