The Similan Islands excursion that you absolutely must not miss

Are you looking for the best excursion to discover the Similan Islands, in Thailand, departing from Khao Lak Or Phuket? Stay here, I'll give you THE best tip.

I found this excursion on GetYourGuide, And it's really worth it: the biggest plus is that you leave very early in the morning, which helps avoid (somewhat) the crowds. And I do mean "somewhat," because even at that hour, there were already quite a few people there; I can only imagine the crowds for those leaving on the later excursions. In terms of organization, though, it was a 10/10.

The day's program

Departure from Khao Lak at 5am

A van picks you up directly from your hotel in Khao Lak around 5 a.m. I won't lie, it's a rude awakening! Don't worry if you're staying on the Phuket side: the same service is available, with about an extra hour's drive to the port. Once you arrive, breakfast is served: coffee, tea, juice, and toast. Basic, but perfect for starting the day right. That's where we met our guide, who spoke French and was incredibly friendly. Then it's off to the boat for a little over an hour's crossing to the archipelago.

Snorkeling on Koh Similan (island no. 8) and Donald Duck Bay

Upon arrival in the south of the island, the first highlight was incredible turquoise water, schools of multicolored fish, and for us, a turtle swimming right by. A magical moment.

Next stop: Donald Duck Bay on Island 8, with its famous Sail Rock and its elevated viewpoint. We climbed up to admire the view, then went back down for a swim – absolutely fantastic.

Second and third snorkeling spots

Two more snorkeling spots, with magnificent corals and multicolored fish. However, between spots, the boat rocked quite a bit… and I was feeling awful! Luckily, our guide gave me an anti-nausea pill, and after lunch, I felt much better.

Lunch on Island No. 4 (Koh Miang)

We arrived around noon on Island 4, known for its honeymoon bays. A delicious buffet lunch awaited us, and the meat served was halal, a detail that made a difference. We had two and a half hours of free time to swim, stroll, and relax. We were even lucky enough to see baby sharks swimming all around us, right at the edge of the beach—an incredible moment. I submerged my brand-new iPhone 17 Pro underwater to film them… praying it would survive 😅 (since then, I've invested in a proper waterproof camera!). A nice little bonus: there's a small mosque there for prayer (there's also one on Island 8).

Back to Khao Lak

Around 3 pm, we leave the archipelago for the port, with a light snack of fresh fruit (pineapple, watermelon) served on the boat – perfect for a relaxing end to the day. We return to the hotel around 5 pm.

Prices and booking

Count approximately €107 per person for this excursion (the price may vary slightly depending on the period and the number of participants, to be checked at the time of booking).

👉 Book the Similan Islands excursion

Where to stay in Khao Lak: Kokotel Khao Lak Isara Casa

During our 3 nights in Khao Lak, we slept at Kokotel Khao Lak Isara Casa, And it was great: a large, spacious and clean room, and a swimming pool for those who want to swim.

One small drawback: the hotel is located on the roadside, so it's not very accessible without a scooter. For our stay, this didn't bother us: the organizers of the Similan Islands excursion and the elephant sanctuary They came to pick us up directly from the hotel. And the beach, like some restaurants, is within walking distance.

Practical information for visiting the Similan Islands

• The archipelago has 9 granite islands (Similan comes from the Malay word "sembilan", which means "nine")
• It is located approximately 65 km off the coast, in the Andaman Sea
• The marine national park is closed from mid-May to mid-October (monsoon season and protection of sea turtle nesting); please check the dates before booking.
• Park entry costs approximately 400 THB per adult, usually included in the tour price.
• The number of visitors is limited each day, in order to preserve the site.

Tips for preparing your Similan Islands excursion

• Bring a hat and sunscreen (the sun is strong and you'll be exposed all day).
• Bring water with electrolytes, and anti-nausea medication if you are prone to seasickness (the boat rocks between the spots).
• Book in advance, especially during peak season, given the limited number of places available per day.
• If you're traveling in a Muslim-friendly environment: a small mosque is available, and a halal meal is offered for lunch on this excursion.

My opinion

I absolutely loved this day! Magnificent scenery, amazing snorkeling, a turtle, baby sharks… and top-notch organization from start to finish. My only complaint: seasickness, so don't go without anti-nausea medication. Honestly, a fantastic experience.

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FAQ: Visiting the Similan Islands

When are the Similan Islands open?

Le parc national marin est ouvert de mi-octobre à mi-mai. Il ferme le reste de l’année, pendant la mousson et pour protéger la nidification des tortues marines : vérifie bien les dates avant de réserver.

How to get to the Similan Islands?

En excursion organisée depuis Khao Lak ou Phuket. Un van vient te chercher à ton hôtel (vers 5 h du matin depuis Khao Lak), puis tu as un peu plus d’une heure de bateau jusqu’à l’archipel, situé à environ 65 km au large dans la mer d’Andaman.

Can you go to the Similan Islands from Phuket?

Oui, la même excursion existe au départ de Phuket, avec environ une heure de route en plus jusqu’au port. Si tu as le choix, loger à Khao Lak te fera gagner du temps et un peu de sommeil.

Combien coûte une excursion aux îles Similan ?

Compte environ 107 € par personne pour l’excursion que j’ai faite, avec le transfert depuis l’hôtel, le petit-déjeuner, le déjeuner buffet, le snorkeling et le goûter. L’entrée du parc (environ 400 THB par adulte) est généralement incluse dans le prix.

Quelle est la meilleure excursion pour les îles Similan ?

Choisis une excursion qui part tôt le matin pour éviter le gros de la foule, et vérifie qu’elle passe par l’île 8 (la baie Donald Duck et son viewpoint) et l’île 4. Le nombre de visiteurs étant limité chaque jour, réserve à l’avance en haute saison.

Peut-on voir des tortues et des requins aux îles Similan ?

Souvent, oui. J’ai croisé une tortue dès le premier spot de snorkeling, et des bébés requins nageaient tout près du bord sur l’île 4. Ce sont des animaux sauvages, donc rien n’est garanti, mais la faune y est vraiment riche.

Is the Similan Islands excursion Muslim friendly?

Celle que j’ai faite, oui : la viande servie au déjeuner était halal, et il y a une petite mosquée sur l’île 4 comme sur l’île 8 pour prier.

Que faut-il emporter pour l’excursion aux îles Similan ?

Un chapeau, de la crème solaire, de l’eau avec des électrolytes et surtout des anti-nausées : le bateau tangue pas mal entre les spots, et j’en ai fait les frais. Une caméra étanche est aussi un vrai plus pour filmer sous l’eau.

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