The Similan Islands at a glance

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

Furthermore, and always with the goal of preserving this exceptional environment, the Similan Islands are only accessible during certain periods of the year. In fact, they are open to tourists between November and May (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Please note that exact dates may vary from year to year. Accessible by boat from Thap Lamu pier in Khao Lak, the Similan Islands welcome a specific daily quota of tourists (no more than 3,850 on the islands and a maximum of 525 divers).

Please note: an entrance fee will be requested to enter the Similan Islands National Park. Budget 500 baht for adults and 300 baht for children. The fee is often included in tour pricing.

Diving cruise on the Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are renowned as some of the most beautiful diving spots in the world. The archipelago has even been ranked among the 10 best diving sites in the world by the American magazine "Skin Diving." Needless to say, it's the ideal place for a diving cruise in Thailand. Most of the diving sites at the Similan Islands offer extraordinary visibility, sometimes reaching depths of up to 40 meters. Whether you're a beginner diver or more experienced, you'll find something to suit you.

Composed mainly of coral reefs and granite boulders forming crevasses and canyons, the seafloor of the Similan Islands is home to impressive coral gardens and numerous fish species including nudibranchs, shrimp, eels, jacks, snappers, fusiliers, emperors, surgeonfish, trumpetfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, napoleon wrasse, groupers, triggerfish, surgeons, as well as squid, cuttlefish, crabs, octopuses, and moray eels… Among the larger species, you can observe sea turtles (whose terrestrial areas serve as nesting sites), manta rays, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, and whale sharks.

Among the most beautiful sites to discover during a diving cruise on the Similan Islands, you can visit 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 Hideaway Bay (also nicknamed Honeymoon Bay).

Day excursion to the Similan Islands

If scuba diving isn't your cup of tea and/or if you prefer to explore the seafloor of the Similan Islands while snorkeling, consider a day excursion instead! The boat can stop at the best snorkeling spots where a mask and snorkel are all you need to admire the incredible aquatic biodiversity of the archipelago!

A day excursion to the Similan Islands can also be an opportunity to stop on the dreamlike beaches of the islands to enjoy this paradisiacal setting and discover nature during a short hike. You might spot unique birds such as the Nicobar pigeon with its incredible colors reminiscent of a peacock. Depending on the option you choose, you can hike from the main island (Koh Similan) to the summit of Sail Rock where you can enjoy a breathtaking view…

One thing is certain: a day excursion to the Similan Islands will leave you spellbound, both on land and underwater…