Similan Islands

What Are The Similan Islands?

The Similan Islands, the famous world-class diving site, are located in the Andaman Sea, off the west coast of Thailand, near Phuket. This island group is protected as Similan Islands National Park to maintain its original tropical beauty, and are crucial as part of your tours in Phuket!

Similan is Malay, meaning ‘nine’, which refers to the original nine islands making up the Similan Island group. Later, two more islands joined Similan Islands National Park. 

Now, the following 11 islands make up the Similan Islands, offering ultimate natural beauty and diving experiences. With crystal sea, white beaches, a variety of precious marine life, and stunning underwater landscapes, the Similan Islands attract a large number of tourists every year, especially diving enthusiasts.  

You will be impressed by their charm of rough, rocky coastlines and white sandy beaches under bright blue skies. Piles of rocks, some of them as big as houses, lie on the shore. Dense tropical forests grow freely, surrounded by incredible waters.

The largest island is Koh Similan and is probably the best place to start your adventure. All the Similan Islands are surrounded by crystal clear shallow waters that harbor excite rock formations and spectacular coral reefs. The marine life around the Islands is unmatched in Thailand and the region.

Best time to visit the Similan Islands

The best times to visit the Similan Islands are from December to March, when there is less rain, but they are only open from November to April. In order to protect eco systems on the Similan Islands, the Thai government closes the islands to tourists from May to October during the monsoon season.

How to get to the Similan Islands

Boats to the Similan Islands usually depart from Phuket or Khao Lak. As only registered (diving) trip providers are allowed to the Similan Islands, the most convenient way is to book a trip with hotel transfers. The island tour company will pick you up at your hotel and take you to their departing pier, returning you to your hotel after the trip.

Boats from Chalong or Patong (closer to the islands) bring you to the Similan Islands within 2–4 hours, depending on which island you visit. Koh Tachai (the furthest one) takes up to four hours and Koh Similan only two or three.