About this tour
When Ben from our team tried this speedboat run to the Similan Islands, it lived up to its name — the late morning departure meant no 4 a.m. alarm, and the whole day felt properly paced rather than rushed. You're collected from your Phuket hotel and taken to Sailing Rock on Island No. 8, then snorkel at Christmas Point near Koh Ba Ngu where ribbon eels and sharks show up. A beachfront lunch at Princess Bay breaks things up nicely, and a second snorkel round Islands No. 5 and No. 6 finishes the day off. It's pitched as family-friendly and couples-ready, and the 11–12 hour day (including transfers) is doable without burning out.
Highlights
- Sailing Rock's postcard-worthy sail shape and island views
- Christmas Point snorkel delivers ribbon eels and silver-tip sharks
- Beachfront lunch at Princess Bay beats eating on the boat
- Two separate snorkel sessions hit different reef zones
- Late morning start avoids pre-dawn scramble
- All snorkel kit and fins included; guide handles the brief
- Hotel pickup and drop-off saves navigating Phuket taxi chaos
- Small-group speedboat pace cuts out mega-tour crowds
What to expect
You'll be picked up from your hotel mid-morning — no need to set an alarm for 5 a.m. The boat ride to Island No. 8 takes time, but it's your chance to settle in and spot early marine life. Once at Sailing Rock, you'll get a real sense of why the Simlians draw snorkellers: the water's clear, the rock formations are genuinely dramatic, and the reef life is varied. Ben found Christmas Point crowded with other day-trippers, but the variety of fish and eels made it worth the bodies in the water. Lunch breaks up the day and lets you dry off properly. The second snorkel near Islands No. 5 and No. 6 feels fresher than the first, possibly because you're less tired and the reef life is genuinely different. Weather and sea state call the shots — if conditions shift, the crew will adapt or reschedule. The whole thing (including drive time) is solidly full day, but you're not racing through it.
What travellers say
- Late morning departure sidesteps gruelling pre-dawn pickup
- Snorkelling both sides of the island chain in one day
- All gear, meals, and transfers bundled; no hidden catches
- Guides trained in first aid and CPR for peace of mind
- Compact speedboat group avoids industrial mega-tour feel
- Park fees (THB 400 adult) land on top of tour price
- Not suitable for over-70s, pregnant, or health-compromised travellers
- Itinerary shifts without notice depending on sea and weather
- Christmas Point can get busy with other tour groups
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This tour suits families, couples, and solo travellers without needing serious diving certification. Kit's all sorted — fins, towel, snorkel gear — and the guide speaks English and Thai. You get travel accident insurance and all meals (fruit and lunch included). Late start is golden if you're over the 4 a.m. breakfast rush.
The national park doesn't open until mid-October, so May–October visitors need to pick a different trip. Guests over 70 aren't encouraged to book. The tour won't work if you're pregnant, have spinal injuries, or poor cardiovascular health. Infants under one are advised against it; kids 1–3 ride free but must sit on an adult's lap. National park entry fees (THB 400 adult, THB 200 child) are extra — not included. Alcohol is excluded, though soft drinks and water are on tap. Snorkelling means moderate water comfort is essential. The itinerary can shift without notice based on weather or sea state, so flexibility helps.
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.