Speedboat or Catamaran to the Similan Islands?

Most Similan day trips cross by speedboat, in 1 to 1.5 hours each way; the catamarans take 1.5 to 2 hours and give you more room, more food and, on some, a restroom on board, for a higher price. Siam Adventure World’s Similan Islands Early-Bird Tour From Phuket and Khao Lak! is a speedboat day, 1 hour 20 minutes to the islands, from US$121 a person (checked November 2026) with the park fee included.

The calendar above is the early-bird speedboat day, with 4,453 reviews (checked November 2026).

The short answer

Take a speedboat if you want the most time on the islands and the lowest price: the crossing is shorter, and the early-bird day uses that time to land on Island 8 first. Take a catamaran if the open-sea crossing worries you more than the clock, if you want shade, space and meals on board, or if you are travelling with someone who would rather not bounce across the waves for an hour and more. Neither boat type fixes the long van ride from Phuket.

The boats side by side

Prices per person from the GetYourGuide listings (checked November 2026). The national park fee for foreign visitors is 500 baht an adult and 250 a child (DNP, checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the prices as the shape of the market, not a quote.

What a catamaran adds, and what it costs

The catamarans sell comfort on board. Sawanu Travel's speed catamaran has a restroom and WiFi on board, with a light breakfast and an early dinner at the pier. Seven Plus Travel's double-deck catamaran serves lunch on the boat, hands out beach shoes and towels and carries a photographer; several boats are used and yours is assigned on the day. Phuket Premium Charter's small-group catamaran limits the boat to 30 guests and serves breakfast, lunch, dessert and a simple dinner, all pork-free. The cost is time and money: about 2 hours each way instead of 1 hour 20, and from-prices up to about twice the early-bird day’s. Luggage is charged on some catamarans too: 300 baht a piece over 20 inches on Seven Plus Travel’s, 200 baht a piece of 20 inches and above on the small-group catamaran.

Who should not take the speedboat

A speedboat crossing of an hour or more on the open sea is hard on a bad back. The early-bird day is not suitable for people with back, heart or respiratory problems, pregnant women or wheelchair users, and on One Asia Corporation's trip from Phuket the speedboat is not recommended for anyone who has had back, leg or arm surgery in the past year, and sitting at the nose of the boat is no longer recommended. A catamaran does not suit everyone either: Seven Plus Travel’s is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and neither is Sawanu Travel’s.

Check dates for the speedboat day

Book the boat that fits

Prices, ratings and review counts from the GetYourGuide listings (checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.