Koh Similan

The Koh Similan island group, composed of nine uninhabited islands, attracts diving enthusiasts. Tour operators and diving schools offer excursions to these paradise-like islands, whose underwater world remains relatively intact. Those wishing to go there independently should travel 104 km (65 mi.) north of Phuket to Thap Lamu and take a ferry from there. Boats sail daily from Patong Beach on Phuket to Koh Similan (journey time about 8 hours by regular boat or in 31/2 hours as part of a tour operator's fast day trip). Some accommodation is available on the main island. Koh Similan was declared a national park some years ago but this has made no difference to the increase in tourism here, with all its negative side effects.