Similan Islands Early Bird Tour: First Boat of the Day (From Phuket or Khao Lak)
“Early Bird” is the name of this trip and it means exactly what it says: pickup at 04:00 and the first speedboat out of Namkhem pier at 07:00, which puts you on the sand of Koh Similan while the rest of the fleet is still loading. You climb to Sailing Rock without queuing for it, snorkel over coral and, with a little luck, sea turtles, walk the forest path between Honeymoon Bay and Princess Bay on Koh Miang, and eat a picnic in the shade of the trees. Your guide works in English. The park is open from mid-October to mid-May.
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Similan Islands Early Bird Tour: Getting There Before the Crowds
Reaching the Similans before everyone else changes the place completely. The beach that holds three hundred people at eleven in the morning is empty at eight, and that difference is worth an early alarm. It is the whole idea behind the Early Bird: the minivan collects you at 04:00, you are met at a private lounge at Namkhem pier, and the boat casts off at 07:00, ahead of the main departures.
The first stop is Koh Similan, island 8, where you can walk up to Sailing Rock and look out over the Andaman Sea with the archipelago almost to yourself. Snorkeling is straight off the boat, over coral and tropical fish, and sea turtles turn up often enough to be worth watching for. Later you land on Koh Miang, island 4, which holds two beaches - Honeymoon Bay and Princess Bay - joined by a fifteen-minute forest path well worth walking. The picnic is served in the shade at Honeymoon Bay, and a second snorkeling stop follows in the afternoon before the run home. The guide works in English alongside several other languages, and the park itself is open from mid-October to mid-May.
Destinations visited
General Information
| Tour Code | TFSA06 |
|---|---|
| Starting from | Khao Lak, Phuket |
| Duration | Full Day |
| Tour Type | Excursions |
| Tour Format | Group |
| Boat | Speedboat |
| Guide Language | Italian, English |
| Interests | Sea & Islands |
| Available Period | From 15 October to 15 May |
| Availability | Daily |
Sample Itinerary
Pickup at your hotel reception for the transfer to the private lounge at Namkhem pier. Welcome and technical briefing before departure.
An early start towards the Similan Islands aboard a comfortable speedboat, ahead of the crowds.
First stop on the main island, known for Sailing Rock. You can climb to the viewpoint for a wide view over the Andaman Sea, or simply walk the untouched beach.
A snorkeling stop straight off the boat over the clear Similan seabed, among coral, tropical fish and, with a little luck, sea turtles.
You land on the largest island in the archipelago. Time to enjoy Honeymoon Bay and Princess Bay, linked to each other by a fine forest path of about 15 minutes.
A picnic meal served in the shade of the trees at Honeymoon Bay, surrounded by nothing but the quiet of the park.
After eating, one more stop in the water around island 4 to carry on exploring the rich coral there.
At the end of the day, transfer back to your hotel.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.
Inclusions
What the Tour Includes
- Hotel transfers both ways (Khao Lak and Phuket)
- Light breakfast
- Lunch at the national park restaurant
- Soft drinks, water, fresh fruit and snacks
- Full snorkeling equipment
- Professional multilingual guide (TH / EN / IT / FR / DE / ES)
- National park entrance fee
- Government accident insurance
Not Included
- Beach towel
- Personal expenses and tips
- Any extra activities not listed above
Useful Tips
- Bring a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Wear comfortable shoes or sandals for walking on the rocks
- Carry some cash (Thai Baht) for extras
- Not suitable for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems
- Do not touch or collect coral and shells: the archipelago is a protected area
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether an excursion is right for me?
Every tour and activity is described in detail in your personalized itinerary. For each excursion you will find precise information on:
- Difficulty level: easy, moderate or demanding.
- Duration: from half a day to a full day.
- Requirements: minimum level of fitness, recommended age and accessibility.
Please also bear in mind that sea excursions by speedboat are usually not suitable for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems. Travelers with disabilities should be accompanied by someone who can assist them when needed. If you have any doubts or specific requirements, your Travel Consultant is always at your disposal for personalized advice.
What happens in case of bad weather?
Safety is our priority. If weather conditions make an activity dangerous or inadvisable, the excursion will be:
- Rescheduled: we will try to move the activity to another day of your trip.
- Replaced: if rescheduling is not possible, we will offer an alternative activity of equal value.
- Refunded: if neither rescheduling nor replacement is possible, you will receive a full refund for the excursion you were unable to take.
Please remember that rain during the wet season rarely spoils an entire day. You will always be informed in advance of any changes.
What are the pick-up times?
All meeting and pick-up details are clearly stated in your final travel documents (which you receive about 3 weeks before departure).
- Time: we will let you know the exact pick-up time. Please be ready at the agreed place at least 15 minutes beforehand.
- Pick-up point: in most cases the pick-up takes place directly in the lobby of your accommodation (if it lies within the areas covered by the service). If it does not, we will tell you the nearest meeting point.
What should I bring with me on the excursions?
For every excursion we provide a list of recommended items. In general, we always suggest:
- Suitable clothing: for example, long pants and no low-cut tops when visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok, light and breathable clothes for hot areas, a swimsuit, or comfortable shoes for light trekking.
- Protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Hydration: water, especially on hot days.
- Vouchers and documents: where required, a copy (digital or printed) of your booking voucher.
Are meals or drinks included during the tours?
It depends on the excursion. The description of each tour in your itinerary clearly states whether the following are included:
- Lunch, dinner or snacks.
- Water or other drinks.
If you have any food allergies or intolerances, please let us know when you book, so that we can inform our local partners in advance.
Can I cancel or change a single excursion?
Yes, but specific terms apply. Cancellation and amendment conditions vary from one activity to another.
You will find the exact details for each excursion in the Terms and Conditions attached to your quotation. If you need to make a change or a cancellation, please write to us at info@thailandfantastic.com as soon as possible.
Are young children and infants allowed?
It depends on the activity. Some excursions, especially those by boat or those requiring physical effort, may have age or height restrictions for safety reasons. Any such restriction is stated in the tour description.
Please always tell us the exact age of every participant, children in particular, when you request a quotation.
