SIMILAN ISLANDS
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE
SIMILAN ISLANDS
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE
The Similan Islands are a string of nine granite islands in the Andaman Sea. They lie 65km off the West coast of Southern Thailand, in the Phang Nga province. The National park was extended to Koh Bon and Koh Tachai in 1998, taking the total number of islands to eleven.
Jacques Yves Cousteau described the Similan Islands as ‘crystalline and pure’. Clear blue skies illuminate dense and thriving jungles. Incredible granite boulders frame some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. Whether you are diving, snorkeling or relaxing on the soft white sand, you will be sure to find something you love. Below is the definitive guide to the Similan Islands.
The Similan Islands National Park, Phang Nga, Thailand is currently:
15 October 2019
The Similan Islands National Park is open to visitors every year from:
Visits to the Similan Islands are regulated and controlled by both the Department of National Parks and the Royal Navy.
The Similan Islands are open from mid October to mid May. Dates can vary slightly, but for the last two years the National Park has opened on the 15th October and closed on 15th May.
The five month closure gives the park’s natural resources time for rehabilitation.
As well as strict opening times and annual monsoons determining the conditions at the Similan Islands, there are also other considerations for scuba divers and snorkelers. The best time to visit the Similans will depend on other factors, including tides and water visibility.
The Similans are nine ancient granite rock islands 65km off the West coast of Thailand. Carpeted by layer upon layer of dense tropical jungle, fringed with white sandy beaches, abundant coral reefs and surrounded by the azure, clear waters of the Andaman Sea. As tropical islands go, they are picture postcard perfection.
The nine islands, both above and below the sea play host to an abundance of flora and fauna, some of which is totally unique to the area. A visit to the Similans appeals to beach lovers, snorkelers, scuba divers and nature lovers alike. Welcome to the beautiful and breathtaking Similan Islands.
The Similan Islands are a small archipelago of nine islands that cover an area of 128km², including marine areas. The Mu Koh Similan National Park also includes two further islands to the north, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, increasing the size of the National park by a further 12km².
Both the Similans and Surin Islands could be considered the southern most part of a much larger archipelago of islands that stretch north to the Tanintharyi Division of Burma, known as the Myeik or Mergui Archipelago. The Mergui Archipelago covers an area of 36,000km².
The Andaman Sea covers an area of 797,700km² within the eastern portion of the Indian Ocean.
The boundaries of the Andaman Sea are the coastlines of Thailand and Myanmar to the east, stretching 723 km west as far as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (92.36°E to 98.88°E) .
The Ayeyarwady and Yangon Regions of Myanmar bound the Andaman Sea to the north stretching 1,314km south to Banda Ache on the northern tip of Sumatra in Indonesia (5.569°N to 17.45°N).
The maximum depth of the Andaman Sea is 3,777m at the Andaman Basin, with an average depth of 870m.
The Andaman Sea covers 0.16% of the Earth’s surface and is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Straits of Malacca.
The largest Thai island in the Andaman Sea is Koh Prathong at 88km².
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Interactive Similan Dive Site Map
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Liveaboard diving is the best way to experience the Similan Islands. Trips range from a single night to a full week on board. The optimum time to see all of the best sites is on a 4 night Similan Liveaboard including the amazing Richelieu Rock.
Above are a few of our favourite Similan Liveaboards. But, we understand that sometimes there is just too much choice. So, if you are not sure what it is you are looking for, please contact us for more advice.
The Similan Islands became Thailand’s 43rd national park when it was established as a marine reserve in 1982.
The Surin Islands were established as Thailand’s 29th national park in 1981.
The Similan national park boundaries were extended in 1998 to include Koh Bon and Koh Tachai; the two islands between the Similans and Surin.
The National Park boundaries cover an area of 140km² (including marine areas).
The Similan Islands are one of the most popular national parks in Thailand, with 1,000’s of vistors flocking there everyday.
These popular islands generate huge revenues for the National Parks Service of Thailand.
In May 2016 the National Park took a huge step to better protect one of the park’s ‘primitive zones’, by closing Koh Tachai entirely to visitors.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable tightening of Park Rules and Regulations. It is becoming increasingly more common to hear reports of tourists being heavily fined for flaunting the rules.
Garbage disposal is carefully controlled, sections of beach areas are roped off for the safety of swimmers and snorkelers, the park rangers strictly enforce a ban on feeding wildlife and speedboats dropping anchors directly on the ocean floor.
The Similans Archipelago lies at a longitude of approximately 97˚65′. The nine islands are roughly dotted in a South to North direction from latitude 8˚47′ to 8˚68′. It is roughly 23km from Island One (South) to Island Nine (North).
Koh Bon is a further 23km North East from Island Nine and Koh Tachai is a further 26km North from Koh Bon.
The islands are located 65km offshore in a rough Westerly direction from the coastal town of Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province in south-western Thailand. It is 95km NNW from Patong, Phuket to Island One or 120km from Chalong Pier, Phuket to Island One. Island nine is 105km to the Thai/Myanmar border.
The Similan Islands are located in the shallow eastern portion of the Andaman Sea. 200km West from the Similans the depth increases dramatically. 400km west of the Similans is the deepest part of the Andaman Basin with an average depth of over 3000m.
The islands are 600km East of the Bay of Bengal and 120km North of the Malacca Straits.
Khao Lak is the closest departure point for trips to the Similan Islands. The town has grown in stature as the gateway to the famous nine islands and is easily accessible from most major Thai destinations. It is by far the best possible starting point for your Similan holiday.
Most liveaboard scuba diving trips depart from Tap Lamu Pier, 13km South of Khao Lak. Very few Similan liveaboards depart directly from Phuket. The best and most time efficient scuba diving/snorkeling day trips start from Nam Khem Pier, 26km North of Khao Lak.
Khao Lak has grown into a thriving tourist destination, offering endless kilometers of unspoiled beaches. Well planned development provides a huge variety of accommodation. Enjoy never ending dining opportunities and a wealth of other local activities. Despite the towns growing popularity, there remains a quiet and untouched vibe to the area.
THAP LAMU PIER #1 | The primary Similan Islands departure pier is 13km South of Khao Lak, 4km off Highway 4 |
NAM KHEM PIER #2 | The secondary Similan departure pier at Ban Nam Khem is 26km North of Khao Lak |
KHAO LAK BY ROAD | The holiday resort of Khao Lak is the nearest departure point to the Similans and a taxi ride to the pier is included with any boat booking |
PHUKET BY TAXI | Phuket Intl Airport is 52km South of Thap Lamu. Private taxis are quickest and easiest. Please contact us for rates. |
PHUKET BY BUS | Take a taxi from Phuket Intl Airport to Highway 402 (400THB). Pick up the hourly bus service to Khao Lak |
BANGKOK BY PLANE | Daily flights from Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi. Fly with Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways & Air Asia |
BANGKOK BY BUS | From Bangkok’s Southern bus terminal, ‘Sai Tai Mai’, it is 630km to Khao Lak. The journey takes approx 12h |
BANGKOK BY TRAIN | The 12hr train journey from Hua Lamphong station will take you as far as Surrathani. From there you need to travel by road to Khao Lak |
SURATTHANI BY ROAD | The 164km journey from Suratthani railway station to Khao Lak takes 3-4 hours by bus or 2h 30min by taxi |
KRABI BY ROAD | The 140km journey from Krabi Airport to Khao Lak takes 3-4 hours by bus or 2h 15min by taxi |
Diving and snorkel liveaboard vessels typically depart in the evening for the Similan Islands. Most operators offer a complimentary pick up service from hotels in the Khao Lak area and from Phuket to Tap Lamu Pier. Times vary between 14:00-18:00.
Boat departure times are between 17:00-22:00. The crossing to the islands is approximately 5 hours. Some liveaboard boats depart from Phuket to the Similan Islands. Contact us to check any specific liveaboard departure itineraries.
Most scuba diving and snorkelling day trip operators offer a complimentary pick up service from accommodation in the Khao Lak area to either Tap Lamu or Nam Kem Pier. Times vary between 6:30 – 8:30am depending on operator.
Boats to Similans depart between 8:00 – 9:00am. Crossing times to the islands are between 90 minutes and 3 hours depending on type of boat. Speedboats are most time efficient but larger vessels have a more relaxed atmosphere.
The Similans are a must for scuba divers, snorkelers, nature lovers, bird watchers and tropical island goers. The famous islands feature prominently in all guide books as a ‘must see’ location. Travel agents across Thailand are resplendent with photos of the famous ‘Sail Rock’ at Island 8.
As the Similan Islands are run by the National Park Service of Thailand, there are restrictions that control how activities there are conducted. The vast majority of visitors to the islands arrive there as part of organised tours that comply with the National Park rules and regulations.
The options for Similan diving are plentiful. Dive sites vary in terms of the marine life you can find, the underwater topography and the difficulty level. Similan Diving is the best and most varied in Thailand. Check out our interactive map to find the perfect dive sites for you.
Day trips leave from Thap Lamu and Baan Nam Khem in Khao Lak, or from Chalong in Phuket (although a trip from Phuket is a much longer day). A few overnight options are available from Khao Lak. However, the best way to see everything that the Similan Islands has to offer is by hopping on a Similan Liveaboard. Booking in advance is a must, as places on the boats can fill up very quickly.
The crystal clear waters of the Similans provide the perfect opportunity to swim with a multitude of colourful reef fish. Protected beaches in beautiful bays, clearly marked snorkelling areas and dozens of mooring lines make for a safe and family friendly experience.
Make sure you book a trip that suits your needs. Some boats focus on speed, whereas other are bigger, more stable and more relaxed. Some trips provide great value, others charge more but have a lower passenger capacity and focus on the quality of service. Experienced snorkelers may also want to consider the superb corals around the Surin Islands instead. Contact us for further assistance or advice.
The first thing you will want to do is relax on the soft, white sand of a truly world class beach. Then, if posing for a perfectly timed ‘jumping in the air’ style photo is not your idea of fun, you will surely enjoy watching others do it. However, there is more to the Similans than just beaches.
Winding nature trails lead to panoramic viewpoints. From the famous Sail rock you can see all the way to Koh Bon, Koh Tachai or sometimes the Thai Mainland. Wildlife is diverse with incredibly rare birds like the Nicobar pigeon, Kingfishers, huge crabs, monitor lizards and much more. Delicious Thai buffet lunches are included in most day trips. If one day is not enough, then why not try camping?
If you prefer to explore the islands without the constraints of an organised tour, it is possible to stay on Islands 4 or 8. The National Park provide tents and basic bungalows on Island 4 or just tents on Island 8. Both islands have a restaurant, bathroom facilities and offer snorkelling services.
Transfers must be booked with a private boat operator. Accommodation can be reserved directly with the Department of National Parks, Thailand.
As a diving website, you can probably guess that our passion lies in the dive sites around both the Similan Islands and Surin Islands. Below are the best dive sites in the Similans. For a more general overview, including lots of up to date information on Similan Islands diving conditions, please visit our guide to Similan Diving.
As the Similan islands are so far from the mainland, they are subject to their own weather and sea conditions. Even if it is raining on the mainland, conditions may still be excellent out at the islands. Whether you are diving, snorkelling or just taking the boat ride, there are a few things you will need to be aware of.
Most importantly, sea and weather conditions are affected by the annual monsoons, so please read here to find out the best time of year to visit. During the high season water visibility is excellent (up to 30m). Water temperature consistently stays nice and warm at around 29°C year round.
Divers and snorkelers will need to think about tides and currents. A few days before and after the Full moon, tidal shifts are much larger and this will create stronger currents and a drop in visibility. Currents in the Similans are affected by other factors due to their shape and position meaning that currents are much more dynamic and unpredictable than other places in Thailand.
Some sites are more prone to strong currents than others, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Strong currents bring lots of life with it and these sites are often the best place to see Manta Rays or Whale Sharks.
Underwater the marine life is diverse and spectacular. As well as the hundreds of species of smaller marine creatures, you can also see Manta Rays, Whale sharks, turtles and several other species of sharks. However, the wildlife on the islands is just as impressive.
The Nicobar pigeon is extremely rare and indigenous to just a few islands in the Andaman sea. Other smaller birds like the beautiful Kingfisher can be found with a keen eye. Also, look up into the trees to find huge fruit bats hanging from the branches.
The Dinosaurs may be long gone but the huge and ancient monitor lizards are a wonderful sight. Large hermit crabs, and a favourite of the Similans, the ‘Chicken’ crabs can be found on the beaches. You can also look out for snakes, colourful spiders and much more in the dense jungle landscape.
Most day trip tours to the Similan Islands follow similar itineraries that only include snorkeling and beach time. If you wish to go there for more unique activities such as bird watching, be sure to check in advance if this is offered as part of your tour.
The history of the Similans has surprisingly little to do with Thailand. They were originally named by fishermen speaking the Yawi Language (ภาษายาวี). Yawi is a Malay language spoken by Thai Malays in the South of Thailand and in the Northern Malay state of Kelantan. The vast majority of Thai nationals do not know the real origin of these names.
Most Thai and English speakers refer to the nine Similan islands with just a number. However, the original Yawi names of the nine islands are as follows: Koh Huyong (1), Koh Payang (2), Koh Payan (3), Koh Miang (4), Koh Haa (5), Koh Hok (6), Koh Payu (7), Koh Similan (8) and Koh Ba-ngu (9).
The nine islands would have also played an important role to another ethnic group not of Thai descent. As the fishermen traveled up and down the Malay peninsula, between Malaysia and Myanmar, they would have almost certainly encountered nomadic sea gypsies. This Austronesian ethnic group are known as the ‘Moken’.
The Moken were traditionally a sea faring culture that migrated from China over 4000 years ago. They would spend most of the lives on large ‘Kabang’ boats built from one solid piece of wood. The Moken language has no written form so their culture is kept alive through fascinating folk stories and legends. Some of these tales refer specifically to the Similans, including an epic poem called ‘Gaman the Malay’.
The poem is a story of adultery. Gaman the Malay was banished to live on the Ocean, for the rest of his days, after sleeping with his wife’s sister. This story refers to the Seway islands, which is the Moken name for the Similans. Interestingly, ‘Similan’ in Yawi and ‘Seway’ in Moken, both translate as the number nine. The history of the nine Similan islands is a multicultural one and should not be forgotten in modern day Thailand.
Probably the most fascinating fact about the Similan Islands is their incredible age. The Similans are characterised by massive cretaceous plutons. Igneous rock, crystallised from slowly cooling Magma, originates from the lower Triassic to the late Cretaceous period. This makes the Similan Islands up to 200 Million years old.
The cretaceous period was the beginning of flowering plants, the height of the Dinosaurs and ended in mass extinction. Granite typically lacks any internal structure, making the massive boulders extremely hard and tough. Whilst the life around the islands changed dramatically, millions of years of weathering have done little more to the rocks than gently polish and shape them into spectacular crystalline monoliths.
The Similan islands were believed to have formed by Westward subduction of tectonic plates from Indochina, sinking beneath the Shan-Thai Terrane off the West coast of Thailand. The intrusive granitoids that form the Similans, are part of a north trending belt known as the “Western Belt”. In total, three belts (East, Central and West), form the Granite foundations that many of Thailand’s islands are built upon.
Tree roots have slowly seeped into the cracks and grown into thick, dense jungles. Animals have evolved separate from the mainland meaning birds like the Nicobar pigeon can only be found on a handful of islands in the Andaman sea. The Similan islands are a very special place in Thailand. The cultural history may go back for thousands of years, but its natural history stretches back for hundreds of millions.
The romance of the Similan islands, on board a private sailing yacht, is a once in a lifetime experience. The islands are a perfect tropical destination, with dozens of moorings in the many picturesque bays. The silhouettes of the shapely islands, look even more romantic under the moonlight, far from light pollution of the Thai mainland.
Whether sailing independently or chartering one of the many yachts available in Phuket, the options are vast. Be sure to check the regulations and stay away from restricted areas, or you may end in an awkward discussion with the Thai Royal Navy. Please contact us if you need any advice.
At Scuba Diversion we have a few favourite boats which we choose time and again. Some vessels are much better equipped to handle the needs of divers and underwater photographers. The best yachts are also available for sailing trips to the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar. These trips are a long way from other tourists and only suitable for people who want a real adventure.
The most luxurious and comfortable accommodation options are all on boats. Whether you are diving, snorkeling or just coming along for the ride, a Similan Liveaboard is the most stylish way to see the Similan islands. However, there are other options available on the islands themselves.
Similan Island #4 and #8 both have accommodation options available with all important amenities. Tents and basic bungalows are available just behind the larger beach on Similan Island #4, or a few tents are available in the more scenic bay at the North of Similan Island #8. The best reason to stay overnight on the islands is to experience the quiet solitude after all the day trippers have returned back to the mainland.
There is no official transport to the islands so a boat transfer will need to be arranged with a private tour operator. Reservations for bungalows can be reserved directly on the Department of National Parks website. Alternatively you can contact them directly at the Mu Koh Similan National Park:
93 Moo 5, Thap Lamu, Phetkasem Rd, Lamkaen Sub-District, Thai Muang, Phang Nga, 82210.
Tel: +66.7645.3272 / Fax: +66.7645.3273
There is no better way to see the Similan Islands than by diving on a Similan Liveaboard. They offer the best overall value and range from just a single night to a full week on board. Enjoy supreme comfort, delicious food, and the best diving in Thailand.
Our new Similan Islands Dive Site E-book Guide features full colour maps and key facts about the dive sites you will likely visit on your Similan liveaboard. Download it for free and take it with you on your mobile or tablet as the perfect trip companion.
Off the Chart Expeditions lift a typical scuba diving liveaboard to new and exciting levels. Born out of a passion for exploration and a long history of enjoying life on dive boats. Our bespoke expeditions offer what we consider to be the ultimate dive trip.