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

Should you visit Similan Islands or Lombok?

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 Lombok 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. Many visitors also come to Similan Islands because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Lombok

Lombok is a peaceful, laid back, and cultural island. Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Lombok travel costs.

Similan Islands and Lombok: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Lombok?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lombok than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lombok is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. Also, Lombok is famous for Mount Rinjani. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Lombok?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lombok offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lombok 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.

Lombok has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

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 Lombok Better for Nightlife?

Lombok is a island 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 Lombok. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

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 Lombok Better for Resorts?

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

In Lombok, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Is Similan Islands or Lombok Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Both Similan Islands and Lombok offer fantastic scuba diving or snorkeling.

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.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Lombok. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Is Similan Islands or Lombok Better for Beaches?

Both Similan Islands and Lombok are considered to be fantastic 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.

Lombok offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Is Similan Islands or Lombok Better for Hiking?

Lombok 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 Lombok. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

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 Lombok?

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

Lombok is well-known for its shopping. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Lombok More Beautiful?

Similan Islands and Lombok are somewhat similar when it comes to the fantastic scenery.

Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. 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.

The famous beauty of Lombok is one of the main draws. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Is Similan Islands or Lombok Better for Families?

Lombok 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, Lombok is very family-friendly. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

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 Lombok Better for Couples?

Both Similan Islands and Lombok are fantastic 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.

Lombok is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

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

Lombok is an amazing island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lombok is extremely popular for backpackers. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available 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 Lombok Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

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 Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Is Similan Islands or Lombok a more walkable city?

Similan Islands is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

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

Should I spend more time in Lombok or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Lombok?

Similan Islands and Lombok both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lombok than Similan Islands because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 10-14 days is enough time in Lombok.

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

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

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

One day in Similan Islands or Lombok?

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 laid back destination of Lombok 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 Lombok?

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 island of Lombok 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 Lombok?

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.

Lombok is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it.

A week in Similan Islands or Lombok?

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.

The laid back island of Lombok 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. With so much to do, one week is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia.

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

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 Lombok Expensive?.

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

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 Similan Islands or Lombok in the Summer?

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

Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. May to September in Lombok is the dry season. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Lombok. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Lombok in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Lombok fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Lombok in the Autumn?

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

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Lombok. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Lombok. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Lombok. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Lombok averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Lombok in the Winter?

Both Lombok 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. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Lombok. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Lombok during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Lombok receives 188 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Lombok. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Lombok in the Spring?

Both Lombok 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round.

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. May to September is the dry season in Lombok. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Lombok. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Lombok receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Lombok in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Lombok fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Lombok and Similan Islands