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

Should you visit Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands?

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 Yaeyama Islands 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 remote, spectacular, and idyllic island chain. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands is a idyllic, tropical, and pristine archipelago. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Similan Islands and Yaeyama Islands: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Yaeyama Islands. Although Similan Islands and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations, Yaeyama Islands has more sights and attractions for tourists. Yaeyama Islands is very popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Similan Islands attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling. Yaeyama Islands is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its jungle, tropical setting, and pristine beaches. It is also well known for Nishihama Beach. Similan Islands is famous for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Yaeyama Islands?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Yaeyama Islands is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Yaeyama Islands specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The islands are known for their beaches, snorkeling, and jungles, but don't expect much in the form of museums.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Similan Islands and Yaeyama Islands can be difficult as they are each nice 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 Yaeyama Islands area. There are many fruits and vegetables that are local to the region. Tropical fruits are common including pineapples, passionfruit, mango, shikuwasa, watermelon, papaya, and dragon fruit. You can try Yaeyama Soba (noodle soup) or any other local favorite at the restaurants in the area, most of which are usually concentrated around the villages on the island.

Is Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands Better for Nightlife?

Yaeyama Islands is a archipelago 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 Yaeyama Islands. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. You can sip a cocktail and enjoy the view from your resort's bar.

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 Yaeyama Islands Better for Resorts?

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

Yaeyama Islands is a world class resort vacation destination. There are luxury international resorts as well as smaller upscale hotels. Many resorts are found on the largest island, Ishigaki.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

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

Similan Islands is terrific for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for its diving and snorkeling.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Similan Islands. 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.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Yaeyama Islands. The islands offer great scuba diving and snorkeling with coral reefs and tropical fish as well as manta rays and pelagic fish.

Is Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands Better for Beaches?

Both Similan Islands and Yaeyama Islands 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.

Yaeyama Islands offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. This tropical paradise has white sand beaches and turquoise water. There are water sports, including snorkeling and diving, and the beaches on each island have their own atmosphere and vibe.

Is Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands Better for Hiking?

Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands. The islands offer relatively easy access to jungle hikes, which will quickly make you feel like you've been swept into a hidden paradise. There are waterfalls, wildlife, butterflies, and scenic spots to explore.

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 Yaeyama Islands Better for Families?

Yaeyama Islands 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, Yaeyama Islands is very family-friendly. This island setting has blue waters and water sports that the whole family can enjoy. There are also family-friendly resorts with kids clubs and nearby nature.

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 Yaeyama Islands Better for Couples?

Both Similan Islands and Yaeyama Islands 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.

Yaeyama Islands is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Beautiful blue water and fun water sports make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are nice resorts and fine dining opportunities that make this a great couple's retreat.

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

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Similan Islands and Yaeyama Islands.

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 Yaeyama Islands. There is very little in the form of public transit but you can get from the largest island, Ishigaki Island, to nearby islands by ferry.

Is Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands a more walkable city?

Similan Islands is a good destination for its walkability. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its high level of walkability.

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

Yaeyama Islands is generally not a very walkable island chain. Some of the islands are small enough to get around on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Yaeyama Islands or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands?

In either Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than Yaeyama Islands because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 3-5 days is enough time in Yaeyama Islands.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands.

One day in Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands?

The idyllic destination of Similan Islands offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

The serene destination of Yaeyama Islands offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches 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 Yaeyama Islands?

The island chain of Similan Islands offers scuba diving and snorkeling and food. 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.

The archipelago of Yaeyama Islands offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. 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 Yaeyama Islands?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This island chain offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Yaeyama Islands is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This archipelago 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 Yaeyama Islands?

The idyllic island chain of Similan Islands offers scuba diving and snorkeling and food. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Yaeyama Islands. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

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

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 Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.

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

Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Yaeyama Islands. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 28°C (82°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Yaeyama Islands. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yaeyama Islands receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Yaeyama Islands. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?

Both Yaeyama Islands 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, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands in the autumn. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Yaeyama Islands during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Yaeyama Islands receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Yaeyama Islands. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?

Both Yaeyama Islands 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the winter temperatures in Similan Islands in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Yaeyama Islands. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yaeyama Islands receives 97 hours of full sun.

Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Yaeyama Islands. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Yaeyama Islands. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Similan Islands is generally a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 29°C (83°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Yaeyama Islands during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Yaeyama Islands receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yaeyama Islands. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 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. Also, May to June is the rainy season in Yaeyama Islands.

Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Similan Islands