Similan Islands reopen for visitors on 15 October 2026
Published on 10/18/2026 at 05:08 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Visitors can now return to the Similan Islands (Mu Koh Similan) in Phang Nga after the reopening on 15 October 2026. The start of the 2026-27 tourism season followed the annual closure that protects the marine park during the monsoon period.
The archipelago is in the Andaman Sea off Thailand’s Phang Nga province. Its reopening restores access to one of the country’s best-known marine national parks during the travel period beginning in mid-October.
Similan Islands reopening began on 15 October 2026
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation set 15 October 2026 as the first day of the new visitor season. The park will close again on 15 May 2027 for its annual recovery period, according to the official announcement reported by the Bangkok Post.
The five-month pause ran from 15 May to 15 October 2026. It covers tourism access and gives the marine and natural environments time to recover before visitors return. The reopening is therefore both an access change for travellers and part of the park’s established conservation cycle.
What the reopening means for the Andaman park
The protected marine archipelago comprises 11 islands. The name Similan comes from the Yawi language and refers to nine, reflecting the original group that gave the islands their name.
The landscape includes islands such as Koh Miang and Koh Similan, while Koh Bon and Koh Tachai were later incorporated into the national park. The relationship between the 15 October reopening and this island structure is practical: access resumes to the park as a whole, but individual areas can still be subject to separate protection rules.
Most visitors approach from Phang Nga’s mainland rather than from the islands themselves. A report by Travel Daily Media identifies Thap Lamu Pier as the main departure point and describes the crossing as a speedboat journey of approximately 90 minutes.
Visiting Similan Islands: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The current season began on 15 October 2026 and is scheduled to continue until 15 May 2027.
- The reopening restores visitor access after the annual monsoon closure. Travel remains subject to park rules and conditions at sea.
- Boats commonly depart from Thap Lamu Pier in Phang Nga province. The Similan Islands lie offshore in the Andaman Sea.
- The park is a marine archipelago of 11 islands, with beaches, reefs and granite coastal formations. Visits involve boat travel and outdoor terrain.
- Thai is the official language of Thailand and the national currency is the Thai baht.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Similan Islands on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Similan Islands
When did the Similan Islands reopen?
The park reopened to visitors on 15 October 2026 for the 2026-27 tourism season.
Where are the Similan Islands and how do you get there?
The archipelago is in the Andaman Sea off Phang Nga province. Boat trips commonly leave from Thap Lamu Pier.
What are the Similan Islands?
They are a protected marine archipelago and national park comprising 11 islands off Thailand’s Phang Nga coast.
