Similan Islands Trip from Phuket: Worth It?

The Similan Islands are a group of granite boulders and jungle-covered islands about 60-70 km northwest of Phuket, famous for clear water, healthy coral reefs, and powdery white beaches. A typical day trip by speedboat from Phuket takes 1.5–2 hours each way and includes two or three snorkel stops plus beach time on one island. Expect a long day (usually 7am–6pm), a lot of boat time, and anywhere from 30 to 100 other people on the same tour depending on the season. The snorkeling is genuinely good when conditions are right—schools of fish, occasional turtles and reef sharks—but the marine park is strictly protected so you stay on marked trails and can’t touch anything.

Best time is December to April when the Andaman Sea is usually calm and visibility is excellent. May to October the park is closed. Expect to pay around $120–$180 per person from Phuket, including transfers, lunch, snorkel gear and park fees. Private speedboat charters or liveaboard trips cost considerably more.

Tip: Choose a smaller boat that leaves from Khao Lak instead of Phuket if you can—it shaves off an hour of travel each way and often has fewer passengers. Skip the “premium” tours that promise exclusive islands; the marine park only allows visits to a handful of sites so everyone ends up at the same places anyway. Bring your own reef-safe sunscreen and a waterproof phone pouch—the boats can get very wet on the way back.