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Similan Islands

Similan Island Day Trips and Tours

The Similan Islands are considered one of the most spectacular areas for scuba diving in Thailand and one of the top ten dive sites in the world. This group of islands lie approximately 100 kilometers, northwest of Phuket in the Andaman Sea.

The area is a marine nature park featuring some most beautiful beaches and marine life in Thailand, initially made up of a chain of nine granite islands, surrounded by clear tropical waters, breathtaking coral reefs and beautiful white beaches.

In 1982, the area was declared a marine national park, and so named Mu Koh Similan National Marine Park, today this group of small islands has become one of the leading attractions for visitors to southern Thailand and a favourite destination not only for scuba divers, but for yachts and tour boats as well.

In 1998 the park boundary was extended to cover two more islands, Koh Tachai Island and Koh Bon Island, these two islands are located further north of the other nine Islands.

The Mu Ko Similan National Park authority maintains a residential center for Park Rangers and support staff on two of the islands: Ko Similan which is the largest Island and Ko Miang Island, which lies mid-way through the chain of islands.

While the Similan Islands are an ideal destination for scuba divers; no holiday to Thailand is complete without a few days spent at the Similans. The tropical beauty of these unspoiled islands will fascinate non divers as well, with the fine white sandy beaches and the unusual granite formations on the islands that are as spectacular as the waters that surround them.

Read reviews about the Similan Islands at TripAdvisor

The nine Similan Islands are named from South to North; however scuba divers more often refer to them by numbers.

Ko Hu Yong or Island number 1 is the southernmost island and the closest island to Phuket, known for its rocky granite boulders and the island with the longest sandy beach.

Ko Payang or Island 2 is full of rocky mountains with cliffs and rock formations around the island.

Ko Payan or Island 3 is also quite rocky with cliffs, there are no beaches on this island.

Ko Meang or Island 4 is the second largest island in the group, and is the site for the headquarters of the park. This island has two stunning beaches. There is a large beach and a smaller beach on the other side, which is about a twenty minute walk through the forest. This is the best area to see wildlife or to stay overnight. The channel between Meang Island and Payu Island is one of the best spots to go snorkeling.

Ko Ha or Island 5 is only small, but is full of soft coral and stony coral.

Ko Payu or Island 6 has a very good snorkelling and scuba diving sites on the eastern shore. Many divers prefer this site to any other because there are both hard and soft corals, sea fan and many species of fish. This island has no beach.

Ko Hin Pousar or Island 7 has an elephant head shaped-rock outcrop. Beneath this rocky outcrop are caves, swim throughs and unique underwater formations.

Ko Similan or Island 8 is the largest island in the chain and an excellent location for hiking and snorkeling. The average depth of the waters around this island is about 25 meters. Ko Similan has a very small bay on the western side. Above the sea, is a huge rock formation, a hike to the top will give you sweeping views of the clear waters below.

Ko Ba ngu or island 9 known for good scuba diving at the north-western tip between some rocky outcrops known to local divers as Christmas point. The water depth is between 10 and 35 meters where you can find lots of fish amongst the rock formations.

Bon Island or Talu Island has a beautiful white powered beach, the waters around the island are also ideal for scuba diving, and whale shark are often found here.

Ko Tachai Island is located at the northern most tip of the park. There is a beautiful white powdered beach on the island but no accommodation. The waters around the island are ideal for scuba diving, whale sharks and manta rays are often found here.

Sightseeing and thing to do on the Similan Islands

There are ample things to do while visiting the Similan Islands, obviously the main activities are scuba diving and snorkeling, however Koh Similan and Koh Meang are both excellent spots for hiking and bird watching. When you have had enough of doing all the physical activities, relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches and picturesque scenery.

Accommodation at the Similan Islands

There are limited places to stay on the Similan Islands as there are no hotels, resorts or bars, however the national park authority has a few bungalows, campsites and tents available for overnight accommodation from November through to April. There is a visitor’s centre, restaurant, showers and toilets at each campground.

To book your accommodation you can go to Mu Ko Similan National Park website at www.dnp.go.th or call + 66 2562 0760.

It is possible to do a day trip by speedboat to the Similan Islands, however by the time you get to the islands you really won’t have much time to enjoy this beautiful destination. The best way to see the islands and to dive the Similans is to take a live-aboard dive trip from Phuket or Khao Lak. There are many diving companies throughout Phuket that have this service as well as a variety of boats which range in price to suit most budgets.

If you are thinking of arranging a Thailand liveaboard to the Islands from Phuket, Phuket Scuba Club can arrange liveaboard diving cruises in Thailand and Burma to suit your budget on board one of the most experienced and professionally operated liveaboard boats.

Read reviews about Phuket Scuba Club on TripAdvisor.

The Similan Islands National Park is closed from May 1st to 31st October each year. This is due to the weather conditions. It is not possible to visit the park or the surrounding waters during this time.