Similan Islands: Day Trips and Tours from Phuket

If you’re looking to find the most resplendent marine creatures in all of Thailand, you should head to the Similan Islands. With sparkling waters, jagged boulders and dazzlingly white beaches, the archipelago of nine islands should be on every traveler’s bucket list.

While it may take you a few hours to reach these impressive shores, Similan Island day trips from Phuket are not to be missed. As you snorkel through the gentle waves, you’ll be met by curious fish, graceful manta rays and possibly even a friendly whale shark.

You will find below everything you need to know before embarking on a Similan islands tour, one of the most spectacular spots for day trips from Phuket.

How to get to the Similan Islands from Phuket?

The Similan Islands are located in the Andaman Sea, 50 kilometers west of the coast of Thailand. They are approximately 120 kilometers northeast of the island of Phuket.

From Phuket to the Similan Islands by boat

You can take a boat to the Similan Islands from Chalong or Patong Beach, several times a day. It is not a quick jaunt to the Similan Islands.

In fact, depending on which island you want to visit and the speed of your boat, you may spend up to 7 hours aboard your vessel. However, reaching Koh Similan (the closest of the nine islands) usually takes between 2 and 3 hours.

Guided tour to the Similan Islands from Phuket

For the fastest journey to the Similan Islands, you should consider taking a guided day tour. You’ll be picked up from your hotel between 5 AM and 9 AM, depending on your excursion, and return to Phuket approximately 10 hours later.

How much does the entrance ticket to the Similan Islands cost?

• Adults: THB500 (US$14)
• Children: THB250 (US$7)

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to the Similan Islands from Phuket?

There are several different operators offering day trips to the Similan Islands, and all of these excursions follow a similar itinerary. You’ll enjoy a hassle-free pickup at your hotel or at another easy-to-reach location in Phuket, depending on your preference.

From there, you’ll travel to the shores of the island to meet your tour guide and enjoy a light breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee. You’ll hop into your vessel and set sail for the Similan Islands, which are a substantial distance from the tourist hotspot of Phuket.

As you enter the magnificent national park, you’ll weave your way through its waters to several of the nine islands. The most popular islands to step foot on are Ko Miang and Ko Jed. Regardless of which islands you visit, you’ll be able to participate in world-class snorkeling or swimming amongst flourishing coral reefs.

You may also hike to the Sailing Rock viewpoint before enjoying a traditional Thai lunch amidst swaying palm trees. As your Similan Islands day tour draws to a close, you’ll continue your boat tour on a picturesque journey back to Phuket.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the Similan Islands?

Many Similan Island day tours revolve around snorkeling, because of the archipelago's diverse range of sea life and thriving coral reefs. You can choose between visiting the panoramic islands as part of a dedicated tour group or privately.

Snorkeling tour to the Similan Islands from Phuket

The Similan Islands are known for their remarkably blue waters and abundance of marine life, which is why many day tours focus on snorkeling. You'll have the opportunity to go on a hiking trail up the rocky outcrop of Ko Similan — fondly known as Donald Duck Island — to gain an aerial view over the national park.

You'll snorkel through the clear waters of two islands, admiring the coral reefs and sea creatures that call the region home, including harmless black-tip reef sharks. You'll end your Similan Islands day trip by lounging on the pristine shores of Ko Miang.

Private tour to the Similan Islands from Phuket

This private excursion enables you to enjoy the blissful peace of the Similan Islands alone with your loved ones. You'll have ample opportunities to peek at the bountiful marine life that thrives just below the waves.

Alongside snorkeling, you'll find that the Similan Islands are the perfect place to unwind with a good book in the sunshine. Your captain knows all of the best spots to dock, and you'll enjoy an unforgettable day basking in the Thai sun on deserted beaches.

How much does a tour to the Similan Islands from Phuket cost?

Snorkeling day tours to the Similan Islands cost between US$80 and US$120. Those on the higher end of this range include the national park fee, which is THB500 (US$14) per adult.

Private Similan Islands day trips cost US$1,300 for a group of up to 15 people. This is excellent value for money as it breaks down to approximately US$90 per person. On a private tour, you'll be expected to cover the additional cost of the national park entrance.

What will you see and do on a Similan Islands day trip from Phuket?

The Similan Islands archipelago forms the Similan National Park, which covers almost 130 square kilometers.

Its name translates to "nine" in Malay, which refers to the number of islands in the chain. Of these nine isles, seven are totally uninhabited, and the remaining two house national park offices.

The Similan Islands were named a national park in 1982 and are characterized by the enormous boulders that line the shores of its beaches.

The islands have gained so much popularity over recent years that in 2018, visitor limitations were put in place to protect the natural environment.

Today, the park allows around 3,000 tourists to set foot on its shores every day. This is a dramatic difference from the 7,000 visitors that used to sail freely into the national park daily.

What brings visitors flocking to the group of islands is the park's diverse sea life. You can snorkel or dive while in the national park and expect to see a plethora of creatures. There are countless fish species roaming the waters of the Similan Islands, including snappers, surgeonfish, giant groupers and butterflyfish.

Octopuses, leopard sharks, whale sharks and manta rays are among the larger beasts you may catch a glimpse of as you move through the seas. Large pods of dolphins reside in the waters nearby to the isles and are most active at dawn or dusk.

Out of the water, you'll find palm civets and flying lemurs, as well as over 20 species of amphibians. The skies above the Similan Islands are also colored with tropical birds, including collared kingfishers and brahminy kites, which you can see on a Similan Islands day tour.

When are the Similan Islands open over the year?

In order to preserve the delicate ecosystem, the Similan Islands are closed to tourists during the monsoon season every year.

You can visit the islands between October and May, however, you will be unable to travel to the archipelago between mid-May, and mid-October. The exact date of closure changes every year, and you should check this before traveling.

Some islands are also closed year-round due to turtle nesting.

When is the best time to visit the Similan Islands?

Day trips to the Similan Islands are spectacular at any time during their open season of October to May. Throughout this time, you’ll experience low humidity, predictable weather and excellent visibility.

For the lowest chance of a rainstorm ruining your adventure, visit the islands between December and March.

Travel tips

• Check official information on the closing season before booking a Similan Islands day trip.
• Coral reefs are delicate and easily damaged by harsh chemicals. For this reason, ensure that you wear reef-safe sunscreen on your excursion to the Similan Islands.
• The weather in the Similan Islands is hot and tropical, with high temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius. If you are not used to this climate, ensure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• You are most likely to catch a sighting of a whale shark in the Similan Islands between February and April.