Thap Lamu Pier is a busy fishing port near to Khao Lak, Thailand. It’s also the departure and return point for almost all Similan liveaboards
Andaman Sea Sun Travel Pier, Thap Lamu, Khao Lak © chris@divehappy.com
Thap Lamu is a collection of several piers that mainly serves Thailand’s burgeoning fishing industry. It’s also where virtually all Similan islands diving liveaboards depart and return.
You’ll also see Thap Lamu variously spelt as Thaplamu, Tab Lamu and Tapla Mu. It’s all the same place.
The reason Thap Lamu pier is so popular as a departure point for liveaboards is simple – Thap Lamu is geographically the nearest port to the Similan Islands. The Similans are located about 65 kilometres off the mainland.
Thap Lamu itself is located inside a natural estuary which provides perfect natural protection. The Thai Navy have their own base nearby with warships usually at anchor.
Stacked fishing boats on calm waters, Thap Lamu © chris@divehappy.com
How To Get To Thap Lamu Pier
Thap Lamu has one other big advantage – it’s easy to get there on land.
Thap Lamu pier is located about 15 minutes drive south of the town of Khao Lak. It’s also about an hour’s drive north from Phuket Airport.
Most Similan liveaboards depart in the evening of the first day of the trip, cruising to the Similan Islands overnight.
When divers first arrive to join the boat, they will typically arrive mid afternoon at Phuket Airport or by bus into Khao Lak directly.
The liveaboard company should organise a pickup for divers from Phuket airport or the Khao Lak bus stop.
Divers will then typically go to the dive shop to try on rental gear and finalise paperwork, or go straight to the liveaboard boat and do everything there. It depends on the liveaboard operator.
There’s Not Much To See At Thap Lamu Pier
As a big, busy working area for tourism and fishing, Thap Lamu is all about getting people and produce quickly on and off boats. There is nothing picturesque or pretty about the pier – it’s very industrial with all the dirt and grime that goes with it. There is a 7-11 and some very basic places to eat but that’s it. If you’re arriving and departing at the pier courtesy of your liveaboard operator, you’ll spend minimal time at Thap Lamu.
All that said, the journey back into Thap Lamu at the end of a Similans trip, usually in late afternoon, is always interesting. The pier looks a lot better from the water, and it’s fun to see the Thai navy warships and the rows of fishing boats moored up.
Fishing boat up close, Thap Lamu © chris@divehappy.com
Getting from Phuket Airport to Thap Lamu Pier
It’s easy to get a taxi to from Phuket Airport to Thap Lamu pier. There are a lot of touts at the Phuket Airport so it’s better to prebook your taxi in advance and have your driver waiting for you.
Alternatively, divers can choose to arrive in the area a few days before the liveaboard trip to explore Khao Lak and its surrounds. Khao Sok national park and Memories Beach are two particularly awesome places to visit.
Obviously, discuss your plans with your liveaboard operator to be clear on what time you need to be at the dive shop or the boat if you’re going to make your own way there.
Recommended Similan Liveaboards October 2024 to May 2025
Blue Dolphin Liveaboard
A mid-range liveaboard with 7 cabins for 16 people. Check availability and pricing
The Phinisi Liveaboard
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Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard
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The Junk Liveaboard
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Where Else Do Similan Liveaboards Depart From
Occasionally liveaboards will depart from Chalong Pier in Phuket. That adds several hours more cruising to get to the Similans, and that means the boat using a lot more fuel to get there, so it’s much less economical.
The exception is if the liveaboard is doing what’s commonly known as a “Best of Thailand” trip. This is typically a seven day liveaboard and the boat departs Chalong to go to first explore the dive sites around Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. (Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Haa and Koh Bida, amongst others). After a couple of days diving there, the boat then sails overnight from Phang Nga Bay around the southern tip of Phuket and up to the Similan Islands, where the rest of the trip follows a typical Similans itinerary.
You can check for Thailand liveaboards doing the Best of Thailand itinerary on Liveaboard.com – look for trips that are over 5 nights.
Some liveaboards also depart from Ranong harbour, on the Thailand-Myanmar border. This is nearer to the Surin Islands and right on the doorstep of Myanmar’s Mergui archipelago.
Boats departing from Ranong typically spend most of their time at Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and the Surin Islands.
There are also dedicated Myanmar liveaboard trips which depart from Ranong.
Fishing boat heading out from Thap Lamu © chris@divehappy.com
