Koh Tao taxi boat prices — the complete and reliable guide to every longtail and taxi boat fare on Koh Tao for 2026. Taxi boats are the essential transport for reaching Koh Tao's remote beaches, snorkeling spots and the famous Koh Nang Yuan island. This guide covers every Koh Tao taxi boat price, every route and everything you need to know to avoid being overcharged.
Taxi boats get you around Koh Tao, but first you need to reach the island. Ferries from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Chumphon and Bangkok book out fast in high season. Compare every route, time and price — and lock in your seat — in one place.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Koh Tao's taxi boat network connects some of the most spectacular diving and snorkeling sites in the Gulf of Thailand — many inaccessible by road.
Koh Tao Taxi Boat Prices — Complete List 2026
Koh Tao taxi boat prices are officially regulated — a price board is displayed at Mae Haad Pier. Here are all current Koh Tao taxi boat prices for the most common routes:
| Route | One Way | Return | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mae Haad → Koh Nang Yuan | 100 THB | 200 THB | 10 min |
| Mae Haad → Shark Bay (Ao Leuk) | 100–150 THB | 200–250 THB | 10–15 min |
| Mae Haad → Tanote Bay | 150–200 THB | 250–350 THB | 15–20 min |
| Mae Haad → Ao Leuk | 100–150 THB | 180–250 THB | 10–15 min |
| Mae Haad → Hin Wong Bay | 200–250 THB | 350–450 THB | 20–25 min |
| Mae Haad → Ao Mao | 200–250 THB | 350–450 THB | 20–25 min |
| Mae Haad → Aow Leuk Snorkel | 200 THB | 350 THB | 15 min |
| Sairee → Koh Nang Yuan | 100 THB | 200 THB | 10 min |
| Chalok → Mae Haad | 100–150 THB | 180–250 THB | 10–15 min |
Koh Tao taxi boat prices are per person on shared boats. For private charter, expect 3–5x the per-person rate. Always check the official price board at Mae Haad Pier before negotiating. The most popular Koh Tao taxi boat price is 100 THB each way to Koh Nang Yuan.
These taxi boat fares are for hopping around Koh Tao once you're there. The bigger cost to plan is the ferry to Koh Tao — from Koh Samui (1h30), Koh Phangan (45 min), Chumphon (1h45) or Bangkok (overnight bus + ferry). High-speed catamarans (Lomprayah, Songserm) sell out days ahead in peak season. Book your seat before you arrive so a sold-out ferry doesn't cost you a day of your trip.
Koh Nang Yuan — Most Popular Taxi Boat
The most requested Koh Tao taxi boat price is to Koh Nang Yuan — three tiny islands connected by white sand bars, 10 minutes by longtail from Mae Haad or Sairee. This is unquestionably the most photographed spot on Koh Tao and worth every baht of the 100 THB taxi boat fare.
Koh Nang Yuan — What to Know
- Koh Tao taxi boat price — 100 THB each way from Mae Haad or Sairee Beach
- Entrance fee — 100 THB per person (collected on arrival)
- No plastic bottles allowed — leave them at your guesthouse
- Best time — arrive before 10am for the best visibility and fewest crowds
- Return — last taxi boat back from Koh Nang Yuan approximately 5pm
- Snorkeling — exceptional visibility, coral gardens directly from the beach
The 100 THB Koh Tao taxi boat price to Koh Nang Yuan is one of the best-value excursions in Thailand. Take the first taxi boat of the day (7:30–8am) from Mae Haad to arrive before the day-trippers. The viewpoint hike takes 20 minutes and offers a jaw-dropping panorama over the twin bays.
Private Charter vs Shared Taxi Boat Prices
Koh Tao taxi boat prices vary significantly between shared and private charter:
| Type | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shared taxi boat | 100–250 THB/person | Solo · Couple · Budget |
| Private charter (half day) | 1,500–2,500 THB/boat | Group 4–8 · Custom route |
| Private charter (full day) | 2,500–4,000 THB/boat | Island hopping · Snorkel tour |
| Snorkeling tour (guided) | 500–800 THB/person | Guided · Equipment included |
For most visitors, a guided snorkeling tour (500–800 THB/person including equipment and 4–5 snorkel spots) is better value than a private charter. Book via GetYourGuide for pre-vetted operators with guaranteed departure times and free cancellation.
🤿 Book Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan Snorkel Tours →
How Taxi Boats Work on Koh Tao
Understanding how Koh Tao taxi boats work helps you get the best Koh Tao taxi boat prices and avoid confusion:
- Departure points — Mae Haad Pier is the main hub. Sairee Beach also has longtail boats available directly from the beach.
- Shared boats — wait for enough passengers heading to the same destination. May wait 15–30 minutes at quiet times.
- Hailing a boat — wave from the beach or ask at Mae Haad Pier. Drivers also approach tourists proactively.
- Return trips — arrange your return time with the driver before departure. Most will wait at your destination for an agreed time.
- Price negotiation — for shared routes, the official Koh Tao taxi boat prices on the board are non-negotiable. For private charters, negotiation is expected.
- Payment — cash only. Have small bills ready — 100 THB notes are ideal for standard Koh Tao taxi boat fares.
Always check the official Koh Tao taxi boat price board at Mae Haad Pier before agreeing any fare. Some drivers quote tourist prices significantly above the regulated rates — especially for private charters. If quoted more than 20–30% above the board price, walk to the next boat.
Where to Stay on Koh Tao — Near the Best Taxi Boat Spots
Your Koh Tao taxi boat costs drop the closer you stay to Mae Haad Pier and Sairee Beach — the two main departure points. Staying in Sairee or Mae Haad means shorter, cheaper hops to Koh Nang Yuan and the west-coast snorkeling spots, plus easy pier access for your arrival and departure ferries.
| Area | Best For | Taxi Boat Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sairee Beach | Nightlife · Diving schools · Restaurants | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Longtails direct from beach |
| Mae Haad | Ferry access · Central · Convenient | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Main taxi boat hub |
| Chalok Baan Kao | Quiet · South coast · Couples | ⭐⭐⭐ Short transfer to Mae Haad |
| Tanote Bay | Seclusion · Snorkeling on your doorstep | ⭐⭐ Remote — plan transfers |
Sairee and Mae Haad book out fast in high season (December–March) — the beachfront places near the pier go first. Reserve early to stay within walking distance of the taxi boats and ferry pier.
Best Snorkeling Spots Accessible by Taxi Boat
The best use of your Koh Tao taxi boat budget is reaching the island's exceptional snorkeling spots — most require a short boat ride from Mae Haad or Sairee:
Koh Nang Yuan (100 THB taxi boat)
Crystal clear water, vibrant coral gardens and the famous Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint. Best snorkeling is on the east side of the islands. The 100 THB Koh Tao taxi boat price here is the island's best-value excursion.
Shark Bay / Ao Leuk (100–150 THB taxi boat)
Blacktip reef sharks patrol the shallow water — visible without scuba gear with just a mask and fins. One of Thailand's most accessible wildlife encounters. Taxi boat from Mae Haad costs 100–150 THB.
Tanote Bay (150–200 THB taxi boat)
Secluded east-coast bay with excellent snorkeling off the rocky headlands. Less crowded than the main west-coast beaches. Taxi boat from Mae Haad costs 150–200 THB each way.
Hin Wong Bay (200–250 THB taxi boat)
Remote northeast bay with exceptional underwater visibility and diverse coral. Popular with experienced snorkelers and divers. The higher Koh Tao taxi boat price reflects the longer journey — approximately 20–25 minutes from Mae Haad.
Book Koh Tao Snorkel & Island Tours
Guided tours · Equipment included · Free cancellation · All snorkel spots
Taxi Boat from Koh Tao to Koh Phangan / Koh Samui
Koh Tao taxi boats are for short island hops only — they don't operate inter-island routes to Koh Phangan or Koh Samui. For those longer routes, high-speed catamarans (Lomprayah, Songserm) run daily:
- Koh Tao → Koh Phangan — catamaran, 45 min, from 350 THB · See guide
- Koh Tao → Koh Samui — catamaran, 1h30–2h, from 650 THB · See guide
- Koh Tao → Chumphon (mainland) — catamaran, 1h45, from 600 THB · See guide
Rather than queuing at the pier or risking a sold-out boat, compare Lomprayah, Songserm and all operators — with live times, prices and instant e-tickets — through 12Go. One booking covers your arrival and departure, so nothing is left to chance on travel day.
Insider Tips — Koh Tao Taxi Boat Prices
- Check the official price board at Mae Haad Pier — the Koh Tao taxi boat prices are officially regulated. Any fare significantly above the board is an overcharge.
- Go early for Koh Nang Yuan — the 7:30–8am first taxi boat gives you the best snorkeling conditions before the day-tripper boats arrive.
- Arrange your return time upfront — agree when the driver will pick you up from your destination before departing. This avoids stranded situations, especially at remote bays.
- Group charter is good value for 4+ — splitting a private charter (1,500–2,000 THB) between 4 people works out cheaper per person than individual Koh Tao taxi boat prices for multiple stops.
- Cash only — no card payments on Koh Tao taxi boats. Always carry 100 THB notes for standard fares.
- Book your inter-island ferry ahead — taxi boats you can grab on the spot, but the catamaran to and from Koh Tao sells out in peak season. Reserve online to guarantee your seat.
FAQ — Koh Tao Taxi Boat Prices
How much is a taxi boat on Koh Tao?
Koh Tao taxi boat prices start at 100 THB per person each way for the most popular routes (Mae Haad to Koh Nang Yuan or Shark Bay). Longer routes to east-coast bays cost 150–250 THB per person each way. Private charter for a half day costs 1,500–2,500 THB for the whole boat.
How much is the taxi boat to Koh Nang Yuan?
The Koh Tao taxi boat price to Koh Nang Yuan is 100 THB each way from Mae Haad Pier or Sairee Beach — approximately 10 minutes by longtail. An additional 100 THB entrance fee is charged on arrival at Koh Nang Yuan. No plastic bottles allowed on the island.
Are Koh Tao taxi boat prices negotiable?
Koh Tao taxi boat prices for shared routes are officially regulated and displayed on the price board at Mae Haad Pier — these are not negotiable. Private charter prices are negotiable, especially in low season or for longer bookings. Always reference the official price board to know the standard Koh Tao taxi boat rates before discussing fares.
What time is the last taxi boat from Koh Nang Yuan?
The last taxi boat from Koh Nang Yuan back to Mae Haad or Sairee is approximately 5pm. Always confirm the last boat time with your driver before departing. Arriving after the last boat means paying for a private charter back at significantly higher Koh Tao taxi boat prices.
How do I get to Koh Tao to use the taxi boats?
Koh Tao is reached by high-speed catamaran from Koh Samui (1h30), Koh Phangan (45 min) or Chumphon on the mainland (1h45), or by combined bus-and-ferry from Bangkok. Ferries sell out in high season, so booking your seat online in advance via 12Go is recommended before planning your on-island taxi boat trips.
Continue Reading
- Chumphon to Koh Tao — Complete Ferry Guide
- Koh Samui to Koh Tao — Ultimate Ferry Guide
- Koh Phangan to Koh Tao — Complete Ferry Guide
- Island Hopping from Koh Samui — Complete Guide
- Best eSIM Thailand 2026 — Stay Connected on the Islands
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