Similan islands, early departure
First boat to the archipelago, before the main groups arrive
The Similans are the best snorkelling within reach of Phuket, and they are also the most visited — which is why the departure time matters more here than anywhere else. This boat leaves before dawn and reaches the archipelago ahead of the main groups: the morning sea is calmer, the water is clearer, the fish are more active and the beaches are still empty. The group is kept small rather than packed to sixty.
Price and booking
- Adult
- 2,800 ฿
- Child
- 2,500 ฿
Child price applies to ages 4–9. Younger children join free of charge. Hotel pickup on Phuket is arranged when you book — tell us where you stay and the manager confirms the pickup time.
Book this tour on WhatsAppPayment is agreed in the chat after the booking is confirmed — by card, bank transfer or USDT.
What you see
- The earliest departure — first onto the islands
- A smaller group than the standard boats
- Empty beaches in the first hours
- Speedboat with Wi-Fi and towels provided
- Island eight and the climb to Sail Rock
- Snorkelling where sea turtles are often seen
- Breakfast and lunch included
- Comfort+: beer at the pier, ice cream and a glass of wine on return
How the day goes
- 04:00–05:00Hotel pickup before dawn
- 05:30Arrival at the pier, buffet breakfast and meeting the guide
- 06:00Departure for the Similan archipelago over a calm morning sea
- 08:00Miang island (no. 4): an empty beach of white coral sand and a walk in the jungle, where flying foxes live
- 10:10Koh Payu (no. 7) and Koh Ba Ngu (no. 9) from the boat, and snorkelling in open water where turtles are often seen
- 11:30Similan island (no. 8): lunch box, free time and the climb to Sail Rock with its panorama
- 14:00Return to Phuket, with a snack, drinks, ice cream and wine on board
- 16:00–16:30Arrival at the pier and dinner there
- 17:00Transfer back to the hotels
Photos from the tour
Included in the price
- +Transfer to and from the hotel, on Phuket and in Khao Lak
- +English-speaking guide
- +Breakfast and lunch — buffet and lunch box
- +Snorkelling gear: mask, snorkel, fins
- +Disposable mouthpieces
- +Beach towels
- +Life jackets
- +Soft drinks on board
- +Fresh fruit
- +Beer at the pier in the morning
- +Ice cream and wine on return
- +Insurance
- +Wi-Fi on the speedboat
Not included
- —Personal spending and souvenirs
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- A hat and sunglasses
- A waterproof phone case
- A change of clothes
- A warm layer — the boat is cold early
- Cash for personal spending
- Motion sickness tablets if you need them
Good to know
- The child price is for ages 4–9. From ten years old the adult price applies.
- English-speaking guide on this tour.
- The wake-up is around half past three — this is the earliest trip we sell.
- Not recommended for children under four because of that start.
- Toilets and a small park shop are only on Islands 4 and 8.
- The Similan national park closes for the monsoon from mid-May to mid-October.
- Payment is agreed in the chat after the booking is confirmed.
Questions we get asked
Is the early version worth the extra over the standard Similan day?
If snorkelling is the reason you are going, yes: the first hours have the clearest water and the fewest boats. If you mainly want the beaches and the view, the standard departure covers the same islands.
Will I see turtles?
They are seen regularly on the open-water snorkelling stop between islands seven and nine, but no one can promise wildlife on a given day.
How rough is the crossing?
The Similans sit well offshore and the run takes around two hours. Mornings are usually the calmest part of the day, which is another reason for the early start.
Other tours from Phuket
Not sure which day to pick?
Write to us with your dates and the hotel you stay at. We live on Phuket and will say straight away whether the sea suits this trip that week, and what fits better if it does not.