Thailand’s Similan Islands will be closed to the public from next week for a six-month period.
Tourism officials are urging anyone planning a trip to do so before May 16.
It closes for the monsoon season until October 15 to aid the restoration of its habitats.
Mu Ko Similan National Park has been attracting about 2,000 visitors daily.
It is a fairly remote chain of 11 islands, noted for top class diving and attracts a large number of liveaboard dive cruises.
It is also noted for unique rock formations and its beaches.
The numbers of visitors to the islands have been strictly controlled for several years, completely closing down each monsoon season.
There are no permanent lodgings there but visitors are allowed to camp on three of the islands.
