About this tour
When Em from our team tried this 2-day liveaboard with MV Koon, we found a solid mid-range way to hit the Similan Islands' best snorkeling without the day-trip rush. You board in Phuket, sleep aboard ship, and wake up already at Islands 4–9, hitting reefs around Koh Payu and Christmas Point with a guide. The boat's comfortable enough—proper cabins, meals included, sunset dinner on deck. It's built for snorkelers of mixed ability, couples through to families, though weather can shuffle the itinerary and the national park closes May to October.
Highlights
- Sleep aboard between snorkel sites—no commute fatigue at dawn
- Christmas Point and Nam Chai Bay deliver dense coral and fish schools
- Sunset dinner on deck, actual views of where you're moored
- Hotel transfers from Phuket included; no faffing with logistics
- Professional English-speaking guide and dive leader on every outing
- All meals, snorkel kit, and drinking water covered in the rate
- Island No.8 sunrise hike rewards early risers with panoramic views
What to expect
Day one is load-in and early afternoon snorkel while the sun's high. You'll motor out from Phuket (pickup included), board MV Koon, eat lunch, then get in the water at one of the main islands—Koh Payu or Island No.5. Expect 30–45 minutes in the water, clear visibility if conditions cooperate, and a mix of soft coral gardens and small reef fish. Dinner is on the boat at sunset; cabins are modest but clean, and you'll sleep in a gentle rock. Day two starts with breakfast, then an optional hike up Sailing Rock on Island No.8 (worth it for the vista), followed by more snorkeling at Christmas Point or Nam Chai Bay—usually the day's best marine action. You'll be back in Phuket by late afternoon. The whole rhythm feels less frantic than a day tour; you're not packed onto a speed boat with 40 strangers at 6 a.m.
What travellers say
- Overnight saves you dawn airport run from Phuket
- Meals, insurance, and snorkel gear all bundled in
- Compact group—fewer swimmers per spot than day tours
- English and Thai guides; clear communication on safety
- Island No.8 hike and sunset dinner add character
- National Park fees and single-cabin upgrades add on cost
- Weather or sea state can reshape the itinerary entirely
- Not suitable for those with mobility or heart concerns
- Winter-only window; park closed May to October
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you want proper reef time without a pre-dawn pickup, this beats a day tour. The included meals and kit save you pocket money, and you dodge the Phuket traffic both ways. The boat has AC and flush toilets. Guides actually know their spots and speak English. Insurance up to 1 million baht is thrown in.
National Park entry (around 400 baht per adult) isn't included—add that to your budget. Single-cabin surcharge is steep (1,500 baht per night). Weather can shuffle the itinerary or cancel the whole thing; the park closes May–October, so winter only. Pregnant travellers, those with spinal or heart issues, and anyone over 75 should skip it. Poor swimmers will find the reef easy enough, but the boat motion affects some people overnight. Disabled access isn't available. Kids 4–11 get discounts; under 1 year not advised. Bring seasickness tablets if you're prone.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.