Phuket : Lazy Similan Islands by Catamaran with lunch

The best thing about this Similan Islands trip is the late 10:30 departure. You get a calmer start, hot drinks, and bakery at the private pier before heading out by speedboat or speed catamaran. Once there, you have time for white sand, clear water, snorkeling, and the famous Sailing Rock viewpoint.

I like the well-rounded day: you get two snorkeling stops, beach time, a proper lunch on Koh Miang, and useful extras such as equipment, park fees, insurance, and hotel transfers. I also like the generous food plan, which includes lunch, drinks, fruit, snacks, and a welcome-back spread with papaya salad, fried chicken, and ice cream.

The main consideration is crowding and pace. The islands can be busy in peak periods, and the schedule moves from one stop to the next without much spare time. This is a good choice if you want an organized island day, but not if you want to linger alone on an empty beach.

Key points at a glance

• 10:30 departure: A later start than many Similan excursions, with coffee, tea, and bakery at Tub-Lamu.
• Sailing Rock on Island No. 8: Swim, take photos, or climb to the viewpoint above the landmark rock.
• Two snorkeling sessions: Christmas Point or Namchai Bay comes first, followed by Islands No. 5 and 6.
• Lunch on Koh Miang: Eat on Island No. 4, then relax at Princess Bay.
• Food from start to finish: Snacks and drinks at the pier, three meals, fruit, and a post-trip snack spread.
• Busy but well organized: The tour has earned strong marks for organization, though peak periods can feel crowded.

A slower start at Tub-Lamu

You begin at the private pier in Tub-Lamu at about 10:00. The team checks you in, hands out snorkeling equipment, and offers hot drinks and bakery before departure. This small touch matters. You can use the time to settle your bag, find your equipment, and get ready without rushing straight from a hotel into a boat.

Hotel pickup is included, but the exact time depends on where you stay. Allow room for variation, since the pickup schedule is not identical for every location. A bag larger than 20 inches costs an extra 200 Baht per piece, so pack light if you can.

At about 10:30, the boat leaves for the Similan Islands. The transport is described as a speedboat or speed catamaran, so you should expect a fast open-water crossing rather than a slow sightseeing cruise. If you are prone to seasickness, this trip is specifically not recommended for you. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel, and keep anything sensitive to spray protected.

The later departure is the tour’s defining convenience. You do not have to face the very early start common to many island outings. The tradeoff is that the day still has a firm timetable, so a relaxed morning does not mean a slow, unstructured afternoon.

Island No. 8 and the shape of Sailing Rock

The first major stop is Island No. 8, also called Koh Similan. Here you visit Sailing Rock, the landmark that gives this part of the park its identity. The rock has a distinctive shape and a viewpoint at the top, giving you a chance to see the surrounding sea from above.

You can choose how to use this stop. Swim near the beach, take photographs, relax on the sand, or climb to the viewpoint. That choice gives the stop more appeal than a simple photo pause. You can stay on the beach if you prefer not to climb, or make the short viewpoint visit the focus of your time here.

The schedule allows you to enjoy the island, but it is not an unlimited beach day. The tour moves on at about 1:15. If you want photographs from Sailing Rock, take them early rather than waiting until the last few minutes. The site is one of the most recognizable parts of the trip, so it can draw plenty of people, especially in high season.

The beaches are a major reason to book this outing. The sand is described as soft and pristine, and the clear water makes the shore inviting even when you are not snorkeling. Still, you should set your expectations correctly. The Similan Islands are popular, and a beautiful beach does not guarantee solitude.

Christmas Point and the first look below the surface

From Island No. 8, the boat heads to Island No. 9, or Koh Ba Ngu. The first snorkeling session takes place at Christmas Point or Namchai Bay, an area known for coral reefs and colorful fish.

This stop gives the day its main underwater focus. You can expect clear water, coral formations, and plenty to look at close to the surface. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer using familiar gear.

A guide is present during the snorkeling activities, and all staff are trained in first aid and CPR. That does not remove the need to swim within your comfort level, but it is a useful safety feature when a boat group is spread across the water.

The wording of the schedule allows for either Christmas Point or Namchai Bay, so you should not assume that both will be visited. Weather and tide conditions control the program. This is important in the Similan Islands, where water conditions can affect both visibility and safe access to a site.

If you are not a strong swimmer, ask the crew for practical guidance before entering the water. The supplied information does not promise flotation devices or a dedicated shallow-water lesson, so judge the conditions for yourself. You can also treat the sandy beaches and viewpoints as equal parts of the experience rather than feeling obliged to spend every minute snorkeling.

Lunch and beach time on Koh Miang

At about 2:45, the boat reaches Island No. 4, Koh Miang. Lunch is served here, followed by time to relax at Princess Bay. This stop breaks up the day well. After the first snorkeling session and boat transfers, you get a meal on land rather than eating quickly aboard the boat.

The tour includes three meals, drinks, snacks, and fruit. The exact lunch menu is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish. The useful point is that food is covered throughout the day, reducing the need to carry a full supply of meals.

Princess Bay is the place to slow down. You can sit on the sand, swim, take photographs, or simply enjoy the setting. This is also a good stop for anyone in your group who is less interested in snorkeling. The trip is not built only around the water, and the beach time gives non-swimmers a proper reason to come along.

The schedule remains tight. Lunch begins around 2:45, and the next snorkeling session comes at 4:00. You have time to eat and relax, but you should not expect a long, lazy afternoon stretched across one beach. One useful habit is to have your camera, towel, and sunscreen ready before lunch so you do not spend the entire break sorting through your bag.

Islands No. 5 and 6 bring a second snorkeling session

The final water stop takes place around Islands No. 5 and 6. This second snorkeling session offers another look at coral, colorful fish, and the underwater setting around the Similan chain.

Two sessions are valuable because conditions can vary. If the first site is not ideal for your group, the second gives you another chance to see the reefs. It also means you are not asked to spend one very long stretch in the water. You can enjoy the first session, warm up on land, eat lunch, and then return for a shorter final outing.

At the same time, the day is full. The tour leaves the islands around 5:00, so you have roughly an hour before departure for the second water stop. Add the time needed to get in and out, listen to instructions, and return equipment, and the actual snorkeling time will be more limited than a dedicated snorkeling trip.

That is the right way to judge this excursion. You are buying a broad Similan Islands introduction, not a specialist reef expedition. You get beaches, viewpoints, boat rides, lunch, and two chances to see coral and fish. The variety is the strength, while the limited time at each place is the compromise.

The return to Tub-Lamu adds useful comforts

The boat reaches Tub-Lamu at about 6:20. The day does not simply end with a wet walk off the boat. The team welcomes you back with drinks, snacks, papaya salad, fried chicken, and ice cream before the transfer to your hotel.

This final spread is one of the more practical details of the trip. After a full day in the sun and water, you may be hungry, and the ride back is more pleasant when food is available at the pier. It also gives you a chance to dry off and collect yourself before the hotel transfer.

Round-trip hotel transport is included, along with the national park fee, snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, tea, coffee, snacks, fruit, and insurance. Staff are trained in first aid and CPR, and full travel accident insurance is included. These inclusions make the $151 price easier to assess. You are not paying only for the boat and island access. You are also covering transport, meals, equipment, park entry, and staff support.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange each part separately. If you already have transport to the pier, your own snorkeling gear, and a preference for buying food independently, the package may feel less essential. For most people seeking one organized day from Phuket, the broad set of inclusions makes the cost reasonable.

Crowds, organization, and the real pace of the day

The strongest praise for this experience centers on organization. The schedule has clear departure times, the equipment handoff is built into check-in, food is arranged at several points, and the staff guide the snorkeling stops. That structure helps on a boat day with several islands and changing water conditions.

The group can still feel large. One assessment specifically praised the organization despite a high number of people, while another called the trip well run but a little rushed and full-on. Those two points fit together. Good coordination keeps a large excursion moving, but it does not make the islands private.

Peak periods deserve special attention. The beaches and snorkeling sites can feel crowded, and the most scenic photo spots may have plenty of people around them. If you want quiet, visit outside the busiest period if your schedule allows, though the operator still controls the route according to weather and tide.

The English-language service is suitable for basic instructions and guiding. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a named private guide. The experience is organized as a group outing rather than a personal island charter.

Who will enjoy this Similan Islands day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see the main character of the Similan Islands without arranging boats, food, equipment, park fees, and transfers yourself. It works particularly well for a first visit, since you get a landmark viewpoint, two reef stops, a famous beach setting, and a full meal break.

You will also like it if a later start matters. Beginning at 10:30 is easier than many early-morning schedules, especially when you are staying in Phuket and do not want the day to begin before sunrise.

This is less suitable if you want long stretches of quiet beach time. The schedule is fixed, the group can be large, and the boat must move on to several stops. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, babies under one year, people over 70, or anyone with a medical or physical disability that makes the activity unsuitable. People prone to seasickness should choose another outing.

The tour is not recommended for seniors over 70, and the supplied guidance specifically rules out pregnant women and babies under one. These are firm planning points, not minor footnotes. If anyone in your group has a health concern, check suitability before booking.

What to pack for comfort

Keep your packing simple. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water, a camera, and snacks. The tour supplies food and drinks, but extra snacks can still be useful during the boat ride or between stops.

Avoid bringing a suitcase or large bag. Anything over 20 inches costs 200 Baht per piece, and a small soft bag is easier to manage on a boat and at the beach. Pack a dry layer if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear during the return journey, though this is a comfort suggestion rather than a stated tour requirement.

The operator provides snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring fins or a mask. Your camera is worth carrying, since Sailing Rock, Princess Bay, the beaches, and the clear water all provide strong photo opportunities. Use a waterproof case or other protection if your camera is not designed for water.

Should you book this catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a well-organized full-day introduction to the Similan Islands, with a later start, hotel transfers, two snorkeling sessions, lunch, beach time, park fees, and food at the end. The $151 cost is fair when you use those inclusions, especially if you value having the logistics handled for you.

Think twice if your priority is solitude, a private boat, or long uninterrupted snorkeling. Crowds can be noticeable, and the schedule is active even though the morning begins late.

For most visitors, this is a practical way to see the islands in one day. Go expecting beautiful beaches, clear water, colorful coral, and a busy shared excursion rather than an empty-island fantasy, and you are likely to find the trip worth the price.

FAQ

What time does the tour begin?

Check-in is at about 10:00am at the private pier in Tub-Lamu, with departure around 10:30am.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transfer between your hotel and the Tub-Lamu pier is included, though pickup times can vary by location.

What type of boat is used?

The tour travels by speedboat or speed catamaran.

Which islands are visited?

The schedule includes Island No. 8, also called Koh Similan, Island No. 9, also called Koh Ba Ngu, Koh Miang on Island No. 4, and Islands No. 5 and 6.

Where does snorkeling take place?

The first snorkeling session is at Christmas Point or Namchai Bay. The second takes place around Islands No. 5 and 6.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided at check-in.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on Koh Miang, and the package also includes drinks, snacks, fruit, and other meals during the day.

Is the national park fee included?

Yes. The national park fee is included in the tour price.

Can I bring a large suitcase?

Baggage over 20 inches costs an additional 200 Baht per piece.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The tour is not recommended for people prone to seasickness. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people over 70.