Phuket: Wow Andaman Snorkeling Trip to Similan Islands

This is a large-scale, professionally managed, and reliable company.

This is advertised as a day of snorkeling but was actually a day of travelling. 2 hours in the bus, 30 minutes or so at the jetty where they fed us, then another 2 hours on the boat to get to the first location. First location we were dropped at a beach that was crowded with most of the beach blocked off for more boats coming in. The small areas that could be used for snorkeling were either unsafe (got scratched to pieces on rocks and the strong tide) - or packed with people who had scared off any fish that might have been there. Second location was a small area and when we unloaded into the sea there were 4 boats tied together and around 40 people in the area. Packed with bad swimmers who had no control and was barged into enough times to give up and board the boat again. All the fish had been scared off and couldn't see anything in the time I tried to snorkel there. Third location was the same - very disappointed and a complete waste of a day. Spent the entire day cold and wet and the boat nearly gave me whiplash as it was crashing down so heavily on the journey back. First time in Thailand and have learnt from my mistakes - try Similan Islands either very early morning or late in the afternoon or you'll be part of the conveyor belt of tourists queuing up everywhere you turn. Entire day was 14 hours and couldn't wait to get back to the hotel - would struggle to recommend this trip to anyone. One star for the fantastic hard-working Thai people involved but otherwise just avoid this completely.

This trip was INCREDIBLE! Would definitely recommend to anyone and would definitely go again. The sands are fine and white, the water is crystal clear, and we had a lot of time to swim around and snorkel. The crew is incredible - we had Alice on our boat and she is phenomenal! She looked after my boyfriend who was seasick, helped us carry our bags onto the boat, made us laugh with jokes nonstop, took amazing photos, and also snorkelled with us to show us Nemo! We really had a blast. Boat was full but islands not well known yet so not too busy. No hidden fees. We did this instead of Phi Phi and I have 0 regrets!

Great organizing. The travel time from Phuket is long but everything went smoothly and the meals during the long day were plenty. The guides and staff were attentive and very helpful. Compared to another snorkling trip, it felt like this guide took safety seriously. We saw plenty of cool fish, no sharks or turtles though. The speedboat is loud and you will sit next to it for hours so if you have sensitive ears take earplugs. They will also collect your shoes (including flip flops) for the whole trip, only water/swimming shoes are allowed. I recommend taking them, it’s better on the islands’ rocky areas and bathroom floors.

We had an absolutely unforgettable day with Wow Andaman on their snorkeling tour to the Similan Islands. The entire experience was smooth, well-organized, and incredibly enjoyable. The staff were friendly, fun, and very attentive, making sure everyone felt safe and comfortable throughout the trip. The boat was clean and spacious, with plenty of drinks and snacks available, and lunch was delicious. Everything felt relaxed and well-timed, without the sense of being rushed from place to place. The snorkeling was nothing short of magical. We actually spotted Nemo – real clownfish, as well as Gill and Dory from Finding Nemo, which was such a fun highlight! And the most unforgettable moment was swimming with sea turtles – an absolutely surreal and breathtaking experience that we’ll never forget. The scenery both above and below the water was stunning: crystal-clear water, colorful coral, and postcard-perfect beaches. Overall, one of the best excursions we’ve ever done. If you want a safe, well-run, and truly memorable snorkeling adventure in the Similan Islands, Wow Andaman is an excellent choice.

The whole trip was really great! We went on a speed catamaran and visited Similan. In hindsight this trip was much better than our trip to Phiphi which was carried out by a different company. So I would really recommend this company. We had very nice guides who were very knowledgeable and explained everything. We got to swim with sea turtles and see so many beautiful coral reefs. The beaches were out of this world and the whole trip was timed perfectly. We had enough time to really relax on the beaches, to snorkel etc. (with the other company they let you stay 10 mins and make you hop on a boat to the next destination). Food and drinks were provided on the boat and at the beach - also after returning on the pier. In future I will only use this company to visit more surrounding islands. One more plus - they did offer little pills for people who might turn seasick. The other company did not.

The whole experience was superb, from the pickup at the hotel to the drop off back at the hotel. The pre-boat talk set the tone for the day: light hearted and entertaining. Our guide, Mr Puu kept everyone informed about what was going to happen. The first beach visit coincided with a heavy downpour, but even that didn’t dampen the day. By the time the boat had travelled the short distance to the first snorkelling site the rain had stopped and the sun was once again blazing down. If you’ve never snorkelled before, I can whole heartedly recommend you take the plunge. The crew of the boat are there to make sure everyone is safe, even to the extent of swimming alongside you. The fish you see are incredible. After around 45 minutes it’s on to the next stop. Another opportunity for snorkelling, and even more types of fish, and some amazing coral growths. Sights that will stay with you forever. The last stop is another white sand beach, and lunch. Traditional Thai fare, and tasty. (Any dietary needs can be catered for when booking the trip.) After an hour or so, it’s time to head for home port. The crew are all there to make the trips enjoyable and fun. Soft drinks, snacks and ice cream are available for free, and the crew seem to enjoy supplying everyone with ice cream. All in all the day is a fantastic experience. The Similan islands are simply beautiful, and thankfully being protected. A day to remember forever!

Thank you very to Ms Ann & Ms Pancake for organizing this amazing excursion to Similan island in the morning when you arrive to the pier you will found an amazing breakfast we took the speedboat and explored many little island before to reach Similan and during that time we snorkel and even have the luck to saw 3 sea turtles swimming with use it’s was a amazing experience and unforgettable the lunch at the beach was relax full in a middle of the nature our tour guide Mr Puu was really nice with all of use and gave all instructions really clearly but and happiness the captain and the crew on board was really professional and we fell really safe I highly recommend to use WoW Andaman for your excursion when you are in Phuket or Khao Lak thank you so much to the whole team for that wonderful day .

We had booked a speedboat tour with WOW and were disappointed overall. Of course, nobody can help the weather – it’s raining – but if all the passengers on the boat are completely soaked within the first half hour, the provider should seriously consider whether a tour should even start in such conditions. The transport to the pier worked well – that was the only positive point. The breakfast on site was not recommended: dirty cups and very little choice. Lunch on the island was also a bust – it was completely cold. Dinner on the way back was also not good. The stops during the tour were extremely crowded, hardly any space or rest to enjoy anything. An absolute no-go was that turtles were fed – indeed by a guide of another boat, but our boat gave him the food. This should never happen with a reputable provider. And what doesn't work: An employee simply threw his candy paper into the sea – absolutely unacceptable and sad considering that you move around in nature. Overall, a disappointing experience that we would certainly not have again.

Great tour and hosts, excellent food, amazing beaches and snorkeling areas. Highly recommended! We got the chance to swim with sea turtles, saw a moray eel among other amazing coral reefs and colorful marine life.