Similan Islands Full-Day Tour From Phuket With Lunch (Sha Plus)

The Similan Islands Full-Day Tour from Phuket promises an unforgettable adventure for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. Boasting stunning snorkeling sites, pristine beaches, and a small-group setting, this SHA Plus-certified experience offers a chance to take in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Andaman Sea. With a knowledgeable guide, seamless hotel pickups, and comprehensive safety measures, the tour caters to all your needs, ensuring a hassle-free and memorable day. What makes this excursion truly special, however, is the opportunity to witness the vibrant marine life and untouched landscapes that have captivated travelers from around the world.

Key Points

• The Similan Islands Full-Day Tour from Phuket offers a small-group snorkeling experience in the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman Sea, with a stop for lunch on Koh Meang beach.

• The tour includes national park admission fees, hotel pickup and drop-off, snorkeling gear, and a professional English-speaking guide, with pricing starting from $158.20 per person.

• The tour complies with COVID-19 health and safety protocols, with at least 70% of employees fully vaccinated and enhanced safety measures in place.

• While the tour has received mixed reviews, with praise for the boat crew’s efforts and concerns about poor service from the operator, it offers an opportunity to explore the Similan Islands’ untouched beauty.

• The tour includes snorkeling at Koh Payu and Koh Bangu, as well as an optional hike to a viewpoint on Koh Similan, providing a diverse range of activities and experiences.

Tour Overview and Highlights

The Similan Islands Full-Day Tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore the stunning natural beauty of this archipelago located off the Andaman coast of Thailand.

The tour is ideal for snorkeling, with crystal-clear waters and rich marine life. It’s a small-group experience, with a maximum of 15 travelers for land transport and varying capacities for water transport.

Travelers can enjoy snorkeling at Koh Payu and Koh Bangu, a lunch on Koh Meang beach, and an optional hike to a viewpoint on Koh Similan.

The tour includes snorkeling gear, life jackets, and a professional English-speaking guide, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Inclusions and Pricing

The Similan Islands Full-Day Tour includes several key inclusions to enhance the overall experience.

The tour package covers the national park admission fees, ensuring access to the pristine islands. Guests will enjoy a complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off service within a 3 km radius of the Patong District, with an additional surcharge for pickups outside this area.

Lunch and fresh fruits are provided, along with basic accident insurance and drinking water. The price for this full-day tour starts from $158.20 per person, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

These inclusions aim to provide a seamless and enjoyable excursion to the Similan Islands.

Meeting and Pickup Details

Free door-to-door pickup is available from Patong Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach for this Similan Islands Full-Day Tour. Alternatively, you can meet the group at the Phuket Sandbox By Sun Leisure World location. The tour starts at 7:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

Meeting Point	Distance from Patong District	Pickup Time
Patong Beach	Within 3 km radius	Free
Kata Beach	Within 3 km radius	Free
Karon Beach	Within 3 km radius	Free
Phuket Sandbox By Sun Leisure World	Alternative meeting point	N/A

The tour duration is approximately 7 hours, although some reviews indicate the actual tour may last up to 13 hours.

Health and Safety Protocols

This Similan Islands Full-Day Tour is SHA Plus certified, indicating the operator’s compliance with strict Covid-19 health and safety protocols.

This certification ensures that at least 70% of the tour’s employees are fully vaccinated against the virus. Guests can rest assured that the tour operator has implemented various safety measures to protect their well-being, such as regular sanitization of high-touch areas, mandatory mask-wearing, and temperature checks.

Customer Feedback and Experience

Mixed reviews from previous customers paint a nuanced picture of the Similan Islands Full-Day Tour experience.

While some guests praised the boat crew’s efforts to enhance their experience, others voiced concerns about poor service from the tour operator, long travel times, and overcrowding on the boat.

The tour’s overall rating of 3.5 from 3 reviews reflects this mixed feedback. Customers noted the tour duration was 13 hours, longer than the advertised 7 hours.

Price comparison also indicated other operators offered similar trips at lower prices, suggesting value-for-money considerations.

Here are 4 key takeaways from customer feedback:

1. Subpar service from the tour company
2. Excessive travel time and boat overcrowding
3. Discrepancy between advertised and actual tour duration
4. Potential pricing concerns compared to competitors

Exploring Similan Islands

The Similan Islands, a breathtaking archipelago in the Andaman Sea, offer visitors a chance to enjoy a pristine underwater paradise.

These untouched islands boast vibrant coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life, making them a premier snorkeling destination. Guests can explore the crystal-clear waters, swim alongside schools of tropical fish, and discover hidden coves and beaches.

The option to hike to scenic viewpoints on Koh Similan provides a unique perspective of the stunning natural landscape.

With a small-group experience and a professional guide, travelers can fully enjoy the beauty and wonder of this remarkable island chain.

Snorkeling Opportunities

Snorkeling around the Similan Islands promises visitors an unparalleled underwater experience.

With its untouched coral formations and diverse marine life, the islands offer a captivating glimpse into the vibrant world beneath the waves.

The tour includes snorkeling at Koh Payu and Koh Bangu, allowing guests to enjoy this aquatic paradise.

Highlights of the snorkeling experience include:

1. Colorful coral gardens teeming with a kaleidoscope of tropical fish.
2. Chance encounters with graceful sea turtles gliding through the clear waters.
3. Opportunities to spot elusive reef sharks and rays in their natural habitats.
4. The awe-inspiring beauty of the Similan Islands’ hidden underwater landscapes.

Lunch and Activities

After the captivating snorkeling experience, the tour moves on to several other activities and highlights.

Guests will enjoy a leisurely lunch on the pristine Koh Meang beach.

The tour also includes an optional hike to a scenic viewpoint on Koh Similan, offering breathtaking panoramic vistas of the surrounding islands and turquoise waters.

Throughout the day, the small group size ensures a personalized experience, with a maximum of 15 travelers for land transport.

The package also provides snorkeling gear and life jackets, as well as a professional English-speaking guide to enhance the overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Local Weather Conditions During the Tour?

The local weather conditions during the tour typically include sunny skies, warm temperatures, and calm seas. Occasional rain showers may occur, but they’re generally brief and do not significantly disrupt the tour activities.

Is There a Minimum Number of Participants Required for the Tour?

The tour does not have a minimum number of participants required. It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 travelers for land transport, though the water transport capacity varies depending on the type of boat used.

Can I Bring My Own Snorkeling Equipment?

Participants can bring their own snorkeling equipment if they prefer. The tour provides snorkeling gear, but using one’s own equipment is allowed. This allows for a more personalized snorkeling experience.

Are Photos and Videos Allowed During the Tour?

Photos and videos are generally allowed during the tour, though participants should be mindful of not disrupting the experience or damaging the natural environment. Guests are advised to check with the tour guide for any specific restrictions.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

There is no explicit mention of an option to extend the tour duration. The details provided indicate the tour lasts approximately 13 hours, which is longer than the advertised 7 hours. Extending the tour may be possible but would likely require additional fees.

Recap

The Similan Islands Full-Day Tour from Phuket offers a chance to explore the stunning natural beauty and vibrant marine life of this island paradise. With snorkeling, a leisurely lunch on the beach, and a small-group experience, it’s an opportunity to take in the pristine environment while enjoying personalized attention from a professional guide. The tour’s inclusions and health safety measures ensure a memorable and safe adventure.