Similan Island 4 (Koh Miang): What to Know Before You Go

Featured image: Roma Neus, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Similan Island 4 at a Glance

Island 4 lies inside Mu Ko Similan National Park, about 70 km off the coast of Phang Nga Province. Day-trip boats reach it from Thap Lamu Pier. It is a land stop more than a dive stop. Prices and hours here were checked in November 2026, and the Department of National Parks publishes the current rules.

How the Similan Island Numbers Work

Similan comes from a word for nine, after the nine original islands. Two more were added later, so the chain now counts 11. Tour operators and maps use numbers alongside Thai names. Island 8 is Koh Similan, the largest island and usually the first day-trip stop. Our guide to the Koh Similan day-trip stop covers it in detail. Naming around Islands 7 and 9 varies between sources, so the table lists only the pairs that match.

What You Can Do on Island 4

Koh Miang has the park's main visitor facilities. Two main beaches have white sand and calm, shallow water that suits beginners. The wide beach is good for a long stroll. Forest trails behind it give a quieter break from the water. Ask the rangers or your guide which viewpoint trail is open on the day. Sail Rock, a famous viewpoint, is on Island 8 and involves steep rope-assisted sections. Snorkeling around Island 4 is mostly a bonus. Operators tend to send snorkelers to Islands 7 and 9 for reef. Bring water and snacks, because the restaurant closes at 2 PM. Skip the island's food plan only if your tour includes lunch. On Island 8, Donald Duck Bay snorkeling is the stop most tours pair with a beach visit.

Is Island 4 Worth It for Your Trip?

Island 4 suits beach time and a gentle walk. It matters less if you came for reef or deep water. Match the stop to your trip type using the table below. Divers should look further out. Elephant Head Rock diving offers swim-throughs among granite boulders. Operators also list Christmas Point dive site as Island 9, but some sources label that island differently. Ask your dive operator which island number it uses.

Getting to the Similan Islands

Every Similan boat leaves from Thap Lamu Pier in Phang Nga Province. The pier sits about 8 km south of Khao Lak. From Khao Lak it is roughly 20 minutes by road. From Phuket's main tourist areas, plan on 1.5 to 2 hours by car. Phuket pickups usually start around 6:00 to 7:00 AM. Speedboats take about 60 to 90 minutes and are the most common option. Catamarans take about 2 hours and ride more smoothly. Operators advise against the speedboat for pregnant women, infants under 1 year, and anyone with back problems. Times are approximate, so ask your operator for the exact schedule.

Season, Tickets, and Park Rules

Mu Ko Similan National Park ran from October 15, 2025 to May 15, 2026 last season. It closes from May 16 to October 14 for the southwest monsoon and reef recovery. Check the Department of National Parks for 2026-27 dates before you book. Daily visitors are capped at 3,850. Tickets go through the official e-ticket system on the QueQ app, with passport details for foreign visitors. You can buy ahead or on the day before 8 AM. The park fee is ฿500 for foreign adults and ฿250 for children. Some tours include it. Visitors must leave the islands by 4 PM. Bungalows and campsites have been closed since 2018, so overnight stays on land are not possible. Operators report fines of ฿5,000 to ฿100,000 for breaking visitor rules.

• Single-use plastics and foam containers are banned.
• Drones need advance permission from the park.
• Feeding wildlife is not allowed.
• Touching or standing on coral is forbidden.
• Islands 1, 2, and 3 are closed to protect turtle nesting.

Day Trip, Liveaboard, or Snorkel Tour

A day trip is the usual way to see Island 4, and it makes the island a real stop. Day trips from Khao Lak allow 2 to 3 dives but spend hours in transit. Liveaboards run about 2 to 5 days and sleep offshore. They make Island 4 a minor landing between dives. Our Similan dive-site guide compares the sites. Multi-day routes may also reach northern sites such as Koh Bon: Manta Dive Site North of the Similan Islands. Some also visit Koh Tachai reef, so ask your operator which stops it plans. Snorkel-only tours spend most time at Islands 7 and 9. Ask whether yours lands on Island 4 and for how long.

Where to Base Yourself

Khao Lak is the closest base, about 20 minutes from Thap Lamu Pier. Resorts, restaurants, and tour agencies are within easy reach. Phuket works if you prefer its range of hotels. Expect a 6:00 to 7:00 AM pickup and a 3 to 4 hour trip each way. Choose Khao Lak for a shorter day and more time on Island 4.

Mistakes to Avoid and Packing Essentials

Most problems come from planning, not weather. Book your e-ticket or a tour that includes the ฿500 park fee. Carry cash for the restaurant, which closes at 2 PM. Pack a hat, water, a dry bag, and sunscreen applied 20 minutes before entering the water.

• Do not plan an overnight stay on any island.
• Do not wear sunscreen with oxybenzone or octinoxate.
• Do not fly a drone without park permission.
• Do not assume the tour stops on Island 4; ask first.
• Do not forget your passport for the e-ticket.