Similan Island Tours

Guide

Plan Your Similan Islands Trip

Updated · Similan Island Tours editors · 1 min read

Collage of four Similan views: Sail Rock, a rocky islet, a beach through trees and longtail boats at sunset

TL;DRA Similan trip comes down to three things: how you get there (tour boat via Thap Lamu; there's no ferry), where you sleep (Khao Lak or a liveaboard, never the islands) and when you go (15 October 2026 – 15 May 2027).

Planning a Similan Islands trip boils down to three questions. How do you get there, where do you sleep, and when do you go? There's no ferry from Phuket to the Similan Islands, only tour boats out of Thap Lamu Pier near Khao Lak. There's nowhere to sleep on the islands either, so you base yourself in Khao Lak or on a liveaboard. And the park is only open from 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027.

The three questions, answered quickly

  • Getting there: book a tour with hotel pickup. From Phuket it's 2–2.5 hours by road plus about 1–1.5 hours by boat. From Khao Lak, 20–30 minutes plus about 1 hour 15. Read Phuket to the Similan Islands.
  • Where to stay: Khao Lak, about 20 km from the pier, or a liveaboard for a night in the park. Read Similan Islands accommodation.
  • When to go: December to April for the calmest sea, late October and November for fewer boats. Read Similan Islands open season.

Numbers to know before you book

Item2026–27
Park open15 October 2026 – 15 May 2027, 08:00–16:00
Park fee฿500 per foreign adult, ฿250 per child (3–14), ฿700 for divers
Day trip from Phuketabout ฿2,500–3,300, around 12 hours
Day trip from Khao Lakabout ฿2,600–4,100, around 10 hours
Overnight on the islandsNot allowed

Guides in this section

Getting there from PhuketNo ferry, only tour boats: the road to Thap Lamu, crossing times, costs and what to pack.Where to stayWhy the island bungalows and tents closed, and where to sleep instead: Khao Lak hotels or a liveaboard.Open season 2026–27Opening day 15 October 2026, closing 15 May 2027, park hours, quotas and the best months.

Sources checked October 2026: Thai National Parks: Mu Ko Similan, Siam Tour & Realty: Similan season 2026–27. Prices change; confirm with the operator before you pay.

Keep reading

Getting there from PhuketNo ferry, only tour boats: the road to Thap Lamu, crossing times, costs and what to pack.Where to stayWhy the island bungalows and tents closed, and where to sleep instead: Khao Lak hotels or a liveaboard.Open season 2026–27Opening day 15 October 2026, closing 15 May 2027, park hours, quotas and the best months.