Similan Islands

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A top diving and snorkeling destination in the Andaman Sea, with nine granite islands, powdery white beaches, and coral reefs with 30-meter visibility. The islands open for only seven months a year.

The Similan Islands lie in the Andaman Sea about 100 kilometers northwest of Phuket, in Phang Nga Province. The archipelago is made up of nine granite islands. Its name comes from the Malay word for 'nine.' It became a national marine park in 1982 and is ranked among the world's top ten diving sites. Visibility can reach 30 meters. The waters are rich in coral, leopard sharks, sea turtles, and devil rays. Richelieu Rock, a known whale shark site, lies in the nearby Surin Islands area. To protect the ecosystem, the islands open only from October 15 to May 15 each year. Since 2018, overnight stays have been banned and daily visitor numbers have been capped. Getting there and tours: Snorkeling day tours depart from Phuket or Khao Lak, which is closer and about 1.5 hours by speedboat. They cost about 3,000 to 4,500 baht and include the speedboat, lunch, and national park fees. Tours usually stop at Koh Miang (Island 4), with its powdery white beaches and viewpoint, and Koh Similan (Island 8), where Sail Rock viewpoint is located. There are two to three snorkeling stops. Divers can book liveaboard boats for 2 to 4 days, costing about 15,000 to 30,000 baht. Transport: Hotel pickups in Phuket start at 6 a.m. The drive to Tab Lamu Pier takes 1.5 hours, followed by a 1.5-hour speedboat ride. The full trip takes about 12 hours. Note that the one-way speedboat ride lasts about 90 minutes and can be bumpy. Anyone prone to seasickness should take medication in advance and sit at the stern. During peak season (December to February), book day tours at least a week ahead. Reef-unfriendly sunscreen is prohibited. Liveaboard trips require a diving certification.

Similan Islands

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