The Similan Islands, the famous world-class diving spot, is located in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of Thailand near Phuket. This archipelago is protected as the Similan Islands National Park to preserve its original tropical beauty.
Similan is Malay for 'nine', referring to the original nine islands that make up the Similan archipelago. Two more islands later joined the Similan Islands National Park. Now, the following 11 islands make up the Similan Islands, offering natural beauty and diving experiences to its visitors.
- Island 1: Ko Huyong (for turtle farming)
- Island 2: Ko Payang (for turtle farming)
- Island 3: Ko Payan (for turtle farming)
- Island 4: Ko Miang (Visitor Center location)
- Island 5: Ko Ha (snorkeling allowed nearby; no island landing)
- Island 6: Ko Payu (snorkeling allowed nearby; no island disembarkation)
- Island 7: Ko Hin Landing (snorkeling allowed nearby; no island landing)
- Island 8: Ko Similan (the biggest island, can be visited)
- Island 9: Ko Ba-ngu (snorkeling allowed nearby; no island disembarkation)
- Island 10: Ko Bon (snorkeling allowed nearby; no island landing)
- Island 11: Ko Tachai (snorkeling allowed nearby; no island landing)
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Why are the Similan Islands famous?
With crystal clear sea, white sandy beaches, a variety of valuable marine life and stunning underwater scenery, the Similan Islands attract a huge number of tourists every year, especially diving enthusiasts.
A diving paradise
A sea turtle seen during a dive in the Simian Islands
The Similan Islands are considered one of the top ten dive sites in the world and offer excellent diving conditions.
The water is blue and clear, with good underwater visibility up to 30 meters (100 feet). Underwater, huge granite boulders balance on top of each other, forming spectacular arches and steep slopes covered by numerous beautiful soft coral reefs.
The crystal blue waters are teeming with an abundance of marine life. Sighting turtles, various clownfish, batfish, blue mackerel, tuna and other tropical fish is not a problem. If you're lucky, some rare fish like harmless leopard sharks and manta rays are a divers' delight.
untouched beauty
The Similan Islands were declared a national park in 1982 and the Thai government continues to strive to preserve and protect these pristine islands.
You will be impressed by its charm of rugged, rocky coastlines and white sandy beaches under clear blue skies. There are piles of rocks on the beach, some the size of houses. Dense rainforests grow freely surrounded by incredible bodies of water.
Fixed buoys for submersibles are placed at each dive site by the Thai Navy to protect marine life. Other ships are not allowed to anchor.
What to do
Diving and snorkeling are absolutely top activities in the Similan Islands. You can also land on some islands to visit and take pictures.
Diving and snorkeling
An advanced diving certification is required to dive the Similian Islands. Normal visitors can only swim or snorkel. Each snorkel spot is 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet) deep and you can clearly see the yellow and blue fish and beautiful coral below.
There are over 20 dive sites in the Similan Islands. East of Eden (near Ko Hin Landing), Turtle Rock and Elephant Head (near Ko Similan), Christmas Point (near Ko Ba-ngu), Ko Bon, Ko Tachai are the best places to visit Diving or snorkeling.
Visite Sailing Boat Rock
sailboat rock
Sailing Boat Rock on Island 8 (Koh Similan, the largest island in the group) is the symbol of the Similan Islands. You can get a wide view of the beach or you can land on the island and climb the mountain for a 360 degree view from the highest point on the island.
Best time to travel to the Similan Islands
The best times to visit the Similan Islands are from December to March when it rains less, but they are only open from November to April. To protect the ecosystems of the Similan Islands, the Thai government closes the islands to tourists during the monsoon season, from May to October.
Tours to the Similan Islands: Day Trip or Overnight Tour
Day trips to the Similan Islands or overnight stays (on a liveaboard boat) are possible.
Spending a night near the Similan Islands is not mandatory. For most visitors, we recommend a day trip. It is enough to experience the fun of diving and enjoy the view of the island in daylight.
If you are an avid diver or would like to take a scuba diving course, consider the liveaboard option.
The Similan Islands are not accessible to independent travelers. The only way to visit is by joining an approved tour group. Most tour groups departphuketor Khao Lak.
You can book a trip to the Similan Islands by asking at the reception of your hotel in the Phuket area, at a travel agency or on the Internet.
Accommodation near the Similan Islands
Now, visitors are no longer allowed to live on the islands. The original accommodation of tents and bungalows on the Similan Islands has been closed.
The only way to stay there is liveaboard. This is popular with diving enthusiasts. Some dive providers offer boat accommodation and meals as they take you to various dive sites in the Similan Islands.
How to get there
Boats to the Similan Islands usually depart from Phuket or Khao Lak. Since only registered (diving) tour operators are allowed in the Similan Islands, it is more convenient to book a trip with hotel transfers. The island's tour company will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the departure pier and drop you back at your hotel after the trip.
From Phuket to the Similan Islands
chalong boatsPatong(closer to the islands) will take you to the Similan Islands within 2-4 hours depending on which island you are visiting. Koh Tachai (farther) takes up to four hours and Koh Similan just two or three. It is possible to book a day trip from Phuket to the Similan Islands.
From Khao Lak to the Similan Islands
Khao Lak beach
Boats from Khao Lak to Phuket depart from Tab Lamu port. It takes about 3 hours to get there by slow boat and about 70 minutes by fast boat. A day trip to the Similan Islands from Khao Lak is very feasible.
From Bangkok to the Similan Islands
if you travel fromBangkokto the Similan Islands, the quickest way is to fly to Phuket and from there take a boat to the islands.
The cheapest way is by bus and boat. You can take an overnight bus to Khao Lak and from there take a boat to the Similan Islands. However, this takes at least 12 hours.
travel tips
- Only islands 4 and 8 allow land visits. Visitors are not allowed to wear shoes on the islands!
- To protect their ecosystems, nothing should be taken from the islands, such as shells, stones, sand, etc.
- Cell phone reception is limited on the islands.
- Catering facilities on the islands are limited. There is the only restaurant in the visitor center on island 4 (Ko Miang). If you are going on a day trip, we recommend bringing sandwiches, drinks, etc.
Recommended tours in Phuket
- 10 Days Classic Thailand Tour: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Phuket (recommended for beginners)
- 8-Day Island Tour on the West Coast of Thailand: Phuket – Koh Phi Phi – Krabi (recommended for beach lovers)
- Thailand 9 days family tour: Bangkok – Phuket
- More tours in Thailand
All our tours can be customized. We can tailor an ideal Thailand trip for you based on group size, time, budget, interests, preferences and other requirements.contact us.