Similan Islands Diving Holidays from Khao Lak
Similan Islands
Holidays
The finest dive and snorkelling destination in Thailand — nine pristine granite islands with extraordinary coral reefs, crystal-clear water, whale sharks, manta rays and some of the greatest underwater visibility in the world
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Flight Time
11h to Phuket + 1.5h to Khao Lak
Best Time
November to April (park closed May–October)
Country
Khao Lak, Thailand
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Similan Islands Holiday Guide
The Similan Islands are the finest dive and snorkelling destination in Thailand and one of the top ten in the world — the extraordinary coral reefs, whale sharks, manta rays and crystal-clear water make them an unmissable experience from Khao Lak. Day trips or liveaboard from November to April.
Book liveaboards well in advance for peak season.
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Popular Areas in Similan Islands
Average Temperatures
Jan
29°C
Feb
30°C
Mar
31°C
Apr
32°C
May
—
Jun
—
Jul
—
Aug
—
Sep
—
Oct
—
Nov
28°C
Dec
29°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Similan Islands
The extraordinary coral reefs, whale sharks, manta rays, crystal-clear water and pristine granite islands that make the Similans the finest dive destination in Thailand.
Diving
The Similan Islands offer some of the finest diving in the world — the combination of extraordinary coral reefs (both hard and soft coral in exceptional condition), crystal-clear water with visibility often exceeding 30 metres, dramatic granite boulders and a remarkable diversity of marine life makes the Similans a world-class dive destination. The best dive sites include Elephant Head Rock (dramatic granite boulders with strong currents and large pelagics), Richelieu Rock (the finest dive site in Thailand, with whale sharks and manta rays) and East of Eden (extraordinary soft coral gardens).
Snorkelling
The Similan Islands have the finest snorkelling in Thailand — the shallow reefs around the islands are in extraordinary condition, with excellent visibility, abundant reef fish (parrotfish, angelfish, clownfish, triggerfish, moray eels), sea turtles and occasional reef sharks. The snorkelling is accessible from the beach on several islands and from the day trip boats. Island 4 (Miang Island) has the best beach snorkelling, with a beautiful shallow reef just metres from the shore.
Liveaboard Diving
The finest way to experience the Similan Islands is on a liveaboard diving trip — a 2–5 night trip on a purpose-built dive boat that allows access to the best dive sites at the optimal times (early morning and late afternoon), multiple dives per day and the possibility of night dives. Several excellent liveaboard operators depart from Khao Lak during the season (November to April). The liveaboard experience is the finest diving holiday available in Thailand.
Whale Sharks & Manta Rays
The Similan Islands are one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks and manta rays — both species are regularly encountered at the best dive sites, particularly at Richelieu Rock (technically part of the Surin Islands but visited on the same liveaboard trips). Whale shark sightings are most common from February to April. Manta rays are seen year-round at the best sites. Leopard sharks are commonly seen resting on the sandy bottom.
The Islands
The nine Similan Islands are among the most beautiful in Thailand — pristine granite islands with white sand beaches, crystal-clear water and dense tropical vegetation. The islands are a national park and have no permanent accommodation (camping is available on Island 4 and Island 8 with a permit). The beaches on Island 4 (Donald Duck Bay) and Island 8 (Princess Bay) are among the most beautiful in Thailand.
Day Trips from Khao Lak
Day trips to the Similan Islands depart daily from Khao Lak during the season (November to April) — speedboat day trips take approximately 1.5 hours and include snorkelling stops at two or three islands, a beach stop and lunch. The day trips are operated by several dive centres in Bang Niang and Nang Thong. The day trip experience is excellent for snorkellers; divers are better served by a liveaboard trip.
Marine Life
The Similan Islands have the most diverse marine life of any dive destination in Thailand — over 1,000 species of fish, 240 species of hard coral and 108 species of soft coral have been recorded. Regular sightings include whale sharks, manta rays, leopard sharks, grey reef sharks, sea turtles (green and hawksbill), barracuda, tuna, giant grouper, Napoleon wrasse and extraordinary macro life (nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, seahorses). The Similans are a marine biologist's paradise.
Practical Tips
The Similan Islands National Park is open from November to April and closed from May to October. Day trips depart from Bang Niang and Nang Thong beaches in Khao Lak — book in advance during the peak season (December to March). The park entrance fee is 500 baht. Liveaboard trips should be booked well in advance, particularly for the peak season. Bring sun protection, a rash vest and an underwater camera.
Explore Similan Islands on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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