Khao Lak to Similan Islands Snorkeling Tour: Coral & Turtles

Mask on, fins on: snorkel over coral gardens where sea turtles swim

This snorkeling tour from Khao Lak takes you by speedboat to the Similan Islands, a National Park group off Phang-Nga province in the Andaman Sea, where you snorkel over coral and aquatic life, visit Sailing Rock for a panoramic view, and walk or swim at multiple island stops. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, Thai buffet lunch and fresh fruit included. Children from age 4 are welcome. Due to Similan Islands National Park policy, you'll need to provide your passport after booking so the operator can purchase your park entry ticket.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling and sightseeing at Similan Islands

• Enjoy free breakfast and hotel transfer
• Climb viewpoint at Sailing Rock
• Swim and snorkel at Similan Island
• Snorkel and swim at Bangu Island
• Snorkel and swim at another island
• Walk or snorkel and enjoy Thai buffet lunch

The experience

The boat leaves Thap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak and reaches the islands in about 90 minutes. You'll stop at the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery first, where you walk the island or snorkel and swim before a Thai buffet lunch. The underwater visibility here drops to 30 meters, which is why Skin Diver Magazine ranked the Similan Islands among the world's best snorkeling destinations. The corals are bright and the fish life is dense enough that dolphins sometimes pass through, and sea turtles surface near the reefs.

After lunch, the tour moves to Bangu Island (Koh 9) for another snorkel session, then Similan Island (Koh 8), where you can swim, snorkel again, or relax on the white sand beach. The day ends at Sailing Rock, a granite formation you climb to a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding islands. Mask, snorkel, fins and life-jacket are provided. Your guide speaks English and stays with the group throughout.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with fresh fruit and drinks during the day. The speedboat is the transport for all four stops, so you're not walking between islands. The national park fee (400 Thai baht per adult, 200 per child) is separate and collected when you present your passport for the park ticket.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, life-jacket).
• English-speaking guide.
• Thai buffet lunch and fresh fruit.
• round-trip speedboat transport.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• insurance.
• drinks throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to13h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Oh-Hoo

Is this one for you?Book this tour for a first morning in Khao Lak when you want to get straight into the water without arranging your own boat or gear: the pickup from your hotel, the guide who speaks English, and the snorkeling equipment already on board mean you show up and snorkel, with no planning between now and the pier.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How deep is the water where we snorkel in the Similan Islands?

Visibility in the Similan Islands reaches down to 30 meters, which is unusually clear for Southeast Asia and makes it possible to see the coral formations and fish life in detail.

Will we see sea turtles and dolphins on this tour?

Sea turtles and dolphins do appear in these waters, though sightings are not guaranteed. The tour description notes you can watch them if you're lucky, since they move freely through the area.

What's included in the snorkeling gear?

The tour provides mask, snorkel, fins and life-jacket for every participant, so you don't need to bring or rent your own equipment.

Is there a meal included, and what kind of food is it?

A Thai traditional buffet lunch is served on the boat after the morning snorkel stops, along with fresh fruit and drinks throughout the day.

How long does the boat ride take from Khao Lak to the Similan Islands?

The speedboat takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the islands from Thap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak.