January 6, 2022

Do white sand beaches and turquoise, crystal-clear waters set your imagination ablaze? Then it's time to add the Similan Islands to your Thailand vacation. Between snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking and leisurely days on paradisiacal islands, discover everything you need to know about excursions across the Similan archipelago!

The Similan Islands at a glance

Located in the Andaman Sea roughly a hundred kilometers northwest of the island of Phuket, and approximately 60 km from Khao Lak, the Similan archipelago consists of 9 islands (Koh Hu Yong, Koh Pa Yang, Koh Pa Yan, Koh Miang, the twin islands of Koh Ha and Koh Hok, Koh Payu, Koh Pa Boo, Koh Similan and Koh Ba Ngu). Boasting fine sandy beaches, lush pristine nature and surrounded by crystalline waters teeming with an incredible array of marine species, the Similan Islands truly inspire wonder. To protect this genuine paradise, Thai authorities granted it National Park status in 1982.

Moreover, in a continued effort to preserve this exceptional environment, the Similan Islands are only accessible during certain months of the year. They welcome visitors between November and May (between 9 AM and 5 PM). Note that exact dates may vary from year to year. Accessible by boat from the Thap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak, the Similan Islands operate under a strict daily visitor quota (no more than 3,850 on the islands and 525 divers maximum).

Important: an entrance fee is required to enter the Similan Islands National Park. Budget 500 Baht for adults and 300 Baht for children. This fee is often included in excursion packages.

Diving cruises on the Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are acclaimed as home to some of the world's most stunning dive sites. The archipelago has even been ranked among the 10 best dive sites in the world by American magazine Skin Diving. Suffice it to say, this is the ideal location for a diving cruise in Thailand. Most dive sites around the Similan Islands offer extraordinary visibility, sometimes reaching depths of 40 meters or more. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned diver, you'll find your perfect match.

Composed largely of coral reefs and granite boulders that form crevasses and canyons, the seabed of the Similan Islands harbors impressive coral gardens and countless fish species including nudibranchs, shrimp, eels, jacks, snappers, fusiliers, damsels, surgeonfish, trumpetfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, Napoleon wrasses, groupers, triggerfish, tangs, as well as squid, cuttlefish, crabs, octopuses and moray eels. Among the larger creatures, you may spot sea turtles (the islands' terrestrial areas serve as nesting grounds), manta rays, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, and whale sharks.

Among the most spectacular sites to explore during a diving cruise on the Similan Islands are Coral Gardens, Sharkfin Reef, Boulder City, Bird Rock (also called Chinese Wall), Anita's Reef, East of Eden, Fantasea Reef, Elephant Head Rock, Beacon Point, Breakfast Bend, Christmas Point, Deep Six, Donald Duck Bay and Hideway Bay (also nicknamed Honeymoon Bay).

Everything You Need to Know About Excursions to the Similan Islands

Day excursion to the Similan Islands

If scuba diving isn't your cup of tea and/or you prefer to explore the marine world of the Similan Islands through snorkeling, consider a day excursion instead! The boat will stop at the best snorkeling spots where mask and fins are all you need to marvel at the archipelago's incredible aquatic biodiversity.

A day excursion to the Similan Islands also offers opportunities to visit the islands' pristine beaches and soak in this paradisiacal setting while discovering nature on leisurely walks. You might catch glimpses of unique bird species like the Nicobar pigeon with its stunning peacock-like iridescence. Depending on your chosen option, you can hike from the main island (Koh Similan) to the summit of Sail Rock, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views…

One thing's certain: a day excursion to the Similan Islands will leave you in awe, both above and below the water's surface.

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, listen and understand. For her, traveling isn't about checking countries off a map, but weaving connections—often invisible yet always powerful—with places, peoples and all manner of creatures in the animal kingdom. Her philosophy? Advise travelers with integrity, awaken their awareness of animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble, sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories are often born far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a trail, during a quiet conversation, or in the hushed breath of a world we finally take time to truly hear…