The view from Sailboat Rock (also called Sail Rock or Donald Duck Rock) looks down over Ao Kuerk Bay (Donald Duck Bay) on Koh Similan. stylefoto24 / Shutterstock.comThailand’s Similan Islands will welcome visitors back on October 15, reopening one of the Andaman Sea’s most celebrated marine destinations after a five-month seasonal closure designed to protect its fragile ecosystem and improve safety during the monsoon.
Located off Phang Nga province in southern Thailand, Mu Koh Similan National Park is renowned for its turquoise waters, powder-white beaches, dramatic granite formations and coral reefs. The reopening marks the start of the 2026–27 tourism season, drawing renewed attention from international travellers, divers and tour operators planning trips along Thailand’s Andaman coast.
The annual closure, which ran from May 15 to October 15 this year, reflects the challenges of balancing tourism demand with environmental protection. Rough seas and heavy rainfall during the southwest monsoon can make boat crossings hazardous, while the quieter months give marine ecosystems time to recover. Authorities also used the closure period to maintain facilities and prepare the park for the new season.
A major draw for international visitors
The Similan Islands remain an important contributor to the regional tourism economy. According to Park chief Sirivat Suebsa, the national park welcomed more than 400,000 visitors during the 2025–26 season, generating over THB 215 million in tourism revenue, up from THB 197 million in 2025. More than 90% of visitors were international travellers.
These figures underline the islands’ appeal to overseas visitors and their wider significance for tourism businesses in Phang Nga and neighbouring Phuket. The new season also highlights the importance of managing visitor numbers and protecting the natural assets that underpin the destination’s appeal.
Planning a visit
Most visitors reach the islands by speedboat from Thap Lamu Pier in Phang Nga, with the crossing taking approximately 90 minutes. Day trips typically combine beach time, snorkelling and opportunities to explore the islands’ distinctive coastal landscapes. The area is also a popular destination for scuba diving, with operators offering excursions to sites around the archipelago.
Travellers should arrange their visit through authorised tour operators and check current park entry requirements before departure.
Thailand’s national park authorities introduced an electronic ticketing system for Similan visitors in October 2025, requiring both Thai and international visitors to register their details. International visitors should check the current booking process and ticket availability ahead of travel.
The reopening offers a fresh opportunity to experience one of Thailand’s best-known marine landscapes, but the destination’s long-term appeal depends on keeping tourism within the limits of its natural environment.
For the 2026–27 season, conservation and visitor management will remain as important as the clear waters and coral reefs that bring travellers to the Similan Islands in the first place.
