Koh Surin Nuea is home to an indigenous community of around 150 Moken (sea gypsies), who have settled on the island for several decades. The Moken people spend much of their lives on boats, called kabang. Instead of fishing, they survive mainly by gathering shellfish and other marine life from the reefs and mudflats. Koh Surin Tai draws snorkellers to its main bay, Ao Tao, located on the east side. Koh Ri, Koh Klang and Koh Khai (also called Koh Torilla) have areas of unspoilt reefs, with healthy live coral being particularly abundant off Koh Khai. The major drawcard for divers to the area is Richelieu Rock, a coral-covered pinnacle. For reasons still unknown, it attracts a fair number of whale sharks, which makes for exciting diving excursions.