Come October in the Similan Islands, the monsoon season finally winds down and the tourist season starts to pick back up. The national park on the islands also opens back up toward the end of the month, welcoming back visitors after a rainy and windy spring and summer. The average daily temperature stays steady at 27°C (about 81°F), a great temperature for being outside and enjoying the sun when it's out.
At night and in the early morning hours, the lows drop down to 24°C (around 75°F), so when you're out at night, you won't even need a jacket or a sweater. At the hottest point in the day, you'll see temperatures jumping up to 30°C (around 87°F), fairly hot for late autumn when compared to other areas of the world.
When planning your trip to these islands, which are part of southeast Asia, you'll want to pack short-sleeved shirts and shorts, along with your rain gear. While you might not see the sun much, you'll still want sunscreen, as the UV index here is high and can cause a sunburn, even on the cloudiest days. The days get longer again, with an average of eight hours of daylight each day, similar to the nearby province of Phang Nga.
Rainfall amounts drop down to 187 mm, with still-heavy bursts of showers and thunderstorms throughout the month. You can expect around 20 days of rain, so have the umbrella handy during your stay. The sea temperatures stay consistent from the previous months, sitting at 28°C (around 82°F). However, the monsoon rains come in on winds from the southwest, which stirs up the ocean making it rough for scuba diving, swimming and water sports. If you can dodge the raindrops head down to the beach to enjoy the warm weather on the sand.
Where to Stay
Part of the Sentido family of properties, the Sentido Graceland Khao Lak Resort and Spa is a modern and contemporary resort with amazing amenities. The five-star resort boasts three restaurants, Sukka Spa, outdoor pool, sun loungers on the private beach, bowling alley, snooker game room, tennis courts, yoga and a kids' club for the little ones. You can choose from a standard room or a suite with additional space, or opt for the pool or garden villas.
The Sensimar Khaolak Beachfront Resort gives guests amazing views of both the Andaman Sea and the surrounding mountains, perched right on the western shore of Thailand. When you choose your room, you can opt for the Garden Wing or the Mountain Wing, with corresponding views of each. Room choices include standard rooms, as well as rooms with direct pool access, corner rooms, and large bungalows for families or those just wanting more space and privacy.
If you're traveling with kids, Mai Khaolak Resort and Spa is the place to call home on your trip to Thailand and the Similan Islands in October. The resort caters to kids and families with five family-friendly swimming pools, three kids' clubs and seven restaurants. It's not all about kids though; adults will appreciate the swim-up bars, plentiful water sports and outdoor activities, large and spacious guest rooms, and free shuttle to and from Khao Lak.
Eating and Drinking Out
Mixing German and Thai cuisines, the Bavaria House Khao Lak is a great choice if you want something besides Thai or Asian food. The menu includes German favourites like wiener schnitzel, goulash and chicken cordon bleu. You can also enjoy an after-dinner coffee and delectable desserts. Throughout the week, you'll be treated to live entertainment as you enjoy your meals.
Try something besides Thai food and head to Amici Italian Bistro, a gourmet Italian restaurant that's part of The Waters Resort in Khao Lak. You'll enjoy your meal in a light and airy dining room with huge windows overlooking the beautiful resort grounds. You can also eat outside on the patio, complete with AstroTurf floors. The chef hails directly from Italy and brings authentic Italian dishes to the Thai coast.
Dine among the pine trees and the sand at Lai Thai Restaurant, an authentic Thai restaurant Khuk Khak Beach in Khao Lak. Along with being affordable, the food is delicious with big portions. You can't miss the red curry, shrimp cakes and fresh pineapple served with every meal. Sit back and enjoy your meal with a cold beer, your favourite cocktail or glass of wine from the full bar.
Things to Do
Do more than just indulge in the amazing Thai cuisine during your visit to the Similan Islands and Thailand; learn to cook the dishes yourself. Ann Khaolak Cooking Classes offer visitors a chance to see all that goes into Thai cuisine, with guests creating their own dishes. Ann, the owner and operator, starts all her classes at the local market, helping you choose the freshest ingredients possible. From there, she teaches you to craft delicious meals to recreate at home.
Honoring the victims of the 2004 tsunami that struck the coast of Thailand, the International Tsunami Museum is a chilling and sombre reminder of that fateful day. The museum features photographs and videos from that day, as well as artefacts. A police boat still stands in the place where it was washed nearly 2.5 km ashore that day by the massive wave. The proceeds from the gift shop go to the survivors, so you can help them rebuild their lives.
During a rainy October day, head outside the Khao Lak area and explore the Old Town part of Takua Pa. The quiet streets are lined with Sino-Portuguese architecture and vestiges of a time gone by, including Chinese tea rooms and Oriental shrines. After you're done exploring the Old Town, head over to the New Town portion of Takua Pa with a large indoor market, bus station to conveniently get in and out of the area, and numerous bars and restaurants.
