Which Similan Islands Catamaran Tour from Phuket Is Worth Booking?
6 min read
For most travellers, the Similan Islands Luxury Catamaran Experience is the most defensible choice: €119.59, one day, 4.1 stars from 362 reviews, two snorkelling sessions, meals, beach socks and a professional photographer. The cheapest and shortest is the 8-hour lunch trip at €106.30, but it has no reviews yet. The Royal trip, stated at 8 hours 30 minutes and €111.62, has the group’s weakest score: 3.6 from 7 reviews.
Four catamaran options compared
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating and reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Similan Islands Luxury Catamaran Experience | 1 day | €119.59 | 4.1 / 362 | Two snorkelling sessions and the strongest review base |
| Similan Islands Speed Catamaran Day Trip | 1 day | €100.99 | 4.0 / 32 | Breakfast, lunch and dinner named |
| Similan Royal Day Trip by Speed Catamaran | 8h 30m | €111.62 | 3.6 / 7 | A stated 8½-hour day, but the lowest score in the group |
| Similan Islands Speed Catamaran Tour with Lunch | 8 hours | €106.30 | 0 / 0 | Lowest price and shortest day, if you accept no reviews |
Why the luxury catamaran leads
This is the only option here whose description identifies Islands 8, 7 and 9, two separate snorkelling sessions, all snorkelling equipment and a photographer. More importantly, 362 travellers have reviewed it. That is far stronger evidence than 32, 7 or none. The premium over the three-meal day trip is €18.28; it is worthwhile when the named water programme and photographs matter, but not merely for the word “luxury”.
Check dates and prices for the Luxury Catamaran Experience
The food-led alternative
The Speed Catamaran Day Trip lists breakfast, lunch and dinner on board. That is a concrete difference, not a decorative upgrade. Its one-day duration is less precise than an hour count, and its 4.0 rating from 32 reviews is useful but still a small sample. Choose it when three named meals simplify a very long excursion and the extra snorkelling session or photographer is unimportant.
See availability for the Speed Catamaran Day Trip
Two shorter listings, with larger uncertainties
The Royal trip states 8 hours 30 minutes and promises snorkelling plus beach time, yet its 3.6 rating from 7 reviews is the lowest score in this comparison. The 8-hour lunch trip is cheaper and mentions Racha Yai as well as the Similan Islands, snorkelling, beaches and a Thai buffet. That unusually broad route deserves a careful itinerary check before payment, especially because it has no guest reviews.
View the Royal Speed Catamaran itinerary
Check the 8-hour Speed Catamaran Tour with Lunch
Who should confirm pickup and length first
Three of the four titles name both Phuket and Khao Lak; the 8-hour lunch trip names only Phuket. The luxury and speed catamarans give “1 day” instead of an hour count. If you are staying in Phuket and do not want a Khao Lak start, ask for the pickup area and return time on your date before booking. Those two answers decide whether the lowest price is also the easiest day.
Our recommendation
Book the Similan Islands Luxury Catamaran Experience for its two stated snorkelling sessions and substantially deeper review record. Pick the €99.24 three-meal trip instead when the meal plan is the feature you will actually use.
