If asked to describe what the perfect vacation is for us, most of us would choose Thailand as the destination for this dream vacation - golden beaches, clear waters, great food and cheap shopping - who needs more than that?
Indeed, in Thailand there are plenty of small and picturesque cities, towns and villages that offer their visitors almost any type of vacation you can think of, so whether you are traveling on your own, with your partner or the whole family, and whether you prefer a pampering belly-back vacation or a particularly challenging backpacking trip - In Thailand you can do anything, only much more photogenic. and cheaply.
For those who prefer their vacation on spectacular beaches with a chilled fruit smoothie and a pampering evening massage, let us introduce you to the Similan Islands, also known as the "Maldives of Thailand", which is honestly earned.
When you arrive at the Similan Islands, which are located northwest of Phuket, the first thing that will attract your attention is the breathtaking view that can be seen from every point around the pastoral islands - ancient granite rocks impressive in size, among them underwater caves with special formations like beautiful arches that are covered with corals, colorful fish and abundance A multitude of magnificent marine creatures.
These granite rocks, which are known for their special colors, form a series of islands, each of which has a name, and they all together make up the Maldivian team of the Similan Islands. And if you were wondering, they are not only beautiful but also constitute a desirable diving site for anyone who enjoys deep diving, free diving and just for the amateur snorkelers this is a site that simply cannot be missed.
In fact, the rocks and the animals together create such a beautiful and unique habitat, to the extent that they were declared a Thai national park and even though the coveted title attracts many travelers throughout the year, they still manage to maintain their somewhat wild virgin character and provide a relatively authentic experience to those who stay there.
What else can you see during your visit to the islands? Tall bamboo, rubber and palm trees, a great vantage point from the top of one of the huge granite rocks and especially animals whose encounter will make your heart flutter such as barracuda fish, sea turtles, tuna fish, and even sociable whale sharks and fart-inducing tiger sharks.
Getting to the islands is by sailing from Phuket, which takes 3 hours each way. You can do the cruise independently by purchasing tickets for one of the boats leaving the pier, or as part of a day trip (or more) that includes an attached guide, snorkeling equipment and meals. Just note that due to the special structure of the islands, the waters are calm throughout the year, but due to the heavy monsoons in the area, they are open to visitors from mid-November to mid-May only.
