The Similan Islands offer some of the most beautiful seascapes in southern Thailand: turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. This archipelago in the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Phang Nga province, is a popular destination for day trips from Khao Lak, Phuket, and Phang Nga. Numerous tour operators offer excursions there. The Mu Ko Similan National Park, established in 1982, comprises nine islands, six of which are accessible only to tourists and offer excellent diving spots. According to the guide on the excursion I visited, Koh Payu (Similan Island No. 7) is the best snorkeling spot. The main island, Koh Similan (Similan Island No. 8), with its Sail Rock viewpoint, is also a must-see, and the island with the best swimming beaches is Koh Miang (Similan Island No. 4). The intensive tourism has led to various measures being implemented to protect the environment. The annual closure to tourists during the off-season (May 15 to October 15) was a first, but insufficient, step. This was supplemented by visitor limits introduced in October 2018 and a ban on overnight stays on the islands. Apparently, boat trips are now being offered again. Since the introduction of visitor quotas, it has been mandatory to book a visit to the Similan Islands through a local travel agency, as only authorized boats are allowed to enter the national park and the number of passengers must be reported. However, these quotas no longer seem to be fully enforced, especially since COVID-19. Note that Koh Surin is also located in the same region. This island is less well-known and less crowded than the Similan Islands, and overnight stays in tents or bungalows are still possible there.

Entrance to Mu Ko Similan National Park costs 500 baht for adults and 300 baht for children (foreign visitors). It is usually included in the price of all-inclusive speedboat tours (meals, drinks, transfers from the hotel to the pier and back by minibus, insurance, tour guide, etc.) offered from Phuket, Khao Lak, and Phang Nga for approximately 2,500–3,000 baht.

Don't organize your trip to the Similan Islands yourself; contact an agency! This way, everything will be perfectly organized, and given the introduction of day visitor quotas and new regulations, it's more advisable than ever to hire an agency that will take care of all the necessary formalities for you.

How to get there

How do you get to the Similan Islands? Don't try to organize your trip to the Similan Islands yourself; book through an agency! Everything is perfectly organized, and given the introduction of day visitor quotas and new regulations, it's more advisable than ever to use an agency that takes care of all the necessary formalities.