Phuket: Similan Islands Day Tour by Speedboat with Lunch

Similan Islands are the kind of blue you remember. This 11-hour Phuket day tour sends you by speedboat to the Similan Islands, with snorkeling stops and the classic Sailing Rock.

I love the snorkeling plan, first at Island No.5 and No.6 where you get coral and schools of fish up close fast. I also love that lunch happens at Princess Bay on Koh Miang, so you eat on a real beach break, not a rushed roadside setup.

The big catch is that the day can feel crowded, with a boat that some people found tight and service that can vary, including one account where a guide named Fai used a loud megaphone. If you hate noise and crowds, this might not be your best match.

Quick takeaways before you go

• Snorkel at Island No.5, No.6, then Koh Ba Ngu for Christmas Point or Namchai Bay
• Lunch at Koh Miang (Island No.4) at Princess Bay, with a proper beach-time vibe
• Sailing Rock on Koh Similan (Island No.8) for swimming, photos, and a climb to the viewpoint
• Snorkeling gear is included: mask, snorkel, fins, plus a life-jacket
• Budget for national park fees on the day: 500 THB adult, 300 THB child

Getting from Phuket to the Private Pier in Phang Nga Province

Your day starts with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned van. You head over to Phang Nga Province for a private pier, where you check in with a receptionist and get access to comfortable facilities.

Before the speedboat, there’s a light breakfast right at the pier, usually porridge plus coffee, tea, juice drinks, and bread. It’s a simple start, but it helps because the rest of the day moves quickly and you won’t want to be hungry between islands.

One practical note: the company provides a pick-up time by area, usually by email. You’ll want to be in the hotel lobby early, at least 10 minutes ahead. If you’re more than 10 minutes late after the appointment time, the van can move on to the next point, and you would need to get to the pier on your own cost.

The speedboat ride: fast, fun, and not always roomy

Once you meet your group guide and staff, you depart to the Similan Islands by speedboat. The whole schedule is designed around day-light snorkeling, so expect a full-on pace with little downtime.

This is also where comfort can vary. In one account, the boat was described as crammed with people, which can make it harder to relax during the ride and can also limit how quickly you settle into snorkeling gear once you arrive.

If you are sensitive to sound, keep it in mind. One guest specifically mentioned a megaphone on board and said it was hard to tolerate. If noise is your weakness, consider bringing your own ear protection.

Island No.5 and No.6 snorkeling: your first real payoff

Your first snorkeling stops are Island No.5 and Island No.6. This is where you typically get your best first glimpse of what the Andaman Sea is offering that day.

You’ll focus on the underwater world: fish variety, colorful corals, and clear water conditions when the weather and tide cooperate. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, including mask, snorkel, fins, and a life-jacket, so you don’t have to buy or rent gear separately.

This part of the day matters because it sets expectations. If the water is calm and visibility is good, snorkeling at these first islands can feel like the trip’s highlight before you even reach the beach segment.

Koh Miang (Island No.4) and Princess Bay lunch on the beach

Next you travel to Island No.4, also known as Koh Miang, and you get time at Princess Bay. The tone shifts from water time to beach time, which is exactly what a long day needs.

Lunch is served here, and the setting is the point. You’re not just eating between activities, you’re actually pausing on the sand and taking in the views.

The meal itself is described as a lunch included in the tour, and later on you’ll also get more food during the return. One nice advantage of this setup is pacing. Even if the sea is busy, you get a calmer stretch to reset your body, reapply sunscreen, and switch from snorkeling mode to “walk around and relax” mode.

Koh Ba Ngu (Island No.9): Christmas Point and Namchai Bay

After lunch, you head to Island No.9, Koh Ba Ngu. From there, the snorkeling focus is Christmas Point or Namchai Bay, described as a highlight area for coral reefs and colorful fish.

This stop is the reason you book a day tour instead of doing a simple ferry hop. You’re getting multiple snorkeling zones rather than a single location, and that increases the odds you’ll see something interesting even if one spot isn’t perfect.

Just be aware the day is timed. You won’t have unlimited minutes on each beach or each snorkeling zone, so it helps to be ready to move promptly when the guide signals it.

Sailing Rock on Koh Similan (Island No.8): photos, a swim, and a viewpoint climb

The classic landmark moment comes at Island No.8, Koh Similan, at Sailing Rock. This is where you get a break from snorkeling and switch to a more scenic, relaxed visit.

You can relax and take photos, and you can swim in the clear water as part of this segment. There’s also a viewpoint, reached by climbing up to the top of the rock, which makes for a great contrast to the underwater parts of the day.

This is also one of the easiest segments to enjoy even if snorkeling isn’t your thing. You still get water time and a memorable photo stop.

Food and snacks: what you actually get during the day

The tour isn’t just snorkeling and sprinting between islands. You also get food at the pier before departure, plus additional bites later.

At the pier, breakfast is light, with porridge and coffee, tea, and juice drinks, plus bread. After you return, you’re welcomed back with drinks and snacks, plus papaya salad, fried chicken, and ice cream.

From a value standpoint, that matters. If you’ve ever paid for an island trip and then found yourself buying meal after meal, you know how quickly costs add up. Here, at least the core food moments are included, which helps justify the all-in day rate.

Price and park fees: what $112 does and does not cover

The listed price is $112 per person for an 11-hour day tour. That number covers hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, light breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, drinks and snacks, and insurance.

But one cost you should not ignore is the national park entrance fee. It’s not included, and it’s payable directly on the day: 500 THB per adult and 300 THB per child.

If you’re trying to judge value fairly, add that fee to the total. Even then, you’re still paying for logistics: van transfers from Phuket, speedboat transport, guided snorkeling, and equipment. When you factor that in, the tour can still feel like a good deal, especially if you want both snorkeling and beach time in a single day.

A separate practical issue shows up in one account: the park fee felt like a surprise because it wasn’t clearly communicated ahead of time. So I’d plan to have cash ready on the day.

Guides and organization: the good, the bad, and what you can do

Most of the experience comes down to two things: how the tour is run and how your guide manages the group.

On the positive side, there are mentions of guides being kind, and one name that comes up clearly is Olivia. That’s reassuring, because a good guide helps keep snorkeling safer and makes the day feel smoother.

On the negative side, there’s at least one strongly critical account describing poor organization, hard-to-understand English, stress, and rude behavior, plus a noisy megaphone. Another set of issues included late pickup, a group arriving late and delaying the boat, and a boat filled nearly to the brim.

You can’t control how your group is managed, but you can control your side of the equation:

• Be early for pickup and follow the exact instructions from the email with your pick-up time.
• Keep your day simple. Bring what you need and avoid carrying valuables you don’t want to risk.
• If you prefer quiet, treat noise as a possibility rather than a certainty.

Who should book this Similan Islands speedboat day tour

This tour is a strong fit if you want a fast-hit day with snorkeling plus beach time. The itinerary includes multiple snorkeling spots (Island No.5, No.6, then Christmas Point or Namchai Bay), a beach lunch at Koh Miang, and a scenic stop at Sailing Rock.

It’s also a better match if you like guided pacing. The guide and staff manage the timing, and snorkeling gear is included, which makes it easier to show up and go.

It is not suitable for pregnant women and people over 65, based on the activity rules. Also note that the trip is subject to change based on tide and weather conditions, so you should expect the route or timing to shift if sea conditions demand it.

Should you book it? My practical take

Book this tour if your top priority is seeing the underwater world of the Similan Islands in one day, with gear and lunch handled for you. It’s also worth it if you want a classic stop like Sailing Rock without organizing boats and snorkeling stops yourself.

Skip it or choose a different style of tour if you know you hate crowding and tight boats, or if you rely heavily on clear communication and calm instructions. Based on real feedback patterns, this is the main risk: the destination is stunning, but the day can feel rushed or noisy depending on the exact group and guide.

If you do book, go in prepared. Budget for the national park entrance fee, arrive early for pickup, and pack the basics listed for the tour: swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and a camera. It’s an 11-hour day, so think of it as one long, well-fed day of snorkeling and sightseeing, not a slow, private beach escape.

FAQ

How long is the Phuket Similan Islands day tour?

The duration is 11 hours.

What meals are included during the tour?

You get a light breakfast at the pier (porridge, coffee, tea, juice drinks, and bread) and lunch on Island No.4 (Koh Miang). On the return, there are drinks and snacks, plus papaya salad, fried chicken, and ice cream.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. You receive snorkeling equipment including a mask, snorkel, fins, and a life-jacket.

Which islands and snorkeling spots are part of the itinerary?

You snorkel at Island No.5 and Island No.6 first. Later you go to Island No.9 (Koh Ba Ngu) to snorkel at Christmas Point or Namchai Bay.

Is lunch included, and where is it served?

Lunch is included and served on Island No.4 (Koh Miang), during the Princess Bay stop.

Are the national park fees included?

No. National park fees are not included and are payable directly on the day, at 500 THB per adult and 300 THB per child.

What happens if my pickup is late?

Hotel pickup is included, and you’re asked to wait in the lobby at least 10 minutes before the advised appointment time. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late after the appointment time, the van may move to the next point and you would need to make your own way to the pier at your own cost.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 65. The trip is also subject to change depending on tide and weather conditions.