A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Gold Coast for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Similan Islands or Gold Coast?

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 Gold Coast 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 idyllic, remote, and spectacular island chain. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a glamourous, vibrant, and colorful coastline. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Similan Islands and Gold Coast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Gold Coast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gold Coast. Although Similan Islands and Gold Coast are both popular with visitors, Gold Coast has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gold Coast is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Similan Islands is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and impressive beauty. Gold Coast is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its colorful theme parks, thrilling water sports, and nearby rainforests. It is also home to the long sandy beaches. Similan Islands is popular for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Gold Coast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Gold Coast is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Gold Coast. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Gold Coast 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.

Gold Coast has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.

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 Gold Coast Better for Nightlife?

Gold Coast is an amazing coastline to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Gold Coast has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

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 Gold Coast Better for Resorts?

Gold Coast is an amazing coastline to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Gold Coast is a world class resort vacation destination. Resorts range from family-friendly to backpacker-focused with everything in between. There are many high rise resorts that have luxury pools and beachfront views.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Is Similan Islands or Gold Coast Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Similan Islands a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Gold Coast. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.

Is Similan Islands or Gold Coast Better for Beaches?

Both Similan Islands and Gold Coast are considered to be terrific 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.

Gold Coast offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

Is Similan Islands or Gold Coast Better for Hiking?

Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

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 Gold Coast?

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

Gold Coast is well-known for its shopping. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Gold Coast Better for Families?

Gold Coast is an amazing coastline to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Gold Coast is an extremely popular coastline to visit for families. It's filled with popular theme parks and other adrenaline-filled activities. There are surfing lessons, wildlife sanctuaries, ropes courses, and water sports. Kids of all ages will appreciate this fun-filled setting with its many family-friendly resorts and restaurants.

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 Gold Coast Better for Couples?

Both Similan Islands and Gold Coast are terrific destinations for a couple's getaway.

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.

Gold Coast is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples that energy high energy activities, water sports, theme parks, and parties that last into the morning, will love a stay at this vibrant coast. There's no shortage of great restaurants, entertaining shows, and fun activities that you can experience.

Is Similan Islands or Gold Coast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gold Coast is an amazing coastline to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Gold Coast is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this vibrant coastline. There are hostels and budget-friendly places to stay, and there's a huge nightlife scene. The many activities and long sandy beaches make this a well established stop on Australia's backpacker circuit.

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

Gold Coast is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Gold Coast can get you to some places easily. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

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 Gold Coast a more walkable city?

Similan Islands and Gold Coast are good 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.

Gold Coast is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are parts of the area that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Gold Coast or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Gold Coast?

Both Similan Islands and Gold Coast have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Gold Coast has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast.

One day in Similan Islands or Gold Coast?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the idyllic island chain of Similan Islands, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The glamourous destination of Gold Coast offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Gold Coast?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Similan Islands, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The coastline of Gold Coast offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Gold Coast?

Similan Islands, a popular island chain, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island chain. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Gold Coast is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This coastline 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 Gold Coast?

Similan Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island chain makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island chain has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The high energy coastline of Gold Coast offers museums and nightlife. 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 Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.

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

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 Gold Coast Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Gold Coast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Also, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Gold Coastin January. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Gold Coast. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Similan Islands is generally a little warmer than Gold Coastin April. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Gold Coastin April. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 214 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Gold Coastin April. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Gold Coast in the Winter?

Both Gold Coast and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Gold Coast during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Gold Coastin July. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Gold Coast in the Spring?

Both Gold Coast and Similan Islands during the spring 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, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year.

In the spring, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gold Coastin October. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 259 hours of full sun.

Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Gold Coastin October. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Similan Islands