The Similan Islands are a popular tourist destination with about 1,000 visitors a day. Similan National Park is famous for its beautiful nature, crystal clear waters and picturesque sunsets.
General information
Similan Islands is one of the most beautiful and clean places in Thailand, which is worth a visit to every guest of the country. The islands managed to preserve their pristine beauty thanks to the status of a national park, which they were awarded in 1982.
The attraction is located in the south-western part of Thailand, and the distance to the mainland (Thai province of Phang Nga) is 70 km. The Similan Islands cover an area of more than 140 km2, and the highest point reaches 244 m above sea level.
The Similan National Park includes 11 islands, of which Similan Island and Miang Island are the largest and most famous. They are popular among tourists primarily because a number of smaller islands are forbidden to visit. The Similan National Park also includes islands:
- Huong
This island has the largest and longest beach. Many turtles live here, but you can only get to the island by swimming – it is forbidden to carry tourist groups here.
- Паян
There are no beaches on this island – only a rocky shore.
- Ha
A small but interesting island for divers. The main attraction is the Eel Garden (white rocks), which looks out from under the water.
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The area near the island is great for novice divers – there are many corals, various types of fish and beautiful rocks under the water.
- Payang
The island consists of rocks and mountains. There is a small beach, but tourists are not brought here.
- Hin Puzar
The water area near the island is a place for experienced divers.
- Bangu
One of the best islands for snorkeling: beautiful underwater world and no strong currents.
Where to stay
Since the islands are considered part of the Similan National Park, the construction of any objects here is strictly prohibited. Therefore, travelers who want to stay overnight have only three options:
Tents
This is the most inexpensive way. Tents are already set up on the islands of Miang and Similan in Thailand, so you don’t need to carry a huge hiking backpack. They are located close to the shore, which allows guests of Similan to enjoy the sea view at any time of the day. The disadvantages of such housing include good audibility (tents are very close to each other, and they can not be moved) and stuffy at night.
As for sanitary facilities, they are practically nonexistent. There is no hot water in the showers, there is a small toilet, which can be accessed by standing in a long queue. There is no electricity, but there is Wi-Fi.
Cost of accommodation in a tent: 450 baht per day. Sleeping bag – 150 baht.
The Bungalow
The bungalows are located only on Miang Island. They are much more comfortable than tents, because they have air conditioners that will save you from the heat of the day, and fans that will refresh the air at night. Also, the advantages include fairly spacious rooms and a separate toilet with shower.
However, there are also enough disadvantages: first, you can only use electronics from 18.00 to 6.00 (the rest of the time there is no electricity). Secondly, hot water, as in tents, is not provided here.
Cost of accommodation: 1500 baht per night.
Cabin
This is the most expensive, but without a doubt, the most comfortable option. You will have to live on a sailboat that will be moored near the shore. The advantages of such housing include the availability of hot water, a separate cabin with a shower room and toilet, as well as an uninterrupted supply of electricity. Cons: this type of accommodation is not suitable for those who suffer from seasickness.
The appearance and size of cabins may vary from company to company.
Cost of accommodation: 2200 baht per day.
Things to do
There are a number of natural attractions in Similan that can take up to an hour to explore. The rest of the time is worth spending at sea.
Diving and snorkeling
The Similan Islands in Thailand are an ideal place for diving and snorkeling. The water here is crystal clear, and the underwater world is bright and diverse. The best place for beginners is the coastal area off Banggu Island. It is here that the largest number of fish lives, there are many picturesque stones and corals. There are no strong currents, no obstacles in the form of rocks and huge boulders.
The water area near Hin Puzar Island is suitable for experienced divers. Under the water there are many caves, grottoes and rocks. Here you can see rays, jellyfish and even reef sharks. The main difficulty lies in the fact that in this place the current is quite strong and the terrain is not easy.
The most interesting area is near Huong Island. Large turtles live here and lay their eggs. In order not to disturb the inhabitants of Similan, the authorities have banned the transport of tourist groups here. But nothing prevents you from swimming up to the beach and looking at the huge turtles under the water.
The other islands (Payu, Payang, Payan, Ha) are also ideal for snorkeling and diving. The main thing is that beginners need to remember about the safety rules and not go on a water trip alone.
Swimming
Similan Islands in Thailand seem to be created for swimming in the sea and relaxing: there are almost no waves here, and the weather is always good.
Any island or beach is suitable for swimming. However, the best reviews about Princess Beach, located on Similan Island – the water here is turquoise, and there are fewer tourists than, for example, on the beach of Newlyweds.
The unnamed beaches of Bangu Island and Hin Puzar are also popular – there is no one here in the afternoon, as all excursion groups leave for Similan Island.
Weather and climate, when it’s best to arrive
The climate in the southern part of Thailand is tropical monsoon with an average annual temperature of 22-25 °C. From the end of April to November, the country has hot weather, and this time of year is considered the worst for visiting resorts.
Also, the year in Thailand is conventionally divided into 3 parts: dry (January-April), rainy (May-August) and hot (September-November).
Guests of Similan are allowed to visit the government-protected park between November and April, when the average temperature is +27°C. The most preferred time for rest is from January to April. At this time, the weather is sunny, there is no rain at all.
But in the period from May to October, travelers are not allowed on the island for good reason-this is the rainy season and strong winds, and traveling to Similan can be life-threatening. Photos of Similan taken at this time of year are not encouraging: many beaches are flooded, there is no electricity.
Due to the fact that you can only visit a national park in Thailand at certain times of the year, the demand for excursions and accommodation is very high.
Island tours from Phuket
The tour and the number of days spent on the island depend entirely on the desire of the tourist. There are package tours for 1,2,3,4 and even 7 days. The standard program of excursions from Phuket looks like this:
- Boarding in mini bus at 4.00-5.00. The distance to the ferry crossing is 100 km.
- 5.30-arrival at the ferry crossing and breakfast in the nearby dining room.
- 6.00 – boarding the boat.
- 7.00 – arrival at Similan Island in Thailand.
- The first stop is at Donald Duck Cove. It offers the most beautiful and recognizable view. It is here that tourists take the best photos of Similan Islands. The guide will take you to the observation deck on the mountain and tell you why the bay has such a name.
- 9.00-departure to Hin Puzar Island. Here, travelers are given free snorkeling masks and given time to swim.
- 10.00-arrival at Miang Island (the second largest). There will be a lot more tourists here than on the neighboring islands.
- 11.00-lunch. After that, travelers can enjoy a walk around the island and visit the beach of Princesses and Newlyweds.
- 14.00-departure to the neighboring island. Here the guide can suggest snorkeling or diving.
- 16.00-17.00-departure to the hotel.
Also, tour operators in Thailand often offer the following program::
- 07.00-boarding the bus.
- 8.30 am-small breakfast and boat boarding.
- 9.30 am-arrival at Banggu Island. Snorkeling class.
- 11.30 – trip to Similan Island in Thailand, rest.
- 12.30 – lunch (buffet).
- 13.00-departure to Ming Island. Free time.
- 15.00-departure to the port.
Thus, the standard program lasts from 8 to 11 hours. If you don’t want a lot of people on the beaches, buy a ticket for the earliest departures, which start at 4.00 – 5.00 in the morning. If you leave 2-3 hours later, then the beaches on Similan will be filled to capacity.
You can also purchase an extended 2-day tour: on the first day, guests of Similan will enjoy one of the above programs, and on the second – a vacation on the selected island (either Similan or Miang).
You can buy a tour for any number of days at any travel agency. Prices for one day start from 2500, and the average cost is 3000 baht. Most tourists who have visited Similan Islands are advised to buy a tour from one of the Russian companies that provide a Russian-speaking guide, free meals on board the boat and additional equipment (snorkeling masks, safety glasses). In most cases, the boat has a free shower, comfortable benches for relaxing and hot water.
If you want to stay overnight on the island, the cost of such a holiday will be about 4000-5000 baht (depending on the chosen accommodation).
Sign up for excursions should be at least 4 days in advance, and preferably 1-2 weeks in advance. Since you can only visit the national park from October to April, there are a lot of people who want to go to the islands. It is especially difficult to find places in Thai travel agencies – usually all places are occupied by tourists from China and Thailand.
Please note that due to rain and strong winds, your trip to the Similan Islands from Phuket may be postponed for several days or canceled altogether. Bad weather on the islands is rare, but you should be prepared for such events, and do not plan a trip in the last days of your vacation.
Cost of visiting the islands
A ticket to visit Similan National Park can be purchased at any of the Thai travel agencies or at the ferry crossing. Prices are quite high, so many travelers prefer organized tours from Phuket: an adult – 3500 baht and a child – 2100.
The ticket price includes a shuttle service. The rest (snokling masks, food) will have to be purchased at your own expense.
Before traveling, be sure to check the weather forecast for the next few days. The wind and rain in Asia are much stronger than in Europe, so you can not sail to the island in bad weather in any case. Even if you manage to get to your destination, it is not a fact that you will be able to survive there without electricity and basic necessities. It is not for nothing that tourists are not allowed to visit Similan during the period from April to October.
Useful tips
- Since there are problems with electricity on the islands, take a portable charger with you.
- Grab mosquito and other insect repellent sprays – there are a lot of them here.
- If you decide to spend the night in a tent, stock up on earplugs: there are a lot of flying foxes living in the neighboring trees, which they like to shout at night.
- Tour operators advise not to take too young children and pregnant women to the island.
- When boarding the boat, all tourists take their shoes away – this is done so that guests of Similan do not disturb the ecosystem of the national park (however, many experienced travelers hide an additional pair of shoes).
- You should not bring food and water with you – you can take everything you need on a boat that will take you to the island. But do not forget about wet wipes, toilet paper and medicines.
- Always check the weather forecast for several days ahead before traveling.
- You must follow a guide throughout the tour. If you get lost or fall behind, you can even be forced to pay a fine, since Similans are a specially protected area.
Similan Islands is a great holiday destination for those who want to be alone with nature.
