Phuket, Khao Lak and the Similan Islands in

Stay four nights in Phuket for boat trips to Phi Phi Island and Phang Nga Bay, then two nights in Khao Lak and a speedboat to the Similan Islands.

This is a longer route that combines the city with its surroundings. The first four days are based in Patong, with two boat trips, to Phi Phi Island and to Phang Nga Bay, and an Old Town day in between. On day five, head north to Khao Lak, stopping at a waterfall and the tsunami memorial along the way. On day six, leave from Thap Lamu Pier for the Similan Islands. This saves the long, pre-dawn transfer from Phuket. The final day returns you to Phuket Airport. This route only works during the Similan Islands' open season.

The Similan Islands are open roughly from October 15 to May 15 each year.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival in Patong

Phuket（Patong Beach / Bangla Road）

Taxi from the airport to Patong, about 1 hour. Walk along the beach in the evening.

Stay: Patong

Day 2 · Phi Phi Island Day Trip

Krabi Ao Nang（Phi Phi Islands）

Early pickup to the pier. The speedboat takes about 1 hour to Phi Phi Island. Return in the evening.

Stay: Patong

Day 3 · Old Town, Big Buddha and Chalong Temple

Phuket（Big Buddha (Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri)、Wat Chalong、Phuket Old Town）

Hire a car for the day to go from Patong to the Big Buddha, then Chalong Temple, then the Old Town. Each leg takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Temples require covering your shoulders and knees.

Stay: Patong

Day 4 · Phang Nga Bay Sea Caves and Fishing Village

Phuket（Phang Nga Bay）

Hotel transfer to the east-coast pier, about 1 hour. Take a longtail boat tour of the bay, canoe into the sea caves, and return in the evening.

Stay: Patong

Day 5 · North to the Khao Lak Coast

Khao Lak & Similan Islands（Lampi Waterfall、Khao Lak Viewpoint、International Tsunami Museum、Khao Lak Beach (Nang Thong)）

Hire a car or rent one for the drive north on Highway 4, about 2 hours. Stop at a waterfall along the way, and reach Nang Thong Beach in the afternoon.

Stay: Nang Thong Beach

Day 6 · Snorkeling at the Similan Islands

Khao Lak & Similan Islands（Similan Islands）

Morning pickup to Thap Lamu Pier, about 20 minutes. The speedboat takes about 1.5 hours to the islands. Return to Khao Lak in the evening.

The national park limits daily visitor numbers, so book ahead in peak season.

Stay: Nang Thong Beach

Day 7 · Return to Phuket Airport

Khao Lak & Similan Islands（Police Boat T.813 Tsunami Memorial）

Drive south from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport, about 1 hour 15 minutes. You can see Police Boat 813 before departure.

Similar itineraries