Similan Islands from Phuket: Boats, Timing and Costs
How to reach the Similan Islands from Phuket: speedboat vs catamaran, the real time budget, season dates, costs and who should skip it.
On this page
Last updated November 2026: doing the Similan Islands from Phuket means a full day of about 12 hours, because the national park sits roughly 85 km northwest of Phuket and boats leave from Thap Lamu Pier on the mainland. Tours run only from October 15 to May 15. Choose a speedboat for more island stops or a catamaran for a smoother ride.
Featured image: Roma Neus, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Quick answer: how to get to the Similan Islands from Phuket
Most travelers book a day tour with hotel pickup. Operators advertise pickups from Phuket resort areas such as Patong, Kata and Karon, and a minibus drives you north to Thap Lamu Pier. From there, the boat crossing takes about 1.5 hours. Tours include park fees, snorkel gear, lunch and a guide, and they return to your hotel around 18:00-19:00. The park is closed from May 16 to October 14 each year, so a booking outside October 15-May 15 will not run. Opening and closing rules come from the Department of National Parks, which manages the park. Other routes exist, including liveaboards and a base in Khao Lak, and the next section compares them.
Speedboat, catamaran, liveaboard or Khao Lak base: which fits you
Your choice mostly trades price, comfort and start time. Speedboats carry up to 35 guests and visit four islands on the standard route. Catamarans carry up to 65 guests and leave earlier. A liveaboard or a Khao Lak base removes most of the long drive.
| Option | Typical start | Price band | Comfort | Best for | Skip if |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat day tour | Hotel pickup 05:30-07:30, departs 09:00 | About ฿2,500 per person | Faster but bumpier; ladders to climb | Active snorkelers who want four islands | You get seasick easily |
| Catamaran day tour | Pickup 05:30-06:00, departs 08:00 | About ฿3,200 per person | Twin hull, more deck space, steadier | Families, couples, seasickness-prone guests | You want the smallest group |
| Liveaboard or overnight | Set by the operator | Quoted per trip by the operator | Sleeping aboard, more water time | Divers and anyone wanting quiet mornings | You only have one free day |
| Khao Lak base, then a day tour | Shorter pickup drive | Hotel change plus tour price | Less time in a minibus | Travelers with 2-3 spare nights | You are staying in Phuket for other plans |
A realistic day: the time budget from hotel pickup to return
A Phuket pickup day is long, and travel eats a big share of it. Pickup windows begin at 05:30, which tells you the drive to the pier is substantial. The crossing adds about 1.5 hours each way, so roughly 3 hours go to the sea alone. That leaves a limited window for swimming, lunch and a short walk. Plan the day around it, and read the full day-trip breakdown for pacing detail.
- 05:30-07:30: hotel pickup, depending on your area and boat.
- 08:00 or 09:00: boat leaves Thap Lamu Pier (catamaran 08:00, speedboat 09:00).
- About 09:30 on the catamaran: first snorkel at Koh Bangu, before the main crowds.
- Mid-day: lunch on an island, then the second and third stops.
- 18:00-19:00: back at your hotel.
Season, opening dates and sea conditions
The park is closed from May 16 to October 14, and tours run October 15 to May 15. Exact dates can shift, so check the current notice before paying a deposit. For the date logic, see the opening-date guide. Operators quote visibility of 20-30 m in the dry season, but that is a typical figure, not a promise. Early season can be choppy after the monsoon, and calm days vary by week. The water temperature page covers sea conditions by month. Whale shark sightings are possible in some seasons, but no operator can guarantee one; the whale shark notes explain the odds.
Costs: what is included and what is extra
Prices and hours checked November 2026. Operators currently list about ฿2,500 per person for the speedboat and about ฿3,200 for the catamaran. That headline price covers snorkel gear, life jackets, lunch, a guide, accident insurance and park fees. Speedboat pickup is free from most Phuket areas, with a surcharge from some remote areas. The catamaran lists free transfer from all Phuket areas. Catamaran tickets also add a light breakfast at the Thap Lamu pier lounge, soft drinks and fruit onboard. Budget a little cash for drinks and snacks on the islands. Ignore struck-through higher prices on booking pages, since they are not what you pay. Free cancellation before 15:00 the day before is common, though policies belong to each operator.
Which islands you will actually visit
Stops differ by operator, so compare itineraries before booking. The standard speedboat route covers four islands. Each one does something different, and the snorkeling guide goes deeper on reef quality.
- Koh Bangu (Island #9): coral gardens, usually the first snorkel stop.
- Koh Similan (Island #8): Donald Duck Bay for swimming and beach time, plus a hike to the Sail Rock viewpoint.
- Koh Payu (Island #7): known for turtle and clownfish sightings, though neither is guaranteed.
- Koh Miang (Island #4): a walk across the island or more snorkeling, with rays and occasional reef sharks reported.
What to bring and park rules
Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel, hat, sunglasses and a dry change. A waterproof phone pouch and a little cash are useful. Take sunscreen, but check the park's current rules on reef-safe products at the national park office before you pack. Do not touch coral or feed fish. Boat guides brief you on rules before the first stop.
Who should skip it, and alternatives
A 12-hour day is a lot for small children, travelers with limited mobility and anyone who dreads rough seas. Speedboat operators exclude infants under 1, guests over 70 and pregnant women. Catamaran operators exclude infants under 6 months and pregnant women. If you want solitude, midday on a day-tour beach will disappoint. Divers get far more water time on a liveaboard, so see the diving and liveaboard options. For a different archipelago, read the Surin Islands comparison.
Speedboat operators exclude guests over 70, so older travelers should check the catamaran's exclusion list instead.
Mistakes to avoid
Most problems come from booking decisions, not the boat itself.
- Booking a date between May 16 and October 14, when the park is closed.
- Picking the cheapest boat without checking passenger cap and islands visited.
- Skipping seasickness prep on a speedboat, then losing the afternoon.
- Expecting a quiet beach at midday, when day boats overlap.
- Assuming diving is included in a snorkel tour price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Similan Island worth visiting?
For clear water and coral, yes, if you accept the long day. Expect about 3 hours on the sea plus a long drive from Phuket. Snorkelers and beach lovers usually find it worthwhile. If a 05:30 start sounds painful, base in Khao Lak instead.
Notes for your next dive trip
Optional updates to our Thai diving guides.
You might also like
Continue reading
More guides you'll find useful
.jpg){kind=link}