4.3 out of 5 stars · 158 reviews on GetYourGuide · from €66.27 · as of 9 Oct
Check in before 08:30 at Fantastic Similan Travel at Thap Lamu pier; hotel transfer in the Khao Lak area available as an option.
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Viewpoint · Viewpoint on Ko Similan (Island No. 8)
Sail Rock (Hin Ruea Bai)
The sail-shaped rock above Donald Duck Bay, the park's landmark; short, steep climb.
Similan tours: snorkelling, diving and Sail Rock
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.
Dive site with steep walls; the park authority runs its own patrol against fish traps here.
Similan tours: snorkelling, diving and Sail Rock
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.
The park's northernmost island; closed to visitors since 15 May 2016, sea turtles nest here again.
The northernmost island: closed since 2016 so that the beach and reef can recover.
Island No.
11
Part of the park since
1998 (TAT)
Closed since
15 May 2016 (DNP)
Reopening
no date
Rules on the Similan Islands: sunscreen, distance, Ko Tachai
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.
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.
Pier south of Khao Lak; from here around an hour and a half by speedboat to the islands.
Getting to the Similan Islands: from Thap Lamu and Khao Lak
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.
Surroundings · Beach resort on the mainland, outside the park
Khao Lak
Main base for day trips; hotel pick-up.
Getting to the Similan Islands: from Thap Lamu and Khao Lak
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.
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.
