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Island Day Trips & Nature

Similan Islands

Pristine beaches and some of Thailand's best-known snorkelling and diving.

Drive to pier: ~1 hr 45 min About 100 km from HKT Boat from Thap Lamu Pier (Khao Lak)
Drive to pier~1 hr 45 min
Boat~1 h 15 by speedboat
SeasonAround Oct–May
Time neededFull day (or overnight)

About Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are a protected national park in the Andaman Sea, famous for granite boulders, powder-white beaches and some of Thailand's best snorkelling and diving.

Day trips leave from Thap Lamu Pier near Khao Lak, about 1 hour 45 minutes' drive north of Phuket Airport. The park is usually open only from around mid-October to mid-May.

Driving to the pier

Drive north on Route 402, cross the Sarasin Bridge to the mainland and follow Route 4 north towards Khao Lak. Turn off at the signs for Thap Lamu Pier before reaching Khao Lak town.

Thap Lamu Pier (Khao Lak)
The main departure point for Similan Islands speedboats, just south of Khao Lak.
Directions to the pier on OpenStreetMap

Highlights

Sail Rock (Koh Similan)The famous granite boulder viewpoint above Donald Duck Bay.
World-class snorkellingClear water, coral and tropical fish.
Pristine beachesSome of the whitest sand in Thailand.

Parking

Where to leave the carThap Lamu Pier and many tour operators have parking for guests. Some Khao Lak hotels include pier transfers.

Tips before you go

Tip

Very early start

Boats leave early – many visitors stay the night before in Khao Lak.

Tip

Visitor limits

Daily visitor numbers are limited, so book ahead in high season.

Tip

Closed in the monsoon

The park normally closes from mid-May to mid-October.

Opening hours, entry fees and boat schedules change – please check with the site or your operator before you go.

Questions about visiting Similan Islands

Drive to Thap Lamu Pier (Khao Lak) (~1 hr 45 min from the airport), park, and join your boat. Drive north on Route 402, cross the Sarasin Bridge to the mainland and follow Route 4 north towards Khao Lak. Turn off at the signs for Thap Lamu Pier before reaching Khao Lak town.

Thap Lamu Pier and many tour operators have parking for guests. Some Khao Lak hotels include pier transfers.

Very early start: Boats leave early – many visitors stay the night before in Khao Lak.

The main highlights: Sail Rock (Koh Similan), World-class snorkelling and Pristine beaches. See the highlights above for details.

Time needed: Full day (or overnight). Add the drive from Phuket Airport – ~1 hr 45 min each way in light traffic.

Other places in the same area include Phang Nga Bay, Mai Khao Beach, Nai Yang Beach – easy to combine on a road trip with your rental car.

Yes – with your own car you can arrive early before the crowds, stay as long as you like and combine it with nearby sights, instead of fitting in with a tour schedule. Closed in the monsoon: The park normally closes from mid-May to mid-October.

Nearby

Combine it with

All places to visit
Phang Nga Bay~30 min Limestone cliffs, sea caves and the famous James Bond Island. Pier, parking & tips
Mai Khao Beach10 min Long, quiet beach famous for views of aircraft landing nearby. How to get there
Nai Yang Beach10 min Relaxed beach close to the airport, ideal for a quick stop. How to get there

Explore Similan Islands at your own pace

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