• Departs fromKhao Lak hotels
• DurationFull day, pier check-in 07:30
• Boat optionsSpeed catamaran or speedboat
• Catamaran deckSun deck & forward-facing seats
• PierPrivate pier at Thap Lamu
• Islands visitedKoh Miang, Payu, Similan, Ba Ngu
• Snorkelling stops2 stops + island beach time
• MealsBreakfast, lunch & dinner
• SeasonMid-Oct to mid-May

Why book this Similan Islands day trip from Khao Lak

• The shortest journey to the Similans. Thap Lamu is the mainland pier for the Similan Islands and it sits right on Khao Lak's doorstep, so your transfer is short and you spend the day on the islands rather than on the road.
• Premium speed catamaran, not a crowded big boat. A twin-hull catamaran sits flatter in the water than a single-hull speedboat, so the crossing is noticeably steadier and drier. Seats face forward in the direction of travel, the decks are wide enough to walk around, and an open sun deck gives you panoramic views across the Andaman Sea.
• Four islands in one day. Koh Miang (No. 4), Payu (No. 7), Similan (No. 8) and Ba Ngu (No. 9) — the highlights of the national park in a single trip.
• Sail Rock and Donald Duck Bay. Free time after lunch to hike the short granite trail to the Similan Islands' most famous viewpoint.
• Three meals included. Thai breakfast at the pier, a lunch set served on the islands, and a Southern Thai dinner when you get back — not a lunchbox-only day trip.
• Door-to-door transfer. Round-trip hotel pick-up and drop-off within the Khao Lak service area, plus snorkelling gear, beach towel and insurance.

Your departure pier at Thap Lamu

Your tour departs from the private Wow Andaman pier in the Thap Lamu pier area — the mainland gateway to the Similan Islands and the shortest crossing into the national park. Unlike a shared public jetty, this terminal was built specifically for Similan and Surin Islands day trips, so the day starts calmly: you check in, collect your snorkelling gear and sit down to a Thai-style breakfast with coffee and tea before boarding.

Facilities at the pier are free for all guests:

• Plenty of bathrooms for after the trip
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
• Secure luggage storage rooms
• Private car parking
• Souvenir shops and a seating area

Itinerary

Times are estimates and may change without prior notice due to weather, sea conditions or national park regulations.

1. Before 07:30

   Hotel pick-up in Khao Lak

   Your transfer collects you in time for check-in at the pier. The exact time depends on where your hotel is located — please check your confirmation email.

2. 07:30

   Check-in at the Thap Lamu pier

   Register, collect your snorkelling gear and enjoy a Thai-style breakfast with coffee and tea.

3. 08:30

   Safety briefing and departure

   Your English-speaking guide runs through the plan for the day before you set off for Mu Ko Similan National Park.

4. 10:30

   Koh Miang — Island No. 4

   Arrive in the Similans. Take in the contrast of soft white sand against a crystal-clear sea, and look out for the resident wildlife of the national park.

5. 11:50

   First snorkelling stop

   Snorkel at Payu Island (No. 7) or Similan Island (No. 8), depending on sea conditions on the day.

6. 13:00

   Lunch, beach time and Sail Rock viewpoint

   A lunch set is served on the islands. Afterwards, relax on the powdery white sand or swim in the turquoise water — or hike up to the iconic Sail Rock viewpoint (also called Sailing Rock) for the panorama over Donald Duck Bay, widely regarded as the finest view in the Similan Islands.

7. 14:50

   Ba Ngu Island — Island No. 9

   Final snorkelling stop at one of the richest shallow-water reefs in the park, thick with lettuce coral and reef fish.

8. 15:30

   Depart the Similan Islands

   Leave the national park and cruise back to the private pier at Thap Lamu.

9. 17:00–17:15

   Dinner at the pier, then back to your hotel

   Shower and change, then sit down to a special Southern Thai dinner before your transfer returns you to your Khao Lak hotel.

Speed catamaran or speedboat?

You choose your boat when you book. Both run the same route, visit the same islands on the same timings, and both are priced identically — the only difference is the ride. On Sundays the speedboat is the only option available.

On board the premium speed catamaran

• Forward-facing seats. Every seat faces the direction of travel rather than sideways, which makes the crossing far more comfortable — and makes a genuine difference if you are prone to motion sickness.
• Room to move. The twin-hull design gives a much wider deck, so you are not confined to your seat for the whole journey.
• Open-air sun deck. Sunbathe, catch the breeze or take photos from the top deck while you cruise.
• Better views. Seated higher and facing forward, you get an open panorama of the Andaman Sea rather than the back of the seat in front of you.

On board the speedboat

The speedboat is the classic Similan Islands day-trip boat from Khao Lak: a single hull that gets up to speed quickly and sits closer to the water, with bench seating and a more open, exhilarating feel on the crossing. It visits exactly the same islands, follows the same timings and costs the same as the catamaran.

If the catamaran is withdrawn for urgent maintenance, your tour runs by speedboat instead. As both options are sold at the same price, no refund applies in this situation.

How to get to the Similan Islands from Khao Lak

There is no ferry or public boat from Khao Lak to the Similan Islands, and no accommodation on the islands for day visitors — the only way to visit is on an organised day trip departing from the mainland pier at Thap Lamu.

The good news is that Khao Lak is the nearest base to the national park, so that pier is just a short road transfer away. This tour handles the whole journey for you: hotel pick-up, the transfer to Thap Lamu, the sea crossing, your guide, snorkelling gear and all three meals are arranged as one booking, so there is nothing to organise on the day.

What's included

What to bring

• Reef-safe sunscreen — conventional sunscreen is restricted in Thai marine national parks
• Sunglasses, a hat and a camera
• A photo of your passport on your phone (required for national park registration)
• Swimwear, a light cover-up and a change of clothes for the journey home

Important notice

• You can choose either the premium speed catamaran or the speedboat when you book, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays the speedboat is the only option available.
• The sun deck and forward-facing seating described above are features of the speed catamaran only and are not available on the speedboat.
• If the catamaran requires urgent maintenance the tour runs by speedboat. As both are priced the same, no refund is provided in this situation.
• This is a snorkelling day trip, not a scuba diving trip.
• Pregnant women cannot join this trip at any stage of pregnancy.
• Children under 19 months and guests over 70 years of age cannot join.
• Guests with heart conditions, high blood pressure, recent surgery, bone or back problems, or other serious medical conditions cannot join.
• Mu Ko Similan National Park closes annually during the monsoon — see the FAQ below for current season dates.
• One piece of luggage per person is included; each additional bag is charged at 300 THB.

Frequently asked questions