A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Similan Islands vs. Pattaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Pattaya?

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 Pattaya 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.

Where Should I go: Similan Islands or Pattaya?

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.

Pattaya

Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.

Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.

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

Both destinations experience a tropical climate with warm 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 Pattaya in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Pattaya. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.

Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Pattaya during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Pattaya receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the summer. The temperature in Similan Islands is usually 28°C (82°F) in July, and Pattaya stays around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Pattaya in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Pattaya. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Pattaya. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Pattaya. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Pattaya. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pattaya receives 206 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Similan Islands or Pattaya in the Winter?

Both Pattaya and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Pattaya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pattaya during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Pattaya receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Pattaya. Temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Pattaya stays around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Pattaya in the Spring?

Both Pattaya and Similan Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Pattaya. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Pattaya, 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 Pattaya. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pattaya receives 262 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Pattaya in the spring. The temperature in Similan Islands is usually 29°C (83°F) in April, and Pattaya stays around 30°C (86°F).

Typical Weather for Pattaya and Similan Islands