Similan Islands

Similan Islands is an island archipelago in the Andaman Sea. The group of picturesque islands are located northwest of Phuket in the southern Thai province of Phangnga. Since 1982, they have been part of the Similan National Park (Mu Ko Similan).

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According to UNESCO rankings, the Similan Islands are among the ten most beautiful islands on the planet. They attract tourists with impeccable cleanliness, azure sea, snow-white beaches, groves of palm trees and exotic animals. Many people come here for snorkeling. And divers from around the world consider the underwater landscapes near the islands one of the most popular places for exciting underwater diving.

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Video: Similan Islands

Contents

Highlights

The Similan Islands stretch for about 20 kilometers. They consist of nine freestanding islands that stretch in a single line parallel to the mainland. The highest point rises 244 meters above sea level. In the dialect of Malay, the Jawi language spoken by Thailand’s ethnic Malays, the name of the islands means “nine.”

The name of the islands means “nine.

Although the Similan Islands are more commonly referred to by number, each island has a name in Thai: Huyong, Payang, Payan, Miang, Ha, Payu, Hin Pusar, Similan and Banggu. In 1989, two more islands, Tachai and Bon, were added to Similan National Park.

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The largest in size is Similan Island (#8). It stretches for 4.3 km and has a width of 1.4 km. Miang Island (#4) was favored by a Thai princess. She built a house here and actively cares about preserving the pristine nature of the archipelago. Travel to the Similan Islands is very popular with vacationers in Phuket and Khao Lak.

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Since Thailand has a seasonal climate, the best time to visit the islands is late December to late March. At this time, the weather is clear, there is almost no precipitation, the sea is not stormy, and travelers can enjoy a pleasant beach vacation. During the peak tourist season, the beaches of Similan can be quite crowded.

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Most often boats with tourists come to the island of Hin Pusar. The seabed around it is characterized by a variety of relief and an abundance of underwater fauna. Some travelers stay overnight on Similan and the second largest island, Miang, which measures 2.2 km by 0.65 km.

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From May to October, when the rainy season arrives, the weather in the Similan Islands changes dramatically. Strong monsoon winds raise high waves in the Andaman Sea and a trip to the outlying islands can turn into a dangerous journey. During the rainy season, authorities completely close the Similan National Park to tourist groups. A period of desertion ensues, which favors the recovery of local fauna and flora.

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Beaches

Most tourists come to the island archipelago for a beach vacation. Although there are nine islands, only two of them – Miang (#4) and Similan (#8) – have beaches open to travelers. The other islands are closed to visitors to the national park so that people do not unnecessarily disturb the animals and birds.

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The most popular beach, Donald Duck Beach, is located on the largest island in the Similan archipelago (#8). Many boats with tourists dock here. As a rule, all travelers go to climb the picturesque Sail Rock, which is located next to the beach, because it is one of the recognizable symbols of the Similan Islands. It is easy to walk to the top of the sail-like rock in 5-10 minutes. For convenience, the climb is equipped with wooden stairs. And from the vantage point opens a beautiful view of almost the entire island archipelago.

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On the other side of Similan Island (#8) is another popular beach – Beacon Beach. It is smaller in size, but just as clean and covered with fine white sand.

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There are two beaches on Miang Island (#4). The larger Hat Yai, which is also called Honeymoon Beach, and the smaller but very picturesque Hat Lek, which goes by the name Princess Beach. This island has its own vantage point at 130m and several jungle trekking trails.

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Diving

The first diver to explore the bottom of the Andaman Sea was Jacques-Yves Cousteau. In the middle of the last century, a team led by him discovered the beautiful world of the Similan Islands and filmed the underwater flora and fauna.

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These days, diving off the west coast of Thailand is very popular with divers around the world. Some of the most spectacular underwater scenery can be seen here. Around the Similan Islands, nature is practically untouched by man. In the sea thrive different types of corals, there are hundreds of species of tropical fish. It is no coincidence that the Thai authorities have organized a national park in this part of the Andaman Sea.

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Divers come to the Similan Islands from December to April. At this time, the sea water is very clear and there are practically no storms. Visibility underwater reaches 20-25 meters, but can reach up to 40 meters. Around Similan there are about 30 dive sites located close to each other. Surgeon Rock, where you can meet stingrays, and the picturesque Coral garden are popular dive sites near Huyong Island (#1). Near Paju Island (No. 6), divers like East of Eden; near Similan Island (No. 8), Elephant Head Rock and Fantasy Reef; and near Bangu Island (No. 9), Breakfast Bend and Christmas Point.

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Features of the underwater world of the western part of the Similan Islands are underwater canyons, grottoes and caves, huge rocks and giant boulders, as well as an abundance of soft and hard corals, descending the wall to a depth of 30-40 meters. The sea is inhabited by swarms of colorful fish, as well as barracudas and tunas. Currents here are fast and strong, so dives in the west are made by more experienced divers.

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The eastern part of the Similan Islands is characterized by beautiful coral gardens with actinia, between which are scurrying colorful fish. The sea here is shallow and absolutely calm, and these conditions are perfect for those who are taking their first steps in diving.

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In addition to day diving, night diving is popular in the Similans. During night diving, you can encounter different species of crabs, including large hermit crabs, as well as crayfish.

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From February, the temperature of the sea water rises, the currents change, and there is a lot of plankton in the sea around the Similan Islands. This abundance of food attracts stingrays, including giant mantas. During this period of the year, divers can encounter a variety of sharks near the islands – gray, whale, leopard, white tip, reef and nurse sharks.

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Animal life of the island archipelago

Each of the Similan Islands is like a large green cap covered in lush tropical greenery. The waters of the Andaman Sea have become a haven for giant turtles, whose shells reach up to 1 meter in diameter. Sea turtles love the local sandy beaches for laying eggs, so the longest beach, which is located on the southernmost island of the archipelago Huyong (No. 1) is specially closed to tourists. Female turtles lay their clutches there every year.

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There are 39 species of birds nesting among the trees, and some of them cannot be seen in the mainland as they live only on remote islands. Beautiful species of pigeons, the Nicobar pigeon and the two-colored fruit pigeon, breed here. They are calm, unintimidating birds and are often seen by tourists. The Similan Islands are also home to the flying fox, 16 species of bats and large varan lizards.

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Where to stay

Most travelers are limited to a one-day tour of the islands. However, those who want to spend several days in the marvelous tropical paradise also stay in the Similans. Overnight accommodations are available on the largest island, Similan (#8) and Miang Island (#4).

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There are no comfortable hotels and guesthouses here, but wooden bungalows equipped with air conditioners, fans and mosquito nets. A bungalow with a fan costs 1,000 baht, and one with air conditioning costs 2,000 baht per night. Electricity is generated by a generator, which is usually turned on during the hours of darkness from 6pm to 6am, so air conditioners and fans are off most of the day.

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If you wish, you can spend the night in a camping tent designed for 2-4 people. This is what most travelers staying in the Similan Islands do. However, it is worth considering that you will have to use local tents, as the administration of the national park does not allow you to bring tents with you. In addition, when camping overnight, travelers use shared restrooms and showers. A night in a tent costs 500-600 baht.

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There is another option for overnight camping. Some of the tourists prefer to sleep in specially equipped boats anchored close to the shore.

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Useful information for tourists

  • The Similan Islands sell day tours, tours with one or more overnight stays. Their price includes transfers, a tour guide, three meals and snacks, insurance and accommodation.
  • When buying a tour, the cost of visiting the national park is also included in the price. And when visiting the islands independently, foreign tourists pay 500 baht per adult and 300 baht per child.
  • Divers purchase a multi-day dive safari, during which overnight stays are organized on the ship (liveaboard). Such tours cost from 5000 baht per day. Some diving enthusiasts rent a ship with a captain. The cost of such rent starts from 20 thousand baht per day.
  • A standard one-day tour includes 2-3 stops for snorkeling. Flippers, snorkel and mask can take their own or rent from the organizers of the tour.
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  • Since the devastating 2004 tsunami, the underwater world around the Similan Islands has become much poorer. You should not expect to see as many colored fish as in the Red Sea while snorkeling in the local waters.
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  • When boarding the boat tourists are asked to give up their shoes, so the whole tour of the Similan Islands is barefoot.
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  • For tourists on the islands of Miang (#4) and Similan (#8) open communal dining rooms and several cafes offering Thai cuisine and fruit. They serve food on a schedule, and at other times tourists can buy water, nuts and chips.
  • On Similan and some other islands of the archipelago you can rent a boat or use a boat-taxi for transportation between islands.
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  • There are no ATMs on the islands.

How to get there

The Similan Islands are located in the Andaman Sea, 70 kilometers west of the Thai province of Phangnga. The provincial capital of the same name can be reached by highway. The journey by bus or car from Bangkok takes about 12 hours.

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Most travelers get to the Similan Islands by speedboats departing from Taplamu Pier. From Phuket, shuttle buses and cabs run here. They cover the distance of 100 km in 1.30-2.00 hours. The boat ride from the pier to the islands takes 1.10-1.15 hours.

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