How to Get to Similan Islands From Phuket: Day Tour & Travel Guide
Only accessible mid-October to mid-May, a hard seasonal closure
The Similan Islands are only accessible from roughly mid-October (16th) to mid-May (15th) each year, the park is officially closed the rest of the time regardless of which tour operator you book with. Within that season, day tours from Phuket run ฿2,500 to ฿3,200 (RM319–408), departing via Thap Lamu Pier roughly 90 minutes north of the city. Here's the full guide.
The critical seasonal fact
A hard closure, not a seasonal suggestion
Real tour pricing
| Tour type | Price (THB) | Approx. (RM) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard speedboat | ฿2,000–2,500 | RM255–319 | Entry-level, child ฿1,800–2,000 |
| Speedboat (full package) | ฿2,500–3,200 | RM319–408 | Most common range, includes park fee, lunch, guide |
| Premium catamaran | ฿2,800–4,300 | RM357–548 | VIP lounge, smoother ride, onboard WiFi, child ฿2,000 |
| Private tour | From $1,576 (RM6,708) per group | — | Full exclusivity |
| 2-day Similan + Phi Phi combo | From $226 (RM962) | — | Covers two major destinations |
Sourced from phukettoursdirect.com's Similan Islands tours page, phuket-cheap-tour.com's 2026 pricing, and machupicchu.org's 2026 Phuket tours guide. RM figures are approximate conversions and will shift with the exchange rate.
Real departure logistics
Genuinely a full-day commitment
Hotel pickup typically runs 6:00 to 7:30am, transferring you to Thap Lamu Pier, roughly 90 minutes north of Phuket. Boats depart the pier between 7:00 and 9:30am depending on the specific operator, with return to the pier around 6:00 to 7:00pm. Total day length runs 9 to 13 hours including transfers, genuinely a full-day commitment.
Islands you'll actually visit
Four islands on a standard tour
A standard tour covers Koh Bangu, Koh Similan (including the famous Donald Duck Bay and Sail Rock formations), Koh Payu (known for sea turtle sightings), and Koh Miang.
Speedboat versus catamaran
Worth the price difference if comfort matters
Speedboats typically carry up to 35 guests and get you there faster, but with a rougher ride in choppy conditions. Catamarans carry up to 65 guests, offer a smoother, more stable crossing, and some premium options include a VIP lounge and onboard WiFi, genuinely worth the price difference if seasickness or comfort is a concern.
What's typically included
Snorkeling equipment, breakfast and lunch, the national park entrance fee, an English-speaking guide, and hotel transfers from most Phuket areas, catamaran tours specifically tend to include free transfers from all areas, while some speedboat tours may have area restrictions.
Practical tips
Book well ahead if travelling during peak season (December to April), one operator specifically warns "don't expect to get last-minute availability."
Choose a catamaran over a speedboat if you're prone to seasickness or travelling with kids or older family members, the smoother ride genuinely makes a difference on this longer crossing.
Confirm your specific tour's departure time and pickup window in advance, given the wide variance (6:00 to 7:30am pickup, 7:00 to 9:30am departure) across operators.
Double-check park opening dates for your specific travel month before booking anything, given the genuine variance in exact closing dates reported (1 May vs 15 May) across sources.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking a Similan Islands trip during the closed season (roughly May to mid-October) without checking current park status first. This is a hard closure, not a seasonal suggestion, no operator can override it
- Choosing the cheapest speedboat option without checking sea conditions or your own tolerance for a rougher ride, a catamaran may be worth the extra cost for comfort
- Underestimating the total day length. At 9 to 13 hours including transfers, this is genuinely a full-day commitment, not a quick half-day trip
- Not booking early enough during peak season. Availability genuinely tightens up, especially for popular operators, book as far ahead as your schedule allows
- Assuming all tours include the same inclusions. Compare what's actually covered (transfers, lunch, park fee) rather than comparing headline prices alone, since inclusions vary between operators