Paradise On Schedule: Your Foolproof 5 Day Similan Islands Itinerary

Your Day-By-Day 5 Day Similan Islands Itinerary (Without A Single Moment Wasted)

A perfect 5 day Similan Islands itinerary requires planning with military precision and the flexibility of a yoga instructor, which is why planning a trip to Similan Islands demands careful consideration of timing and logistics. The islands’ relatively small size belies their wealth of experiences—like a compact car that somehow holds a surprising amount of luggage, with countless things to do in Similan Islands packed into this pristine archipelago. This day-by-day breakdown ensures you’ll see the archipelago’s greatest hits without suffering the marine equivalent of museum fatigue.

Day 1: Arrival and First Contact

Your Similan adventure begins with a choice: speedboats from Khao Lak ($60-80 per person) delivering you to paradise in a brisk hour, or slower boats from Phuket ($90-110) that meander for 3-4 hours—the aquatic equivalent of choosing between a direct flight or one with two layovers. The speedboat option might rattle your fillings loose, but the time saved is invaluable in a 5 day Similan Islands itinerary where every hour counts.

Thap Lamu Pier serves as your jumping-off point, where you’ll contribute to Thailand’s economy via the National Park fee ($18 for foreigners)—a small price to pay for admission to what feels like nature’s private aquarium. Check-in procedures involve minimal fuss, though you might encounter the occasional official who processes paperwork with all the urgency of a sloth contemplating its life choices.

When considering where to stay in Similan Islands, accommodation on Koh Miang (Island #4) spans from basic tents ($25/night) that make camping at Yosemite seem luxurious, to modest bungalows ($60-120/night) with the architectural charm of garden sheds but spectacular ocean views. For those allergic to roughing it, liveaboard boats ($180-350/night) offer floating hotels with the convenience of waking up already at your snorkeling destination.

Spend your afternoon acclimatizing at Donald Duck Bay, named for a rock formation that bears a striking resemblance to Disney’s irascible waterfowl—if viewed through the forgiving lens of several Chang beers. As sunset approaches, stake out your viewing spot and prepare for nature’s light show, followed by dinner under the stars. Just remember that electricity runs only from 6pm-10pm on the islands, and Wi-Fi is nonexistent—a digital detox that initially feels like withdrawal but soon becomes strangely liberating.

Day 2: Southern Islands Snorkel Safari

Morning finds you at Honeymoon Bay with mask and fins ($8-15 daily rental) peering into an underwater metropolis bustling with marine traffic. Parrotfish nibble at coral with the focused dedication of competitive eaters, angelfish flaunt their colors like runway models, and clownfish peek from swaying anemones, looking far more worried than their animated Pixar counterparts. This snorkeling session alone justifies the airfare from America.

After drying off, tackle Koh Miang’s hiking trails, including the manageable 20-minute walk to Sunset Point. The view here produces photos guaranteed to make your Instagram followers question their life choices and cubicle-bound existence. Lunch at the ranger station ($8-15 for Thai meals) offers a stark reminder of American fast food inflation—the same price as a mediocre burger back home gets you a freshly prepared feast that actually contains identifiable ingredients.

Afternoon brings a boat trip to Koh Payu (Island #7), home to bizarre rock formations that resemble everything from elephants to certain politicians’ distinctive hairstyles. With water temperatures hovering between a bathtub-like 80-84F and air temperatures pushing 85-95F, sun protection becomes crucial unless your vacation goals include returning home looking like a walking lobster impersonator.

Day 3: Northern Frontier Exploration

Any respectable 5 day Similan Islands itinerary demands an early start on day three to beat the day-trippers arriving from the mainland around 10:30am. These tourist boats disgorge visitors like clockwork, transforming tranquil beaches into impromptu international conventions. Your pre-dawn efforts are rewarded at Koh Bangu (Island #9) with exclusive access to “Christmas Point,” where staghorn corals create underwater architecture and tropical fish gather in schools so dense they make a New York subway at rush hour look spacious.

Koh Ba Ngu’s famous “sail rock” formation demands photography from multiple angles, with 9am offering lighting so perfect it seems specifically designed for social media glory. By afternoon, extend your journey to Koh Tachai (technically not part of the Similans but often included in tours for an extra $12-15). Here, currents can be stronger than a barista’s espresso, requiring moderate swimming skills and attentive snorkeling.

Beach picnics become both necessity and pleasure on the northern islands. Savvy travelers bring dry snacks from the mainland, saving $20-30 daily compared to buying provisions on the islands, where pricing follows the familiar “captive audience” model familiar to anyone who’s bought a hot dog at an American baseball stadium.

Day 4: Deep Exploration and Marine Marvels

Day four of your 5 day Similan Islands itinerary takes you to the archipelago’s eastern edge, where sites like Breakfast Bend and Elephant Head Rock cater to confident snorkelers. Here, reef sharks—completely harmless despite resembling sleek murder torpedoes—patrol coral formations with the casual indifference of mall security guards. Sea turtles navigate with ancient deliberation, and if visiting between January and March, manta rays might make an appearance, their wingspan creating moving shadows on the sandy bottom.

Water visibility exceeds 30 meters on clear days, making popular US snorkeling destinations like the Florida Keys (typically 3-10 meters) seem like peering through foggy glasses—conditions that make things to do in Similan Islands in November particularly spectacular as the visibility peaks. After a morning in the water, enjoy lunch at “West of Eden,” a secluded beach on Island #8 accessible only via a short jungle trek that involves exactly enough effort to make the destination feel earned.

Afternoon relaxation options include hammock rentals ($3-5) strategically positioned for maximum breeze capture, limited beach massage availability ($25-40/hour) that will ruin conventional massages for you forever, and opportunities to learn uniquely Thai beach games from friendly park rangers who take perhaps too much pleasure in defeating tourists.

Day 5: Final Flourishes and Farewell

The last day of your meticulously crafted 5 day Similan Islands itinerary begins with a pre-dawn hike to Viewpoint on Koh Similan (Island #8). This moderately challenging 30-minute ascent rewards early risers with panoramic vistas unmarred by crowds or selfie sticks. From this vantage, the islands reveal their geological relationship to one another, appearing like emerald stepping stones scattered across azure silk.

Squeeze in a final snorkeling session at Sharkfin Reef, where underwater photographers find subjects more cooperative than most wedding parties. Waterproof cameras or cases (available for rent at $40-80 daily) preserve memories of a subaquatic world that seems scientifically implausible in its beauty and diversity.

Check-out procedures typically enforce a 10am departure from accommodations, regardless of how politely you smile or how generously you tipped. Return boats offer a choice between direct routes and longer journeys that occasionally feature dolphin sightings—nature’s parting gift to conclude your aquatic odyssey.

Upon returning to the mainland, “reintegration into civilization” begins with recommended recovery stays in Khao Lak or Phuket ($60-200/night), perfect launching points for planning a trip to Phi Phi Islands as your next Thai island adventure. These first post-Similans showers feel like rediscovering a lost luxury, the hot water and reliable pressure more thrilling than seems reasonable for basic plumbing.