Day trips to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Ang Thong National Marine Park and Koh Tan/Koh Mudsum - ferry operators, boat types, costs in THB, the best season to go and how to book.
Koh Samui sits at the center of the Gulf of Thailand's best island cluster - Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are both within a couple of hours by speedboat, the karst islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park are a signature day tour, and Koh Tan and "Pig Island" Koh Mudsum offer an easy half-day snorkel trip without leaving the immediate area. Here is how island-hopping from Koh Samui actually works: what each destination offers, the boat and ferry options, what it really costs in Thai baht, the best season to go, and how to book.
Just a short hop east of Samui, Koh Phangan is reachable by speedboat in about 30-45 minutes from Bophut/Big Buddha, Maenam or Nathon piers, with Lomprayah and Seatran running multiple daily departures. Best known internationally for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin, but a day trip also reaches the quieter north coast (Thong Nai Pan, Bottle Beach) and Phaeng waterfall - easily done as a half-day or full-day trip, or combined with Koh Tao.
Thailand's diving capital sits roughly 1.5-2 hours from Koh Samui by speedboat, with Lomprayah running the fastest direct service (commonly around two departures a day). Clear water, healthy reefs and the tiny twin-bay islet of Koh Nang Yuan just offshore make it the top pick for a snorkeling- or diving-focused trip, though the distance makes it a long day compared with Phangan or the closer islets - many visitors stay a night instead of rushing a same-day round trip.
A cluster of 42 limestone karst islands about 30km northwest of Samui, protected as a national marine park with no scheduled public ferry - the only way in is an organized speedboat or catamaran day tour. Highlights include the Emerald Lagoon (Talay Nai) on Koh Mae Koh, reached via a short, steep staircase, and a demanding viewpoint hike on Koh Wua Talap for a panorama over the whole archipelago; most tours add sea-kayaking and snorkeling stops.
The nearest island group to Samui, just off the south-east coast near Bang Kao/Laem Set, reachable by speedboat in well under an hour. Koh Mudsum is nicknamed "Pig Island" for the semi-wild pigs that wander its beach, and both islets have calm, shallow reefs that suit an easy half-day or roughly six-hour snorkeling trip - a good option if Ang Thong or Koh Tao feel like too much time on the water.
The standard for day trips to Phangan, Tao, Ang Thong and Tan/Mudsum - cuts travel time significantly versus a big ferry but gives a rougher, wetter ride in swell, with smaller groups than a scheduled ferry.
Lomprayah, Seatran and Songserm run larger passenger ferries on fixed timetables between Samui, Phangan and Tao (and on to the mainland at Chumphon or Surat Thani) - slower but steadier, with more deck space and toilets. The practical choice if you're travelling with luggage rather than joining a day tour.
Raja Ferry and Seatran Ferry run large roll-on/roll-off car ferries mainly from Nathon Pier and Lipa Noi to the mainland (Surat Thani/Don Sak) and to Koh Phangan - the option if you're bringing a car or motorbike rather than travelling as a foot passenger.
Speedboats and catamarans available for private full- or half-day charter, letting you set your own island itinerary and timing. Priced per boat rather than per person, so cost-effective for groups of 6-10+ splitting the charter.
From roughly 280-350 THB per person one-way on Lomprayah or Seatran speedboat services, with multiple daily departures; round-trip and combined Phangan+Tao fares are usually cheaper booked together.
From roughly 600-700 THB per person one-way on Lomprayah's speedboat service (commonly around two departures a day); a same-day round trip means roughly 3-4 hours of total transit, so many visitors stay overnight instead.
Full-day speedboat tours with lunch, kayaking and snorkeling commonly run about 2,200 THB for adults and 1,700 THB for children, which typically excludes the national park entrance fee - a further 300 THB for foreign adults and 150 THB for foreign children (ages 3-14), paid at the park.
Speedboat snorkeling trips to Koh Tan and "Pig Island" (Koh Mudsum) typically run about 2,000-2,400 THB per person for a roughly six-hour tour including hotel pickup, snorkel gear and lunch.
Private speedboat or catamaran charters for a half or full day commonly start from roughly 10,000-20,000+ THB per boat depending on boat size and itinerary - competitive per person once split across a group of 6-10.
The Gulf of Thailand side (Samui, Phangan, Tao) follows a different pattern than the Andaman coast: the calmest window is roughly December to April, while Samui's wettest period tends to fall around October-November - the opposite low season to Phuket or Krabi. Always check the forecast, and be ready for an Ang Thong tour in particular to be rescheduled in rough weather.
Most speedboat day tours and Lomprayah/Seatran ferries depart from the Bophut/Big Buddha pier area or Maenam Pier on Samui's north coast - the nearest crossing point to Phangan and Tao. Nathon Pier on the west coast is the main hub for vehicle ferries (Raja Ferry, Seatran Ferry) to the mainland. Confirm your exact pier when booking, since hotel transfer times vary a lot by which side of the island you're staying on.
Book through your hotel's tour desk, a Samui-based travel agent, or online platforms (12Go, Klook, GetYourGuide, Viator) that let you compare operators and lock in a fixed price with hotel pickup. Ferry-only tickets (no tour) are simplest booked directly with the operator (Lomprayah, Seatran) or via 12Go.
Reef-safe sunscreen, a light cover-up, a dry bag for phones/cameras, cash in small denominations for park fees and drinks, and motion-sickness tablets if you're prone to seasickness - the Ang Thong and Koh Tao crossings in particular can be a rougher ride in swell.
Ang Thong National Marine Park and the reefs around Koh Tan/Mudsum are ecologically sensitive - don't stand on or touch coral, don't feed the wildlife (including Koh Mudsum's pigs), and take all litter back with you; tour staff will brief groups on current rules, which can change seasonally.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is the classic first choice for scenery - the Emerald Lagoon and the Koh Wua Talap viewpoint - while Koh Phangan is the easiest and cheapest half-day hop if you'd rather keep it simple. Koh Tao is worth the longer trip specifically for diving and snorkeling.
A one-way ferry to Koh Phangan starts around 280-350 THB, and to Koh Tao around 600-700 THB. Organized day tours run roughly 2,000-2,400 THB per person for Koh Tan/Mudsum snorkeling and about 2,200 THB for Ang Thong, plus a separate 300 THB national park fee for foreign adults.
No - there's no scheduled public ferry to Ang Thong, so it's only reachable via an organized speedboat or catamaran day tour booked through a tour operator, hotel desk or online platform.
Roughly December to April tends to have the calmest seas on the Gulf of Thailand side. Samui's wet season runs more toward October-November, the opposite pattern to Phuket and the Andaman coast, so check conditions for your specific dates.
Yes, though it's a long day - the fastest speedboat crossing takes roughly 1.5-2 hours each way. Many visitors book an early-morning departure, or choose to stay a night or two on Koh Tao instead of a rushed same-day round trip.
Booking at least a day ahead is recommended, especially in high season (Dec-Apr) and for popular routes like Phangan and Tao, since morning departures and the best-reviewed tour operators can sell out.
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Browse Koh Samui areas near Bophut, Maenam and Nathon - the main departure points for island-hopping trips.
Hero photo by Nghia Tran on Pexels. General information only; confirm current schedules, prices, park fees and seasonal closures with ferry operators and tour companies before booking. Prices in Thai baht (THB) and are indicative.