Donald Duck Bay, Similan Islands: The Complete Guide
Paradise is a word that gets thrown around way too casually these days but it’s absolutely fitting for Donald Duck Bay in the Similan Islands. This was the most amazing boat tour we’ve taken in Thailand and that’s saying something considering the sheer number we’ve been on over the years. Unsurprisingly, we’re not the only ones singing its praises: Donald Duck Bay was recently ranked 10th on the World’s 50 Best Beaches guide.
Although we faced a big day of travel from Phuket, and in hindsight should’ve left from Khao Lak, the Similan Islands were well worth the effort. This archipelago is far more beautiful than what the photos portray - one of the few places in the world that isn’t an Instagram trap. If you read reviews online, you’ll find the odd complaint about crowds. But just book the early bird tour and you’ll have a wonderful day out in the Andaman Sea.
Donald Duck Bay
Donald Duck Bay
How to Get to Donald Duck Bay
Donald Duck Bay is tucked away at the northern end of Koh Paed (Island #8), which is the largest island of Mu Ko Similan National Park. The park is situated roughly 70 kilometers off the coast of Phang Nga province and is obviously only accessible from the mainland by boat. Keep in mind that you can’t just visit Donald Duck Bay on its own as most itineraries package together other beaches, islands, snorkeling spots, and a buffet lunch.
The usual departure point is Thap Lamu Pier, just south of Khao Lak. In order to get there from Phuket, you’ll first need to drive to the pier before getting briefed and boarding. The journey by shuttle van takes around 2 hours from Phuket Old Town or 90 minutes from Bang Tao Beach. Essentially, you have two options when it comes to tours of the Similan Islands: small group day trips or liveaboard experiences (multi-day).
Day Trips: These tours include hotel transfers, speedboat transport, a picnic lunch, and a decent 90 minute stint at Donald Duck Bay as your first port of call. We recommend basing yourself in Khao Lak, otherwise you’ll be in for a 5:00 AM start from Phuket. Be sure to select the 7:00 AM departure time from the pier. That way, you’ll beat the worst of the crowds that start pouring in mid-morning. You can book the tour here: Early Bird Tour from Phuket or Khao Lak.
Liveaboard Experiences: If you’ve got 3 or 4 nights handy, and are comfortable with sleeping out on the water, this might be the experience for you. You can choose between budget junk boats or luxury charters, diving or snorkeling activities, and whether to include the Surin Islands on your itinerary as well. We’ve heard nothing but good things about liveaboard trips to the Similan Islands - apparently the sunsets from the boats are out of this world.
Boat tour of the Similan Islands
Snorkeling in the Similan Islands
Things To Do at Donald Duck Bay
Admire the Natural Beauty
Arriving at Donald Duck Bay for the first time is quite the experience. On the one hand, you’re greeted by the iconic balancing boulder. And on the other, the color of the water changes from sapphire blue to neon-turquoise as you enter the bay. Even though we arrived a little late, around 10:30 AM, the crowding wasn’t bad enough to diminish the experience at all. It’s easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand (if not the best).
Arriving at Donald Duck Bay
Balancing boulder
Head Up to Sail Rock
The first thing we did when we arrived on the pristine shores of Donald Duck Bay was walk up to Sail Rock. Unfortunately, on the tour we booked with Love Andaman, we were only given an hour at the beach. So we were rushing a bit. The walk up is short and easy, although you have to pull yourself up with ropes in certain sections. At the top lies a stack of granite boulders overlooking the bay. The views are spectacular: a curved strip of white sand backed by jungle with speedboats zooming across the water.
Sail Rock
Swim in the Neon-Turquoise Waters
After our sweaty little hike up Sail Rock, we were ready to plunge into the warm waters of Donald Duck Bay. The middle of the beach was filled with people, almost resembling a “human soup”, but we swam to the side and found plenty of space. We’ve never seen water color like this before: it went from crystal clear to emerald green to dark blue in a matter of 50 meters. Combine that with the shining white sand and it’s pure magic.
Donald Duck Bay
Swimming
Take Photos of the Granite Boulders
Donald Duck Bay is highly photogenic, in part thanks to its unique rock formations. While most visitors stick to Sail Rock, we actually discovered some cool photo opportunities at the other end of the beach. These are similar granite boulders that emerge out of the green jungle. We had a lot of fun capturing photos of the waves crashing and splashing into the rocks, and swimming around the boulders where no tourists could be found.
Granite boulders
Relax on the White Sand Beach
The sand of Donald Duck Bay has this stunning light golden color and is incredibly soft on foot. You might want to spend your time relaxing under the trees or sunbathing. We did this for 10 minutes or so while we waited for everyone to jump back on the boat. It’s funny watching people dragging their feet, reluctant to leave. The tour guide sets a meeting time but it’s never followed to the exact minute. There’s always a few latecomers.
Sand and greenery
Rules & Regulations for Donald Duck Bay
The Similan Islands are open from mid-October to mid-May every year, so make sure you plan your trip within these dates. February to April is considered the best time to visit, providing both calm seas for boat trips and good underwater visibility for snorkeling. Daily visitor numbers for the entire national park are capped at 3,850 people, which helps to mitigate against things like overcrowding and too much environmental impact.
National park fees are 500 THB per adult but they’re normally included in tour prices from Phuket or Khao Lak. You can only visit Donald Duck Bay with licensed tour operators, and it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there from Thap Lamu Pier. You’ll want to pack the following into a day bag: swimwear and a change of clothes, towel and reef-friendly sunscreen, and a waterproof bag and phone cover. Things that are strictly prohibited are plastics, smoking, and shoes (bring water shoes instead).
Donald Duck Bay
FAQs for Visiting Donald Duck Bay
Where did Donald Duck Bay get its name from?
Supposedly, the name for Donald Duck Bay comes from a granite rock formation that looks eerily similar to the head of the Disney character when viewed from the water. However, we tried to make out the resemblance and found it to be a bit of a stretch. A more suitable name would be Ao Kueak, its Thai name, which translates to “shoe”. From a bird’s eye perspective, it takes on the shape of a horseshoe far more than a cartoon.
How much does a day tour of the Similan Islands cost?
A speedboat day tour from Phuket or Khao Lak can cost anywhere between 3,500 THB ($100 USD) to 4,500 THB ($130 USD), depending on the tour company you book with. This might sound expensive but it’s fantastic value for money when you consider the all-inclusive nature of the package. You get picked up and dropped back off at your hotel, and get lunch, snacks and water, so most of your expenses for the day are covered.
Boat tours
Can you stay overnight anywhere in the Similan Islands?
The protected status of Mu Ko Similan National Park means you can’t stay overnight at any of the islands. That restriction applies to staying on land, though, and not to liveaboards where you’re allowed to sleep in boats anchored offshore. One island chain where you can stay overnight is the Surin Islands - home to basic bungalows and tents that can be booked through official national park channels or authorised tour companies.
