Thailand Island Closures 2026: What’s Open & Closed?

Which islands are closed in Thailand in November 2026? The Similan and Surin Islands reopened on 15 October, followed by Maya Bay on 1 October. However, Ang Thong Marine National Park has been closed since 1 November, and parts of Tarutao remain off-limits until 31 December.

This guide covers Thailand island closures in 2026, with opening dates and restrictions to check before booking a boat trip, snorkelling tour or diving excursion.

Thailand Island Closures 2026: Opening Dates and Current Status

The following table summarises the main seasonal closures and reopenings. These dates reflect official announcements available as of 2 November 2026, rather than real-time confirmation of individual boat departures.

Last checked: 2 November 2026. National park authorities may change opening dates or suspend visits because of weather, sea conditions or conservation measures. An open park does not guarantee that tours will operate every day.

Why Does Thailand Close Certain Islands?

Seasonal closures are managed by Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), which oversees national parks and protected natural areas.

These restrictions serve two main purposes:

• Environmental protection: temporarily reducing visitor numbers allows coral reefs, beaches and marine habitats to recover from tourism pressure.
• Visitor safety: heavy rainfall, rough seas and strong winds during the monsoon can make boat journeys, snorkelling and diving dangerous.

Many marine parks in the Andaman Sea close between May and October. However, islands and national parks in the Gulf of Thailand follow different seasonal patterns.

For a broader explanation, read our guide to the rainy season in Thailand.

Which Thai Islands and Marine Parks Are Open or Closed?

Similan Islands: Reopened on 15 October 2026

Mu Ko Similan National Park officially reopened to visitors on 15 October 2026, following its seasonal closure, which began in May.

The DNP confirmed the reopening on 16 October and reported 1,409 visitors on the first day, including day-trip visitors and scuba divers.

The new tourist season allows authorised boat excursions and diving activities to resume, subject to the park’s conservation and visitor management rules.

However, the reopening does not automatically mean that camping or overnight accommodation is permitted on every island.

The usual visiting season runs from mid-October to mid-May, although park authorities may suspend access if sea conditions become unsafe.

Sources: DNP – Similan Islands reopening, 16 October 2026 (in Thai) and Tourism Authority of Thailand – The Andaman Opens Its Doors Again.

Surin Islands: Tourist Season Open Since 15 October

Mu Ko Surin National Park also reopened on 15 October 2026.

An official DNP announcement dated 18 October confirmed the start of the tourist season, including nature excursions, snorkelling and opportunities to learn about the Moken community.

The Surin Islands are known for their marine biodiversity, coral reefs and traditional sea-based communities.

Visitors should choose responsible tour operators, respect local customs and follow the park’s rules for protected marine areas.

As with the Similan Islands, access can be temporarily suspended during dangerous weather or sea conditions.

Source: DNP – Surin Islands reopening, 18 October 2026 (in Thai).

Is Maya Bay Open in November 2026?

Yes. Maya Bay, on Koh Phi Phi Leh, reopened to visitors on 1 October 2026.

Its annual closure lasted from 1 August to 30 September. This period helps protect coral habitats, beaches and the blacktip reef sharks that regularly visit the bay.

Swimming in Maya Bay remains prohibited. The reopening allows regulated tourist visits, not unrestricted access to the water.

The DNP also reported significant blacktip reef shark activity during the September closure, highlighting the ecological importance of these protection measures.

Koh Phi Phi Don, the main inhabited island of the archipelago, remains accessible independently of Maya Bay’s seasonal restrictions.

For more information about nearby destinations and excursions, see our Krabi travel guide.

Sources: DNP – Maya Bay conservation report, September 2026 (in Thai) and TAT – Andaman Sea reopenings, October 2026.

Koh Rok and Koh Haa: Marine Tourist Season Resumed

Mu Ko Lanta National Park announced the resumption of its marine tourist season from 1 October 2026.

The announcement covers destinations such as Koh Rok, Koh Haa and Koh Ngai, together with several protected diving and snorkelling areas.

However, the DNP’s general booking information lists a different seasonal calendar for some sites. Travellers should therefore confirm access to their exact destination before booking.

Even during the open season, boat trips may be cancelled if conditions are unsuitable.

Sources: Thai Government News – Mu Ko Lanta tourist season (in Thai) and DNP – Mu Ko Lanta park information.

Koh Kradan, Koh Muk and Emerald Cave

In Hat Chao Mai National Park, Trang Province, several marine attractions were subject to different seasonal closures in 2026:

• Koh Chueak and Koh Waen: 1 June to 30 September.
• Koh Muk and Koh Kradan: 1 August to 30 September.
• Emerald Cave (Morakot Cave): 1 to 30 September.

These scheduled closure periods have now ended. However, individual attractions may still be temporarily inaccessible because of sea conditions or new park restrictions.

Source: Official Hat Chao Mai National Park closure notice for 2026 (in Thai).

Tarutao and Adang-Rawi: Restrictions Until 31 December

Tarutao National Park, in Satun Province, applies different restrictions depending on the island and protected marine site.

Several areas of the Adang-Rawi archipelago were closed from June to September 2026.

However, certain areas remain closed until 31 December 2026, including:

• the northern and eastern sectors of Koh Adang;
• selected dive sites around Koh Talang;
• the eastern and western sections of Koh Hin Ru.

The official announcement also identifies areas where visits are permitted, including designated sites on Koh Tarutao, Koh Hin Ngam and Koh Khai.

Koh Lipe is not closed by these seasonal park restrictions. Nevertheless, this does not mean that every nearby island excursion or protected diving site is accessible.

Source: Thai Public Relations Department – Tarutao National Park closures in 2026 (in Thai).

Mu Ko Phetra: Seasonal Closure Period Has Ended

In Satun Province, several areas of Mu Ko Phetra National Park, including sites around the Bulon Islands, were closed from 1 June to 30 September 2026.

That announced closure period has ended, although marine activities remain subject to weather conditions and local park decisions.

Source: PRD Satun – Mu Ko Phetra seasonal closures (in Thai).

Ang Thong Marine Park: Closed Since 1 November 2026

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, located in the Gulf of Thailand near Koh Samui, has been closed to tourist visits since 1 November 2026.

The seasonal closure coincides with the northeast monsoon, when heavy rain and rough seas can make island excursions particularly hazardous.

Published schedules are not entirely consistent:

• the national park closure calendar for 2026 lists a closure from 1 November to 15 December 2026;
• the DNP’s general park booking page gives the usual closure period as 1 to 30 November.

Travellers should therefore confirm the reopening date with the park or their tour operator rather than assuming that excursions will resume automatically at the end of November.

The closure does not affect Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao as whole islands. Accommodation, restaurants and other tourist services remain separate from the marine park’s access restrictions.

For alternative activities on the island, see our Koh Samui travel guide.

Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand – National Park Closure Calendar 2026 (in Thai) and DNP – Mu Ko Ang Thong park information.

Does a National Park Closure Mean the Entire Island Is Closed?

No. A seasonal closure may affect an entire national park, one beach, a protected diving area or specific visitor facilities.

For example:

• Koh Phi Phi Don remains accessible even when Maya Bay is closed.
• Koh Lanta continues to welcome visitors when trips to smaller protected islands are suspended.
• Koh Lipe is not automatically closed when parts of Tarutao National Park become inaccessible.
• Koh Samui remains open independently of the closure of nearby Ang Thong Marine Park.

The important distinction is between visiting an inhabited island and entering a protected national park or marine attraction.

Additional Restrictions and Booking Requirements

Is Koh Tachai Open to Visitors?

Koh Tachai, within the Similan National Park area, has been subject to long-term restrictions intended to protect its fragile environment.

The reopening of the Similan Islands does not automatically include Koh Tachai. A general return to normal tourist access has not been confirmed in the official sources reviewed for this update.

Before booking a trip advertised as visiting Koh Tachai, ask the operator to confirm that access is specifically authorised.

Source: DNP – Koh Tachai access restrictions (in Thai).

Do You Need an E-Ticket for Thailand’s Marine National Parks?

The DNP uses an electronic ticketing system (E-Ticket) to manage visitor entry at several marine national parks.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, six marine parks have used electronic tickets since October 2025, including the Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay and Mu Ko Lanta.

This system helps manage visitor numbers and protect sensitive natural environments.

Foreign visitors may need to provide their passport details when purchasing or validating their tickets.

Before booking an excursion, confirm:

• whether the national park entrance fee is included in the tour price;
• whether advance booking is required;
• which identification details you need to provide;
• whether the planned itinerary complies with current park restrictions.

Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand – The Andaman Opens Its Doors Again and DNP – electronic ticketing information (in Thai).

Which Thai Islands Can You Visit During Seasonal Closures?

The best alternative depends on your travel dates and which part of Thailand you plan to visit.

Between May and October, when many Andaman Sea marine parks are usually closed, islands in the Gulf of Thailand, such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, may offer better weather conditions.

However, that advice does not automatically apply in November. The southern Gulf frequently experiences heavy rainfall at this time of year, and Ang Thong Marine Park is subject to its annual closure.

Meanwhile, the Andaman coast gradually enters a more favourable season for boat excursions, particularly around Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi.

To compare the seasonal conditions, read our guides to Thailand in November and Thailand in December.

If you are planning an island-hopping itinerary, our Phuket travel guide also explains how to explore the Andaman coast and its nearby islands.