Snorkel- Similian Islands-GOOD?
 

I posted question but need more help. Has anyone gone to snorkel in the Similian Islands by taking "fast boat" from Phuket in past 6 months?? We are planning on going in Sept. Also, does the trip give you 2+ hours to do real good snorkeling or is it really for divers?

Any recent input on snorkeling by taking "fast boat" to Phi Phi Islands from Phuket. As much first hand info from avid snorkelers would be appreciated.

Pressume you know September is still Monsoon season in that area? Sorry last I went there was about 10 yrs back. If you check Phuket Gazette and try the Diving Section you might get some answers

http://www.phuketgazette.net

(Note: .net NOT .com )

Last January we spent several days on the Similian Islands. We joined a snorkeling trip whose last stop was the Island. When we were ready to return to the mainland, we hopped on a boat by the same company. It worked great. It wasn't cheap (although the 4 of us negotiated a reduced rate), but well worth the money. The snokeling was excellent, good food (snacks, drinks, lunch), and a helpful crew/staff. We went with Jacks Similian Tours. I highly recommend them. Our boat left from N of Phuket, but I think other passengers arrived from Phuket by van.

jdbird; We did not end up going in 2004 but since then have gone to the Malaysian Peninsula. As it turns out we we were considering going in late March/early April but the coral bleaching has really affected S.E Asia and unfortunately the islands within 100+ miles of Phuket were stressed the most because the water temperatures were 3 degrees above the max. that coral can take.It also wrecked a lot of coral around Malaysia as well. Therefore, we will have to consider Micronesia or Melanesia for our March/April trip.

The Similans are, technically, closed from May to the end of October. I'm sure some boats go there when the park is closed, but the seas will likely be very rough. The trip by boat from Phuket is several hours. It's better to drive to Taplamu and get a boat from there, which should only take an hour or so.