Phuket to Similan Islands Speedboat: Is There a Ferry from Phuket?

To get from Phuket to the Similan Islands, you book a tour. That's it. There's no public ferry, and no scheduled boat you can buy a one-off ticket for. Tours collect you at your hotel, drive about 2–2.5 hours (105 km) north to Thap Lamu Pier near Khao Lak, and cross by speedboat or catamaran in about 1–1.5 hours. Door to door, roughly 4 hours each way. All-in day trips from Phuket start around ฿2,500 per adult.

So if you've been googling "Phuket Similan Islands ferry" or "ferry from Khao Lak", here's the honest answer. The ferry is a tour boat. The transfer comes in the price. Now, how to pick the right one.

Key facts as subject · relation · object
Subject	Relation	Object
Phuket	has	no public ferry to the Similan Islands
Tours from Phuket	depart from	Thap Lamu Pier, about 105 km north
The road transfer	takes	about 2–2.5 hours
The boat crossing	takes	about 1–1.5 hours
Phuket International Airport	is	about 70 km from Thap Lamu Pier
A day trip from Phuket	costs	from about ฿2,500 per adult

Getting to the Similan Islands from Phuket

Transportation Options from Phuket

Your real transportation options from Phuket:

Option	How it works	Time each way	Cost
Join-in tour from Phuket	Minivan to Thap Lamu, then speedboat or catamaran	about 4 hours	฿2,500–3,300 per adult
Khao Lak tour with Phuket pickup	Same, run by a Khao Lak operator	about 4 hours	Khao Lak price + ฿300–400
Private charter	Your own boat, by road and boat or straight from a Phuket pier	3–4 hours	from about ฿43,400 per boat
Liveaboard from Chalong Pier	Multi-day dive cruise; the boat sails overnight	overnight	from about ฿13,900

Speedboat services don't keep a public timetable. Every boat belongs to a tour or a charter, and departures are timed around the park's 08:00 opening, so boats leave Thap Lamu around 08:00–09:00. Travel times barely vary between operators. What does vary: comfort (catamaran or speedboat), group size, price.

DIY? You can drive to Thap Lamu yourself: north on Highway 402, then Highway 4, until the big blue "Similan Islands" sign. Problem is, you'll still need a seat on somebody's boat, and operators sell those as packages. For most people the tour with hotel pickup is just easier. Much easier.

Forested island with a granite shoreline and Sail Rock on the skyline at sunset

Tour Availability from Phuket

Operators running trips from Phuket include Phuket Tours Direct (speedboat and the Sawanu catamaran) and Seastar (with Phuket-zone prices). Love Andaman and Siam Adventure World go from Khao Lak with Phuket transfers. And for private trips, specialists like 5 Star Marine.

Day trips: the vast majority. Back at your hotel by 18:00–19:00.
Overnight stays: only on a liveaboard. The islands themselves don't allow overnight stays.
Private trips: your own boat and timing. See Similan Islands private tour.

Booking tips: compare prices with the ฿500 park fee included. Check the pickup zone, because remote bits of Phuket sometimes pay extra. And book your Similan day early in your stay, in case the weather kills it. Operator comparisons: Phuket to Similan Islands tours and Similan tour companies.

Aerial view straight down on Sail Rock, granite boulders and turquoise reef

Exploring the Similan Islands

Activities on the Similan Islands

What do you actually do once you're there? Mostly, you get wet. In this marine paradise the main activities are snorkelling and diving:

Snorkelling at Ba Ngu (Island No. 9), Payu (No. 7) and Koh Miang (No. 4): turtles, clownfish and coral gardens in water that's often clear to 20–30 m.
Diving at East of Eden, Elephant Head Rock and Christmas Point, or Koh Bon for mantas. See day trip diving.
The Sail Rock viewpoint above Donald Duck Bay on Island No. 8.
Beach time on the white coral sand of Donald Duck Bay, Honeymoon Bay and Princess Bay.

How to enjoy it: snorkel early, before the reef gets busy. Pack a rash guard so the sun doesn't cut your snorkelling short. And an underwater phone pouch. For the turtles, obviously.

Aerial view of a granite spit and turquoise reef flats in the Similan Islands

Best Time to Visit the Similan Islands

The climate here runs on two monsoons. From May to October the southwest one brings rain and rough seas, worst June to September. December to March? Close to dry. National park regulations follow suit: the park opens on 15 October and closes on 15 May. In a bad year it can close early.

Which months? December to April for calm crossings and the clearest water. November if you'd rather have quieter boats. For 2026–27 it's 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027. More on our open season page.

Longtail boats moored below Sail Rock at sunset

Planning Your Trip

Cost of Traveling from Phuket to the Similan Islands

What it costs per adult, 2026–27:

Join-in day trip including transfers: ฿2,500 (speedboat) to ฿3,300 (speed catamaran).
Park fee: ฿500 if it isn't included. Children aged 3–14 pay ฿250.
Phuket pickup on a Khao Lak tour: ฿300–400.
Private boat: from about ฿43,400 for two people, up to ฿80,000+ for a big boat.
Diving day: ฿4,900 for two dives plus ฿700 park fee (Sunrise Divers, with free Phuket transfer).

What moves the price: season (peak holidays cost more, charters especially), tour type (catamaran over speedboat), group size, pickup zone. Budget tips? The cheapest real price is a speedboat with the fee included. Splitting a private boat six to eight ways can cost less per head than you'd guess. And keep ฿500–1,000 in cash for drinks on the island.

Aerial view of a rocky spit leading to a white beach with boats moored nearby

Accommodation Options Near the Similan Islands

You can't sleep on the islands. So the nearest beds are in Khao Lak, about 20 km from Thap Lamu Pier, and staying there turns a 4-hour transfer into a 30-minute one. Lodging runs from budget guesthouses to big beach resorts. On Agoda, Kalima Resort and Villas Khao Lak, Eden Beach Khaolak Resort and Spa, Khaolak Emerald Beach Resort and Spa and The Briza Beach Resort are among the favourites.

Peak season tip: Khao Lak is wildly seasonal. It fills up from December to February, then goes quiet once the park closes. Book well ahead for Christmas and Chinese New Year. Full guide: where to stay for the Similan Islands.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Environmental Regulations and Considerations

The environmental rules the national park enforces:

A daily visitor cap and passport registration.
A five-month annual closure; Koh Tachai closed since 2016.
Reef-safe sunscreen only.
No single-use plastics or foam boxes.
No collecting shells, coral or sand, and no feeding fish.
Smoking only in designated areas; drones by permit only.

Why so strict? The reefs nearly died in 1998 and 2010. Conservation is the only reason this marine paradise still looks like it does. Responsible tourism here mostly means following the rules, and picking an operator who actually briefs you on them.

Aerial view of a forested island and a rocky spit in the Andaman Sea at dusk

Safety and Health Precautions

Safety tips for snorkellers and divers:

Wear the life jacket if you're unsure in deep water, and stay with the guide.
Watch for currents off rocky points; Koh Miang's are known for it.
If the crew moves the group because of jellyfish, follow them.

Health-wise, the sun is brutal on white sand and water, so bring a hat, a rash guard and lots of water. Take seasickness tablets before the speedboat, not during. Pregnant, or with back or heart problems? Skip the speedboat. Coral cuts get infected easily; clean them the same day.

Emergency contacts: the park office near Thap Lamu (+66 76 453 272, English is basic), visitor centres on Islands No. 4 and 8, and your own tour crew. Mobile reception? Only on AIS, TrueMove and DTAC. Divers, the recompression chamber is in Phuket.

Small waves running up a Similan beach with a longtail boat offshore at sunset

FAQ

Is it worth going to Similan Islands?

Yes, it is worth going to the Similan Islands even from Phuket, provided a long day doesn't scare you. You swap about 8 hours of transport for some of the clearest water in Thailand, turtles and the Sail Rock view. Sounds like too much? Stay a night in Khao Lak first.

Is Similan Island better than Phi Phi?

Similan Island is better than Phi Phi for snorkelling, clear water and a wilder feel; Phi Phi's better for a shorter transfer, nightlife and year-round access. From Phuket, Phi Phi is the easier day. The Similans are the one you'll remember.

Which is better, Surin or Similan Islands?

The Similan Islands are better if you're coming from Phuket. They're closer, more scenic, with more tours to choose from. The Surin Islands win on gentle shallow-reef snorkelling and Moken culture, but they're further north, so it's a longer day from Phuket.

How can I reach the Similan Islands?

You can reach the Similan Islands only by boat from the Khao Lak coast: a day tour, a private charter or a liveaboard. Tours from Phuket include the 2–2.5 hour drive to Thap Lamu Pier. No public ferry. No airport on the islands, either.

Sources checked October 2026: Thai National Parks: Mu Ko Similan, Phuket Tours Direct: Similan tours, Khao Lak Land Discovery: Similan snorkelling tour, Love Andaman: Similan Islands day trip, Siam Tour & Realty: Similan season 2026–27, Agoda: hotels near Similan National Park. Prices change; confirm with the operator before you pay.