Similan Islands 2026 Reopening: Key Dates, Fees and Tips

The Similan Islands reopened on 15 October 2026 and will welcome visitors until 15 May 2027. Park entry for foreigners costs 500 THB per adult and 250 THB per child. Overnight stays on the islands are not available this season: only day trips and diving. Boats depart from Tha Plamu Pier in Phang Nga.

Season dates: when the Similans open and close

The Department of National Parks announced the 2026-27 season, running from 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027. The park then closes again for its annual recovery period, from 16 May to 14 October. This is not a formality: during those months nobody is allowed onto the islands and no boats run there. As Bangkok Post reports, the archipelago consists of 11 islands in the Andaman Sea and is closed between seasons so that marine and natural environments can recover.

On the same day, the Surin Islands, Phi Phi with Hat Noppharat Thara, Mu Ko Lanta, Phang Nga Bay and Laem Son in Ranong also reopened. Ko Bon and Ko Tachai were added to Mu Ko Similan National Park later. They are often sold as a separate programme, usually aimed at divers.

Why tours get cancelled in late October

The opening date is tied to the calendar, not to a weather forecast. The monsoon does not leave the Andaman Sea on schedule, so in the first weeks after 15 October the sea can be perfectly workable on Monday and unsuitable for a speedboat by Wednesday.

For this season the department has set out safety measures: visitor numbers are capped according to each site's carrying capacity, boat speed and noise are regulated, staff are stationed at risk points and rescue teams are on standby. In practice, a departure can be cancelled or the itinerary shortened even when conditions look fine from the shore.

Here is how the sea typically behaves across the season:

• Second half of October: residual swell and unpredictable waves. Book only flexible dates and keep a spare day.
• November: the sea gradually settles. A good compromise between price and weather.
• December to February: the most stable period. Book ahead, as spaces are limited.
• March to April: calm, but hot and crowded. Take the early departures.

My advice: if your dates are flexible, avoid the first week after opening. Late November and January give you the same views without the lottery of rescheduling. But if you are in Phuket for just one week in October and will not get another chance, go. Simply keep a second day free and ask the operator in advance what happens to your money if the trip is cancelled.

Park entry fee and what the tour price may not include

The national park fee is 500 THB per foreign adult and 250 THB per child; these rates have applied since 7 June 2022. This is the park charge only, not the price of the trip.

The most common mistake is assuming the fee is already included in the tour price. Sometimes it is, sometimes it is not, and you find out at the pier. Ask before you pay, and bring cash in small baht notes: do not count on a card terminal at the pier.

If you never reach the islands because of the weather, the park fee is not charged: you pay for actual entry.

Can you stay overnight on the Similans in the 2026/27 season?

No. Only day trips and diving have been announced for this season. There is no accommodation on the islands: no bungalows and no tents.

So you will be sleeping on the mainland. Khao Lak is closest to Tha Plamu Pier, with a drive that is one to one and a half hours shorter than from Phuket. If that is your plan, it works well to book a hotel in Khao Lak for two nights and schedule the island trip between them.

Getting to Tha Plamu Pier from Phuket

Most tours start from Tha Plamu Pier in Phang Nga province. From Phuket, the transfer picks you up before dawn: the road crosses the Sarasin Bridge and then continues north along the highway. You will almost certainly miss hotel breakfast, so ask for a packed one.

What to do the day before:

• confirm the exact pickup time and your boat number;
• prepare cash for the park fee;
• bring a windbreaker, as the open speedboat can feel chilly on the way back;
• leave single-use plastic behind, as it is confiscated at the park entrance.

In October and November even people who are rarely seasick can feel it. Take a tablet before leaving the hotel, not at the pier.

FAQ

Until what date are the Similan Islands open this season?

Until 15 May 2027. The park then closes until 15 October.

How much is the Similan Islands entry fee for foreigners?

500 THB for adults and 250 THB for children. This is the national park fee.

Can you visit the Similans in summer?

No. From 16 May to 14 October the park is fully closed, and there is no legal way to get there.

Are Ko Bon and Ko Tachai part of the same park?

Yes, they were added to Mu Ko Similan National Park. Tours usually offer them as a separate programme.

What if my trip is cancelled because of waves?

Reschedule it for another of your remaining days and check the operator's refund terms in advance. The decision to cancel is made by the captain together with park administration, and it cannot be contested.

Can I sleep on the islands in 2026/27?

No. Only day trips and diving are offered, with no bungalows or camping.

Where do boats to the Similans leave from?

Most depart from Tha Plamu Pier in Phang Nga. Khao Lak is the closest base for staying overnight.

One last tip: put the Similans in the middle of your trip, not on the final day. Then a postponement because of the sea will not cost you the excursion.

Source: Bangkok Post

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