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

Should you visit Eilat or Similan Islands?

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

Should I visit Eilat or Similan Islands? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Eilat or Similan Islands?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, 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 Eilat and Similan Islands, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Eilat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat 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 Eilat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Eilat 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 Eilat.

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

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Eilat or Similan Islands in the Summer?

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

The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. In July, Eilat usually receives less rain than Similan Islands. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Similan Islands during summer. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Similan Islands receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Eilat can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Eilat is generally a little warmer than Similan Islands. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 33°C (91°F), and Similan Islands fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Similan Islands in the Autumn?

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

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eilat usually gets less rain in October than Similan Islands. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the autumn, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Similan Islands. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Similan Islands receives 181 hours of full sun.

Eilat is around the same temperature as Similan Islands in the autumn. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Similan Islands fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Similan Islands in the Winter?

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

In January, Eilat usually receives less rain than Similan Islands. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives less sunshine than Similan Islands during winter. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Similan Islands receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Eilat is much colder than Similan Islands. Typically, the winter temperatures in Eilat in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Similan Islands averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Similan Islands in the Spring?

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

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. Eilat usually gets less rain in April than Similan Islands. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 157 mm (6.2 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 Eilat this time of the year. In the spring, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Similan Islands. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Similan Islands receives 249 hours of full sun.

In April, Eilat is generally cooler than Similan Islands. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 24°C (75°F), and Similan Islands fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Typical Weather for Similan Islands and Eilat