Similan Islands Snorkel Tour from Phuket

Well, the pick up from the hotel in Patong was early (6 a.m,), the drive long, the boat small, the boat ride also a bit long, the beaches crowded, but we knew what to expect and we new it was the only way to see beautiful Similan islands. The Fantastic crew was just that - fantastic. Organised, punctual, funny, kind.

This was the second group tour from Phuket that I attended.. always premised that I do not like group tours with so many people, I must say that the organization was really good, the food was not bad and they were very punctual with the schedules. All the staff is really nice and makes you live a really very nice and relaxing day among wonderful islands. Given my experience I would definitely recommend it.

Fantastic similan travel gives you exactly what they promised, a fantastic trip from start to finish. The whole set up is so well run. Little touches like the beach bag with mat, towel and snorkel gear (on loan for the day), the breakfast buffet, and cheery staff. Perfect from start to finish.

The islands are amazing, as is the snorkeling. The guide was fantastically funny and engaged, the food brilliant and also the organization itself. BUT, it is way too far from Phuket!! 2 hours in the van in the morning and 3 hours back in rush hour (Karon). In addition, almost 1.5 hour boat trip each way and waiting before the boat trip. Sitting tightly in the boat, with no possibility to move. Way too many people on the beaches of the islands. Idyllic surroundings, but no idyllic experience. Tourists in line. Would have preferred to be apart of this trip.

I have been lucky to have snorkelled at many different places in the world, so when I saw this trip available prior to our holiday I thought it might be good. How wrong can one be. My biggest mistake, I think, was to not read the other reviews so thoroughly here on TripAdvisor, but as they are subjective one always has to find out for oneself. The info on the trip advises what to bring, towel, waterproof bag, etc. My wife and I were then picked up from our hotel in a mini bus and taken to the waterside venue. I didn't really know what to expect but was hoping that it was going to be similar to other snorkeling trips . No such luck. My heart sank when we pulled in to the car park and saw the vast array of other minibuses and taxis offloading a sea of humanity which was making it's way to a desk in front of what looks like a massive aircraft hangar. Upon giving our names to the people on the desk we were directed to another desk and had to give more details including our passport numbers. Why on earth they needed these is beyond me, so be warned if you haven't got them to hand. You are then given a colour coded wristband and a bag which already had towels in it so no need to bring your own. The hangar is full of bench seats and you are encouraged to go and get a drink from the serving hatches on one side. We declined.Then the shouting soon starts where staff are shouting loudly for the attention of the people in their respective colour groups. You then get told the itinerary with the aid of a large notice board with the islands on it. My wife and I had by now realised that our group had about 40 people in it so the boat we were to travel in would be quite a size. Well at least there might be room enough to stretch ones legs and move around a bit. No such luxury, as Upon seeing the craft it was long and sleek with regimented seats in a line from front to back. We chose seats near the front as they were in pairs, and we didn't fancy putting up with the noise and smell from the three large outboard motors once we had got under way. So there we all were packed in like sardines for a very bumpy 90 minute slog to the first island. The seats we had to sit in have to be some of the most uncomfortable ones that I have ever had to sit in. Small , cramped and set so high that one can barely touch the floor. I'm over 6 feet tall and I struggled, so I feel sorry for anyone less tall. The staff on board do keep you updated with the progress of the trip, but unfortunately it's so noisy on the boat that they use a megaphone to do so. Standing next to me. What fun! We eventually reach the first island, which looks great, but another dozen boats from some different companies are already there and as there is no jetty they are all jostling for position to reverse onto the beach to let people off. As you may imagine this is quite perilous as the boat is bobbing up and down with the waves crashing on the beach and people are trying to navigate down a tiny ladder with their belongings. The beach was nice but overcrowded with the people being disgorged from the many different craft on the bay. Oh well, at least we have the next island to visit for snorkeling. I should have known it was going to be awful, as Upon anchoring up at the next island I knew the experience was going to be a disappointing one. And on this point I wasn't disappointed as it was the worst snorkeling I have ever done. For one the area chosen was too deep to see anything remotely clearly, and there was hardly any marine life to sea on the mostly dead coral. There were too many of us trying to swim in a too small an area too, compounding the fact that some non swimmers were dragged around on large floating rubber squares which you had to try and avoid. To another island for lunch. This consisted of two anaemic bits of chicken, well I think it was chicken but not sure what part it came from. A bowl of raw vegetables with some chopped up frankfurter and white sausage in it. On this was dumped a choice of three different soups. The guy ladling this out didn't really have his heart in it as he managed to spill part of it onto my tray. It tasted awful. The dried up cold rice accompanying it was just as bad, so as well as the chicken and soup, I didn't eat that either. The only thing edible was two thin slices of water melon. This was all served on those pressed tin trays with the individual sections on them. And after you had finished your meal it was self clear with instructions printed on a board as to what goes where. Gives you some idea of what mealtimes at prison must be like, but I bet they are better fed. I won't dignify the rest of the trip with further negative feedback. I will just mention that when on the boat one of the first things the staff hand out are sick bags, which gives you some idea how how rough the boat trip was at times. One young girl sat in front of us did suffer from it, and to be fair the staff were very attentive of her, especially a staff member called Lucy who was very good, even giving the girl a soothing head massage which was a very nice touch. So all in all I wish we had never bothered with this trip, and I would advise anyone looking forward to great snorkeling that you will be very disappointed. This trip wasn't particularly cheap either, costing over £160 for the two of us. My advice, save your money and don't book this one. We had considered other trips whilst in Thailand, but if they are as disappointing an experience as this the we won't be bothering.