A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aqaba vs. Similan Islands for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aqaba or Similan Islands?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Similan Islands, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Aqaba or Similan Islands?

Aqaba

Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Similan Islands, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Aqaba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Similan Islands is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Aqaba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aqaba and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands than you might in Aqaba.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Similan Islands Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Similan Islands?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Aqaba or Similan Islands in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Similan Islands. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year.

June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Similan Islands. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the summer, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Similan Islands. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Similan Islands receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's very hot in Aqaba this time of the year. Aqaba is a little warmer than Similan Islands in the summer. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Similan Islands fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Aqaba or Similan Islands in the Autumn?

Both Similan Islands and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Similan Islands. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Similan Islands during autumn. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Similan Islands receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Aqaba is around the same temperature as Similan Islands. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aqaba in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Similan Islands averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Aqaba or Similan Islands in the Winter?

Both Similan Islands and Aqaba during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.

Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Similan Islands. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the winter, Aqaba often gets less sunshine than Similan Islands. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Similan Islands receives 287 hours of full sun.

In January, Aqaba is generally much colder than Similan Islands. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 14°C (57°F), and Similan Islands fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Aqaba or Similan Islands in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Similan Islands. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Similan Islands. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Similan Islands during spring. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Similan Islands receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Aqaba is cooler than Similan Islands in the spring. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Similan Islands fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Typical Weather for Similan Islands and Aqaba