Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan National Park)
Thailand's flagship dive and snorkel archipelago: granite boulders, white sand and clear Andaman water.
- Category
- Diving & Snorkeling
- Entrance fee
- National park fee applies to foreigners, roughly 500 THB adult as of 2026 (usually on top of the tour price); confirm locally
- Hours
- Seasonal: park open roughly mid-October/November to ~15 May, then CLOSED for the monsoon (approx 16 May–15 Oct). Day-trip boats run in daylight only. Confirm 2026 dates locally
- Best time
- November–April (park open, calm seas). Best underwater visibility February–April. Avoid the closed monsoon months
- Time needed
- Full day; or 2–4 day liveaboard for divers
- Difficulty
- Snorkeling easy; scuba diving requires certification
About Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan National Park)
This is the big one, the reason a lot of people base themselves in Khao Lak at all. Smooth granite boulders piled up on white sand, impossibly clear Andaman water, and reefs that genuinely live up to the hype. If you only do one boat trip from Khao Lak, make it this. It is world-class and worth every baht.
The honest catch is timing and crowds. The famous spots, like the viewpoint on Ko Similan #8 and the beach at Ko Miang, fill up with day-trippers in the middle of the day. Take the earliest boat you can, or better yet do a liveaboard so you are on the reefs before the crowds arrive and after they leave.
One thing to plan around: the park shuts completely for the monsoon. If you are visiting in those months, this trip is simply off the table, so build your itinerary accordingly.
Highlights
- Granite boulder scenery and powder-white beaches
- The famous Ko Similan #8 viewpoint over the bay
- Snorkeling straight off the boat in clear Andaman water
- World-class scuba diving for certified divers
- Multi-day liveaboards for the best reef access
Tips
- Book the earliest boat to beat the midday day-tripper rush at the hotspots
- Divers should consider a 2–4 day liveaboard for far quieter reefs
- Check 2026 opening dates before you plan; the park closes for monsoon
- Expect the park fee on top of your tour price, so carry cash
How to get there
From Khao Lak centre, ~20–30 min south by road to Thap Lamu Pier, then ~1.5 hr speedboat. Booked as a day tour (~1,900–3,500 THB) or multi-day liveaboard; no independent access