Island Tours from Khao Lak: Similans, Surin and Beyond

Khao Lak is a string of beach resorts on the Andaman coast of Phang Nga province, north of Phuket. It is quieter than Phuket, with long beaches, forested hills and a slower pace, and it is the closest base for the Similan Islands. Depending on traffic and where you start, it is usually around an hour by road from Phuket airport and around 2 hours from Phuket's southern beaches.

We are a Phuket based agency and our tours pick up from hotels in Phuket, so most of this guide is general information to help you plan. Where a Phuket base makes more sense for a trip, we say so.

Khao Lak at a Glance

• Where it is: on the mainland, north of the Sarasin Bridge that links Phuket to the rest of Thailand.
• Beaches: long, open beaches such as Nang Thong, Bang Niang and Khuk Khak, with calm water in the dry season and heavy surf in the monsoon.
• Seasons: the same pattern as Phuket. Roughly November to April is dry, with the calmest seas. Roughly May to October brings more rain and rough water on the open coast, and some businesses reduce their hours or close.
• The pier: Thap Lamu Pier, a short drive south of central Khao Lak, is the main departure point for the Similan Islands.

The Similan Islands

The Similans are the reason many people stay in Khao Lak. The islands are a protected national park with granite boulders, white sand and some of the clearest water in the Andaman Sea. The park is usually open from 15 October to 15 May and closed during the monsoon. The exact dates are set each year by the national park.

From Khao Lak, the drive to Thap Lamu Pier is short, so day trips start later and finish earlier than they do from Phuket, where guests face a long road transfer before the boat. The crossing to the islands is on open water and usually takes an hour or more each way by speedboat, and the sea can be lively early and late in the season. The park limits the number of visitors each day, so book ahead in the busiest months.

We do not currently sell a Similan trip. Our Similan Islands guide covers the islands in detail, and our guide to when the Similans open and close explains the season.

The Surin Islands

The Surin Islands lie further north, close to the sea border with Myanmar, and are reached from a pier near Kuraburi, usually around 1.5 to 2 hours by road north of Khao Lak. They are more remote and less visited than the Similans, with shallow reefs that suit snorkelers and a Moken (sea nomad) community on one of the islands. Like the Similans, the national park closes during the monsoon and is usually open from mid October to mid May. Check the official dates for your year.

A Surin trip from Khao Lak is a long day, and some visitors stay overnight in park accommodation instead. Our Similan vs Surin comparison helps you choose between the two.

Khao Sok National Park

Not an island trip, but one of the most popular days out from Khao Lak. Khao Sok is an area of old rainforest and limestone mountains inland from the coast, usually around 1 to 2 hours by road depending on where you go. Day trips often include a longtail boat on Cheow Lan Lake, a large reservoir surrounded by karst peaks, plus a jungle walk or a cave. Many visitors stay a night in a floating raft house on the lake. The park is open all year, but trails are muddy and leeches are common in the rainy season.

Phang Nga Bay from Khao Lak

Phang Nga Bay, with James Bond Island and its limestone towers, is also possible from Khao Lak. Tours usually drive to a pier on the Phang Nga side of the bay, around 1 to 1.5 hours away. The bay is sheltered, so trips run in both seasons. Read our Phang Nga Bay guide and James Bond Island guide to see what a day in the bay covers.

Around Khao Lak

• Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park: coastal forest with short trails, a small beach and sea views, right next to the resort area.
• Waterfalls: Ton Chong Fa and other falls in the hills are at their best in and just after the rainy season.
• Tsunami memorials: Police Boat 813, a patrol boat carried far inland by the 2004 tsunami, is now a memorial in Bang Niang, and there is a small tsunami museum nearby.
• Night markets: Bang Niang has a market on set evenings of the week, with street food and clothes.

Can You Join Our Phuket Tours from Khao Lak?

Our day tours include hotel transfer from standard pickup zones in Phuket, and Khao Lak is not one of them. Pickups in Phuket start from 07:30, and Phuket's piers are a long drive from Khao Lak, so it is not practical to join them from there.

Many travelers split their stay instead: a few nights in Khao Lak for the Similans and Khao Sok, then the rest in Phuket for Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and Racha. From a Phuket hotel you can join the Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island tour (3,100 THB per adult, national park fee included) or the James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay tour (3,500 THB per adult, park fee paid on the day), among others. Prices can vary by date, so check the tour page for yours. If you are not sure whether your Phuket hotel is in a pickup zone, contact us.

Planning Tips

• Stay in Khao Lak for the Similans if they are a priority. The shorter transfer makes a big difference on a long day.
• Visit between mid October and mid May for the island parks. Outside those months they are closed.
• Book ahead from December to March, when demand is highest and daily visitor numbers are limited.
• Keep a spare day in case a trip is moved for weather.
• Carry cash for park fees, which are often paid separately. Our national park fees guide explains how they work.
• Be careful in the sea from May to October. Khao Lak's open beaches can have strong surf and currents.

Frequently asked questions

Is Khao Lak a better base than Phuket for the Similan Islands?

Yes. Thap Lamu Pier is a short drive from Khao Lak, while from Phuket you add a long road transfer at each end of the day.

When are the Similan Islands open?

Usually from 15 October to 15 May. The park closes during the monsoon, and the exact dates are announced each year.

Can I visit Phi Phi from Khao Lak?

It is possible but makes for a very long day. It is easier to do Phi Phi while you are staying in Phuket.

Do you sell Similan or Surin tours?

Not currently. We sell day tours and private speedboat charters from Phuket. Our Similan Islands guide explains how to plan a visit.