A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Shiretoko National Park for Hiking, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park?

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 Shiretoko National Park 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a national park remote,natural,scenic,pristine. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking.

Similan Islands and Shiretoko National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Similan Islands. Although Similan Islands and Shiretoko National Park are both popular with visitors, Similan Islands has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Similan Islands is more popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Shiretoko National Park is known for its museums and hiking. Shiretoko National Park is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its pristine ecosystems, diverse wildlife, and rugged coastline. Similan Islands is popular for its world class diving and remote setting. It is also home to the undersea world.

How is Similan Islands different from Shiretoko National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park?

Shiretoko National Park is not a good area for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Shiretoko National Park. This is a beautiful and pristine park, but there are limited amenities and museums in the area. You can hit up the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center for information on the region.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Similan Islands is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its restaurants.

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.

While Shiretoko National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are a couple of restaurants on the edge of the park, but if you're planning to do any hiking, it's best to bring your own food.

Is Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park Better for Nightlife?

Similan Islands is not a good place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

People don't go to Similan Islands for the nightlife. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Shiretoko National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Shiretoko National Park 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.

Shiretoko National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a beach destination.

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.

Shiretoko National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park Better for Hiking?

Shiretoko National Park is an amazing remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Shiretoko National Park visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The park is pristine with striking and varied landscapes as well as diverse wildlife. Hiking is the best way to experience the area, and the scenic views, and world class hiking trails are among the best.

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

Is Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Shiretoko National Park are good 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 Shiretoko National Park. Kids who enjoy an outdoor adventure will appreciate a visit to this park. There are wildlife viewing opportunities as well as mult-day hiking trails. Some parts of the park are challenging to access, so younger kids may be limited in what they can do.

Is Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for romance.

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.

Shiretoko National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy nature, wildlife, and pristine hiking trails will enjoy a visit to this remote and natural park. There are many great hikes as well as scenic spots that you can explore.

Is Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Shiretoko National Park is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Shiretoko National Park. Multi-day treks are a great way to explore the park and see the parts that are less popular with tourists.

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 Shiretoko National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Similan Islands is a moderate island chain for its public transit. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Shiretoko National Park. While there are buses that travel from Utoro to the east coast, they are infrequent. Your best options for visiting the park are having a private vehicle or joining a tour. Many parts of the park are only accessible by hiking or by boat.

Is Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park a more walkable city?

Similan Islands and Shiretoko National Park 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.

Shiretoko National Park is a somewhat walkable island chain. It's a vast park with many hiking and cycling trails.

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

Should I spend more time in Shiretoko National Park or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Similan Islands due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 3-4 days is enough time in Shiretoko National Park.

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

Couples should spend more time in Similan Islands than Shiretoko National Park. 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 Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park.

One day in Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the spectacular island chain of Similan Islands. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The national park destination of Shiretoko National Park offers . Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Shiretoko National Park?

Similan Islands is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The remote,natural,scenic,pristine of Shiretoko National Park offers . 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 Shiretoko National Park?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Shiretoko National Park is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. This remote,natural,scenic,pristine offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Similan Islands. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Most people come for the beaches. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people enjoy the when visiting Shiretoko National Park. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

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 Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park?

Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Similan Islands is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 18°C (64°F).

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 Shiretoko National Park. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Shiretoko National Park. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?

Both Shiretoko National Park 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 natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

In October, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?

Both Shiretoko National Park 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shiretoko National Park. Similan Islands is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 108 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Shiretoko National Park. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Shiretoko National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.

Shiretoko National Park can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Similan Islands is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 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 Shiretoko National Park. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 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 Shiretoko National Park and Similan Islands