Similan Islands, 2 Days and 1 Night

However good Phuket is, the Similans are something else: untouched, quiet, and the kind of place people return to. What sets them apart is the density of the tropical growth, the clarity of the water, and an underwater world rich enough to surprise even well-travelled divers. Without exaggeration, this is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand and arguably in the world.

The archipelago is nine islands within a national park, running along the coast opposite the Khao Lak reserve on the mainland. Conservation here is taken seriously, which is why you will find no souvenir stalls, no tuk-tuks and no hotels — only a few zones set aside and equipped for visitors.

This two-day trip introduces you to the coral reefs and marine life of the Andaman Sea that put the Similans in the world's top ten for diving and snorkelling. The empty white beaches and the enormous, oddly shaped granite boulders are just as much a part of the appeal, and have long since become the archipelago's signature.

An overnight stay makes the difference

The great advantage of this programme is the night on one of the islands, away from the day-trip traffic. Once the boats leave you have the place largely to yourselves: clear water to swim in, a full sky of stars, and photographs no day tripper gets. In the morning the trip continues with your Russian-speaking guide.