Similan Islands from Phuket: How to Get There and 2026 Prices

Mu Ko Similan National Park is open from 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027. A one-day speedboat trip from Khao Lak costs roughly 2,300-3,200 THB per adult, and from Phuket about 2,900-3,900 THB. If the 500 THB national park fee is not included in the tour price, add it on top.

Where the boats actually depart from

The whole system runs through one pier: Tap Lamu in Phang Nga Province, close to Khao Lak. The islands lie west of the coast in open sea, and day tours have no other departure point. Per international travel sources, from Phuket you drive to Tap Lamu (about 1.5 hours), then take a fast boat to the islands (about 1.5-2 hours), with hotel pickup typically around 06:00-06:30.

That explains the pricing. If you stay in Khao Lak, the transfer to the pier is short and usually bundled with lunch, soft drinks and snorkel gear. From Phuket, a minivan ride in each direction is added to the sea program, and you will be collected in the dark.

Our practical advice: sleep in Khao Lak the night before. The price gap between a Khao Lak tour and a Phuket tour is roughly the cost of a modest hotel room. Instead of a pre-dawn wake-up, you get a proper breakfast and a better chance of staying awake at the first snorkeling stop. Book a hotel in Khao Lak for one night - it often costs less than trying to sleep in a minivan.

This does not suit travelers with a single free day on Phuket between flights. In that case the Phuket transfer remains the only workable option.

What a Similan trip costs in 2026

Prices below are per person, based on typical operator offers for the 2026 season. The spread within each range depends on boat size, group size and whether the park fee is included.

• Khao Lak, speedboat: 2,300-3,200 THB per adult, 1,700-2,400 THB per child
• Phuket, speedboat with transfers: 2,900-3,900 THB per adult, 2,100-2,900 THB per child
• Phuket, speedboat (sample price list): from 3,890 THB per adult, from 2,690 THB per child aged 4-10
• Phuket, fast catamaran: from 4,190 THB per adult, from 2,890 THB per child aged 4-10

Children under 4 usually travel free, without a separate seat or lunch. One international operator lists an early-bird Khao Lak tour at around 4,100 THB per adult, so premium departures sit well above the ranges above.

The standard Khao Lak package includes hotel pickup, lunch, soft drinks and snorkeling equipment. From Phuket, the return transfer is added, so the extra money is essentially paying for the road.

A catamaran costs roughly 300 THB more per adult than a speedboat. The upgrade is worth it if you are prone to motion sickness, since the larger hull rocks less.

The 500 THB park fee and the DNP e-ticket

Park entry is paid separately from the boat: 500 THB per foreign adult, 250 THB per child aged 3 to 14, and 100 THB per Thai adult. Divers pay an extra 200 THB per diving day.

Every visitor needs an electronic DNP ticket. Your operator issues it from the passport details you provide at booking, and often includes it in the tour price.

Two practical consequences follow. First, when comparing prices, check whether the fee is included: a 2,300 THB tour without the fee costs more than a 2,700 THB tour with it. Second, the name and passport number on the booking must match the passport you bring. If you renewed your passport or the operator misspelled your surname, you will be sorting it out at the pier at 6 a.m.

Bring cash in baht for the fee, in small notes, one amount per person in your group.

When to go and when to book

The park operates from 15 October to 15 May and is closed from 16 May to 14 October, an annual pause that lets the reefs recover. Tours effectively run from November to April.

The best conditions fall from December to March, with calmer seas and better underwater visibility. October and November are formally open, but that is when weather cancellations are most common.

Booking has one catch that rarely gets mentioned: the better boats sell out early. Demand spikes in the first weeks after opening and over Christmas and New Year, and in the January-March peak you should look several weeks ahead. If you decide in February to book on the spot, one day ahead, you will likely get whichever boat is left rather than the one you wanted.

What most often ruins the trip

Weather cancellations are routine here, not a rare force majeure. A boat can be turned back or not released at all, a realistic scenario early in the season.

So do not schedule the Similans for your last day before a flight. Put them mid-trip and keep a spare day. Ask the operator in advance what happens on cancellation: refund, a new date or a different route. Terms vary, and a casual promise of a refund is not something to rely on.

The second common problem is seasickness. The crossing is not short, so take the tablet before leaving the hotel, not once you already feel queasy.

Third, the islands have no shops to bail you out. Sunscreen, a hat and a dry T-shirt for the ride back are things nobody can lend you.

FAQ

When are the Similan Islands open in the 2026-27 season?

From 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027. The park is closed from 16 May to 14 October.

How much is the Similan National Park entry fee?

500 THB per foreign adult, 250 THB per child aged 3-14, and 100 THB per Thai adult. Divers pay an additional 200 THB per diving day.

Is it cheaper to go from Phuket or Khao Lak?

Khao Lak: 2,300-3,200 THB versus 2,900-3,900 THB from Phuket. The difference is the cost of the road transfer in both directions.

Do I need to arrange the DNP ticket myself?

Usually not. The operator issues it from your passport details and often includes it in the price. Make sure your surname and passport number are entered without errors.

Can I bring a child to the Similan Islands?

Yes. Children under 4 usually go free on tours, and ages 4-10 pay a child fare from 2,690 THB. The park fee for children from age 3 is 250 THB.

How long is the journey from Phuket?

About 1.5 hours by road to Tap Lamu Pier in Phang Nga, then roughly 1.5-2 hours by fast boat, so expect an early start with pickup around 06:00-06:30.

Which day of the week is best for a Similan tour?

A weekday. On weekends more boats gather at the popular snorkeling spots, while every operator runs the same program.

Source: Phuket Thailand Travel

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