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01 · Thailand · Phang Nga

Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan)

Granite boulders, white sand and reefs: the marine park that closes for five months every year and only takes day visitors.

Photo: Lakshmi Sawitri ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗

Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan) at a glance · PDF, 2 pages

Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan): landscape and origins

A park that closes for five months a year, lets nobody stay overnight and is still the country's second-highest earner.

The Similan Islands are granite humps in the Andaman Sea, around 70 km (43 mi) off the coast of Phang Nga. White sand, round boulders and clear water have made them the second-highest-earning national park in Thailand.

The park authority manages the crowds in three ways: since 2018 nobody stays overnight on the islands, visitor numbers are capped, and the park is closed from 16 May to 14 October. Ko Tachai in the north has been closed entirely since 2016.

The authority measures what the breaks achieve by the animals: sea turtles are nesting on Ko Tachai again, and in spring 2026 rangers counted a pod of around 120 dolphins.

DNP, 7 Aug 2026: Similan open every year from 15 October to 15 May, Sail Rock on Ko Paet (Thai) ↗

The park in numbers

Official name
Mu Ko Similan
Province
Phang Nga
National park since
1 September 1982
Fee group
4 (2022 regulation)
Foreigners
500 baht
Open
15 October to 15 May
Daily limit
3,850 visitors
Revenue 2025
197,258,000 baht

Visiting the Similan Islands: a marine park for day visitors only

Field book 03 · TicketsThe highest group of the fee regulation, e-tickets only.Field book 01 · WhenOutside these months the islands are closed.Field book 02 · Getting thereBy boat only, and almost always as a day trip.

02 · Places

Map: Sail Rock, Ko Miang, Ko Tachai and Thap Lamu pier

Islands, bay and pier, each referenced in OpenStreetMap.

Photo: No Troubles Just Bubbles ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Map

9 places on the map

Islands, bay and pier, each referenced in OpenStreetMap.

Open map3D terrain · details and photos for every place
  • Viewpoints1
  • Water4
  • Nature2
  • Surroundings2

03 · Out and about

Similan tours: snorkelling, diving and Sail Rock

Almost everything happens in the water or on the beaches.

Photo: Mathias Krumbholz ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗

“Five months closed, no nights on the islands, 3,850 visitors a day: this is how the authority protects its second-richest park.”

Similan Islands · bay with granite boulders

Similan tours: snorkelling, diving and Sail Rock

Offer photo: From Khao Lak: snorkelling at Collar Bay and Ko Pousar

One Asia Corporation · Snorkelling day from Thap Lamu · 9 hours

From Khao Lak: snorkelling at Collar Bay and Ko Pousar

By speedboat from Thap Lamu pier to the islands: Sail Rock seen from the water, snorkelling in Collar Bay off Ko Bangu, lunch at the ranger station on Ko Miang, a second snorkelling stop at Ko Pousar. Back on the mainland, a shower and dinner.

  • 9 hours
  • From Thap Lamu pier
  • Two snorkelling stops
  • Guide in English

Departure Check in before 08:30 at Fantastic Similan Travel at Thap Lamu pier; hotel transfer in the Khao Lak area available as an option.

According to the inclusions list, breakfast, lunch buffet, drinks, snacks and fruit, guide, mask and snorkel, accident insurance and seasickness tablets on request are included, with pick-up in the Khao Lak area only if that option is chosen. Not included: national park fee, towel and tips. Bring your passport or ID. Not suitable during pregnancy, for people with high blood pressure, babies under one year or people over 70. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 9 Oct 2026

Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link – at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the atlas. Offer details checked 9 Oct 2026. See official ticket information.

Nature: granite, reefs, turtles and whales

Field book 04 · Where to stayStaying on the islands themselves has not been possible since 2018.Field book 05 · RulesThe park authority checks and imposes heavy fines.

04 · Before you go

Park film and places nearby

Photo: Lakshmi Sawitri ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗

Film by the park authority

44 years of Similan Islands National Park

A minute and a half from the park authority's channel, published on 27 September 2026 for the park's 44th anniversary: beaches, clear water and reefs of the Similan Islands. In Thai.

Source: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) · View channel ↗

Around the park

Field book 07 · Sources21 sources, checked 9 Oct 2026

Field book · Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan)

checked 9 Oct 2026

Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan) at a glance · PDF, 2 pages ↓

00My visit

Nothing saved yet. Every place card has a pin, and so does every place on the Map. What you save collects here, with days, notes and a preview you can share.

01Best time to visit: 15 October to 15 May

Outside these months the islands are closed.

Open 15 October to 15 May

The park authority opens the Similan Islands every year from 15 October to 15 May. The tourism authority's park page still gives 1 November to 30 April; the park authority's dates apply.

DNP, 7 Aug 2026: Similan open every year from 15 October to 15 May, Sail Rock on Ko Paet (Thai) ↗

2026/27 season from 15 October 2026

The park has been closed since 16 May 2026. In a video of 18 September 2026 the park authority announces the opening of the new season for 15 October 2026.

DNP video, 18 Sep 2026: Similan opens the season on 15 October 2026 (Thai) ↗

Five months' break

During the closure from 16 May to 14 October, reefs and beaches are meant to recover, and visitors are kept safe during the southwest monsoon.

DNP, 16 May 2025: closure until 14 October 2025, e-ticket with passport number, fines for operators (Thai) ↗

02Getting to the Similan Islands: from Thap Lamu and Khao Lak

By boat only, and almost always as a day trip.

From Thap Lamu pier

According to the tourism authority, speedboats run from Thap Lamu pier in Thai Mueang district to Ko Miang in around an hour and a half, out at 08:00 and back at 15:00. The islands are about 70 km (43 mi) away.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

Show on the map

Tours from Phuket and Thap Lamu

According to the tourism authority, package tours are sold by travel agents on Phuket and at Thap Lamu pier. From Phuket, add the drive to the pier near Khao Lak.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

Show on the map

Daily limit of 3,850 visitors

When the park reopened in 2021, the park authority set a limit of 3,850 visitors a day, 525 of them divers; the tourism authority gives the same figure. We have not found a newer limit from the authority.

DNP, 15 Oct 2021: no more than 3,850 visitors a day, 525 of them divers (Thai) ↗

Weather decides

According to the park authority, the annual closure also follows the season's weather and visitor safety. During the season, tours may change their stops with the weather and sea conditions.

DNP, 16 May 2025: closure until 14 October 2025, e-ticket with passport number, fines for operators (Thai) ↗

Siam Adventure World · Day trip from Khao Lak and Phuket · 10–13 hours

From Khao Lak or Phuket: Similan Islands early in the morning, park fee included

Pick-up from 05:00 in Khao Lak and from 04:00 on Phuket, breakfast at the pier, departure at 07:00. Sail Rock and Donald Duck Bay, three snorkelling spots, a picnic on Ko Miang and a walk to Princess Bay.

Departure Pick-up from hotels in Khao Lak and on Phuket; departure from the operator's pier near Khao Lak.

According to the inclusions list, hotel transfer, speedboat, national park fees, breakfast, drinks, fruit and snacks, picnic, guide, snorkelling gear and accident insurance are included; tips and towels are not. Bring your passport or a copy and biodegradable sunscreen. The park fee is non-refundable. Not suitable during pregnancy or for people with back, heart or breathing problems. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 9 Oct 2026

Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link – at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the atlas. Offer details checked 9 Oct 2026. See official ticket information.

03Similan Islands entrance fee: 500 baht for foreigners

The highest group of the fee regulation, e-tickets only.

Check official fees ↗

500 baht, children 250

The park authority DNP's fee regulation, in force since 7 June 2022, puts Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin alone in group 4: foreign adults 500 baht, children 250 baht, Thais 100 and 50 baht.

DNP: entrance fees for all national parks from 7 June 2022, group 4 with Similan and Surin (Thai) ↗

Who counts as a child, who pays nothing

A child is anyone aged 3 to 14 or no taller than 140 cm (4 ft 7 in). Children under three, monks and clergy of other religions living in Thailand, and people with disabilities go free.

DNP notice of 19 Sep 2022 on special fees, published by TAT (Thai): who counts as a child, who pays nothing ↗

E-ticket only, with passport number

Since 15 October 2025 tickets have only been sold through the park authority's electronic system; foreign visitors give their passport number. You can buy in advance or on the day until 08:00, when the park makes its final count.

DNP, 16 May 2025: closure until 14 October 2025, e-ticket with passport number, fines for operators (Thai) ↗

Fines for false details

If an operator reports fewer visitors or a wrong nationality, it pays 5,000 baht the first time, 20,000 the second and 100,000 baht the third; repeated offences put its licence at risk.

DNP, 16 May 2025: closure until 14 October 2025, e-ticket with passport number, fines for operators (Thai) ↗

Visiting the Similan Islands: a marine park for day visitors only

Granite islands in the Andaman Sea, a national park since 1982.

Protected since 1982

According to the tourism authority, the Similan Islands have been a national park since 1 September 1982; Ko Tachai was added in 1998. Together they cover around 140 km², and the highest point rises 233 m (764 ft) above the sea.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

Nine, ten or eleven islands?

Similan comes from Malay and means "nine". The tourism authority counts nine islands from Ko Bon to Ko Hu Yong plus Ko Tachai; in 2026 the park authority speaks of eleven islands, which is also how they are numbered in OpenStreetMap.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

Second for revenue

In fiscal year 2025 the park took in 197,258,000 baht, more than any other national park in Thailand except Phi Phi. In October 2025, the first month of the season, 23,578 visitors came.

DNP, 4 Nov 2025: revenue in fiscal year 2025, Similan in second place; October 2025 (Thai) ↗

Daytime only

There have been no overnight stays on the islands since 4 October 2018; the former guesthouses are used by staff. The islands are visited on day trips.

DNP, 10 Aug 2026: overnight stays on the islands abolished since 4 October 2018, day visits only (Thai) ↗

Similan tours: snorkelling, diving and Sail Rock

Almost everything happens in the water or on the beaches.

Sail Rock and Donald Duck Bay

On Ko Similan, Island No. 8, a short path leads to the sail-shaped rock that is the park's landmark. Below it lies Ao Kuerk, Donald Duck Bay, which in May 2026 ranked number 10 in the World’s 50 Best Beaches.

DNP, 5 May 2026: Ao Kuerk (Donald Duck Bay) at number 10 in the World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026 (Thai) ↗

Show on the map

Snorkelling

The tourism authority lists shallow snorkelling spots including Ao Hin, Ao Ruea Bai, Ao Kuerk, Hin Dok Mai and the back of Ko Miang.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

Show on the map

Diving

The tourism authority ranks the Similan Islands among the world's ten best dive areas, with sites such as Ko Bon, Christmas Point and Fantasy Reef. No more than 525 divers are allowed per day.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

Show on the map

Ko Miang: the ranger station

On Ko Miang, Island No. 4, is ranger station SL.1; its former guesthouses have been used by staff since 2018.

DNP, 10 Aug 2026: overnight stays on the islands abolished since 4 October 2018, day visits only (Thai) ↗

Show on the map

Nature: granite, reefs, turtles and whales

What the park authority counted in the 2025/26 season.

Reefs without bleaching

In January 2026 the park authority and a research centre surveyed the reefs at 14 stations and found no coral bleaching.

DNP, 21 Jan 2026: coral survey at 14 stations, no bleaching (Thai) ↗

Turtles on Ko Tachai

On closed Ko Tachai, 159 green sea turtles had hatched from two nests by March 2026.

DNP, 9 Mar 2026: sea turtles hatch on Ko Tachai, ranger station SL.3 (Thai) ↗

Show on the map

Omura's whales

In May 2026 rangers saw four to five Omura's whales about ten nautical miles east of Ko Similan, a rare species.

DNP, 6 May 2026: Omura's whales east of Ko Similan (Thai) ↗

A pod of 120 dolphins

In March 2026 a patrol near Ko Tachai came across around 120 bottlenose dolphins; according to the park authority, groups of 10 to 20 animals are usual.

DNP, 15 Mar 2026: around 120 bottlenose dolphins near Ko Tachai (Thai) ↗

Show on the map

Granite from the Cretaceous

According to the tourism authority, the round boulders are granite around 65 million years old; between them lie beaches of fine white sand.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

04Where to stay: Khao Lak or Phuket

Staying on the islands themselves has not been possible since 2018.

No overnight stays in the park

The park authority abolished overnight stays on the islands as of 4 October 2018 and switched to day visits.

DNP, 10 Aug 2026: overnight stays on the islands abolished since 4 October 2018, day visits only (Thai) ↗

Khao Lak is closest

The boats leave from the piers near Khao Lak, for example at Thap Lamu. If you want to reach the islands early, stay in Khao Lak rather than on Phuket.

OpenStreetMap: boat route Khao Lak (Thap Lamu) – Similan Islands ↗

Show on the map

05Rules on the Similan Islands: sunscreen, distance, Ko Tachai

The park authority checks and imposes heavy fines.

Four ingredients banned

In marine parks, sunscreen containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or butylparaben is banned; the fine is up to 100,000 baht. The authority recommends products labelled "Reef Safe".

DNP, 16 Oct 2025: ban on four sunscreen ingredients in marine parks, fine of up to 100,000 baht (Thai) ↗

Do not touch the coral

Do not touch or stand on coral, keep at least two metres away and throw nothing into the sea. Rangers' instructions apply.

DNP, 16 Oct 2025: ban on four sunscreen ingredients in marine parks, fine of up to 100,000 baht (Thai) ↗

Distance from turtles

After a visitor near Ko Ha fed a wristband to a sea turtle, the park authority launched an investigation and tightened the rules on keeping a distance from marine animals.

DNP, 23 Nov 2025: investigation after a sea turtle was fed near Ko Ha, distance from marine animals (Thai) ↗

Ko Tachai stays closed

Ko Tachai has been closed since 15 May 2016. In April 2025 the authority was preparing a reopening but gave no date; by 9 October 2026 we had found no reopening. The tourism authority gives 2018 as the start of the closure.

DNP, 7 Apr 2025: Ko Tachai closed since 15 May 2016, reopening being prepared, no date yet (Thai) ↗

Show on the map

What comes next

Back to the mainland.

Back to Thap Lamu

According to the tourism authority, the boats leave the islands at 15:00 to return to Thap Lamu pier.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

Show on the map

06Frequently asked questions: Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan)

How much is the Similan Islands entrance fee?

500 baht for foreign adults and 250 baht for children. Similan and the Surin Islands are in group 4, the highest of the 2022 fee regulation.

DNP: entrance fees for all national parks from 7 June 2022, group 4 with Similan and Surin (Thai) ↗

When are the Similan Islands open?

Every year from 15 October to 15 May. From 16 May to 14 October the park is closed.

DNP, 7 Aug 2026: Similan open every year from 15 October to 15 May, Sail Rock on Ko Paet (Thai) ↗

When does Similan open in 2026?

On 15 October 2026. The park authority announces this in a video of 18 September 2026; the park had been closed since 16 May 2026.

DNP video, 18 Sep 2026: Similan opens the season on 15 October 2026 (Thai) ↗

Can you stay overnight on the Similan Islands?

No. Since 4 October 2018 there have only been day visits; the former accommodation is used by staff.

DNP, 10 Aug 2026: overnight stays on the islands abolished since 4 October 2018, day visits only (Thai) ↗

How many visitors are allowed on the islands per day?

No more than 3,850, 525 of them divers. The park authority set this in 2021; we have not found a newer figure.

DNP, 15 Oct 2021: no more than 3,850 visitors a day, 525 of them divers (Thai) ↗

Is Ko Tachai open?

No. Ko Tachai has been closed since 15 May 2016. A reopening has been announced, but by 9 October 2026 the park authority had not given a date.

DNP, 7 Apr 2025: Ko Tachai closed since 15 May 2016, reopening being prepared, no date yet (Thai) ↗

How do I get from Khao Lak to the Similan Islands?

By speedboat from Thap Lamu pier, around an hour and a half. Most people go on a day trip with pick-up from hotels in Khao Lak or on Phuket.

TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗

Which sunscreen is allowed?

None containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or butylparaben. Violations cost up to 100,000 baht; the authority recommends products labelled "Reef Safe".

DNP, 16 Oct 2025: ban on four sunscreen ingredients in marine parks, fine of up to 100,000 baht (Thai) ↗

07Where the information comes from

The park authority DNP (news and videos in Thai, summarised), the Tourism Authority of Thailand and OpenStreetMap; offers checked with the operators.

  1. DNP: entrance fees for all national parks from 7 June 2022, group 4 with Similan and Surin (Thai) ↗
  2. DNP notice of 19 Sep 2022 on special fees, published by TAT (Thai): who counts as a child, who pays nothing ↗
  3. DNP, 7 Aug 2026: Similan open every year from 15 October to 15 May, Sail Rock on Ko Paet (Thai) ↗
  4. DNP video, 18 Sep 2026: Similan opens the season on 15 October 2026 (Thai) ↗
  5. DNP, 1 Jun 2026: Similan closed since 16 May 2026 (Thai) ↗
  6. DNP, 16 May 2025: closure until 14 October 2025, e-ticket with passport number, fines for operators (Thai) ↗
  7. DNP, 15 Oct 2021: no more than 3,850 visitors a day, 525 of them divers (Thai) ↗
  8. DNP, 10 Aug 2026: overnight stays on the islands abolished since 4 October 2018, day visits only (Thai) ↗
  9. DNP, 7 Apr 2025: Ko Tachai closed since 15 May 2016, reopening being prepared, no date yet (Thai) ↗
  10. DNP, 9 Mar 2026: sea turtles hatch on Ko Tachai, ranger station SL.3 (Thai) ↗
  11. DNP, 4 Nov 2025: revenue in fiscal year 2025, Similan in second place; October 2025 (Thai) ↗
  12. DNP, 16 Oct 2025: ban on four sunscreen ingredients in marine parks, fine of up to 100,000 baht (Thai) ↗
  13. DNP, 23 Nov 2025: investigation after a sea turtle was fed near Ko Ha, distance from marine animals (Thai) ↗
  14. DNP, 5 May 2026: Ao Kuerk (Donald Duck Bay) at number 10 in the World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026 (Thai) ↗
  15. DNP, 21 Jan 2026: coral survey at 14 stations, no bleaching (Thai) ↗
  16. DNP, 6 May 2026: Omura's whales east of Ko Similan (Thai) ↗
  17. DNP, 15 Mar 2026: around 120 bottlenose dolphins near Ko Tachai (Thai) ↗
  18. DNP: news and closures (Thai) ↗
  19. TAT: Mu Ko Similan National Park, official information (entry, getting there from Thap Lamu, dive sites) ↗
  20. OpenStreetMap: boundary of Mu Ko Similan National Park (relation 3263607) ↗
  21. OpenStreetMap: boat route Khao Lak (Thap Lamu) – Similan Islands ↗

How current is this information?

Researched 9 Oct 2026. Not a live status. Dates apply only to the year stated. A successful automatic fetch is not an editorial confirmation; outdated automatic values are hidden and replaced by the source link.

Current information from the park ↗

Image and map credits

Location sources: Islands, bay, viewpoint and pier come from OpenStreetMap, each referenced by its object number. The park boundary in OpenStreetMap (relation 3263607) consists of three rectangles around the archipelago, Ko Bon and Ko Tachai; all island points lie within it. Thap Lamu pier and Khao Lak are on the mainland outside and are shown as gateways. Markers do not imply that access is permitted. Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coastlines of the chapter map: Natural Earth.

End of the field book · Park authority ↗