Why You’ll Want to Add the Similan Islands to Your Phuket Itinerary

By Staff Writer

Shaped by the Earth’s powerful forces millions of years ago, the Similan Islands’ low-lying, jungle-clad rock formations make a dramatic backdrop against the Andaman Sea.

The unique pull of the archipelago comprising nine islands is Donald Duck Bay, which takes its name from a rock reminiscent of Walt Disney’s cartoon character.

That’s by far not the only attraction that awaits when you take a Similan Islands tour from Phuket or Khao Lak. Here’s what you can expect in this beautiful corner of Thailand.

Things to Do in the Similan Islands

If you hike to the Sail Rock viewpoint, you can shoot photographs of the coast and Donald Duck Bay’s white, powder-puff sand lapped by the turquoise sea.

While you don’t need to be a sure-footed traveller for the five-minute trek to this scenic lookout, perhaps it’s the underwater world you’re more interested in.

With its coral-covered slopes and myriads of marine creatures, the magical realm beneath the waves attracts divers and snorkellers alike. The Similan Islands boast over 200 species of hard corals alone, which is hardly surprising given the perfect conditions for coral growth. The temperature in the crystal waters off these paradise islands averages out at over 26oC.

There’s also huge variety of marine life including reef fish – more than virtually anywhere in the world. Likewise, the topography is nothing short of amazing. The sea is 30 to 45 metres deep around the islands. Between them, there are 70 to 80-metre drops. As well as rocks, caves and swim-throughs, you can find shallows ideal for snorkelling.

Be sure to bring a camera for underwater shooting. As well as giant barrel sponges and huge sea fans growing on coral reefs, adorable turtles and countless fish swimming together in loose clusters are guaranteed to catch your eye.

Back on land, you can spread your towel and lounge on white, incredibly powdery coral-sand beaches framed by bamboo, rattan and jackfruit trees.

Similan Islands tour from Phuket or Khao Lak with Siam Adventure World

Whether you’re staying in Phuket or Khao Lak, Siam Adventure World will collect you from your hotel early enough to get to the Similan Islands before most other boats.

The archipelago lies some 85 kilometres northwest of Phuket, which means we will arrive on Island No. 8 at about 8.15 am after a 75-minute speedboat ride.

Why talk about numbered islands? We hear you. Similan derives from the Malay word Sembilan, which translates as nine. Each of the nine islands is numbered and has a name, too.

From October to May when the area’s national park is open, the Similan Islands weather generally leaves nothing to be desired, particularly in the high season from January to April.

After snapping pictures and meeting turtles in the warm, clear-blue waters of Koh Similan, it’s “beach ‘o’clock.” Feel the fine white sand crunch between your toes as you gather your thoughts at Koh Miang, also called Island No. 4.

We’ll ensure you won’t go hungry. Typical dishes include Thai Massaman curry, a flavourful curry with tender braised meats and aromatic spices from India and the Malay Archipelago, among others.

At Princess Bay, where a daughter of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn spent her honeymoon, you can let time slip by in the shade of a tree. Or why not bathe in the warm, turquoise sea?

We’ll end the Similan Islands tour from Phuket or Khao Lak with a long snorkelling stop just off Koh Miang before heading back to Takua Pa’s Baan Nam Kem Pier.

Join us on a trip to these gorgeous granite islands in the Andaman Sea and have your camera ready. Donald Duck will appear at boulders so uniquely shaped – you can almost hear him quack as a turtle forages for food.