The Similan Islands archipelago consists of nine islands and sits 90km northwest of Phuket and 68km of Khao Lak which makes Khao Lak the closest point to reach the Similan Islands. Included in the Similan islands national park are the nine Similan islands, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai.
Similan Islands national park covers an area of about 140 sq km, There are two National Park offices (on Islands #4 and #8), but besides the Park Rangers and NP staff, the islands are uninhabited. The Similan Islands feature green rainforests inhabited by monitor-lizards and bats and a variety of bird-life like the rare Nicobar Pigeon. The east side of the Similan Islands features white powdery sandy beaches and sheltered bays. The western coasts are rocky and suffer the harsh monsoon waves and rains.
The dive sites on the east coast offer coral gardens, gorgonian fans, and depths between 15 and 36 meters. This makes the east coast a very interesting area for divers of all levels. The west coast offers more like bolder rocks and more currents. Sites are often deeper and are more for the advanced diver.
From October 2018 onwards there are new rules for visiting the Similan islands
Entrée ticket
To visit the Similan islands for diving or snorkeling you need to obtain a national park entry ticket at least the day before you’re visiting the park
To obtain the Similan islands national park the next information is needed.
- 1. Full name: as appears in the passport, no nickname
- 2. Date of Birth: Day/Month/Year
- 3. Home Country: as appears in passport
- 4. Passport Number.
When boarding the vessel, you must have a photocopy of your passport with you to show National Marine Parks officials.
Single-use Plastic is no longer allowed to take to take to The Similan & Surin National Parks.
For example, even small plastic bag customers maybe carrying with small purchases from the convenience store are not allowed. New plastic wrapped items or garbage bag with dirty clothes are not acceptable either. These single or minimal use disposable plastics are not allowed on any Liveaboard vessels. Everyone knows “plastic” is a HUGE problem around the world, the change in our “plastic culture” must start now!
Scuba diving accident and evacuation Insurance coverage is “mandatory”
If you’ve your own Scuba Diving accident Insurance coverage, we will require Insurance company name, policy number, and contact number. This can be provided at the dive center. If you’ve Scuba Diving accident and evacuation covered under your “Travel Insurance”, we will need to so see the part of the policy that states coverage to ensure it has adequate Scuba Diving accident coverage included with their Travel Insurance.
If you do not have coverage, or cannot show proof of coverage when here, they will need to purchase the Scuba Diving accident and evacuation coverage for 250 Baht/Day.
No drones
It’s forbidden to use a drone inside the national park
