A Day Trip to The Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are a must-see destination for anyone planning things to do in Thailand. This beautiful cluster of islands is easily reached from either Phuket or Khao Lak.
Though well-known, the Similan Islands see significantly fewer visitors than more 'classic' tourist hotspots like Koh Phi Phi.
The Similan Islands are home to some of the most beautiful reefs in all of Thailand, with impeccably clean and clear water. The urge to swim in these perfect waters is irresistible.
The Similan Islands are uninhabited, aside from the few National Park Staff who stay on the main island.
This means the only realistic way to visit Similan Islands is via a day tour from the mainland. This post will cover how and where to book a tour, how much it costs and what to expect.
It's important to remember that the Similan Islands are a National Marine Park, and to protect the environment, nature, and wildlife; tourists are only permitted to visit from October 15th until May 15th.
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Quick Information
- The Similan Islands are open from October 15th until May 15th. And are closed for preservation the rest of the year. Tourists are not permitted to visit outside of these dates.
- Tours to the Similan Islands must be booked in advance, and a passport photo is required. Tour operators must register your visit with the National Park before arrival.
- The Similan Islands are around 65 kilometres from Phuket (Thap Lamu Pier), and it takes approximately 90 minutes by speedboat to reach the islands.
- There is a 500 THB National Park fee to visit the Similan Islands, although most tour operators include this fee in the tour price.
- Most tours depart from Thap Lamu Pier, which is around 1 hour 20 minutes from the mainland by boat.
- Tours include hotel pick-up from Phuket and Khao Lak. Some operators also offer pick-up from Krabi.
- There are 9 Similan Islands in total. Three islands are permanently closed to tourists to protect turtle nesting areas.
How to Get to the Similan Islands
It should go without saying that the only way you can get to the Similan Islands is by boat. But what boats are actually available?
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Thap Lamu is the most common departure pier for the Similan Islands, which are around 65 kilometres away across the open sea. This kind of distance is not suitable for a longtail boat, while a bigger ferry is just too slow to make it there and back for a day tour.
This leaves speedboats as the only option to get to the Similan Islands. You really don’t need to overthink this. The easiest, and the only practical way of going to the Similans, is by booking onto a day tour.
Where Do Similan Island Tours Leave From
Pretty much all Similan Island tours depart from Thap Lamu Pier. This pier is the closest to the islands and is located in Phang Nga Province. It's around a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Phuket, depending on the area you’re starting from. If you're staying in Khao Lak, it's much closer, usually just a 15 to 20-minute drive.
All the Similan Island tour operators have check-in areas on the street leading down to the pier, although Fantastic Similan has actually built a private pier further down the road, specifically for their guests.
I really don’t recommend arriving at the pier yourself and trying to book a spot on a boat on the same day. In the peak season, these tours sell out days or weeks in advance. Even if there was space available, National Park registration requirements mean same-day bookings aren’t usually possible. Besides that, it’s a long ride from Phuket; when you book in advance, hotel collection is included, which is much more convenient.
Booking Your Similan Islands Tour
There are thousands of places to book your Similand Islands Tour, but there are really only 5 main companies who actually operate the boats.
This is sometimes a difficult concept for tourists to understand. At first glance, it might appear that there are hundreds of different tours. You can find trips to the Similan Islands being sold in tour counters all around Phuket and Khao Lak, and there are many online booking options too.
The reality is that wherever you book the tour, you will be booking through a 3rd party agent. This is just how things work in Thailand, and it’s totally normal. Tour operators rarely sell the trips themselves.
Similan Island Tour Operators
What Tours Are Available?
There is not much difference between the tours and the operators; they all copy each other anyway. All the Similan Island tour operators use catamaran speedboats, with the exception of Fantastic Similan, who use traditional-style speedboats with front facing seats.
The itineraries and timings for each tour operator are very similar to one another, and this isn’t something you need to pay too much attention to anyway. Tour itineraries are never exact since sea conditions change daily, meaning companies often have to alter their schedules on the fly. Whichever company you travel with, you will have a very similar experience.
Prices are similar across the board too, and the 500 Baht National Park Fee is included in the cost for all the tour companies mentioned.
When I visited the Similan Islands, I travelled with Sawanu Travel, who were great.
Where to Book Similan Island Tours
If you prefer to book online, there are two websites I recommend:
- https://phiphitours.com/similan-islands
- https://getyourguide.com/similan-islands
GetYourGuide is an international tourist booking site, and Phi Phi Tours is a local Thai company. Both have competitive pricing and multiple options to choose from.
If you prefer to book in person, there are countless tour booths on the streets of Phuket and Khao Lak. Just make sure to check which operator the agent is actually booking for you.
How Much Does a Similan Island Tour Cost
The average cost to book a Similan Island tour is around 2,800 - 3,500 THB. This should include the mandatory 500 THB National Park Fee.
All the tour operators listed include meals (breakfast and lunch) and transport to and from your hotel in Phuket or Khao Lak. You can check the exact prices here.
How Far in Advance To Book Similan Islands
Book at least two days in advance to visit the Similan Islands. Don’t leave it until the last minute — tours regularly sell out, especially during peak season.
Because the Similan Islands are a protected National Marine Park, there is a daily limit on visitor numbers. Tour operators are required to submit passport details of their customers in advance, which prevents last minute bookings.
Planning ahead is essential, but it’s a small effort for one of the best day trips you can take from Phuket or Khao Lak.
Things To Do in The Similan Islands
The Similan islands are all about nature, swimming, snorkelling, and the beaches.
Swimming & Snorkelling
Make sure to bring a swimsuit. The water around the Similan Islands is unbelievably clear - it feels like you’re looking through a filter. Once you see it in person, it’s almost impossible to resist jumping in.
Donald Duck Bay (Quack Quack) is the most well-known spot in the Similan Islands, and chances are many of the photos you’ve already seen were taken here. A section of the beach is roped off as a designated swimming area where boats are not allowed to enter, making it a safe and relaxed place to swim.
The water at Donald Duck Bay is shallow with a sandy bottom, which makes it perfect for swimming. However, there isn’t a coral reef here, so snorkelling at this particular spot is limited.
Elsewhere around the Similan Islands, there are plenty of excellent reefs to explore. Most tours include two or three separate snorkelling stops, and the coral here is noticeably healthier than in many other parts of Thailand. Be careful not to stand on or touch the coral, and make sure any sunscreen you use is reef-safe.
When snorkelling in the Similan Islands, you also have a higher chance of seeing sea turtles than almost anywhere else in Thailand. Turtles migrate here to lay their eggs, which is why three of the nine islands are closed to tourists to protect nesting areas. With a bit of luck, you may even spot turtles swimming alongside you during a snorkelling session.
Hawksbill turtles are the most commonly seen species in the Similan Islands, although green turtles and leatherback turtles are also known to inhabit the area.
Similan Island Viewpoint
The Sail Rock Viewpoint is another must-see iconic spot around the Similan Islands. Located on Similan island No.9 the huge rock is perched up on top of the island.
There is a man-made wooden staircase to scale to the top of the viewpoint and the walk is not difficult, it’s 150 meters to the top, and takes around 5 minutes. You’ll have the best views from the top with clear water all around, as far as you can see. Occasionally on rainy days the viewpoint can be closed for safety reasons, since it can become slippery when it’s raining.
Preservation Efforts at The Similan Islands
Thailand has been improving in recent years in the preservation and protection efforts and the Similan Islands are somewhere where the preservation of nature and wildlife is taken seriously. Here are some things you should know before you go.
Reef Safe Sunscreen
Check your sunscreen before you go. Most brands of sunscreen cause damage to coral reefs, chemicals including Oxybenzone, Butylparaben & Octyl Methoxycinnamate are commonly found in most sunscreen brands. These chemicals are known to cause damage to coral reefs and are prohibited in the Similan Islands. Look for brands marked reef-safe, and check the ingredients list.
Daily Visitor Cap & Advance Registration
A cap on the amount of visitors who can travel to the Similan islands is in place as a preservation measure. The exact number is not documented as public information and it's set by the National Park Department.
Tour operators have to register the arrival of their guests in advance and this allows the National Park to keep a close control of the number of visitors.
Turtle Preservation Areas
Similan Islands 1, 2 & 3 are closed to tourists to protect the endangered species of Sea Turtles who come to lay their eggs on the island. Keeping the islands untouched plays a global role in the protection of these endangered species.
Annual Closure
The Similan Islands close annually for a rehabilitation period from May until October, this allows the islands to rejuvenate 100% naturally without any people changing the ecosystem. The closure is during the low season, which is when weather conditions are often bad and it would not be safe to visit the Similan Islands anyway.
Can You Stay Overnight at the Similan Islands
Technically, yes. Realistically, no. For most tourists it’s not realistic to stay overnight on the Similan Islands. There are no hotels in the Similan Islands and it’s not common or easy to stay overnight.
The National Park does have some small bungalows and a camping area on the Similan Islands, but you would need to seek permission from the National Park Department in advance and get approval by email. And you would also then have to make your own travel arrangements to and from the Similan Islands, and since there are no ferries or one way transfers here, this option is really only suitable for people who own their own boat and are sailing in the Andaman Sea themselves.
If you’re PADI licensed, another option to stay overnight on the Similan Islands, is to book onto a Liveaboard Diving Boat Experience. This is an amazing experience, but it's costly, and you would be sleeping on the boat rather than actually on the island.
What To Bring on a Similan Islands Trip
Don’t bring too much with you. Tours always include food, all the operators I mentioned in the post include breakfast and lunch. Make sure to bring a swimsuit which can be worn under loose clothing (you cannot avoid the urge to swim here)! A small amount of cash can be useful as there is a small tuck shop on the island, and you might want to purchase souvenirs after the tour. And sun protection is essential, long sleeves are recommended, but reef safe sunscreen is an alternative. And a hat too. Keep in mind that the inside of the tour boats will be wet on the floor and the seats, after passengers board the boat after a snorkelling session there will be water everywhere. Bringing a dry bag is recommended and don’t bring anything unessential that cannot get wet; eg; your physical passport.
Can I Fly a Drone in Similan Islands
Short answer: No — flying a drone at the Similan Islands is illegal without special written permission.
Flying a drone illegally carries a maximum fine of up to 100,000 THB, (approximately 3,500 USD) and up to five year imprisonment.
In order to fly a drone legally at the Similan Islands you must have written approval from the National Park Department for non-commercial purposes, the letter issued will specify who is allowed to fly the drone, and for what purpose, it is also limited to a specific set of dates, and times.
And you must have the appropriate insurance, CAAT, NBTC registrations, etc. Obtaining permission is the hardest part, and the National Park is unlikely to give permission to fly at the Similan Islands without good reason to do so.
In short, it’s not easy to legally fly a drone at the Similan Islands, and you will be caught flying illegally which has harsh penalties. For most hobbyists, it’s not worth the hassle.
Can I Book a Private Tour to the Similan Islands
Private tours to the Similan Islands are uncommon, mainly due to the cost.
The islands are located far offshore, and longtail boats are not suitable for the journey. Smaller speedboats also aren’t capable of making the trip safely. To reach the Similan Islands, you’ll need at least a twin-engine speedboat.
Because of the distance, fuel costs are high. A round trip can require several hundred litres of fuel! Which makes private charters expensive and relatively inefficient, especially for smaller groups.
For couples or solo travellers, chartering a private boat is generally impractical. For larger groups, it can be an option — but you’ll usually need at least six people to justify the cost. Prices typically start at around 45,000 THB for a speedboat, and can reach 90,000 THB or more for a small catamaran.
For most visitors, a shared tour offers far better value and is the most practical and environmentally friendly way to experience the Similan Islands.
Too Long; Didn’t Read (TL;DR)
Don’t miss the Similan Islands on your trip to Thailand. You’ll find some of the best snorkelling here and some of the most beautiful beaches and clearest water in the world. The marine life is rich and plentiful with many healthy corals. If you’re lucky you’ll have a chance to spot Turtles.
You really don’t need to overthink the planning and itinerary for the Similan Islands, it’s as simple as booking a tour online. There are not many tour operators who visit the Similan Islands, so picking a trip should not be difficult.
It is possible to stay overnight, but it’s expensive and difficult to plan, it’s not something you can just book online and there are no hotels on the Islands.
Shared Tours are the most popular method to visit the Similan Islands, but a private charter is possible for medium sized groups with a larger budget.
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Robb (BackPack BOB)·13 min read
Robb, who finds it a little unusual to write about himself in the third person, has been living in Southeast Asia for over 10 years. He works online and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. During this time, he has had the chance to travel extensively throughout this beautiful region.
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