A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Byron Bay for Beaches, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Byron Bay can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a spectacular, idyllic, and remote island chain. You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a Bohemian, relaxed, and mellow town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of Byron Bay is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Byron Bay travel costs.

Similan Islands and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Byron Bay than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Byron Bay is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, shopping, and small town charm, while Similan Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and impressive beauty. Byron Bay is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals. Also, Byron Bay is famous for Cape Byron Lighthouse. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Byron Bay and Similan Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Byron Bay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Byron Bay has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Byron Bay has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

In Byron Bay, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Byron Bay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Similan Islands is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Byron Bay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Both Similan Islands and Byron Bay are considered to be world-class beach destinations.

Similan Islands is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Byron Bay offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

Both Similan Islands and Byron Bay are destinations which offer notable hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Similan Islands. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Byron Bay offers some nice hiking trails. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Byron Bay is well-known for its shopping. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

With stunning beauty, Byron Bay attracts visitors from all around. It's pristine beaches and laid back style make it a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Byron Bay are notable to visit with kids.

Similan Islands is a family-friendly island chain. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Byron Bay. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Similan Islands is a great island chain for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Byron Bay makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Byron Bay. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Similan Islands and Byron Bay.

Public transit is mostly limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Public transit is generally limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Similan Islands or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

Similan Islands and Byron Bay are notable when it comes to walkability.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable place. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable island chain. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Byron Bay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

Both Similan Islands and Byron Bay have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Byron Bay has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Byron Bay than Similan Islands. In general, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 3-7 days is enough time in Byron Bay.

Families should spend more time in Byron Bay than Similan Islands. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Byron Bay, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Byron Bay than Similan Islands if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Byron Bay.

One day in Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the island chain of Similan Islands. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The Bohemian destination of Byron Bay offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the spectacular destination of Similan Islands. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island chain offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The town of Byron Bay offers shopping and nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the remote island chain of Similan Islands. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island chain makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island chain has to offer.

Byron Bay is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

Similan Islands is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Similan Islands, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The vegan-friendly town of Byron Bay offers food and shopping. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Byron Bay, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Byron Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Similan Islands is in Asia and Byron Bay is in Pacific, 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 Byron Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay.

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Byron Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Byron Bay. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

Similan Islands is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 20°C (69°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin April. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Similan Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Byron Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Byron Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Similan Islands is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in October.

Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin October. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Similan Islands