Similan Islands Early-Bird Speedboat Tour from Phuket & Khao Lak

Similan Islands National Park

The Similan Islands are a chain of granite islands in the Andaman Sea, about 70 kilometres off the coast of Khao Lak, protected as a national park. Their name comes from the Malay word for nine, sembilan, the number of islands in the original group. The park is famous for powder-white beaches, huge rounded boulders and some of the clearest water in Thailand, and it is one of the best places for snorkelling near Phuket.

The park is open only in the dry season, roughly from mid-October to mid-May, and is closed in the monsoon months. That is why a Similan Islands day trip is planned for the cooler, calmer months. Going early on the first boat helps you enjoy the beaches before the other day boats fill them, which is the idea behind this early-bird tour.

Sail Rock and Donald Duck Bay on Island 8

On Island 8, Ko Similan, a short trail leads up to Sail Rock, a huge granite boulder that looks like a ship's sail. The viewpoint above it looks out over Donald Duck Bay, named for the shape of a boulder that resembles a duck's head, and the view is one of the best photos of the Similan Islands.

The climb is short but has uneven steps, so wear sturdy sandals or trainers and bring water. Many visitors search how long it takes to hike to Sail Rock, and the answer is usually about half an hour on the way up and down, plus time for photos. Your guide will explain the route and allow time for it during the day.

Snorkelling at the Similan Islands

The route includes three snorkelling stops, so you can see different reefs and rock formations. In the clear water you may find shoals of small fish, parrotfish, angelfish, corals and sea fans, and there is a good chance, but no guarantee, of spotting a turtle. Visibility is usually best in the morning, before boat traffic and swell build up.

Snorkelling equipment is included, and the guide gives a briefing before each stop. Follow the rules of the park: do not touch or stand on the coral and do not feed the fish. Bring a towel, as towels are not provided, and biodegradable sunscreen or a rash vest to protect your skin and the reef.

Honeymoon Bay and Princess Bay on Island 4

Lunch is a picnic on the beach at Island 4, Ko Miang, looking over Honeymoon Bay, a curved white beach with shallow turquoise water. It is the largest island of the group and the place with the most facilities, so it is a comfortable place to rest between snorkelling stops.

After lunch you can take the nature trail across the island to the wide beach at Princess Bay, swim, or simply relax on the sand. A vegetarian or gluten-free lunch can be requested in advance. The itinerary can change with tide and weather, and your guide will use the time as well as possible.

Getting There: Khao Lak Pier and Hotel Transfers

The tour leaves from a private pier near Khao Lak, where a light breakfast is served during check-in and the speedboat departs at 7:00 AM. The crossing takes about an hour and twenty minutes. Hotel pickup in Khao Lak starts around 5:00 AM, and the default option, with pickup in Phuket, starts from around 4:00 AM.

The Phuket option makes the full day long, about 13 hours, because the drive to the pier takes between one hour fifteen and two hours fifteen depending on your hotel, and the return drive can take longer in traffic. If you are staying in Khao Lak, choose that pickup for a shorter day of about 10 hours.