Similan Islands, Phang Nga: Address, Phone Number, Similan Islands Reviews: 4/5
Similan Islands
Similan Islands
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
689 reviews
Excellent
377
Very good
148
Average
77
Poor
37
Terrible
50
Jennifer L
Sydney, Australia317 contributions
Dec 2019
I recently did a day trip by speedboat while staying at Khao Lak. Sadly hundreds and hundreds of other were doing the same.
The tour was well organised as it needed to run like clock work as people were given snorkelling gear, safety instructions and finally shepherded onto their assigned boats.
The snorkelling areas were small and closely defined by exclusion ropes and no-go areas. Boats were everywhere and it's a miracle that no-one was mowed down.
Time in the water was limited and you can imagine how long it takes to get 50 people a boat into the water and then back on-board.
A reasonable lunch was provided at a roped off picnic area in the National Park, but again, it was very crowded.
On the plus side, the water was warm and there were some fish and coral to be seen. Most tourists seemed uncomfortable in the water so didn't snorkel for long and it was nice when most got back onto the boats and the water was less crowded.
Many companies run these day tours, but they are all basically the same. Lunch is in the same place, the snorkelling areas are the same etc etc. My advice is, if you want see good coral, go the the southern parts of the Great Barrier Reef. If you decide to go to Similan, don't book with one of the big companies, go to one of the smaller shop fronts in the shopping areas where you are staying. You'll get the same tour but at less cost.
The tour was well organised as it needed to run like clock work as people were given snorkelling gear, safety instructions and finally shepherded onto their assigned boats.
The snorkelling areas were small and closely defined by exclusion ropes and no-go areas. Boats were everywhere and it's a miracle that no-one was mowed down.
Time in the water was limited and you can imagine how long it takes to get 50 people a boat into the water and then back on-board.
A reasonable lunch was provided at a roped off picnic area in the National Park, but again, it was very crowded.
On the plus side, the water was warm and there were some fish and coral to be seen. Most tourists seemed uncomfortable in the water so didn't snorkel for long and it was nice when most got back onto the boats and the water was less crowded.
Many companies run these day tours, but they are all basically the same. Lunch is in the same place, the snorkelling areas are the same etc etc. My advice is, if you want see good coral, go the the southern parts of the Great Barrier Reef. If you decide to go to Similan, don't book with one of the big companies, go to one of the smaller shop fronts in the shopping areas where you are staying. You'll get the same tour but at less cost.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Liztravelsandeats
Haarlem, The Netherlands622 contributions
Dec 2019
Extremely well organized.
Breakfast is small but that is good since the boat ride to the islands can be wavy. They have motion sickness pills if necessary free of charge.
Snorkeling equipment is also free (The brochure said fins were extra fee but wasn't the case)
Lunch was plentiful. Two lunch boxes full of food.
Staff is extremely attentive on and off the boat - wanting to give you snacks on the boat and drinks and during lunch always walking around making sure everyone was catered to and settled.
Was very happy with this touring company.
Breakfast is small but that is good since the boat ride to the islands can be wavy. They have motion sickness pills if necessary free of charge.
Snorkeling equipment is also free (The brochure said fins were extra fee but wasn't the case)
Lunch was plentiful. Two lunch boxes full of food.
Staff is extremely attentive on and off the boat - wanting to give you snacks on the boat and drinks and during lunch always walking around making sure everyone was catered to and settled.
Was very happy with this touring company.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Indranu H
Bangkok, Thailand396 contributions
Dec 2020
This the perfect time to visit similar islands. We chose wow andaman based on reviews. Right from timely pick up. Check in at the counter ,breakfast and briefing were done professionally. The guide RT was fantastic all thru the trip. The 2 beaches were outstanding. Snorkeling at the 1st spot was great. The entire crew were helpful
There were 7-8 boats in total compared to 60-70 boats every day pre Covid
Highly recommend using them
There were 7-8 boats in total compared to 60-70 boats every day pre Covid
Highly recommend using them
Written December 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Pioneer08808354673
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
We visited two Similan islands with family using Annex tour and service Wow Andaman that provided a boat, meal, equipment. They provided too small boat for 37 tourists. There was no space to change clothes for snorkeling. It was very shaking even with small waves. The islands were really crowded with thousands of Chinese people. So actually it was nothing impressive to see and we stopped just to have lunch with thousands of Chinese in the second island.
We stopped for snorkeling very close to stones of the island. There were 4 boats stopped in the same place having 150 people in one small area. It was very crowded and almost no fish to see. Waves can through divers to the stones.
Guide from Annex tour who sold this trip did not inform us about lack of comfort such as too small boat, very crowded islands and very small And crowded area for snorkeling.
I would like to warn other tourists not to waste time and money for such services.
We stopped for snorkeling very close to stones of the island. There were 4 boats stopped in the same place having 150 people in one small area. It was very crowded and almost no fish to see. Waves can through divers to the stones.
Guide from Annex tour who sold this trip did not inform us about lack of comfort such as too small boat, very crowded islands and very small And crowded area for snorkeling.
I would like to warn other tourists not to waste time and money for such services.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hazza
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Guys please don't book the tour with this guys they are cheap quality and useless people, no service provided. Staff was smoking on boat and don't even know english. They don't provide any option for vegetarian people.Useless people. I would once again suggest please do not book with this people they are only money minded and you won't get a good experience at all. I won't even give one star to them as well.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Riina T
Crete, Greece49 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We went to Similan Islands with speedboat, with company Love Andaman. The boat with crew and captain and also guides were great but the snorkling times were way too short. Also the islands were way too crowded with people and turists that i would have prefer quiter place. But the islands were worth to see.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Matt
England6 contributions
Apr 2022
Went at a time when covid restrictions and probably a good time to go as not too many tourists. Heard that these islands are so overcrowded normally.
Disappointed with the snorkelling as most of coral is dead and not much sea life as a result. Several years ago I can imagine that these island were beautiful but tourism has impacted. Such a shame. Still worth a visit and had I not been to thai islands in the past pre mass tourism I would probably have enjoyed it more not knowing what it would have been like before. Our guide Emily from Seastar was great though and really made the trip more enjoyable with her high energy enthusiasm
Disappointed with the snorkelling as most of coral is dead and not much sea life as a result. Several years ago I can imagine that these island were beautiful but tourism has impacted. Such a shame. Still worth a visit and had I not been to thai islands in the past pre mass tourism I would probably have enjoyed it more not knowing what it would have been like before. Our guide Emily from Seastar was great though and really made the trip more enjoyable with her high energy enthusiasm
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
7Suze7
Sheffield, UK18 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
My daughter and I were so excited about sharing this experience on her birthday but couldn’t quite believe how massively overcrowded it was, from the en masse speed boats journey out there to a ruined set of islands due to mass tourism. I have never seen so many boats or people in one place. Numbers should be limited to preserve the sea life which was beautiful but could be amazing. We saw one turtle because we moved away from the heaving mass of people bobbing up and down in the water with their life jackets on. We opted for snorkels and flippers otherwise why would you want to go there specifically. You can mindlessly bob up and down in the water almost anywhere. A Russian guide we met said the place had been so spoilt by the hundreds and hundreds of people visiting every day and that only a few years earlier, you would have been able to sight many turtles and other beautiful sea life. Humans once more ruining our beautiful planet.
Written May 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Paradise539771
Calgary, Canada14 contributions
Feb 2020
The best beach we encountered in southern Thailand while we were there. Great sand, great water, great snorkelling - very very relaxing spot to be. It go quite busy with tourist boats - but don't let that stop you. Try to find a tour that gives you more than one hour here. you need four hours minimum or the whole day to enjoy this beach.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Craig Rose
23 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
A lady we met at Tiger Park Phuket arranged this trip for us, Nheung. The price was almost half of what the resort were charging and it was an enjoyable day. Seating on a speed boat with breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea included with all transfers from hotel included
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Amélie B
Seichamps, France35 contributions
Bonjour
Nous souhaitons faire l’excursion à SIMILAN
Mais nous avons notre propre voiture
Comment pouvons nous faire?
Merci
Talita X
3 contributions
Olá Saulo! Tudo bem?
Vi sua avaliação aqui no tripadvisor, gostaria de saber se você tem uma agência para indicar que faça o passeio para Similan Island, e de onde você saiu?
Se puder ajudar, serei muito grata!!!
Talita X
3 contributions
Olá Saulo! Tudo bem?
Vi sua avaliação aqui no tripadvisor, gostaria de saber se você tem uma agência para indicar que faça o passeio para Similan Island, e de onde você saiu?
Se puder ajudar, serei muito grata!!!
Saulo Senna
Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP26 contributions
Olá, Talita. Contratamos o passeio de uma agência no hotel em que ficamos hospedados (Holliday inn express) em Phuket. Mas sugiro você procurar agentes que saiam de Phi Phi ou Krabi pois não gostamos de Phuket. O passeio custou 3.000 THB por pessoa. Saímos às 4h da manhã e voltamos as 21h. Tudo 100%! Todas as refeições estão inclusas (café, almoço e lanche da tarde). Ah, sugiro escolher embarcação catamarã, pois é mais confortável e veloz que um speed boat.
Alice
Venice, Italy8 contributions
Buongiorno volevo chiedere in che sito posso prenotare una notte o due alle similan islands con l’opzione di pernottamento in barca ,non essendo sub ma praticando solo dello snorkeling?
Nikita I
New Delhi, India6 contributions
hi i am travelling to phuket in the first week of october 2018. I wanted to go to similan islands.. however no tours operate before 15th october. Is there any way going to similan in the first week and will it be worth the visit??
RonnieFriend
Stockholm, Sweden259 contributions
Yes, exactly as the other said. There is a reason the tours are not yet open that early. Monsoon storms are too dangerous. There are many other beautiful places in the Phuket / Phang Nga area, but it's not the time of year to go out in boats!
.. Oh, and best way to go from Bangkok, please..?
🌿 Carmen
Maxine4540
Frankston, Australia55 contributions
To my knowledge the tour to the Similian Islands only leaves from Phuket. Therefore you would have to fly, go by bus or by car to Phuket. Phuket is 844 km from Bangkok. Flying time 1 hour 10 minutes. By road 11 hours 17 minutes.
Good morning.. Is it possible to visit the islands now, in early September? 🙏🤗 Carmen
DavetheDude_11
Sisaket, Thailand28 contributions
I believe there are restrictions during Turtle hatching times
Kevin I
Lanus, Argentina19 contributions
alguien me puede confirmar si en la isla 8 hay lugar donde comprar comida? gracias
Frequently Asked Questions about Similan Islands
- We recommend booking Similan Islands tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 13 Similan Islands tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Similan Islands:
- Wow Andaman Day Trip to Similan Islands from Khao Lak (From $104.59)
- Similan Islands Snorkel Tour by Fantastic Similan Travel from Phuket (From $89.40)
- Wow Andaman Day Trip to Similan Islands from Phuket (From $113.31)
- Similan Islands Tour from Phuket (From $84.26)
- Similan Islands Snorkel Tour by SeaStar Andaman from Khao Lak (From $89.40)