A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Cairns for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands or Cairns?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Cairns can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a idyllic, remote, and spectacular island chain. Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Cairns

Cairns is a idyllic, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Cairns travel costs.

Similan Islands and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Cairns?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cairns. Although Similan Islands and Cairns are both popular with visitors, Cairns has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cairns is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and shopping, while Similan Islands is known for its impressive beauty. Cairns is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef. Similan Islands is popular for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cairns and Similan Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Cairns?

Cairns is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Cairns specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Cairns? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cairns is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Cairns has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Cairns has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Cairns is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

In Cairns, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Both Similan Islands and Cairns offer terrific scuba diving or snorkeling.

Similan Islands is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Cairns. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Both Similan Islands and Cairns are considered to be terrific beach destinations.

Similan Islands is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Cairns offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Cairns visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Similan Islands offers some nice hiking trails. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Cairns?

Cairns is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Cairns is well-known for its shopping. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Cairns is an extremely popular city to visit for families. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Similan Islands. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is terrific for couples. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Similan Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Couples visit Cairns frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Cairns is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cairns is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Cairns has some public transit options. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Cairns a more walkable city?

Similan Islands is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Cairns?

In either Similan Islands or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than Cairns because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

Families should spend more time in Cairns than Similan Islands. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cairns, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cairns than Similan Islands. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cairns that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cairns than Similan Islands if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cairns.

One day in Similan Islands or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Similan Islands. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The tropical destination of Cairns offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Cairns?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The city of Cairns offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Similan Islands or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Similan Islands. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cairns is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Similan Islands or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic destination of Similan Islands. This island chain offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Cairns. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Cairns, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Cairns much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Similan Islands is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cairns would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairns and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands than you might in Cairns.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Similan Islands Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Cairns?

Cairns has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Cairns in the Summer?

Both Cairns and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Cairns in the Autumn?

Both Cairns and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Cairnsin April. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Cairns in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Similan Islands is a little warmer than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Cairns in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Cairns. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

In the spring, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Similan Islands