A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Similan Islands vs. Phuket for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Similan Islands or Phuket?

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 Phuket 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. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and food.

Phuket

Phuket is a stunning, activity-filled, and energetic resort island. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Similan Islands and Phuket: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Phuket?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Phuket than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Phuket is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Similan Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Also, Phuket is famous for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Phuket?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Similan Islands and Phuket 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 Phuket area. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Is Similan Islands or Phuket Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Phuket has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

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 Phuket Better for Resorts?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Phuket is a world class resort vacation destination. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

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

Similan Islands is an amazing island chain to visit for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

Phuket is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Is Similan Islands or Phuket Better for Beaches?

Both Similan Islands and Phuket are considered to be first-rate 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.

Phuket offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Is Similan Islands or Phuket Better for Hiking?

Similan Islands is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Similan Islands has hiking trails worth exploring. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Phuket?

Phuket is a resort island with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Phuket. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Phuket Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Phuket 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 Phuket. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Similan Islands or Phuket Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is an amazing island chain to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Phuket is a great island chain if you're traveling as a couple. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

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

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

Phuket has some public transit options. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

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 Phuket a more walkable city?

Similan Islands and Phuket 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.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable island chain. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Phuket or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Phuket?

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

Couples should spend more time in Similan Islands than Phuket. 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 Phuket 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 Phuket.

One day in Similan Islands or Phuket?

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 party-hard destination of Phuket offers nightlife and food. 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 Phuket?

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 resort island of Phuket offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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 Phuket?

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.

Phuket is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort island 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 Phuket?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic 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 activity-filled resort island of Phuket offers shopping 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok.

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

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 Phuket Expensive?.

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Phuket in the Summer?

Both Phuket and Similan Islands during the summer 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 Phuket year-round.

June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Phuket 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 around the same amount of rain in July as Phuket. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Phuket. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phuket receives 206 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Similan Islands or Phuket in the Autumn?

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

October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Phuket. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Phuket during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Phuket receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Similan Islands or Phuket in the Winter?

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

Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in January than Phuket. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Phuket. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phuket receives 287 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Similan Islands or Phuket in the Spring?

Both Phuket and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Phuket. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Phuket. 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 Phuket during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Phuket receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Phuket in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Phuket fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Phuket and Similan Islands