Similan Islands from Phuket

What they are

Mu Ko Similan National Park is a chain of granite islands in the Andaman Sea, with white sand, huge boulders and some of the clearest water in Thailand.

The park lies about 70 km off the west coast of peninsular Thailand. It was declared Thailand's 43rd national park in 1982, the Department of National Parks says, and its highest point, on Ko Similan, rises to 244 metres.

Boats leave from Thap Lamu Pier near Khao Lak, the closest mainland base, or from Phuket.

It's a full day out, so leave early and plan the evening back in Phuket.

The wildlife

Coral reefs, nesting turtles and rare island birds live here, which is why parts of the park are closed to visitors.

The park covers 11 islands and about 140 square kilometres, and Ko Similan is home to Nicobar pigeons, monitor lizards and flying foxes.

Ko Huyong, the park's longest beach, is closed to landings because turtles lay their eggs there, and islands 1 to 3 stay closed for turtle hatching and reef recovery.

Rare island birds nest here too, so keep your distance from wildlife and stay on the marked paths.

Why the park closes

The park closes for five months each year so the reefs and beaches can recover: a fixed annual closure set by the Department of National Parks, not a weather call.

A good crew briefs the group on the park rules before anyone gets in the water.

Visitors help by staying inside the marked snorkelling areas, never touching the coral, and taking every piece of rubbish home.

Is the park open now?

Yes: the park reopened on 15 October 2026 for the 2026–27 season and stays open until about 15 May 2027.

For the 2026–27 season, entry is ฿500 for foreign adults and ฿250 for children under the Department of National Parks' fee regulation, and every visitor needs a park e-ticket with a passport number (checked November 2026).

The best weeks fill fast, so book ahead.

Outside those dates, no boat can land in the park.

Ask Tanner to sort the e-tickets for the group.

Is it worth it?

Yes, for the clearest water and the best snorkelling near Phuket, if you're happy with a long boat day.

The park limits how many visitors land each day, with places kept for divers, so it never feels like Maya Bay.

The trade-off is the distance: it's a long speedboat ride each way, and rough days can cancel trips.

For a group that loves the water, it's the best boat day in the Andaman.

Can you stay the night?

No: overnight stays on the islands are banned, so the Similans are a day trip.

A night on a dive liveaboard is still allowed, because you sleep on the boat, not the island.

The closest place to sleep on land is Khao Lak on the mainland.

A "two-day tour with an island stay" means sleeping in Khao Lak, a liveaboard, or a boat that breaks park rules.

For a two-day trip, base the group in a Khao Lak or Phuket villa.

Can you swim there?

Yes. The snorkelling is the reason to come.

Buoys mark the snorkelling areas off Koh Similan and Koh Ba Ngu, so stay inside them.

Swim only where the crew says it's safe, and never stand on the coral.

Sunscreen with oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC or butylparaben is banned in every national park, the Department of National Parks says, so pack a reef-safe one and take everything back to the boat.

Donald Duck Bay and the islands to see

Donald Duck Bay is the famous Similan stop, a white-sand cove ringed by huge granite boulders, with a viewpoint above it.

The bay sits on the northern shore of island 8, Koh Similan. Ko Tachai and its reef stay closed this season, along with a few dive sites, under the park's Royal Gazette notice of 9 January 2026, so plan the day around Koh Similan and Koh Ba Ngu.

Koh Similan is the largest island, known for Sail Rock and the boot-shaped Donald Duck rock.

The viewpoint climb is short but steep, so wear proper shoes.

See our best beaches in Thailand.

Get there first and the viewpoint is yours.

Getting there

Speedboats run from Thap Lamu Pier near Khao Lak, the quickest crossing, or from Phuket, a longer day with a road transfer.

Every visitor needs a park e-ticket from the QueQ app or the park's e-ticket site, confirmed with ID before 8am on the day; many tours include it, so check before you pay twice.

With visitors capped each day, book the boat early, especially from December to March.

From Phuket, the drive to Khao Lak takes the first part of the morning, so leave early.

Ask Tanner to book the van to Thap Lamu.

Your own boat

A shared Similan Islands tour from Khao Lak is the cheaper way over, but for a group, the best Similan day is on your own boat: your stops, your timing, your music.

The price depends on the boat, and Tanner quotes it to your plan; we add the party: the crew, the drinks, a DJ and the meals.

The Andaman is calmest from December to March, the best window for a long crossing.

See Phuket yachts and yacht parties in Thailand.

When to go

Go December to March, when the Andaman is calmest; the water is clearest from November to April.

Late October and early November are quieter, with the park freshly open.

Late April and early May are hotter, with the season's last trips before the park closes.

See our best time to visit Phuket.

Similans or Phi Phi?

The Similans are for the clearest water and the best snorkelling; Phi Phi is closer, easier and has the famous Maya Bay.

Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September, while the Similans close for longer, from mid-May to mid-October.

Phi Phi works as a half-day or a full day from Phuket; the Similans always need a full day.

See the Phi Phi island tour and things to do in Phuket.

One boat day? Phi Phi. Love the water? The Similans.

Diving the Similans

Divers come to the Similan Islands for the same clear water, and the park keeps part of its daily places for them.

A day boat covers a few dive sites. A liveaboard covers more of the park, and you sleep on the boat, which the rules still allow.

Insider tip: learn on Koh Tao first, then come to the Similans to dive. See Koh Tao scuba diving.

Ask Tanner whether the divers want a day boat or a liveaboard.

What twelve of you really spend

Your own boat is quoted to your plan, because the price depends on the boat, and the party goes on top: a DJ from ฿8,000 and an open bar at ฿1,500 a guest, plus the park fee for each of you.

Insider tip: every e-ticket is confirmed with ID before 8am on the day, so keep the passports on the boat, not in the hotel safe.

Tanner's pick: for twelve, your own boat from Thap Lamu, with Donald Duck Bay first, before the other boats arrive.

Ask Tanner to price the boat for your date.

Plan your Similan day

Pick a date between now and 15 May, then a shared speedboat or your own boat.

Then add the car to Khao Lak and the evening back in Phuket.

Ask Tanner, and he sends back the boat and the timing for your group.

The Similan Islands in short

• A national park of granite islands about 70 km off the coast, in the Andaman Sea.

• Open from 15 October 2026 to about 15 May 2027; closed the rest of the year.
• Day trips only: no overnight stays on the islands, but liveaboards are allowed.
• Every visitor needs a park e-ticket, and daily visitor numbers are limited.
• Boats leave from Thap Lamu Pier near Khao Lak, or from Phuket.
• Best months: December to March, when the sea is calmest.

Checked October 2026.