Oh Hoo Similan Snorkeling Trip: 12-Hour Speedboat Day From Phuket
Quick answer
The Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling trip costs from $91 (about 3,040 THB) for 12 hours, with pickup at 5:30 to 7:30 AM and the park fee included.
It runs only while the national park is open, 15 October to 15 May, and is rated 4.5/5 from 1,806+ reviews on GetYourGuide.
The Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling trip is a full-day speedboat outing from Phuket to the Similan Islands, with four island stops, a Thai buffet lunch and snorkel gear, from $91 per person.
The detail that changes the decision is the season. The Department of National Parks closed the Similan and Surin islands from 16 May to 15 October 2026, so this trip is only possible for part of the year; today, 17 October 2026, is day three of the new season. Book for November to April if you can, because the sea is calmer then.
For shorter and cheaper days, the Phuket snorkelling tours guide compares the options, and the Phuket boat tours page covers every boat type.
| Operator | Oh Hoo (listed as Oh-Hoo on GetYourGuide); the itinerary names the pier operator as Fantastic Similan Travel |
|---|---|
| Boat | Speedboat, about 1 hour each way from the pier to the islands; capacity not stated |
| Price | From $91 per person (about 3,040 THB at the 2026-10-16 rate) |
| Duration | 12 hours; the itinerary adds up to 10 hours 50 minutes, or 11 hours 20 with the optional stops |
| Pickup | Approximately 5:30 to 7:30 AM; the exact time is confirmed after booking |
| Meeting point | Without the transfer, the listing says to go to Aopor Pier in Phuket |
| Route | Pier, snorkel stop, Miang Island (No. 4), Ko Bangu, Similan Island, optional Sailboat Rock and Donald Duck Bay |
| Food and drink | Thai buffet lunch, fruit and drinks, a hot drink and baked goods on arrival |
| Park fee | Included: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child, listing figures |
| Languages | English, Thai |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before for a full refund |
| Rating | 4.5/5 from 1,806+ reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling speedboat trip?
It is a long day trip to a protected island group, where most of the 12 hours go to getting there and the rest to four swimming and snorkel stops.
The description names Island No. 4 (Koh Miang) with Princess Bay for lunch, Island No. 7 (Koh Payu) for coral, Island No. 9 (Koh Ba Ngu) with Christmas Point and Namchai Bay, and Island No. 8 (Koh Similan) with Sailing Rock. The itinerary table lists a different order and an unnamed first snorkel stop given only as a map code, so the stop sequence can vary.
On the Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling day, snorkel gear, a life jacket and insurance are provided. A reviewer who brought a one-year-old called it a good fit, though another warns that high waves in May made the boat ride rough for anyone prone to seasickness.
Is the Similan Islands national park open right now?
Yes: the park season runs from 15 October to 15 May, and the 2026 closure ended on 15 October.
The park portal gives the season as 15 October to 15 May, adds that the park closes in the southwest monsoon and may close earlier in poor weather, and lists visiting hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Thairath reported the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation closure for 16 May to 15 October 2026.
- Open now: 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027, as the portal states.
- Closed: 16 May to 15 October each year; early closure is possible.
- Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so the speedboat leaves the mainland early.
- 2027 dates: not yet announced; I will recheck them before May 2027.
Where does the trip start and how do you get there?
With the transfer option a van collects you between 5:30 and 7:30 AM and drives about 1.5 hours to the pier.
- Pickup: a van from your hotel, approximately 5:30 to 7:30 AM; the exact time follows after booking.
- Self-arrival: the listing says guests without a transfer go to the meeting point at Aopor Pier, Phuket, yet the itinerary starts at the operator's own pier after a 1.5-hour drive. Ask which pier applies to your option.
- Check-in: bring a copy of your passport or ID card (a phone photo is accepted).
- Return: another 1.5-hour van ride after a 30-minute stop at the pier.
Phuket has no metro to measure walking time from, so the van replaces it.
What is the route, stop by stop?
Island time totals about 4 hours 50 minutes (5 hours 20 with the optional stops), and Miang Island takes the longest block because of lunch.
| Leg | Time | What happens | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van from hotel | 90 min | Drive to the pier | — |
| Pier | 30 min | Safety briefing, hot drink, gear | — |
| Speedboat | 60 min | Crossing to the islands | — |
| First snorkel stop | 40 min | Guided snorkel (named only by a map code) | — |
| Miang Island (No. 4) | 120 min | Lunch, walk, swim | Ko Miang |
| Ko Bangu | 40 min | Swim and snorkel | Ko Bangu |
| Similan Island | 90 min | Walk, swim, viewpoint | Ko Similan |
| Sailboat Rock (optional) | 15 min | Photo walk | Sail Rock |
| Donald Duck Bay (optional) | 15 min | Free time | Donald Duck Bay |
| Speedboat, pier, van | 60 + 30 + 90 min | Return to Phuket | — |
The sums come to 650 minutes without the optional stops, 680 with them, against 720 minutes in the header. The remaining 40 to 70 minutes is the margin for traffic and boarding. Ask the guide which island order the Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling day will follow, because that depends on the sea.
What does the Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling trip include?
The price covers pickup, food, gear, insurance and the park fee, so little cash is needed beyond tips.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Thai traditional lunch and fruit, with drinks.
- Snorkel mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket.
- Insurance and an English-speaking guide.
- National park fee, listed as 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child (child ticket ages 4 to 11).
The park portal lists 500 THB for a foreign adult and 250 THB for a child aged 3 to 14, which is 100 THB and 50 THB higher than the listing. I cannot tell which figure is current, so ask the operator whether any top-up is charged at the pier. Bring a passport copy, a towel, sunscreen and cash for tips.
500 THB is the foreign adult entrance fee the park portal lists for Mu Ko Similan National Park, and 250 THB for children aged 3 to 14.
How does the Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling trip compare with other snorkel trips?
It costs about four times as much as the Khai Islands and about twice the Phang Nga big boat, and it is the only one that reaches the Similans.
| Tour | Price | Time | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oh Hoo Similan speedboat (this page) | $91 | 12 hours | 4.5/5, 1,806+ reviews |
| Good Morning Khai Islands | $23 | 4 - 8 hours | 4.3/5, 3,134+ reviews |
| VGA Vacation Khai Islands | $28 | 4.5 - 10 hours | 4.2/5, 518+ reviews |
| Oh Hoo Phang Nga Bay | $47 | 10 hours | 4.7/5, 4,143+ reviews |
The Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling day is the only one here that needs the national park to be open. The Khai trips are close enough for a half-day. The Similans need a full day because of the crossing, which is why the price sits at the median per hour, not far below it.
Is the Oh Hoo Similan snorkeling trip worth it?
Yes, if clear water and coral are the goal and you can spend 12 hours; no, if you want a relaxed beach day or a short outing.
At $7.6 per hour it matches the Phuket median, and the listing's sub-scores are guide 4.8, transportation 4.4 and value for money 4.3. The listing summary says some travellers find the pace rushed and want more beach and less snorkelling.
My pick is November to April with a seasickness tablet. For young children I would choose the shorter Khai Islands trip; this listing gives no minimum age, so ask.
Who should skip this trip?
Skip it if you are pregnant, have heart, blood pressure or bone problems, or get seasick easily.
- Pregnant guests: not allowed.
- Heart, high blood pressure and bone conditions: not recommended by the listing.
- Seasick travellers: two hours of speedboat in total, rough from May.
- Short-trip travellers: five hours go to vans and boats; try the Khai Islands half-day.
- Visitors in the closed months: the park is shut from 16 May to 15 October.
When is the best time to go to the Similan Islands?
The best window is November to April: the park is open, and the model shows average daily maximum waves of 0.5 to 0.9 m.
| Month | Avg daily high | Days with 5 mm+ rain | Avg daily max wave | What it means on the water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31.4 °C | 0 | 0.6 m | Calm sea: small speedboats ride smoothest |
| Feb | 31.6 °C | 4 | 0.6 m | Calm sea: small speedboats ride smoothest |
| Mar | 32.1 °C | 9 | 0.5 m | Calm sea: small speedboats ride smoothest |
| Apr | 30.5 °C | 18 | 0.6 m | Calm sea: small speedboats ride smoothest |
| May | 30.2 °C | 18 | 1.0 m | Moderate swell: fine for big boats, expect spray on speedboats |
| Jun | 30.2 °C | 11 | 1.4 m | Rough: expect cancelled stops and a bumpy ride |
| Jul | 30.6 °C | 8 | 1.5 m | Rough: expect cancelled stops and a bumpy ride |
| Aug | 30.2 °C | 12 | 1.3 m | Rough: expect cancelled stops and a bumpy ride |
| Sep | 29.3 °C | 17 | 1.4 m | Rough: expect cancelled stops and a bumpy ride |
| Oct | 29.7 °C | 19 | 1.0 m | Moderate swell: fine for big boats, expect spray on speedboats |
| Nov | 29.0 °C | 14 | 0.9 m | Moderate swell: fine for big boats, expect spray on speedboats |
| Dec | 30.9 °C | 5 | 0.5 m | Calm sea: small speedboats ride smoothest |
The table models open water west of Phuket, not the Similans themselves, so it ranks months but is not a daily forecast. October (0.95 m) and May (1.0 m) are the park's shoulder months, and a reviewer who travelled in May describes high waves. Check the Thai Meteorological Department wave forecast before the day.
What do passengers say about the trip?
The sample is all 5-star, with seven reviews that have text and three that are photos only.
- Guides - 3 of 7 text reviews name and praise the guides, who explain each stop and take photos.
- Organisation - 3 of 7 call the day smooth and well run.
- Waves - 1 warns of a rough boat ride in May and advises those who get seasick to plan for it.
- Pace - GetYourGuide's summary says some travellers want more beach time and less snorkelling.
I have not taken this trip. The sample is the Recommended sort filtered to 5 stars, so negatives are underrepresented.
How do you book it?
Book the Oh Hoo Similan Islands snorkeling trip from $91: hotel pickup, lunch, snorkel gear and the park fee for a 12-hour speedboat day.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Check that your travel date falls between 15 October and 15 May, and ask the operator to confirm the exact pickup time and pier.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Oh Hoo Similan Islands trip?
From $91 per person, about 3,040 THB. The listing says the national park fee is included.
When is the Similan Islands national park open?
From 15 October to 15 May. It closes from 16 May to 14 or 15 October, and it may close earlier in poor weather.
How long is the speedboat ride?
About 1 hour each way, plus 1.5 hours each way in the van from Phuket.
What time is the pickup?
Approximately 5:30 to 7:30 AM. The exact time is confirmed after booking.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A Thai buffet lunch on Miang Island, plus fruit and drinks, is included.
Is the park fee really included?
The listing says so at 400 THB per adult, but the park portal lists 500 THB for foreigners. Ask the operator about any difference.
Do I need my passport?
Bring a copy or a phone photo of your passport or ID card for check-in.
Can pregnant women join?
No. Pregnant guests are not allowed, and the listing does not recommend the trip for heart, blood pressure or bone conditions.
Is the trip suitable for children?
The listing has a child ticket for ages 4 to 11 and one reviewer brought a 1-year-old, but no minimum age is stated. Ask the operator.
What is the best month for the Similan Islands?
November to April: the park is open and the model shows average daily maximum waves of 0.5 to 0.9 m.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing; Thai National Parks portal, Mu Ko Similan; Thairath English on the 2026 closure; Thai Meteorological Department marine forecast; Open-Meteo archive and marine APIs; Frankfurter exchange rates.
