Similan Islands Snorkelling or Scuba Diving: Which Trip Should You Choose?

Snorkelling and scuba diving both explore the Similan Islands, but they are different trips for different guests.

A snorkelling day trip combines surface swimming with island scenery and beach time. A scuba diving trip is for certified divers and follows different routes, equipment standards and safety procedures. A liveaboard offers more diving over several days and includes overnight accommodation on the boat.

Choose a snorkelling day trip if…

• You are not a certified diver.
• You want a relaxed island day with guided surface snorkelling.
• Beach time and the Island 8 viewpoint are important to you.
• You prefer a day trip rather than sleeping on a boat.

The standard Similan snorkelling programme normally includes guided snorkelling, lunch on Island 4 and beach or viewpoint time on Island 8. The exact order can change with sea conditions and national park instructions.

Choose a scuba diving trip if…

• You hold a recognised scuba certification.
• Your recent diving experience meets the trip’s experience requirements.
• You want to explore deeper reefs, boulder formations, walls or pinnacles.
• You are comfortable following a full dive briefing and guide assessment.

Similan scuba day trips are sold for certified divers. Operating days, dive sites, equipment, guide arrangements and experience requirements must be confirmed for your intended date. Dive sites can change because of weather, sea conditions and safety.

Choose a liveaboard if…

• Diving is a main purpose of your holiday.
• You want several dives over two or more days.
• You are comfortable sleeping on a boat.
• You meet the boat’s certification, recent-experience and medical requirements.

Depending on the boat and weekly schedule, a northern Andaman liveaboard may visit the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, the Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock. The captain and dive team make the final decision on the route.

Well-known scuba sites

Elephant Head Rock

South-west of Island 8, Elephant Head Rock is known for large granite boulders, swim-through terrain and potentially strong currents. It is a scuba site, not a casual snorkelling stop.

Christmas Point

North-west of Island 9, Christmas Point features granite formations and deeper ridges. The dive plan depends on depth, current and diver experience.

Koh Bon

Koh Bon offers reef, wall and ridge diving. Manta rays are possible, but no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

Koh Tachai

The waters around Koh Tachai are used for scuba diving. The island itself remains closed to tourist landings under current national park guidance.

Can beginners try scuba in the Similan Islands?

Do not assume that a Similan scuba trip accepts first-time divers. The scuba products on this website are for certified divers. A Discover Scuba Diving experience requires a different level of supervision and must be arranged through a suitable beginner route.

Can divers and non-divers use the same trip?

The standard snorkelling day trip and certified-diver trip are separate products. Some boats may accept non-divers, but this must be confirmed for the exact departure. Never assume that a non-diver can snorkel safely at a deep scuba site.

Certification and recent experience

A certification card is only the starting point. Our dive team may also ask about your last dive, total logged dives, highest certification, comfort in current and deeper water, medical answers and whether you need a refresher or private guide.

Provide accurate information when enquiring. The dive team may adjust the route or decline a diver who is not suitably prepared for the planned sites.

Which experience offers more wildlife?

Neither experience guarantees wildlife. Scuba divers spend longer underwater and can reach deeper terrain, while snorkellers can see reef life near the surface. Turtles, reef fish, rays and sharks move freely. Manta rays and whale sharks are special possibilities, not promised features.

The best choice

• Snorkelling day trip: the right choice for non-certified guests who want islands, beaches and surface snorkelling.
• Certified scuba trip: the right choice for qualified divers who want deeper underwater terrain.
• Liveaboard: the right choice for certified divers who want several days of diving and a wider route.

Send us your travel date, hotel area and group size. For scuba enquiries, also include each diver’s certification, number of logged dives and last-dive date so we can check the current trip accurately.