Advertise

Advertise

Similan Islands: Season, Park Fee and How to Book the Boat

Go to the Similan Islands between 15 October and 15 May, since the park closes from 16 May to 14 October. Book a private boat company at least about 3 days ahead. A foreign adult pays THB 500 for the park under the 2022 fee schedule. Boats leave Tap Lamu pier at 08:30.

On this page
  1. When to go
  2. The park fee
  3. Booking the boat
  4. Getting to the pier
  5. On the islands
  6. Before you go
  7. Step by step
  8. Common questions

Plan your Similan day trip for the dry season, book a private boat a few days ahead, and have your park fee ready.

Department of National Parks page for Mu Ko Similan National Park in Thai and English with the park address, telephone and email.
The Department of National Parks page for Mu Ko Similan National Park. Source: DNP portal, Mu Ko Similan park page (opens in a new tab), captured 21 October 2026

When to go

The park is open from 15 October to 15 May and closed from 16 May to 14 October every year. The reason is the southwest monsoon, which brings heavy rain and strong waves, and travel there in that period is not safe for tourists.

The park fee

A foreign adult pays THB 500 and a foreign child THB 250 under the 2022 fee schedule. Similan shares that Group 4 rate with the Surin Islands. Once you have paid, carry the receipt with you in the park, because it can be checked.

Booking the boat

The park has no boats of its own for the crossing, so you go with a private company. Book at least about 3 days ahead.

Boats leave Tap Lamu pier (ท่าเรือทับละมุ) at 08:30 and come back from the island at 15:00. They all go together, and a speedboat takes about 1.5 hours. Keep your boat ticket to show on the way back.

Ask your company which islands it lands on, because some sites are closed with no set end date, including Fantasy Rock, Hin Muan Diao, Ko Payu (Ko Chet) and Ko Ta Chai. Some companies add snorkel stops before you land.

Getting to the pier

From Bangkok, follow Highway 4 through Takua Pa to Ban Lam Kaen, then turn right at the junction and drive about 5 km. From Phuket airport, the pier is about 100 km by road, through Phang Nga.

On the islands

Your boat crosses about 70 km to Ko Miang (Ko Si), where the park office stands, and Ko Similan (Ko Paet). The park shop sells water, coffee and snacks. For phone signal, AIS and TRUE-DTAC both reach Ko Miang, while Ko Similan has TRUE-DTAC.

Bring sunscreen without chemicals harmful to coral, and cut back on single-use plastic, as the park asked at its opening.

Before you go

  • Travel between 15 October and 15 May.
  • Book your boat at least about 3 days ahead.
  • Reach Tap Lamu pier in good time for the 08:30 boat.
  • Keep the park fee receipt and your boat ticket with you.

For a month-by-month view, see best Thai islands by month. The Maya Bay and Phi Phi park fee page covers the other Andaman park, and the Thailand islands guide covers the rest.

↑ Contents

Step by step

  1. Check the seasonThe park is open from 15 October to 15 May.
  2. Book a private boat companyBook at least about 3 days ahead. The park runs no boats of its own.
  3. Reach Tap Lamu pierTake Highway 4 to Ban Lam Kaen and turn right at the junction for about 5 km.
  4. Board the boatAll passenger boats leave the pier together, at 08:30.
  5. Keep your boat ticketShow it on the way back. The boat leaves the island at 15:00.

Not confirmed: Park fee today: THB 500 is the 2022 schedule, and the fee box on the park page is an image, so read the amount on your ticket. Booking: DNP announced a QueQ e-ticket pilot that includes Similan; ask your boat company whether the park ticket is in its price.

Common questions

When are the Similan Islands open?

Go between 15 October and 15 May, the open season. From 16 May to 14 October the park is closed.

How much is the Similan park fee for foreigners?

A foreign adult pays THB 500 and a foreign child THB 250 under the 2022 schedule.

Where do the boats to the Similan Islands leave from?

Boats depart Tap Lamu pier (ท่าเรือทับละมุ) at 08:30. To reach the pier from the Bangkok side, turn right at the Ban Lam Kaen junction.

How long is the boat ride?

Allow about 1.5 hours by speedboat.

How far ahead do you book the boat?

Book at least about 3 days ahead. Your boat belongs to a private company, since the park runs no boats of its own for the crossing.

Why are the Similan Islands closed from May to October?

The southwest monsoon brings heavy rain and strong waves, and travel there in that period is not safe for tourists.

Is there phone signal on the islands?

On Ko Miang (Ko Si) you get signal from AIS and TRUE-DTAC, while on Ko Similan (Ko Paet) it is TRUE-DTAC.

Sources and reader comments

Official legal texts (Gazette, government portals):

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

Spotted an error? Report it.