Horizon Cruises Phuket > Destinations > Similan Islands by Private Yacht from Phuket

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Similan Islands by Private Yacht from Phuket

Horizon Cruises Phuket > Destinations > Similan Islands by Private Yacht from Phuket

Similan Islands by Private Yacht from Phuket

Similan island

The Similan Islands are a continental archipelago in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Phang Nga province in the south of Thailand. Occupy one of the 10 best places in the world for recreation and scuba diving.

The complex consists of several islands, for tourists are open 2: Ko Similan and Ko Miang.

The mesmerizing underwater realm attracts not only experienced divers who have been coming here for many years, but also ordinary tourists, snorkeling enthusiasts. You will be amazed by the underwater biodiversity, and you may even get the chance to swim alongside a huge sea turtle. Divers from all over the world look forward to seeing the stunning whale shark, the largest fish on Earth. There’s no need to be afraid of it – it’s quite harmless. Some people even manage to ride this fish.

Advantages of visiting the location:

Snow-white beaches and turquoise water.
Here is one of the most recognizable symbols of Thailand Sail Rock.
Rich fauna. There are whales, dolphins, and large turtles.
Pleasant places for diving attracted Jacques-Yves Cousteau himself. Under water there are canyons, corals, caves, grottos.
Night diving opportunities. During dives you can see crabs, crayfish, lobsters.
Interesting color of the sea: the islands are located between the Indian and Andaman Seas.
Pristine nature, untouched by civilization. It is forbidden by law to build tourist facilities here. But there is an opportunity to spend the night right on the shore in a tent.

What to know before a Similan trip

The Similan Islands Park is the most crowded Thai national park. During the open season from mid-October to mid-May, five to six thousand people a day visit the islands. The park is closed during the rainy season from May 16 to October 15 annually.

It is mandatory to go barefoot during the tour.

The best time to visit is from January through April: not as hot and humid.

Day on a private yacht: Phuket to the Similan Islands and back

Embark on a serene and revitalizing journey around the islands on a luxury yacht – the perfect complement to the thrill of exploring Phuket. This trip is the epitome of a luxury island vacation: a short trip that allows you to enjoy the beauty of the island from a distance. By including this trip in your traveler’s schedule, you can further immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Thailand.

How far are the Similan Islands from Phuket?

In a straight line it is about 119 km (64 nautical miles) from Chalong Pier to the Similan Islands. This is an approximate straight-line distance, not an exact navigational figure — the actual route on the water is always somewhat longer.

The crossing time depends on the particular yacht, the weather and the state of the sea — boats run differently, which is why the trip is planned over several days rather than one. The departure pier is also chosen to suit the route and the vessel, so we confirm the exact timing and departure point when planning your trip. Given the distance, this is not a standard one-day round trip: the schedule and format are agreed individually when booking.

When planning a longer day on the water, this trip is often combined with the Surin Islands or Phi Phi and Bamboo Island.

Where does this route depart from? Chalong Pier and the island's marinas are compared in where yachts depart from in Phuket.

How to get to the Similan Islands from Phuket

There are three ways, and they are not close to equivalent.

By private yacht. About 119 km from Phuket — which is why this is a two-day trip rather than a day trip. You keep the boat, the route and the schedule, and you sleep aboard at anchor — which in practice means you are at the islands at first light, before anything else arrives.

By scheduled ferry or speedboat. Possible, and much cheaper per person. It also means fixed departure times, a fixed number of hours ashore, and arriving at exactly the same moment as every other boat. For the Similan Islands this usually involves an early road transfer to a mainland pier north of Phuket — check current schedules, they change with the season.

By day trip from Phuket. Not realistic at this distance. 119 km each way leaves almost no time at the islands, and we do not run it as a single day.

Which boat suits the run is a separate question — the shortlist is further down this page. Piers, cabins, park access and what the quotation has to cover are set out in how to choose and book your charter.

Park season and fees

These islands lie inside Mu Ko Similan National Park, which closes for part of the low season each year. Dates are set by the Thai Department of National Parks and shift from year to year — the current season runs 15 October to 15 May. Entry fees are paid per person on arrival and are not included in the charter price; the current rate is ฿500 per adult and ฿250 per child aged 3–14 for foreign visitors.

Outside the open season the route is not available at any price, so a trip here is planned around the park calendar first and everything else second.

Where are the Similan Islands located?

The Similan Islands are a continental archipelago in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Phang Nga province, and are considered one of the top 10 places in the world for diving and recreation.

Which islands can visitors access?

Of the whole complex, only two islands are open to tourists: Ko Similan and Ko Miang.

When are the Similan Islands open to visitors?

The park is open from mid-October to mid-May, when up to five to six thousand people visit per day. It is closed during the rainy season, from May 16 to October 15 each year.

What marine life can I see at the Similan Islands?

The underwater world includes canyons, corals, caves and grottos, along with sea turtles, whale sharks, and, on night dives, crabs, crayfish and lobsters.

What should I know before visiting?

It is mandatory to go barefoot during the tour, and the best time to visit is from January through April, when it is less hot and humid.

What a Similan charter costs

Multi-day charters are priced per boat per day, and the same day rates apply as anywhere else in the fleet: from ฿33,900 for a motor yacht, from ฿20,900 for a sailing catamaran, from ฿100,000 for a luxury yacht. A two-day trip is that figure multiplied by the days, plus fuel for the distance and park fees where they apply. Season moves the base rate by roughly a quarter — low season runs May to October, high season November to April, and the peak starts on 20 December.

Full tables by format and season are on the yacht charter prices page.