Thailand's national park closures and reopenings 2026–27

The short answer

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) sets each year’s park closures in an annual notice, published in the Royal Gazette. Under the 2026 notice (in Thai), the main Andaman closures have ended: Maya Bay’s ran to 30 September, and the Similan and Surin closures to 14 October. DNP set the Similan park’s season opening for 15 October 2026 (DNP news, in Thai). Checked 16 October 2026.

• Closing next: Mu Ko Ang Thong, off Koh Samui, is closed from 1 November to 15 December 2026, and some Tarutao dive sites near Koh Lipe from 1 October to 31 December 2026.
• Open is not the same as sailing: a park being open does not mean a boat runs on your date. Confirm the departure with your operator, and check the park’s own page for weather closures, which can happen at short notice.
• 2027: The dates below are for 2026. DNP publishes each year’s closures in a new notice, and the 2027 notice was not out when we checked.

Closures at a glance

Each row is a closure in DNP’s 2026 notice, with the source and the date we checked it. Nearest bases: Khao Lak for Similan and Surin (Surin boats leave from Khuraburi pier, north of Khao Lak), Krabi for Phi Phi, Koh Lipe for Tarutao and Koh Samui for Ang Thong.

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands form an Andaman archipelago known for clear water, granite boulders and sea turtle nesting sites. You reach the park via a speedboat ride from Thap Lamu pier on the mainland.

Closed in 2026

Ko Similan and Ko Miang, the main islands, from 16 May to 14 October 2026. DNP set the season opening for 15 October. Some sites, including Ko Tachai, are closed with no reopening date. The notice gives the recovery of natural resources and visitor safety as the reasons for closures.

Base yourself in

Khao Lak, which sits just a short drive north of the departure pier.

If it’s closed

Take a boat tour into Phang Nga Bay, which is protected from heavy open-ocean swells. Parts of Ao Phang Nga National Park, such as Ko Lawa Yai and Ao Thian, were also closed from 1 August to 30 September 2026, so check before you book.

Stays in Khao Lak→

Surin Islands

The Surin Islands sit north of the Similans and offer shallow coral reefs for snorkeling. Speedboats depart from mainland piers in Phang Nga province for the crossing into the national park.

Closed in 2026

The whole park, including its accommodation and campsites, from 16 May to 14 October 2026. Check the park’s current notice and your operator’s departure before booking.

Base yourself in

Khao Lak to keep your morning transit to the pier short.

If it’s closed

Head to the Gulf of Thailand, where islands like Koh Samui have drier weather between June and September.

Maya Bay and Koh Phi Phi

Maya Bay is a famous beach surrounded by limestone cliffs on Koh Phi Phi Leh. You reach the bay by booking a longtail boat or speedboat tour from the main island of Koh Phi Phi Don or the mainland.

Closed in 2026

Maya Bay, Loh Samah and Ao Lo Ko from 1 August to 30 September 2026; Maya Bay was reported reopened on 1 October. Ko Yung is closed with no reopening date. Koh Phi Phi Don itself is not on the closure list.

Base yourself in

Krabi, where ferries and speedboats run daily from Klong Jilad pier. To choose between Krabi and Phuket as a base, see Phuket or Krabi.

If it’s closed

Tour the rest of the Phi Phi archipelago. Pileh Lagoon is not on the 2026 closure list, though any boat trip depends on the operator and the weather.

Stays in Koh Phi Phi→

Koh Lipe and Tarutao

Tarutao National Park covers a vast area of the deep south, including islands like Koh Adang and Koh Rawi. You reach the area by taking a flight to Hat Yai or Trang, a van ride to Pak Bara pier, and a ferry crossing.

Closed in 2026

Many sites from 1 June to 30 September 2026, including Ko Rawi’s Hat Sai Khao, Ko Hin Ngam, Ko Rok Loi and the Laem Son campsite on Ko Adang. Dive sites at Ko Adang (north and east), Ko Talang and Ko Hin Ru are closed from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Koh Lipe is not on the closure list.

Base yourself in

Koh Lipe to have immediate access to the surrounding national park waters.

If it’s closed

Stay on Koh Lipe to enjoy its local beaches, which are not on the closure list, and ask your dive shop which sites are open.

Stays in Koh Lipe→

Ang Thong Marine Park

Ang Thong is a Gulf of Thailand marine park featuring 42 islands with steep limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons. Most visitors arrive on a day trip via speedboat or large tour boat from nearby islands.

Closed in 2026

The whole park, including Ko Wua Ta Lap’s accommodation and campsite, from 1 November to 15 December 2026, during the Gulf’s wet season.

Base yourself in

Koh Samui, which offers the most frequent boat departures to the park.

If it’s closed: Explore the interior of Koh Samui or take a ferry to Koh Phangan.

Stays in Koh Samui→

Koh Chang and Koh Samet

These eastern seaboard parks offer dense jungle interiors and sandy beaches closer to Bangkok. You reach Koh Samet via a short speedboat ride from the mainland, while Koh Chang requires a car ferry from Trat.

Closed in 2026

The notice does not list Koh Chang or Koh Samet themselves. It closes Koh Chang’s long-distance nature trail from 1 June to 31 October and keeps Ko Thian, Ko Kra and Ko Thong Lang closed with no reopening date. In the Samet park, Ko Kudi closed from 1 July to 15 August and Ko Thalu from 16 August to 30 September 2026.

Base yourself in

Koh Chang for long island-hopping trips, or Koh Samet for a quick weekend escape.

If it’s closed

The main islands are not on the closure list, so check for short-term weather suspensions and the smaller islands above.

Stays in Koh Chang→

If a park is closed

If you travel during the Andaman monsoon season, you still have options on the opposite coast or the mainland.

• Gulf of Thailand: Pick the Gulf if you want island hopping between June and September when the weather is generally drier. Skip this if you want dramatic limestone cliffs, as the eastern islands are flatter and covered in dense jungle. To pick an island, see Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao; for getting there, Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
• Koh Samet: Pick Koh Samet if you want a shorter trip from Bangkok, since the island itself is not on the 2026 closure list. Skip this if you want total isolation; its proximity to the capital means the beaches get busy with domestic tourists on weekends.
• Phang Nga Bay: Pick Phuket to access Phang Nga Bay if you are already on the Andaman Coast, as the bay is protected from heavy open ocean swells. Skip this if you want to snorkel, as the emerald water has low visibility.
• Khao Sok National Park: Pick Khao Sok if you prefer rainforests over the ocean and want access to Cheow Lan Lake. Skip this if you get seasick easily, as reaching the floating bungalows requires a long longtail boat ride. The 2026 notice also closes Tham Nam Thalu cave from 1 June to 30 November.

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