Similan Islands reopen on 15 October for 2026-27 season
Published on 10/24/2026 at 18:17 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSReopening and visitor access
- Thailand’s national park authorities reopened the marine reserve on 15 October 2026.
- Electronic tickets have applied at Similan since October 2025.
- Park officials recorded 1,409 visitors on opening day.
The Similan Islands (Moo Ko Similan) reopened in Phang Nga, Thailand, on 15 October 2026 for the new tourism season. The reopening brought the marine national park back into the travel calendar for visitors from Western Europe after its annual monsoon closure.
On the first day, 1,409 visitors reached the islands, including day-trippers and scuba divers. The return of access also put coral protection, boat safety and the park’s electronic ticketing system at the centre of practical planning.
Similan Islands reopening restores access on 15 October
The reopening followed the seasonal closure that ran from 16 May to 14 October 2026. The Tourism Authority of Thailand confirmed the new opening date and reported that more than 1,300 people arrived on the first day. Its season reopening report places the islands off the coast of Phang Nga and describes the return of access after the monsoon period.
The reopening is a lasting change for visitors within the current season, rather than a short event at the site. The park is available again for marine excursions, although sea conditions can still affect individual boat departures in October and early November.
Park officials also used the opening to promote coral-friendly sunscreen, reduced single-use plastic and respect for protected marine areas. The national park is maintaining marine patrols and safety measures, while every passenger must wear a life jacket during the boat journey.
Granite formations and Sail Rock define the reopened park
The landscape is formed by white-sand beaches, coral reefs and distinctive granite rocks. Sail Rock, on Island No. 8, is one of the best-known landmarks in the archipelago and gives the reopening a clear connection to the place itself: the season’s return restores access to the rock formations and surrounding waters described by the park’s tourism authorities.
The surrounding marine area attracts both snorkellers and scuba divers. On 15 October, 1,359 visitors arrived on day trips and 50 came for diving, according to Pattaya Mail’s opening-day report. That breakdown shows how the reopening serves two different ways of visiting the marine park without turning either into a separate event.
Electronic tickets have been used at Similan and five other Thai marine national parks since October 2025, the Tourism Authority of Thailand states. Visitors should therefore expect the ticketing process to form part of the journey before reaching the islands, rather than treating arrival at the pier as the first administrative step.
Visiting Similan Islands: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The 2026-27 season reopened on 15 October 2026 after the closure from 16 May to 14 October 2026.
- Access begins from Ban Thap Lamu pier in Phang Nga, where visitors complete check-in and safety arrangements before travelling by boat.
- The park’s main natural reference points include Sail Rock on Island No. 8, white-sand beaches, coral reefs and granite formations.
- Life jackets are required for passengers travelling to the islands, and officials ask visitors to use sunscreen without chemicals harmful to coral.
- Electronic tickets have applied at the park since October 2025, and visitors should have their passport ready for the process.
- Thailand’s official language is Thai and the national currency is the baht.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Similan Islands
When did the Similan Islands reopen?
The national park reopened on 15 October 2026 for the 2026-27 tourism season.
What changed at Similan Islands?
Access resumed after the monsoon closure, while electronic tickets, life-jacket rules and coral-protection guidance remain important parts of visiting.
Where are the Similan Islands and how do you get there?
The archipelago lies off Phang Nga in Thailand. Visitors use Ban Thap Lamu pier for the boat journey to the islands.
