//
Marine protected area in Phang Nga Province, southern Thailand
Photo: No Troubles Just Bubbles, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The national park of the Similan Islands (เกาะสิมิลัน) is in southern Thailand, 50 km west of Khao Lak. It is considered the best place in Thailand for divers.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Under new rules implemented 2018-10-15, the number of divers in the park will be limited to 525 per day. Similan Islands diving is famous and high on the list of top dive destinations. The Andaman Sea has perfect water conditions that make underwater visibility extremely high and suitable for diving and snorkeling. The seawater has an average temperature of 27 °C during the open season.
The facilities on the islands are pretty basic. You will find restaurants on Ko Similan and Ko Miang.
In 2018 all overnight accommodations in the islands were demolished and the number of visitors is now limited in order to preserve the environment. Admissions are capped at 3,325 one-day tour visitors and 525 scuba diving tourists.
A small souvenir shop on Ko Similan sells small gift items.
As of 15 October 2018, the number of visitors to the Similans will be capped at 3,850 per day. All visitors must buy a national park admission ticket and insurance before boarding a tourist boat.
Read in the guideOnce on the islands there is the option of using the marine park boats for transit between the islands. This is not totally reliable, but is a less expensive alternative.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Phuket · International · HKT
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Similan Islands and Thailand.
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
Travel tipsExplore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in February across snow festivals, world-famous carnivals, tropical island beaches, and polar night aurora displays.
6 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.