Similan Islands from Phuket: Season, Tour Prices, Tips

A day trip to the Similan Islands from Phuket is possible again: Mu Ko Similan National Park reopened on October 15, 2026 and stays open until May 15, 2027. Expect a long day of 10 to 12 hours, an early hotel pickup, a drive of roughly 70 km to Thap Lamu pier in Phang Nga, a speedboat ride of about 90 minutes and a park fee of 500 baht for foreign adults, usually already built into the tour price.

The archipelago sits in the Andaman Sea north-west of Phuket and is famous for clear water, white sand and huge granite boulders. Because it lies in open sea, the park only operates in the calmer months.

When is the Similan Islands season in 2026-27?

The Bangkok Post reported the official announcement: the park opened for the 2026-27 season on October 15 and will close again on May 15 for its yearly recovery period. The closure, which runs through the southwest monsoon, gives reefs time to recover and keeps boats away from the roughest seas.

Demand returned straight away. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) counted 1,409 visitors on opening day, 1,359 of them on day trips and 50 divers, according to Pattaya Mail. Park chief Chaiyapruek Weerawong asked visitors to use coral-safe sunscreen and to cut single-use plastic.

Within the season, the sea is usually calmest from December to March. Thai Meteorological Department 30-year averages for nearby Takua Pa show rainfall dropping from more than 500 mm in October to about 230 mm in November, with the driest months running from December to March. Our guide to Phuket weather in November explains what the current month looks like on the coast.

How do you get to the Similan Islands from Phuket?

There is no ferry from Phuket itself. Almost every trip works like this:

• Hotel pickup in Phuket at around 6am, or earlier for the first boats.
• A road transfer to Ban Thap Lamu pier in Thai Mueang district, Phang Nga, about 70 km and a little over an hour from Phuket airport without traffic. Patong is further away.
• Check-in, equipment and a safety briefing at the pier, then about 90 minutes by speedboat or catamaran. Pattaya Mail notes that life jackets are compulsory for all passengers.
• Stops at three or four islands, lunch, then the return to the pier in the late afternoon and the drive back.

If you would rather not start before dawn, staying in Khao Lak puts you much closer to Thap Lamu. For shorter boat days, see our best day trips from Phuket.

How much does a Similan Islands tour cost?

Prices change by operator and boat, so treat these as a guide only:

Item	Typical cost	Notes
Speedboat day trip, adult	About THB 2,300 to 3,100	Advertised rates from Phuket sellers for the current season
Catamaran day trip, adult	About THB 3,300	Larger and steadier, same islands
Park fee, foreign adult	THB 500	DNP fee table; usually included in tours
Park fee, foreign child	THB 250	Ages 3 to 14
Park fee, Thai adult / child	THB 100 / 50	Thai ID is checked

Most tours to the Similan Islands from Phuket also include hotel transfers, lunch, soft drinks and snorkelling gear on most programmes. If a price looks much lower than the rest, ask whether the park fee and transfer are included.

Do you need an e-ticket for Similan National Park?

Yes. The DNP made electronic tickets mandatory at Similan from the 2025-26 season. Every visitor needs one, foreign visitors register with a passport number, and tickets can be bought in advance through the QueQ app or on the day until 8am, when the park makes its final visitor count. Tour companies normally buy tickets for you, so send correct passport details when you book. The DNP fines operators that under-report passengers or give the wrong nationality, starting at 5,000 baht and rising to 100,000 baht for a third offence.

Which islands will you see?

The name comes from the Yawi word for nine, after the original nine islands. The DNP later added Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, giving 11 in total. Day tours usually visit:

• Koh Similan (Island 8): Donald Duck Bay and the short climb to Sail Rock, the park's best-known viewpoint.
• Koh Miang (Island 4): park headquarters and sheltered beaches.
• Koh Bangu (Island 9) and Koh Payu (Island 7): snorkelling stops with reef fish and, on good days, turtles.

The DNP closes some dive and snorkel sites for coral recovery, such as Fantasy Reef, so check the latest list with your operator, especially if you plan to dive.

Can you stay overnight on the Similan Islands?

No. A DNP notice published in the Royal Gazette in October 2018 ended overnight stays on the islands to curb wastewater damage to reefs. Only licensed dive liveaboards are exempt. The old bungalows on Koh Miang are now used by park staff.

Tips for visiting the Similan Islands from Phuket

• Take seasickness tablets before boarding; the crossing is open sea.
• Bring your passport or a copy, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water shoes and dry clothes.
• Wear grippy shoes for the rocks on the Sail Rock trail.
• Book a few days ahead in December, January and around holidays. The DNP has capped visitors at 3,850 a day in past seasons, including 525 divers.
• Check your travel insurance covers boat trips and snorkelling.

Comparing islands? Read our guides to Koh Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay, both easier day trips when the sea is rough.

FAQ

How long is the trip to the Similan Islands from Phuket?

Plan on a full day of 10 to 12 hours, including about an hour or more by road to Thap Lamu pier and around 90 minutes each way by boat.

Is the park fee included in Similan tours?

Most Phuket tours include the 500 baht park fee for foreign adults, but not all. Confirm before paying and keep the e-ticket QR code with you.

Is November a good time to visit the Similans?

Yes, the park is open, but early-season showers and swell are still possible. December to March usually brings the calmest sea and clearest water.

Can children join a Similan day trip?

Yes. The child park fee is 250 baht. The day is long and the boat ride can be bumpy, so families with very young children may prefer a closer island.

Photo: Ko Similan (Island 8), Mu Ko Similan National Park, by KOSIN SUKHUM / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.