Phuket to Similan Islands Snorkeling Tour

The Similan Islands sit off the Phang Nga coast north of Phuket, inside a national marine park famous for deep-water visibility, granite boulder landscapes, and some of the best snorkelling in Thailand. This 11-12 hour day trip handles hotel pickup in Phuket, the transfer to Thap Lamu pier north of Khao Lak, and the speedboat crossing out to the islands with two stops for swimming and snorkelling.

The day kicks off with a light breakfast at the pier before the 90-minute speedboat run to the islands. The route calls at Bangu Island (Koh 9) and Similan Island (Koh 8), with time to snorkel over coral reefs, swim off white-sand beaches, and climb the short viewpoint trail at Sailing Rock for a panorama across the archipelago. Lunch is a Thai buffet served on one of the islands, with fresh fruit and cold drinks through the day. Mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket come with the tour. Dolphins and sea turtles turn up on some runs, though neither is guaranteed — visibility can hit 30 metres on a good day.

Expect a long day — very early pickup from your Phuket hotel and return after dark. The 400 THB adult / 200 THB child national park fee is paid at the pier. The Similans only open for tourists roughly mid-October to mid-May; the park closes entirely for monsoon season. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (required), motion tablets if you’re prone — the open water crossing can get bumpy — and a hat for the viewpoint climb. A rash vest helps protect against sun during the long hours in and out of the water. Not recommended for travellers who struggle with very early starts or open-water boat rides.