Similan Thailand on the map. All Phuket excursions from a local agency at discounted prices. Brief description of individual islands of the Similan archipelago

Perhaps the most popular excursion in Phuket is a trip to the Phi Phi Islands. Your holiday in Phuket will not be complete if you have not visited these islands. Became iconic after the movie “The Beach” starring DiCaprio, they attract millions of tourists with their beauty. This excursion is designed for those who like to swim and sunbathe. Clean beaches White sand, palm trees and warm sea will immerse you in the atmosphere of a tropical paradise for the whole day.

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An equally popular excursion in Phuket, but completely different from a trip to Phi Phi. Here you will only have one swimming stop, on the way back. But on the other hand, you will visit James Bond Island, ride a canoe, visit lagoons that can only be accessed at low tide, visit an island with a Muslim village, go inside the island through a cave and fully enjoy the outlandish beauty of small and large islands.

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The brightest and most unforgettable excursion in Phuket is a trip to the Similan Islands (or Similans). These 9 islands have collected all the pristine beauty local nature. Emerald water, open sea, wild beaches and a complete lack of civilization. These are perhaps the most beautiful islands not only near Phuket, but in Thailand as a whole.

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Another alternative to Similan is the Surin Islands. This archipelago of 5 islands is located almost 200 km north of Phuket and is also national reserve. Unlike rocky Similan, here most of the coastline is occupied by snow-white beaches.

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The name of the island Racha is pronounced differently: Racha or Raya. This island is only 30 minutes from Phuket, so the journey will not take much effort. This excursion is ideal for those looking for a calm, cozy place with a clean beach and clear water.

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Krabi province includes more than 150 large and small islands, including Phi Phi and Lanta. The journey from Phuket takes 1 hour. The province is famous for its isolated, steep limestone cliffs that form both hills on land and islands in the sea. This place became especially popular after the development of Phuket, because many yachtsmen, rock climbers, divers and ordinary tourists discovered the unique beauty here above and below the water.

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If you went on an excursion to the Phi Phi Islands, then you stopped at one of the three Khai Islands. All of them are located near Phuket, the first island is about 20 minutes away by speedboat. All three islands are within 10 minutes of each other. These are Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui, similar in size and different in shape.

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Coral island is located just 9 kilometers from Phuket. Here you can enjoy peace and solitude, far from noisy civilization. A small island with a small beach and the only small hotel right on the shore is a paradise for beach lovers who want to be alone with nature.

▣ Phuket, Thailand Similan Islands.

Noisy and vibrant Thailand seems too touristy to many tourists and does not deserve much interest. Disdain is especially often heard from people who value a relaxing holiday in the lap of nature. But even for such fastidious people this Dreamland has in store an amazing corner - the nine virgin islands of the Similan archipelago.

Magical photos and videos of a visit to this part of Thailand will make even the most severe skeptics stop what they are doing and immediately go to the Similan Islands.

general information

A group of islands, known by one common name - the Similan Islands, stretches in a continuous strip at the junction Andaman Sea And Indian Ocean. total area is about 140 km². Similan are rocks covered with tropical forest, towering 244 meters above the sea.

The islands of the Similan archipelago have their own numbers and names:

1. Huyong Island (Koh Hu Yong);
2. Payang Island (Koh Payang);
3. Payan Island (Koh Payan);
4. Miang Island (Koh Miang);
5. Koh Haa Island;
6. Payu Island (Koh Payu);
7. Koh Hin Pusar Island;
8. Similan Island (Koh Similan);
9. Banggu Island (Koh Ba Ngu).

In 1998, the Similan archipelago included two more islands, located 20 km north of the main islands: the rocky island of Bon (Koh Bon), and (Koh Tachai), which is quite consistent in its nature with the main nine.

Similan Islands on the map

Extremely successful geographical position guaranteed not only the surprisingly mild and calm climate of the islands, but also the opportunity to easily get to this piece of paradise.

How to get to the islands

You need to get from Bangkok, Phuket to the provinces of Phang Nga or Khao Lak, and from there to Thap Lamu Pier.

You can get to Khao Lak by bus from Phuket from the old bus station in Phuket Town “Bus Terminal 1” - the cost is 80 baht per person.

Departure several times a day:

• Direct bus No. 406 – 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 13:20, 15:10
• Passing bus number 465 - only in the morning, 7:30 and 9:00

Tourist speedboats run from the pier to the islands daily; the ticket price depends on your bargaining ability. Approximately 1500 - 2300 baht per person. The price of the excursion tour will be either the same or just a little more expensive, but will already include lunch, transfer, entertainment in the form of snorkeling and other things. If you have plans to spend the night on the territory of the reserve, then you can come with one group and leave Similan in 1-2 days with another group.

When choosing a time to visit the country with a mandatory visit to the Similan Islands, you should pay attention to the fact that from May to October, visits to the archipelago are prohibited due to difficult weather conditions. Strong northwest winds create dangerous situations at sea and do not allow yachts to safely reach the shores of the islands.

The rest of the time, the Similan Islands are open to tourists from all over the world.

The most popular islands among tourists

Similan Island (Koh Similan)

Similan, listed at number 8, is the largest island and the most visited part of this archipelago. The infrastructure of Similan is suitable for lovers of a relaxing beach holiday, those wishing to stroll through the virgin jungle, and fans of diving.

Particularly popular among tourists is the granite rock called Parus, from the top of which a stunning panorama opens.

Koh Miang Island

Island number 4 – Koh Miang. This large and equipped with everything necessary for comfortable rest the area is popular for its beaches - snow-white sand and blue water In the photos of tourists they look like a fairy-tale picture, the reality of which you can only believe when you step foot on such a beach.

In addition, not far from the shore there is a colorful coral reef used for snorkeling, which is fashionable today. There are two beaches here: Princess beach and Honeymoon bay. Princess Beach is named after one of the princesses who visits Similan once a year and lives in her residence on island number 4.

Koh Hu Yong Island

Hu Yong Island is only visited during the daytime. Sea turtle lovers come here to watch the laying of eggs and the small, newly hatched turtles.

Banggu Island (Koh Ba Ngu)

Ba Ngu or Skull Island is a diver's paradise. In the waters near Ba Ngu you can find tiger sharks, barracudas, butterfly fish and turtles. Fabulous underwater photos and videos fascinate with their realism and colorfulness.

Koh Hin Pusar Island

Hin Pusar is another island that only experienced divers dare to visit, since its terrain is extremely difficult: only an experienced diver can successfully overcome tunnels, labyrinths and gorges.

Only two islands are accessible to visitors: the fourth and eighth; the rest can only be approached a short distance. Their presence is subject to a fine of 2,000 baht.

Climate of the Similan Islands

The climate of this part of Thailand, like the rest of the country, can be defined as “eternal summer.” The air temperature on the coldest days does not fall below 27 degrees, and at the height of the season it is fixed at around 33-35 degrees. Dry and mostly clear weather that prevails on the islands from December to April attracts tourists with an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature, take a couple of colorful photos on the beach or shoot a video about a visit to the Similan Islands.

The Similan Islands are a hot and humid place: with temperatures above 30 degrees, humidity of 80% can be a real test for a resident of a midland city.

Travel agencies strongly recommend visiting the islands during calm times: for example, already in April-May the region is covered with rain, and being on the shore without the opportunity to warm up and dry out after a tropical downpour is dangerous to your health. That is why those planning to visit the Similan Islands in the border months need to take into account the weather forecasts.

Entertainment in Similan

Thai nightlife, familiar from large tourist cities, is absent on the Similan Islands. There are no bars or restaurants, no dance clubs or neon signs, but at night the stars shine so brightly that they outshine the light of any lamps. For lovers of pristine nature, no colorful Phuket or technologically advanced Bangkok can replace the magical atmosphere of this part of the country.

The main entertainment on the islands is classic beach holidays and diving. The transparency of the water in this part of the sea is simply ideal: up to 50 meters deep, which is why famous masters of their craft often choose this region for colorful underwater photos and videos. Picturesque corals at the bottom, colorful inhabitants underwater world– all this is exciting and surprising for a person accustomed to the urban dullness.

Thousands of divers choose the Similan Islands for long holidays in order to enjoy peace and unforgettable dives.

You should look for a diving agency in Similan in Phuket: this is where the most reliable and responsible companies that have a sufficient reputation are located.

Most often, tourist divers travel in groups and stay within the waters of the islands for several days, spending the night on board. But for wealthier tourists, it is possible to plan an individual route with a personal instructor.

Cost of holidays on Similan

A visit to Thailand in general, and a visit to the Similan Islands in particular, cannot be called a completely cheap event, but the prices for vacations are quite reasonable and comparable to the pleasure received. This is especially true for a visit to the Similan Islands: this part of the country is worth setting aside one, or better yet, two days for a visit to a fairy tale.

You can purchase a ticket at one of the travel agencies Khao Lak or Phuket. The price of the excursion will vary depending on the program.

Those who want to save money should not book a tour to the islands in major cities. It is more profitable to get to Khao Lak and purchase a suitable option there.

A one-day trip per person will cost 2-3 thousand baht, the price includes swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and relaxation on the islands of Ha, Hok, Miang and Ba Ngu. At the end, climb to the Sailing observation deck on Similian Island.

But a two-day visit with a full overnight stay is much more profitable - only 6-6.5 thousand baht. The price includes: snorkeling near Payu Island, swimming, lunch, trip to the National Marine Park Similian, dinner, overnight on Miang Island. On the second day: breakfast, swimming, snorkeling in Honeymoon Bay. Lunch (buffet), excursion to Ba Ngu Island, and finally a visit to the Sailing observation deck.

There are many options, but keep in mind that you should not always choose the cheapest one.

Those who love a comfortable stay and round-the-clock care from a guide will pay more than tourists traveling on their own. Some enterprising visitors to the country purchase one day tour, but in the evening they are in no hurry to go back and stay on the islands for an independent overnight stay, and the next day they sail back.

It can hardly be said that there are full-fledged hotels on the archipelago, but you can rest at night with varying levels of comfort. The Similan Islands offer several accommodation options for an overnight stay - for every taste and budget:

• You can rent a tent for 600-800 baht. There are about 20 two-person tents on the island. Shower and toilet are separate.

• From 1000 baht it costs a night in a protected bungalow with a fan, which is extremely important for a region with a hot climate. There is a shower and toilet.

• A comfortable room with air conditioning will cost over 2,000 baht per night. In the photo online, this room does not look overly luxurious, although it is quite suitable for an overnight stay. Electricity is from a generator and the lights are on from 18 pm to 6 am.

Remember that such rooms are only available in large parts of the archipelago - Miang and Similan Island. The rest do not differ in such comfort and are used only for a one-day vacation.

The situation with food for tourists on the islands is as follows: small cafes and quite presentable restaurants are open by the hour and invite you for breakfast at 7 am, lunch at 12 noon and dinner at 6 pm. The food is not expensive, and you can have a great meal for 100-200 baht . At the same time, about one and a half to two hours are allocated for each meal, after which the establishment closes until the next visit.

Since the tour organizers try to introduce you to the beauties of the archipelago in a short time, be prepared to actively participate. The main thing is to take everything easier and go in a good mood, forgetting about all worries and negative thoughts. Have a nice rest!

The Similan Islands are a protected archipelago located in the southern part of Thailand, near Phuket.

This place is on the must-see list. Even if you have already been to the islands a hundred times and seen dozens of Thai beaches, you definitely need to visit Similan. It is simply incredibly beautiful here, and the nature is distinguished by snow-white coral beaches and crystal clear blue water against the backdrop of high rounded rocks. A separate discussion is the underwater world, which will be of interest even to experienced divers.

Weather in Similan

It's always sunny on the islands. If you've been on holiday in Khao Lak or Phuket, you've probably noticed that the weather here is often changeable. It is very rarely cloudy on the Similan Islands - the islands are not so large that clouds form and linger over them. Therefore, you can sunbathe on any island from November to May.

The most best beaches Donald Duck and Bacon Beach, located on the eighth island of Similan, as well as Hat Yai and Hat Lek beaches on the fourth island of Miang are considered.

Before visiting the islands, be sure to take with you sunscreen, because Bacon Beach bears its name for a reason.

Diving and snorkeling

It was already mentioned just above that the Similan Islands are a favorite place for lovers of diving and snorkeling. Certified divers come here for a multi-day diving safari on ships.

Turtles

The main “living attraction” of the archipelago is the giant turtles, imposing inhabitants of the watery depths of the Andaman Sea. It is worth noting that in the territory tourist Thailand they can only be found on Similan or Tao Island. The length of such turtles is from 50 to 100 cm, and their weight is from 50 to 100 kilograms.

Making friends with them is as easy as shelling pears - take some fruit with you. A leisurely handsome guy will gladly accept “human gifts” directly from your hands. Giant turtles nest on Huyong Island. The beach itself, where the animals live, is closed to visitors. But if you are diving nearby, then the chances of meeting an inhabitant of the underwater depths are quite real.

Fauna of the archipelago

Life on the Similan Islands boils not only under water, but also on and above the land. Thirty-nine species of birds live in the archipelago. These include such unusual representatives of the feathered fauna as bicolor fruit pigeons and Nicobar pigeons.

The island is home to bats and even flying foxes.

Each island of the Similan archipelago has its own number and name. Counting goes from north to south:

• Ba Ngu (No. 9),
• Similan (No. 8),
• Pau (Payu - No. 7),
• Hok (Hok - No. 6),
• Ha (Ha - No. 5),
• Miang (No. 4),
• Payan (No. 3),
• Payang (No. 2),
• Hu Yong (No. 1).

Huyong Island

Here is the most long beach archipelago, closed to tourists, as there are nests of giant turtles here. But there is a lot of interesting things here for divers: in the area of ​​the Surgeon Rock underwater rock you can find not only turtles, but also giant stingrays.

Miang Island

One of the most visited islands of the archipelago. The best option for beach lovers. There are two beaches here - Hat Lek and Hat Yai. Dive sites are scattered around the entire Miang Island.

Hin Pousar

The rock, which is located between the other islands - Similian and Ko Payu, has a specific feature. One part of it is submerged under water, and the other part is above the water. This looks quite ambiguous, and attracts the camera lenses of hundreds of vacationers. Hin Pousar is a tasty morsel for divers. In rocky areas, the water depth reaches thirty meters.

Similan Island

Most big Island, in whose honor the entire archipelago was named. On the territory of Similan there are two beaches - Donald Duck Beach and Bacon Beach, Sail Rock, which has become the hallmark of the islands, and campsites for accommodation.

Bangu Island

This island is actively visited by diving enthusiasts. It is here that the Christmas Point group of underwater rocks is located - a popular place among divers.

How to get there?

The road to Similan lies through the Taplamu pier, located in Khao Lak (one hundred kilometers from Phuket). Typically, tour operators send tourists by minibus to the pier, and from there travelers travel to the archipelago by boat. Ticket price - 1500-2000 baht. The distance to the archipelago is 70 kilometers. Keep in mind that in the low season (from May to October) boats generally stop going to the islands. Login national park Similan Islands fare is 500 baht per day for adults, 300 baht for children.

Divers can take advantage of an alternative option - book a dive safari from a travel agency, which includes accommodation on the ship and “excursions” to the extraordinary underwater corners of the archipelago. The cost of such a trip for one person will be from 5,000 baht.

Accommodation

There are no hotels as such on the archipelago. You can stay on Miang and Similan islands in tents (600 baht per person) or bungalows with fans and air conditioning (2,000 baht per person).

Bungalow is a small, ascetic house with a bed and a fan or air conditioner. Although the bungalows are located right on the beach, you shouldn’t expect that your window will offer a heavenly view of the endless ocean - there is a lot of greenery around that hides the coastal strip. The room has a shower and toilet. There is no talk of any bar or other amenities.

Accommodation in tents. Unlike bungalows, the choice of places to spend the night in tents is much larger. There are about 50 two-person tents on the island. Shower and toilet are separate. The price depends on the chosen package, only a tent will cost 450 baht per day, and a tent with a mat and sleeping bag will cost 570 baht.

Bungalows and tents can be booked on the official website national park at: http://www.dnp.go.th/

Travel agencies

You can purchase a ticket to the archipelago at one of the travel agencies in Khao Lak or Phuket. The price of the excursion depends on what is included in the program. Standard trip visiting several islands, beach holiday and a walk through the forests will cost from 2000 baht per person for one day. If you plan to go diving, the cost will be from 4,000 baht per person.

• The word "Similan" comes from the Malay "sembilan", which means "nine".
• There is another island called Koh Bon. It is located a few kilometers from the ninth island and is also located on the territory of the archipelago and can rightfully be considered the tenth island.
• More than two hundred species of corals have been discovered on the Similan Islands.
• The islands are considered the habitat of the most large quantity reef fish in the waters of Thailand.
• The islands appeared 150 million years ago as a result of the movement of underwater plates.
• Diamond sand is formed by the excrement of fish that feed on microorganisms living on corals. Each fish can excrete up to 16 kilograms of sand per year.

Initially, the group included nine islands of volcanic origin - Huyong, Payang, Payan, Miang, Ha, Payu, Hin Pusar, Similan and Bangu. According to legend, they were first discovered by fishermen from Malaysia, hence the name - in Malaysian, “simbilan” means “nine”.

But in 1998, two more islands were added to this archipelago - Tachai and Bon. However, the main nine are usually called in accordance with the serial number of the island. For example, the largest of them, Similan, is traditionally known as No. 8, and the second most visited, Miang, is called No. 4. As a matter of fact, only these two islands and Tachai have beaches for swimming. Vacationers are not allowed to go to the long, beautiful beach on Huyong because rare sea turtles lay their eggs there. The remaining seven islands are simply surrounded by a rocky coastline and are always closed to tourists.

The entire archipelago has been declared a National Marine Reserve since 1982 and is under the protection of UNESCO and under the tutelage of the king himself.

You can get to Similan only from November to April. For a period of time, namely from May to October, excursions there are stopped. This is done so that the islands have time to “rest” and restore their flora and fauna after daily visits by thousands of people. In addition, such long trips on speedboats on the sea, which can be very turbulent during the mentioned months, can be dangerous for tourists.

The specific opening and closing dates of the Similan Islands are different every year. So, in 2016 they will be unavailable from May 16 to October 31 inclusive.

Weather and beaches

The ideal time to arrive in Similan is early December - late March. It is during these months that rains occur most rarely, and the sun shines dazzlingly brightly, making the already emerald water fantastically transparent.

Moreover, the weather on the Similan Islands is always a little better than on nearby Phuket and. This is explained by the fact that the islands are quite small, and the air currents rising above them are not so strong as to form clouds, unlike Phuket, which is often shrouded in haze.

The average air temperature here is +28-30 degrees with a humidity of 80-85%. The water also warms up to 30 degrees.

As for the beaches, there are five of them: one on the island of Tachai and two each on the islands of Similan and Miang. But, since Tachai is located 50 km from the rest, to get there, most often you need to take a separate excursion.

Miang Island, also known as No. 4, is home to Honeymooners Beach (Hat Yai) and Princess Beach (Hat Lek). By the way, the Thai princess actually has a residence on Miang and comes to Similan to relax almost every year.

Island No. 8 also boasts two stunning beaches called Donald Duck Beach and Beacon Beach.

How to get there

The easiest and safest way is to buy a tour. The bus will take tourists to the Taplamu pier in Phang Nga province, from where high-speed boats, otherwise called speedboats, depart for the Similan Islands.

As a rule, between disembarking the bus and boarding the boat, vacationers will also have a quick breakfast, included in the price, and lunch on one of the islands.

The boat ride to Similan lasts about an hour and a half, and the trip between the islands themselves takes very little time.

Before going to sea, tourists are offered free anti-sickness pills. Those who are prone to seasickness should not neglect them - sometimes there are quite strong waves at sea. If possible, it is better to sit closer to the center of the speedboat. Near the bow of the boat, the motion is felt more strongly, and sitting at the end of the boat you can get sunburned, and even get wet in bad weather.

In the evening, the speedboat again gathers vacationers on board and takes them back to the pier, where a minibus is already waiting for people, which will take everyone directly to the hotel.

You can get to the islands without a tour group - to do this you need to rent a boat with a captain, but such a pleasure will be very expensive.

What to see

Of course, the main and most attractive attraction of the Similan Islands is the underwater world of extraordinary beauty, which was admired by the founder of diving, Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Lovers depths of the sea You will get a truly unforgettable experience here! Indeed, in the crystal clear water you can find not only tropical fish of all colors and sizes, but also regal stingrays, graceful turtles, formidable barracudas, predatory moray eels and even leopard sharks. And that's not to mention the countless crabs, clams and starfish surrounded by amazing coral gardens.

It’s no wonder that the main entertainment here is diving and snorkeling. The conditions for these types of swimming on the Similan Islands are simply heavenly.

However, the terrestrial world does not lag behind the underwater world - you can also see a lot of interesting things on the surface of the islands. First of all, these are funny flying foxes and unique birds, including Nicobar and fruit pigeons, which in Thailand live only on the Similan Islands, as well as monitor lizards, hermit crabs, geckos, and squirrels.

In addition, island No. 8 is famous for its observation deck, on which rises the huge Parus rock - the calling card of the entire archipelago. An interesting sign is associated with it: when going up to the platform, the tourist needs to take with him a twig or stick and use it to support the Sail, which has a very narrow base. It is believed that if a person in such a symbolic way helped the rock to survive and not fall into the sea, then in difficult times the rock will help him survive the troubles of life.

From there an amazing panorama opens: azure water sparkling in the sun, snow-white beach and lush greenery of the island.

There is also an observation deck on Miang Island, but getting there will be somewhat more difficult - the path is up a steep mountain, and it takes about half an hour to walk.

Overnight on Similan

Buying sightseeing tour, you should know: if it involves a one-day visit to the islands, there will be little time for everything, since the road takes a lot. Therefore, some tourists advise staying overnight to enjoy the morning and evening islands, free from hundreds of people, and slowly appreciate the beauty of the surrounding nature.

However, the Similan Islands are uninhabited islands, so there are no fashionable hotels with comfortable living conditions. Vacationers who want to spend the night here are offered either a tent or a bungalow. Both are available on island No. 4, while island No. 8 provides only camping.

The simplest and cheapest option is a two-person or four-person tent. It comes with a mattress, blanket and pillow. The entrance is closed with a zipper. When spending the night in such conditions, you need to be prepared for complete unity with nature in the literal sense of the word: after sunset, a crab or a rat, of which there are four species on the island, may crawl into the tent.

A bungalow is a more civilized option, but also correspondingly more expensive. There is furniture there, electricity, a fan (and in some places air conditioning), a shower and toilet, and mosquito nets. There is no hot water, the room is not cleaned either.

Cellular communications on the islands work, but there are no ATMs, so you only need to travel with cash. You can have a snack in a small cafe. Sale of alcohol is prohibited. There is also a small shop with necessary small items and a rental point for masks and snorkels.

There is no special entertainment on Similan, and besides, electricity is only turned on from 6 pm to 6 am, so you need to charge all your gadgets overnight.

In the evenings, you can only walk around the island with a flashlight or, after watching the sunset, lie on the soft sand and admire the scattering of stars in the velvet sky. And in the early morning there is an opportunity to swim to your heart's content, taking advantage of the fact that the sea and the beach are not yet clogged with dozens of boats and hundreds of tourists.

However, no matter how long your stay on Similan lasts, one day or more, these islands will certainly be able to make an indelible impression on everyone, even the most experienced traveler!

An excursion to the Similan Islands is the best excursion in Phuket. This is not my opinion, but an already established fact. If you don’t believe my words, then read the reviews on tripadvisor, there are already more than 1500 of them, and there are only more every day.

This post contains all the details about the two-day trip to Similan, photos, my reviews and other important information for planning your trip. I will be happy to answer any questions you have, ask them in the comments to the post.

Many tourists are put off by the high price; to be honest, the cost of the trip is not the lowest, but visiting these exotic islands I highly recommend to everyone. The most optimal excursion to Similan is a two-day tour with an overnight stay on one of the islands. I don’t recommend going for one day, read the article to the end and find out why.

The Similan Islands are a group of several islands, which are a few hours' drive from Phuket, the islands are located in the northern Andaman Sea (very detailed article from Wikipedia on English language), exactly opposite the coast of Khao Lak.

In a straight line, from the islands to tourist Phuket is no more than 100 kilometers, but it is better to go from Khao Lak, from which the islands are only 60 kilometers away by sea.

The archipelago consists of 9 islands, here are their names:

• Koh Huyong (Huyong);
• Koh Payang (Payang);
• Koh Payan (Payan);
• Koh Miang (Miang);
• Koh Ha (Ha);
• Koh Hin Pusar (Hinpusa);
• Koh Payu (Payu);
• Koh Similan (Similan);
• Koh Bangu (Banggu).

Initially, there were 9 islands in the archipelago, hence the name, but over time, some nearby islands were also included in the archipelago. Wikipedia says that there are 11 islands in the Similan archipelago.

The largest and most visited island is Koh Similan.(island No. 8), its length is 4.3 kilometers and 1.4 kilometers wide. In second place is the island of Koh Miang (island No. 4), its length is 2.2 kilometers and 650 meters wide.

It is on these islands that all the tourist sites, tents and bungalows for long-term stays, and other important structures (telephone repeaters, cafes, etc.). Other islands are either very inhospitable (rocky shores, lush vegetation) or are deliberately closed to visitors.

Closure of the Similan Islands for tourist visits during the monsoon. The entire archipelago is under state protection and is the Similan Islands National Park. The opening and closing dates of Mu Ko Similan National Park are set by the National Parks Administration of Thailand and vary from year to year.

Most often, the islands are closed to tourist visits during the monsoon rains. This year, access will be completely prohibited from May 16 to October 15. This is the period when the Andaman Sea is very rough, waves, storms and very rainy. It is very dangerous to be at sea, so closing the islands is very logical, and besides, nature should take a little break from the flow of tourists.

Recently, the weather in the world has been bringing surprises, perhaps global warming is to blame, however, hurricane Pabuk surprised even local residents, not to mention the numerous tourists. Thailand usually has great weather in January, but there are exceptions. So accurate information about the accessibility of the islands can only be found out on the spot.

Similan Islands, price for excursions from Phuket

The price of excursions from Phuket to Similan may seem a little overpriced. That's right, that's how it is. In a similar way, attendance at this unique protected area is monitored. As strange as it may seem, allowing too many tourists into the reserve is dangerous for the fragile local ecosystem.

However, the slightly inflated cost (probably soon, the price will be increased even more) cannot protect the islands from crowds of tourists. Some not very conscientious tourists manage to litter in their usual manner; mostly Chinese tourists do this.

Approximate cost of excursion to Similan (prices in Thai baht):

• early departure: adult 3600 baht, child 3100 baht;
• 1 day: adult 2000 baht, child 1600 baht;
• 2 days with an overnight stay on the island: adult from 4800 baht, child from 3100 baht;
• 3 days, two nights on the island: adult from 5900 baht, child from 4500 baht.

All of the above methods of exploring the islands are available to most tourists, but there are more interesting options. Unfortunately, they are not available to all tourists, but nevertheless, you should know about them.

Diving safari

If you are a certified diver, you can visit the Similan Islands as part of a multi-day diving safari. The cost of such an adventure starts from 5,000 baht per day, the price of the tour includes: equipment rental, accommodation on a dive boat, meals, and dive guide services.

Private yacht charter

In Phuket, you can easily rent a private yacht and go on a multi-day expedition to the shores of the Similan Islands. The price for renting a boat starts from 15,000 baht per day, it all depends on the class of the vessel, the greed of the captain, and your ability to bargain.

The figure of 15,000 baht seems cosmic, but the ship can take several people on board, divide this amount by all travelers, and you get the price of a group excursion. :) The indicated price may include the following services: boat rental, captain and crew services, food on board (by agreement, you can bring your own), rental of snorkeling equipment (it’s better to have your own).

Similan Islands on the map of Thailand

The first question that comes to mind when ordering an excursion is: “Where is the Similan Islands?” On the map you should look for them a little away from the Thai island of Phuket; they are located far out to sea, almost opposite Khao Lak. The distance from Phuket to the islands is no more than 100 kilometers; there are several ways to deliver tourists to Similan, through the Khao Lak pier, or directly from Phuket.

Travel time:

• from Phuket to Khao Lak by bus: approximately 2 hours;
• from the pier in Khao Lak to Similan by speedboat: no more than 2 hours.

As a rule, tourists from Phuket are taken by minibus to Khao Lak and transferred to boats that go straight to the islands. There are some travel agencies that offer long boat trips directly from Phuket to the islands (this is really tiring). In this case, tourists are in boats for about three hours, when tourists arrive at Similian, they are no longer interested in natural beauty.

What you should definitely take with you on an excursion

Be sure to read this checklist, it is very short, and try to complete it.

• sunscreen (with protection from 30 or more) and apply it before the trip; most tourists get sunburned while traveling on a boat;
• a headdress, preferably with a brim that covers the face and neck;
• good sunglasses, without them you will constantly squint and look more like Chinese tourists(the sun is so bright + reflection from the snow-white sand + glare from the water = in all your photos you will look like the Chinese), I recommend using polarized sunglasses (they are the most comfortable);
• mosquito repellent (if you are traveling overnight);
• money to buy food (there is a cafe on island number 4) and for tips;
• a camera with a charged battery and an empty memory card (you will take photos a lot and often), I advise you to take your equipment to the islands in a waterproof bag (in Phuket such bags can be bought for 600 baht or rented);
• All snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel) is provided free of charge, but it is advisable to have your own.

Visit to the Similan Islands, two-day excursion

To be honest, my excursion to the Similan Islands started out quite unsuccessfully. It all started with the fact that I overslept the appointed time of getting ready (night gatherings in a cafe are to blame for this), and only the ringing of the phone in the hotel room brought me to my senses. There wasn’t much time to get ready, or rather, there was no time at all; a whole bus of tourists was already waiting below.

The half-asleep tourists in the bowels of the minibus were clearly unhappy with the wait, I found a free seat and we all went somewhere.

Road from Phuket to the Similan Islands

Now I will describe all the details and features (and they do exist) of the road from Phuket to the islands. Early in the morning (the time can vary, from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., I don’t remember what time they picked me up because I overslept) you are picked up from the hotel in a small air-conditioned and not very comfortable minivan and taken to the pier. In most cases this is the port of Khao Lak. The road from the hotel to the port is ok, on the one hand I haven’t woken up yet, but on the other hand it’s not that far to go.

At the port, a guide will meet you and give you the first short briefing, hand out masks with snorkels, anti-sickness pills and answer all your questions. About snorkeling masks: if you are a fan of the underwater world, then it is advisable to have your own mask, since rental ones (issued for free) may not be suitable (this is exactly what happened to me). All tourists are immediately “marked”; those who are traveling for one day have white strings tied on their wrists, those traveling for two days have yellow ones.

Right there at the port, you are offered welcome coffee and cookies; it’s hard to get enough, but coffee will help you finally wake up. In the same building there is a shower and toilets, but don’t rely too much on them, the boat also has a toilet. Before boarding the boat, everyone's shoes are taken away (they will only be returned upon return) and put in a huge bag. According to one of the versions (the guide's version), this is done because of some local beliefs, such as Similians are sacred and you cannot walk on them in shoes.

After all the preparations and preparatory speeches, you are led to a speedboat (high-speed boat), a very fast thing (my GPS said that average speed This vessel had a speed of 55 km per hour) and powerful (three engines of 250 horsepower each). But this is one of the problems, the speedboat literally flies over the waves that hit the bottom. This attraction drove many tourists to take pills for motion sickness. The boat doesn’t know how to drive any other way, so you have to come to terms with it and choose a place somewhere closer to the engines (there the pitching is felt a little less).

There is one more danger of this boat trip. There is an open deck at the bow of the boat, some tourists choose this, but if the only thing that bothers you inside the boat is the rocking, then the bright Thai sun will be added outside. Be careful, you can burn in the sun in half an hour, because the wind blows on you and it seems very cool, and the ultraviolet does its job. Take care of yourself!

In the process of moving from Phuket to the Similan Islands, there is nothing interesting, except for the same boats and flying fish, it already seems that the Similan Islands are as boring as the road to them, but this is not true (not at all true).

Koh Similan Island (number 8)

The first thing you see when the boat enters the bay of one of the islands (in my case, island number 8) is the fantastic color of the sea water. After a long road from Phuket along a deserted sea, you seem to find yourself in another world. You can compare it to a TV, Phuket is a black and white TV (surprise, but it is true), and the Similian Islands is a new color TV, where all brightness settings are turned up to maximum. The first impressions are exactly like that, then you get used to it.

The peculiarity of island number 8 is a unique rock in the shape of a sail and crowds of tourists (however, there are plenty of tourists on the islands everywhere). The island is inhabited, you can live on it in a tent camp; more comfortable bungalows, which are also more expensive (equipped with air conditioning), are located on island number 4.

Due to the peculiarities of the bottom of Donald Duck Bay (there are rocks right next to the shore), boats do not approach the shore, but park in front of another attraction - a stone in the shape of Donald Duck's head.

Tourists walk to the shore in waist-deep water, there are several features: keep things out of the water (you can buy or rent waterproof bags, the price of such bags in Phuket is 600 baht) and be careful when moving through the water towards land (the pitfalls are very sharp) .

On island number 8 the main attractions are: the beach and the observation deck with the sail stone. Anyone can climb to the observation deck, but there can be a lot of people willing (sometimes there are even queues for the climb). Allow 30 - 45 minutes to explore the island and swim; the island is small, so there is enough time for everything.

The view from the top of the hill to the beach is really beautiful, but the abundance of people can be annoying. You are unlikely to be able to take a photo alone. In my case, two charming compatriots and tourists from China got into the frame.

One of the tourist traditions of the rock-sail is the installation of symbolic supports under the rock-sail, it looks funny and amusing.

After a walk around island number eight, you are taken for snorkeling, usually diving takes place near one of the uninhabited Similan Islands where turtles live.

Koh Miang Island (number 4)

Island number 8 is much larger in size than the fourth (it seemed so to me), but there are many more people here. The rich color of the water is striking, as if it had been photoshopped. The boat moored directly to the shore, so there is no need to walk waist-deep in water. The “Princess Beach” itself (Princess Beach, to which tourists are brought) looks fabulous: unusually colored water, fine sand like flour and a small island in the lagoon - simply heaven on earth.

The presence of crowds of tourists who wander like zombies along the beautiful beach spoils the first impressions a little, but our guide quickly gathers everyone and leads them to the “Honeymoon Bay”, which is located on the opposite side of the island. The road goes through a real jungle and takes about ten minutes. “Honeymoon Beach” on the eastern side of island number 4 is magnificent, the water at high tide is almost right up to the trees growing on the shore, the sand is the color of office paper and the water is incredibly clear.

Before reaching the beach, the whole group will have lunch and an afternoon nap in a hammock (this is for those who are going on a two-day excursion, for those whose departure on the same day does not have time for rest and not time for a hammock).

Immediately after lunch, the guide introduces the tourists (two-day tourists) to the island guide (a funny and good-natured Thai), picks up all the one-day tourists from our group, and departs with them towards Phuket.

The local guide shows where whose tent is and talks about the further cultural program, which includes dinner at sailing yacht from which you can admire the Similian sunset. He gives everyone flashlights and explains about the possibility of using free WiFi (the Internet is sluggish, but considering that you are in the middle of the ocean, this is amazing).

From this very moment the island becomes empty, and begins to resemble real paradise on the ground. This is what that “zombie beach” looks like without day-trippers, completely different universes.

There are about 40 people left on the entire island, who don’t really interfere with each other. The most magical time of the entire excursion is coming; every moment should be appreciated.

Cafes, toilets, showers and internet on the Similan Islands

Frankly, if you are accustomed to the comfort of five-star hotels and the quality of Michelin-starred restaurants, then the Similans will disappoint you. For a more democratic public, relaxation can be very interesting and comfortable.

Cafe and catering

Catering is present only at the most large islands, and looks very modest. There are only two options: canteens for group excursions, and cafes for independent travelers. There are no restaurants here, and there won’t be any in the near future.

On island No.4 there is a canteen for day tourists; it is large and spacious. Food and ready-made meals are brought there on the same boat that brought tourists.

There are cafes where everyone can eat, not just excursion visitors. But breakfast, lunch and dinner are only available at certain hours; this should be taken into account when planning your day.

Approximate prices for food in the Similan cafe:

• Tom Yam soup – from 220 baht;
• shrimp soup – from 100 baht;
• rice with meat – from 150 baht;
• regular omelette – from 80 baht;
• French fries – from 100 baht;
• pancakes – from 80 baht;
• bottled water – 30 baht;
• beer - from 100 baht for 0.33 (scarce goods, sold out very quickly).

To be honest, they cook it edibly, but without fanaticism. Of course, you won’t leave hungry, but for the money in Phuket, these same dishes are much tastier.

Toilet and shower

There are several small houses on the islands designed for hygiene procedures. As a rule, everything there is very modest, and sometimes not very clean. The house has a toilet, showers, mirrors, and apparently even electrical sockets, but I can lie about the latter.

There are also showers under open air, i.e. if you need to wash off the salty sea ​​water, then you can take a shower right under the tree. :)

Toilet houses have one interesting feature. To enter it, you have to go through a small artificial puddle, the water in which seems to wash away the sand from your feet. The idea is interesting, but some puddles have stagnant water, and there is no desire to enter into it.

Internet, electricity and luggage storage

There is a storage room in the administrative building, where you can leave your belongings completely free of charge. You can immediately give away the keys to the tent or bungalow so as not to lose it. For more valuable items, safe deposit boxes are provided; you can rent a safe for 20 baht per day. But I strongly recommend leaving all your jewelry in a hotel safe in Phuket, or renting a safe deposit box at a mainland bank.

WiFi is also provided completely free of charge. It's certainly amazing when you're in the middle of the ocean and surfing the Internet.

There is tension with electricity in Similan! Electricity on the island is supplied strictly on an hourly basis, from 6 pm to 6 am. So during the day, the fan and air conditioner in your bungalow are completely useless.

Features of living in a tent

Most a budget option accommodation in the Similan Islands is accommodation in regular tourist tents, they are quite spacious and equipped with everything necessary (a sleeping bag, which is unnecessary here, a lock on the inlet valve and a flashlight). All amenities are located on the street; in the vicinity there are many specially equipped toilet and bath complexes, the entrance to which is through a kind of stream with standing water (this attraction is not for the squeamish).

A special feature of living in a tent, as well as on the island itself, is the proximity to local flora and fauna. You are guaranteed to have rodents that roam around the tents at night in search of food. I strongly do not recommend leaving food inside the tent; rodents will definitely get inside and eat everything, causing damage to your things along the way (they have not yet learned how to open the zippers on your bags).

Another feature of life on a deserted/sparsely populated island is the terrible stuffiness; a real sauna is formed inside the tent. There is always a choice: either open a tent and feed mosquitoes and other island inhabitants, or sleep in a sauna.

Dinner on a sailboat overlooking the Similan Islands

At the appointed time, a specially trained person arrived at the beach and transported everyone to a large sailing longboat, which was stationed in the roadstead all the time. On board there is an excellent buffet dinner and a walk to the most beautiful bay of the island to admire the sunset.

After dinner, all tourists (in the same way - on a small motor boat) are taken to the shore. In the evening there is no entertainment on the Similan Islands, however, you can still sit in the only cafe or surf the Internet. There is an alternative, you can go to a deserted beach and lie in complete darkness on warm stones that are happy to share their daytime warmth with you, listen to the sound of the waves and admire the billions of stars in the dark tropical sky.

If counting stars is not for you, you can walk along several paths. The jungle at night is especially ominous; if you turn off the flashlight, you are plunged into pristine darkness, a very exciting feeling, besides, the island animals also love to walk in the night, the attraction takes on the features of a real adventure.

Excursion to the Similan Islands, day two

Waking up on the seashore to the sound of the waves is unforgettable, and while the rest of the tourists are still asleep, I head to the beach. The sunrise on a deserted beach is mesmerizing.

The morning road along the path through the jungle is strewn with these flowers (who knows what they are called?). I recommend everyone to get up early on Similan and admire the beauty.

There was a whole hour left before the morning gathering on the yacht, and I decided to climb onto the observation deck. The road to the top takes about 15 minutes (one way). Path to observation deck starts the same way as if you were going to east beach, but about halfway you should turn right.

The trail is quite difficult in some places (there are several sheer walls that require climbing using rope ladders or vines), so you should time your return journey. Part of the path to the observation deck is very dangerous, but if you don’t rush, you can overcome the path. In this photo you can see a crevice in the rock, your path goes through it, there are safety ropes and a platform.

Breakfast on the sailboat and snorkeling

Breakfast on the sailboat was quite decent. Immediately after breakfast, first dive. I don’t think it’s humane to snorkel immediately after eating, but many people enjoyed swimming in the company of two giant turtles.

After the first snorkeling, everyone was fed fruit, while the ship headed to a new snorkeling spot. I liked the new place for swimming and observing the underwater inhabitants of the Similan Islands more. The presence of living corals (multi-colored, not gray), ideal visibility under water and an abundance of colorful living creatures lifted our spirits.

The peculiarity of the place was the island itself, to which we were brought. Part of the island was a sheer cliff that went under the water. It is at this abyss that the most exciting and colorful events of the underwater world unfold. Multi-colored fish scurry along multi-colored corals, and a huge, monster-like triggerfish fish eats an equally huge jellyfish. At such moments, you regret that you did not rent a soap dish in a waterproof case.

It was the most memorable snorkeling experience on the islands. After snorkeling, they feed us again and take us to the island where we were taken from in the morning.

Island exploration number 4

After skiing and snorkeling, there were a few hours of free time left, which could be spent as you wish, you could swim and sunbathe, but this was not a good idea, since the island was again flooded with tourists.

There was only one thing left to do, to get away from everyone into the jungle. :) I took a photo of the map of the island, which is on the information poster, and went deeper into the jungle in a western direction. This trail is not very popular among tourists, but it is very colorful, a real tropical jungle.

Walking barefoot through the jungle (the shoes were confiscated in Phuket when boarding the boat) is not an amateur activity, most tropical plants have thorns, and even all kinds of living creatures are found in the jungle.

We must pay tribute to the fact that where some dangerous beast constantly lives, the Thais hang signs with the words “Beware of snakes” or “Big lizards live here,” etc. So I looked at the snake, and the snake looked at me. The snake's coloring is ideal for camouflage; it remains to be seen who noticed who first.

If we talk about the animals that inhabit the island, I personally saw several snakes, large and small monitor lizards (they are very shy), crabs of all colors and sizes, and flying foxes.

The path led to a rocky cliff, which is marked with a sign as Sun Set View Point, but I would not have dared to go from here after sunset, and the place seemed quite ordinary to me, rocks and the vast sea.

On the way back, I turned off the path and found myself on a deserted beach, but it did not remain deserted for long.

About ten minutes later, several Frenchmen swam towards it (with masks and fins, everything as it should be), and a little later (along the same path along which I came) a whole group of Chinese arrived on the beach. But for a few minutes the beach was all mine.

Well, I leave this small beach to the Chinese and go to the gathering place, because my stay in this wonderful place has come to an end. I don’t understand how day tourists who come to the Similan Islands for a few hours feel.

Unlike other Thai islands, Similians receive the most good feedback tourists. I have been on a similar excursion to the Phi Phi Islands (including famous island where they filmed the movie “The Beach” with DiCaprio), it’s a completely different experience. If I were faced with the task of which excursion to choose, I would choose Similan.

There are negative reviews about this excursion on the Internet, I studied them before the trip. All negativity is based solely on the internal state of the person who leaves them. Indeed, living in a tent or in a very simple bungalow can be a challenge (some of the negative reviews are about the accommodation), but everyone has the right to choose natural beauty or a five-star hotel.

My review of living in a tent by the ocean: firstly, it’s cool, and secondly, it’s not often in the life of a city person that you get the opportunity to live in such conditions, and this should be appreciated.

Many people, seeing rats on the island, immediately asked the question, “Why aren’t they poisoned, after all, we came to rest.” Such tourist reviews are also not uncommon. Indeed, several species of rodents live on the island, which are the natural (natural, gentlemen, tourists) ecosystem of the island.

My review of rodents is something like this: I didn’t touch them, and they didn’t touch me.

There are some negative reviews about the organization of the trip, about the transfer and in general “Why are the islands so far from our hotel.”

I personally encountered a similar case when I was picked up from a hotel in the morning. The driver asked the girl to move from two seats (in which she was sleeping) to one, and in response they responded with Russian obscenities and racist insults (I didn’t even think that women could swear like that). After swearing, the girl started calling (probably the travel agency) and freaking out there (and it was 7 am), what kind of review do you think she will leave about the excursion on the Internet?

I had only the most positive emotions from this excursion, despite the negative reviews that I had read before the trip.

Have a nice holiday in Thailand.