Seasonal· Koh Tachai· Thailand
Koh Tachai Closure (since 2016) and Reopening Status
9° 4.3′ N · 97° 48.9′ E
Koh Tachai (Island #11), once the busiest beach in the Similan park, has been closed to landings since 2016 so its reef and beach can recover. The surrounding dive sites stay open in season.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM-mapped Tachai beach. History: in May 2016 DNP Director-General Tunya Netithammakul announced that the island would not reopen after the monsoon closure. The beach could hold about 70 people but sometimes took well over 1,000 visitors, plus food stalls and tour boats (UNIAN, quoting the Bangkok Post, 17 May 2016). A few nearby dive sites stayed open to divers. Status: the Southeast Asia Pilot's 2025 update says National Parks advised the island remains closed to all day-trip activities, with diving allowed only at permitted sites in the Similan season. In May 2025 a newsletter reported the DNP Director-General saying a tourism reopening is expected, with no date set (Thai Island Quest, citing the Phuket Express). As of the October 2026 season opening, Tisland Travel still lists Koh Tachai as closed to landings, with some surrounding dive sites open. Do not go ashore. Use the moorings or anchor on sand only for a daytime dive stop, and ask the rangers at Koh Miang (#4) whether a limited reopening has been announced.
Best for
Knowing what you can and cannot do at Tachai
Season
Landing closed since 2016; diving at permitted sites 15 Oct–15 May