Similan Islands or Coral Island from Phuket: Which Day Trip?
By the PhuketGO tour desk on Phuket — we book and run these trips every week · Updated 28 September 2026
Honestly, these two hardly compete. The Similans mean a 5 am pickup and a twelve-hour day for the best water you can reach from Phuket; Coral Island is half a day, thirty minutes from Rawai, home by two. So it comes down to two things: how much you care about snorkelling, and how much sleep you'll trade for it.
Tours and prices in Thai baht
| Tour | Duration | Adult | Child 4–9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similan islands: the classic day trip | About twelve hours | 2,600 ฿ | 2,400 ฿ |
| Similan islands, early departure | One day, 04:00–17:00 | 2,800 ฿ | 2,500 ฿ |
| Coral island from Rawai pier | Half a day, 08:30–14:00 | 1,400 ฿ | 1,300 ฿ |
| Racha and Coral islands by speedboat | Eight to nine hours | 1,400 ฿ | 1,300 ฿ |
Prices come straight from our booking system. Children under four join free on most trips — each tour page says so.
How different are the two days?
Very different days. On the Similan big-boat trip we pick you up between 05:30 and 06:30, then it's an hour and a half on the road to Tablamu pier. Boat out at 07:30, first snorkel at island no. 9 around nine. After that island 8 and the Sail Rock climb, buffet lunch on board, a second snorkel at island 7, a last swim off island 4. Back at the hotel anywhere from 15:30 to 18:00.
Coral from Rawai? Meet at the pier at 08:30, thirty minutes across, beach till noon, lunch, a snorkel in Hin Dam bay, back on the pier at two. That's the whole thing.
Is the water really that different?
It is, and that's the only real reason to go north. The Similans are a national park far out at sea; for snorkelling we've got nothing better within a day of Phuket. On the early speedboat, the open-water stop between islands seven and nine is where people often see turtles. Often. We can't book the turtles for you.
Coral sits close to the coast and gets busy. Fine for a first go with a mask, easy beach, kids love it. But if coral and fish are the whole point, it's another league (and it's half a day and priced like it, so that's fair).
What about the season?
For lots of people this settles it. The Similan park shuts for the monsoon from mid-May to mid-October, so for half the year there's nothing to choose. Coral runs all year when the weather allows.
In season the Similan run is still about two hours each way on open sea; mornings tend to be calmer. Anyone in your group prone to seasickness? Then the hop to Coral is far kinder (here's what helps with seasickness).
Who should not do the Similans?
A few people, yes. Pregnant? Bad back or knees? Skip the Similans, the card says so plainly. The early boat isn't for under-fours either (the alarm goes at about half past three). There are toilets and a little park shop only on islands 4 and 8. And bring your passport or a decent copy, because the park writes everyone down at the pier.
Travelling with small kids, older parents, or only four days on the island? We'd send you to Coral. Strong swimmers and a calm week between October and May? Go north, it's the day you'll talk about later.
- Best snorkelling and the Sail Rock view: Similans, in season
- Small children, short day, easy beach: Coral island
- Seasickness in the family: Coral island
What's in the price of each?
Similan on the big boat covers a lot: hotel transfer (Phuket or Khao Lak), breakfast and a Thai buffet lunch on board with chicken, fish, rice, veg and fruit, plus water, coffee, tea, a mask and snorkel, life jackets, park fees, insurance and the guide.
Coral covers transfer, coffee at the pier, lunch on the island, soft drinks, masks, life jackets, park fee, insurance, guide. The parasailing and banana boat on the beach you pay for in cash, to the guys on the sand. Towels? Not on either standard trip. Grab one from the hotel.
Small thing people miss: the big Similan boat collects from Khao Lak hotels as well, so if you're splitting your stay, it fits better from up there.
Is there anything in between?
There is, and it's called Racha Yai. Our Racha and Coral speedboat takes about forty minutes from Chalong, spends the morning in Patok Bay (better visibility than Coral) and the afternoon on Coral with the water toys.
Want the Similans but hate crowds? The early Similan boat goes before dawn and gets there ahead of the big groups. Painful alarm, lovely water.
Both have an English-speaking guide on board.
The tours on this page
Questions people ask
Are the Similan Islands better than Coral Island?
For snorkelling, yes, by a long way. For an easy half day with small children, Coral Island is the better choice.
How long does it take to get to the Similans from Phuket?
About an hour and a half by road to the pier and around two hours by boat. Expect a twelve-hour day door to door.
When are the Similan Islands closed?
The national park closes for the monsoon from mid-May to mid-October. Coral Island trips run through the year when the weather allows.
Can young children go to the Similans?
Children under four travel free on the standard big-boat day. The early speedboat isn't recommended for under-fours because of the very early start.
Do I need a passport for the Similan trip?
Yes, a passport or a clear copy. The park registers visitors at the pier. Coral Island doesn't need it.
Which trip is cheaper?
Coral Island, because it's half a day. The price table on this page shows the current adult and child prices for each trip.
Tell us your dates
Send the trip you like, your dates and your hotel. We confirm the pickup time and how the sea looks for that day. Payment is agreed in the chat after the booking is confirmed: by card, bank transfer or USDT.