Bangkok Airways Round Up
- Donald Duck Bay is located in the famous Similan archipelago of Phang Nga province, Thailand. It was ranked 10th among the world’s best beaches in 2026 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches, earning its spot due to its unique, untouched, uncrowded setting and rich wildlife characteristics
- Some of the nearby signature sites you should visit are Christmas Point, a vibrant dive spot named after the colonies of Christmas tree worms spread across the area, Elephant Head Rock, an iconic site with a colossal granite boulder rising above the water’s surface, and Koh Bon, where a stunning, naturally formed rocky bridge is a perfect landmark for underwater exploration.
Donald Duck Bay: From a Phang Nga Landmark to the World’s Top 10 Beaches in 2026
Donald Duck Bay is one of the most popular attractions in Southern Thailand, located in the world-renowned Similan archipelago of Phang Nga Province. It was ranked 10th among the world’s best beaches in 2026 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches, based on the votes and reviews from over 1,000 travel experts, influencers, and travelers.
The beaches were nominated by these travel experts before being reviewed and evaluated by the Beach Ambassadors based on the following 8 core criteria:
- Criteria 1: Unique – The distinctiveness and character of the atmosphere.
- Criteria 2: Wildlife – The opportunity to encounter wildlife and marine life.
- Criteria 3: Untouched – The purity of undisturbed nature.
- Criteria 4: Soundtrack of Nature – The ability to hear only the sounds of waves and nature.
- Criteria 5: Easy to Enter – The beach has calm waters and a sandy bottom, making it easy to get in and enjoy a swim.
- Criteria 6: Often Calm Waters – Calm water conditions that are perfect for relaxation.
- Criteria 7: Not Too Crowded – Uncrowded quality, offering peace and privacy.
- Criteria 8: Frequently Idyllic – The percentage of ideal weather and beach conditions.
Donald Duck Bay: The Jewel of Similan Island Number 8
The Similan archipelago comprises 11 stunning islands, with Similan Island, also known as Island Number 8, being the largest island in the archipelago. Similan Island is best known for Donald Duck Bay (Ao Kuerk Bay), which is home to crystal-clear waters and a stretch of soft white sand, offering you a blissful experience when taking a stroll along the shore or unwinding on the beach for a peaceful sunbathe.
Sailboat Rock: The Iconic Landmark of Donald Duck Bay
Sailboat Rock is the iconic landmark of Donald Duck Bay, which earns its name from the unique shape that resembles a duck’s head, offering a great opportunity to take memorable photos of it. After that, head to Sail Rock Viewpoint for a panoramic view of Donald Duck Bay and the Andaman Sea to make your trip unforgettable. To reach the viewpoint, hike up a granite boulder for 15-20 minutes on a 150-meter trail.
3 Dive Sites: The Underwater Wonders Around Donald Duck Bay
Donald Duck Bay is known as an exceptional diving spot, especially for beginners. The transparent water provides great visibility for divers to see the vast seabed and schools of fish of all sizes living in the colorful coral reefs from shallow to deep waters.
1. Donald Duck Bay Dive Site
Located on the northwest side, Donald Duck Bay Dive Site is a fascinating dive spot with a depth ranging from 5 to 30 meters, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate-level divers. The underwater world features a beautiful landscape of boulders, pinnacles, coral bommies, sea fans, and plenty of small caves to swim through, along with spectacular marine life including barracuda, parrotfish, groupers, manta rays, and whitetip sharks.
2. Turtle Rock
The geography of Turtle Rock, situated on the east side, is an overlapping landscape of boulders and vibrant corals, with a massive turtle-shell-shaped rock emerging from the surface.
The gentle current and depths ranging from 5 to 25 meters offer a suitable experience for divers and snorkelers of all levels. Enjoy encountering diverse sea animals, such as Jenkins’ whiprays, Oreoglanis, a huge school of barracuda, and small creatures hiding in the reef.
3. Snapper Alley
Snapper Alley is an amateur-friendly dive site with a maximum depth of 20 meters. With consistently clear visibility and calm waves, you can easily see a vast topography where ocean rock and coral formations alongside thrilling swim-throughs are scattered across the shallow sandy bottom.
While observing the reef adorned with fantastic plate corals, brain corals, and sea fans, you can also spot various native animals, including reef sharks, leopard sharks, and many other species.
Beyond Donald Duck Bay: Must-Visit Spots in the Similan Islands
1. Koh Miang
Koh Miang, or Similan Island Number 4, is the destination with one of the most gorgeous beaches in Similan National Park, offering turquoise water and white sand stretching over 400 meters. Beyond the water, which is home to abundant coral reefs perfect for diving, you can also find fascinating rare fauna on land, including the hairy-legged mountain crab, the colorful Nicobar pigeon, and hermit crabs.
2. Christmas Point, Koh Ba Ngu
Christmas Point, the main highlight of Koh Ba Ngu, or Island Number 9, is a wonderful deep-diving spot with a depth of between 35 and 40 meters that received its name from a large group of Christmas tree worms that live in this area.
Moreover, you can also encounter the black-banded trevally, butterflyfish, and sea turtles in the shallow waters, as well as the whitetip reef shark, the guitarfish, and manta rays in the deep waters, which are the main highlight that captivates divers from around the world.
3. Koh Payu
Koh Payu, or Similan Island Number 7, is renowned for the dive site called West of Eden, a highly biodiverse marine territory with a depth ranging from 10 to 30 meters. The terrain is stacked with small and large rocks strewn along the slopes, allowing the nutrient-rich currents to sweep through, turning the underwater garden into a thriving environment full of life.
West of Eden is a combination of massive sea fans elegantly spreading their branches through the water and soft corals showing off their bright colors. You can spot adorable clownfish taking cover in barrel sponges, offering divers an unforgettable glimpse into a world of micro-creatures.
4. Koh Huyong
Koh Huyong, also known as Similan Island Number 1, is the southernmost island in the archipelago and is renowned for its long pearl-colored beach. As one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the Andaman Sea, access to the shore is strictly restricted to protect the wildlife. Nevertheless, travelers can still enjoy the island’s stunning scenery by cruising around it by boat.
5. Koh Bon
Koh Bon is a small, beachless island hosting one of the most stunning diving sites in the park, with a maximum depth reaching 50 meters. This dive location is characterized by a rocky bridge that was formed by seawater erosion, resulting in a bridge-shaped tunnel that serves as a large habitat for a wide variety of fish and small invertebrates.
Apart from the marine biodiversity, there are 2 main dive sites at Koh Bon, including the one on the north side with a depth of 18-50 meters and the other one on the west side with a depth of 40 meters, which is where divers may encounter manta rays and whale sharks
6. Elephant Head Rock
Elephant Head Rock, nestled between Similan Island Number 7 and Number 8, is among the most well-known diving spots in the archipelago. This dive site is recognized for the colossal granite boulder that breaches the water’s surface, resembling an elephant’s head.
It is widely popular among diving enthusiasts, as the area features numerous rock formations that you can dive through. Some parts of the seafloor reach a depth of 40 meters, while the shallow waters are adorned with massive sea fans and unique-shaped sponges. As you dive, you can encounter some rare marine species, such as peacock mantis shrimps, rockmover wrasses, gobies, and whitetip reef sharks.
Best Time to Visit Donald Duck Bay and Similan Islands
November to April (dry season to hot season) is the best time to visit Donald Duck Bay and the Similan Islands, as the sky remains constantly clear and the water stays calm, enhancing the visibility under the sea.
Most importantly, this is when the underwater world reaches its most vibrant moment, with diverse species of marine life swarming over the reef, from the parrotfish and marine angelfish to reef sharks. The period from January to March is when you have the highest chance of encountering large marine species, especially manta rays and whale sharks.
How to Get to Donald Duck Bay in Phang Nga
Step 1: Fly to Phuket or Krabi with Bangkok Airways
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Phang Nga is with Bangkok Airways. Travelers can take a direct flight from Bangkok to Phuket International Airport in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes or to Krabi International Airport in around 1 hour and 25 minutes, as Phang Nga does not have its own airport. Travelers can also enjoy Bangkok Airways’ renowned full-service experience, featuring complimentary in-flight meals, exclusive lounge access, a 20-kilogram baggage allowance, and warm Thai hospitality, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination itself.
Connecting International Travelers to Phuket and Krabi
Bangkok Airways makes traveling to Phuket and Krabi more convenient for international travelers through seamless connections with its airline partners. Travelers arriving from major cities across Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates can easily connect to Bangkok Airways-operated flights and continue their journey with ease.
Step 2: Get to Thap Lamu Pier by Car and Continue to the Similan Island Archipelago by a Speedboat
Get a taxi to Thap Lamu Pier. The ride takes approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport and 2 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours from Krabi International Airport. Then, it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the Similan Islands by speedboat provided by a reliable tour operator.
Recommended Tours with Similan One-Day Trip Packages
| Recommended Tours | Price |
| Love Andaman | – 3,900 THB (Khoa Lak Pickup) – 4,200 THB (Phuket Pickup) |
| Seastar Andaman | 1,990 THB (Khoa Lak or Phuket Pickup) |
| Wow Andaman | – 3,900 THB (Khoa Lak Pickup) – 4,200 THB (Phuket Pickup) |
Important Information: Before you enter the national park, make sure that you have already booked your seat with a trusted tour or chartered a private boat, as the park does not provide a public transfer service between the islands and the mainland.
Q&A About Donald Duck Bay in Phang Nga
Is Donald Duck Bay open all year round?
No, the island is closed during the wet season, usually from May to October every year, in order to let marine ecosystems recover from tourism and to prevent any danger that might be caused by storms.
You can check the exact date on the official Facebook here: Mu Ko Similan National park.
Can beginners snorkel at Donald Duck Bay?
Absolutely. The main dive sites around Donald Duck Bay, including Donald Duck Bay Dive Site, Turtle Rock, and Snapper Alley, are perfect for divers of all levels, especially beginners. The gentle, crystal-clear waters and depths of up to 20 meters make it easy to enjoy the colorful coral reefs beneath the surface.
Are there any restaurants or facilities on Donald Duck Bay?
Yes, there are restaurants, shops, and restrooms available to visitors on the island. Most Similan tours also make a stop here for lunch.
Do I need to book a tour to visit Donald Duck Bay?
Yes, you must book a tour or charter a speedboat with a tour company because the national park does not provide a public transfer service between the islands and the mainland.
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Enjoy an Unforgettable Journey to Donald Duck Bay with Bangkok Airways
Donald Duck Bay is the ultimate tropical retreat for beach lovers and diving enthusiasts. Recognized by The World’s 50 Best Beaches as the world’s 10th best beach in 2026, the bay offers a gorgeous shoreline alongside a vibrant underwater world teeming with rich marine life. To get the most out of your adventure, choose Bangkok Airways for a seamless journey. Our welcoming staff is dedicated to delivering top-notch service and ultimate comfort on every flight.
Bangkok Airways: Experience Unparalleled Comfort and Convenience
Embark on seamless travel adventures with Bangkok Airways’ extensive network of flights connecting you to Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, and Hong Kong. Additionally, enjoy flights with Bangkok Airways’ three private airports in Koh Samui, Sukhothai, and Trat.
- Seat Selection: Choose your preferred seat on your flight to ensure a comfortable journey.
- Baggage Allowance Included: Enjoy up to 20 kg of checked baggage, allowing you to bring along your essentials without worry.
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