7 days in Khao Lak and Similan: park-season itinerary
Fly HKT in about 80 minutes, drive 70 to 90 minutes north on Highway 4, and budget about 500 THB for the foreign park fee on top of the boat. Phi Phi is a different pier.
Thap Lamu is the Similan door, and Khao Lak is the mainland sleep. Fly Bangkok to Phuket in about 80 minutes (domestic seats often 1,200 to 4,500 THB, the same band as KBV), then 70 to 90 minutes north on Highway 4. Sleep using Khao Lak where to stay.
Book Similan and Surin from Thap Lamu in Thai Mueang. Foreign park fees have sat in the 500 THB range; confirm on the e-ticket, because the boat fare is separate. One boat day is enough for most people; a liveaboard is a different trip. Keep Samui off this page. Dive notes sit on diving.
Day by day
1 Land HKT, drive north
70 to 90 minutes. No boat. Bang Niang hotel.
2 Beach reset
Learn the strip. Book tomorrow if you did not pre-buy.
3 Similan day one
Thap Lamu dawn. Budget about 500 THB for the foreign park fee on top of the boat.
4 Recovery day
Pool. No second dawn unless you are on a liveaboard.
5 Optional Surin or rest
Only if season and energy hold. Otherwise sand.
6 Quiet beach day
Confirm the HKT car.
7 Drive to HKT
70 to 90 minutes. Same-day long-haul after a boat is a bad idea.
Mainland base, park boats from Thap Lamu
Similan is not a year-round park. Outside 15 October to 15 May, use a Gulf dive week or a Khao Lak beach-only stay.
| Block | Sleep | Move |
|---|---|---|
| Nights 1 to 6 | Khao Lak | HKT car 70 to 90 minutes |
| Boats | Similan once or twice | 15 Oct to 15 May; Thap Lamu |
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Search flights Chiang Mai to HanoiCommon questions
- Similan dates?
- The usual window is 15 October to 15 May. Boats leave from Thap Lamu.
- Day trip or liveaboard?
- A day trip fits this week. A liveaboard replaces hotel nights and needs its own booking.
- Add Phi Phi?
- Not on seven days with Similan. That is a different pier and a long boat.