A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Darwin for Beaches, Couples, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands or Darwin?

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 Darwin 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 here as well. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Darwin

Darwin is a multicultural, authentic, and local town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Similan Islands and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Darwin?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Darwin than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Darwin is better known for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Similan Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Darwin is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. Also, Darwin is famous for Mindil Beach. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Darwin 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 Darwin?

Darwin is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Darwin offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Similan Islands and Darwin can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Similan Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Darwin area. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Similan Islands or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Darwin is a town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

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 Darwin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Similan Islands specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is terrific for the beache. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Similan Islands are among the best in the world. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Similan Islands or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Similan Islands offers some nice hiking trails. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Darwin?

Darwin is a town with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Darwin. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Darwin Better for Families?

Darwin is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Darwin is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Similan Islands. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Darwin Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Similan Islands has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Darwin is a good island chain for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Similan Islands or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Darwin is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Darwin is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

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 Darwin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Darwin is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Darwin has some public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Public transit is generally 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.

Is Similan Islands or Darwin a more walkable city?

Similan Islands and Darwin 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.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Similan Islands and Darwin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than in Darwin. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 2-3 days is enough time in Darwin.

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

Couples should spend more time in Similan Islands than Darwin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Similan Islands that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Darwin 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 Darwin.

One day in Similan Islands or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Similan Islands. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The local destination of Darwin offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Darwin?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The town of Darwin offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Similan Islands. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Darwin is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the spectacular destination of Similan Islands. This island chain offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Darwin, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Darwin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Similan Islands is in Asia and Darwin 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 Darwin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darwin 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 Darwin.

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 Darwin Expensive?.

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

Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Darwin. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Darwinin January. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Darwin. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets less rain in July than Darwinin January. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin 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, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Darwin. Similan Islands usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin 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. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the spring for the beaches.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.

Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Darwinin October. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 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 Darwin and Similan Islands