Island Hopping Koh Samui 2026 — Complete Guide to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao & Ang Thong
The complete guide to island hopping from Koh Samui — Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Ang Thong National Marine Park and Koh Nang Yuan. Ferry schedules, prices, tour options and insider itineraries for 2026.
Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand · Ang Thong National Marine Park
Island Hopping
from Koh Samui
2026
Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Ang Thong Marine Park and Koh Nang Yuan — the Gulf of Thailand's most spectacular islands, all reachable from Koh Samui in under 2 hours. Here's everything you need to plan the perfect island hopping trip.
Compare all operators, schedules and prices — Lomprayah, Seatran, Songserm. Best prices guaranteed via 12Go Asia.
4 Islands Worth Visiting from Koh Samui
Each island has its own distinct character — here's everything you need to know to choose the right one for your trip.
42 uninhabited islands forming one of Thailand's most spectacular national parks. Limestone karsts, emerald lagoons, jungle trails and crystal-clear snorkeling waters. The inspiration for "The Beach". A day trip you'll never forget.
World-famous for the Full Moon Party — but Koh Phangan is so much more. Stunning beaches like Haad Rin and Thong Nai Pan, waterfalls, yoga retreats and a growing digital nomad scene. The closest island and the most diverse experience.
The cheapest and best place to get your PADI diving certification in Southeast Asia. Crystal-clear waters with whale sharks, turtles and spectacular coral reefs. Beautiful beaches like Sairee and Tanote Bay. A backpacker and diver's paradise.
Three tiny islands connected by pristine white sand bars — one of Thailand's most iconic photographs. Only reachable via longtail boat from Koh Tao, and only as a day trip. No overnight stays allowed. Worth every minute.
Organised Tour vs Go Solo?
Two ways to island hop from Koh Samui — each with distinct advantages. Here's how to choose.
Book your own ferry tickets via 12Go Asia and explore at your own pace. Best for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao where you want to stay overnight.
- Total freedom — stay as long as you want
- Much cheaper than organised tours
- Best for multi-day island hopping
- Lomprayah speedboats are fast and comfortable
- Need to arrange your own accommodation
- No guide or snorkeling equipment
All-inclusive day trips to Ang Thong Marine Park, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Transport, guide, lunch and equipment included. Best for first-timers.
- Everything included — zero organisation
- Local guide with insider knowledge
- Snorkeling gear, kayak, lunch included
- Best for Ang Thong (no ferry access)
- Fixed schedule — back by 5pm
- More expensive than solo ferry
How Many Days? Our Best Itineraries
Based on our time living on the island — here's how we'd plan island hopping from Koh Samui.
Depart Koh Samui at 8:30am on a speedboat tour. Snorkel at the emerald lagoon, hike to the panoramic viewpoint, kayak through limestone caves and enjoy a Thai lunch on the boat. Back by 5pm. This is the best single-day island hopping experience from Koh Samui — Ang Thong cannot be visited independently, only by organised tour.
Take the morning Lomprayah ferry to Koh Phangan (30 min). Spend the day on Haad Rin Beach or explore the quieter north coast. If timing aligns, experience the legendary Full Moon Party at night — the biggest beach party in Asia. Return ferry next morning or continue to Koh Tao.
Lomprayah speedboat from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao (45 min). Morning snorkeling at Koh Nang Yuan — the island with Thailand's most photographed sandbar. Afternoon at Sairee Beach or opt for a half-day diving experience. Return to Koh Samui in the late afternoon.
All operators, all routes — Lomprayah, Seatran, Songserm. Best prices for Samui → Phangan, Samui → Tao and all inter-island routes.
Ang Thong Marine Park, island hopping tours, snorkeling packages and diving day trips. Largest selection of Koh Samui activities.
Premium tours with local guides. Ang Thong day trips, kayaking tours and unique island experiences. 8% commission — best rates.
Island Hopping Tips — From a Koh Samui Local
Lomprayah speedboats sell out fast in high season (Dec-Feb, Jul-Aug). Book 48 hours ahead minimum via 12Go Asia. Morning departures (8am-10am) are the best for full day experiences.
You cannot visit Ang Thong independently — it's a national park accessible only via organised speedboat tours. Book via Klook or GetYourGuide at least the day before. Tours fill up completely in high season.
The Lomprayah speedboat to Koh Tao can get rough, especially May-October. Take Dramamine or Bonine 30 minutes before departure. Sit on deck at the back for the smoothest ride.
Koh Phangan's Full Moon Party attracts 30,000+ people. Hotels and ferries book out weeks in advance. Check the schedule and plan your trip accordingly — it happens every month on the full moon.
January-August is ideal — calm seas and good visibility. September-October brings rough weather but cheaper prices. November-December brings northeast monsoon but the west coast stays calm.
Lomprayah speedboats are faster and more comfortable — worth the slight price premium for Koh Tao. For Koh Phangan, both operators are fine. Seatran is slightly cheaper. Book either via 12Go Asia for best prices.
Snorkeling accidents, seasickness emergencies and unexpected weather can happen. Medical evacuation from Koh Tao to Koh Samui costs $500-2,000 without insurance. SafetyWing covers island hopping across Thailand from $45/month.
Island Hopping Koh Samui — FAQ
The four best islands to visit from Koh Samui are Ang Thong National Marine Park (42 uninhabited islands — by organised tour only), Koh Phangan (30 minutes by ferry — Full Moon Party, beaches and yoga), Koh Tao (2 hours by speedboat — world-class diving and snorkeling) and Koh Nang Yuan (via Koh Tao — Thailand's most iconic sandbar). For a single day trip, Ang Thong is the unmissable experience.
Ferries from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan run multiple times daily from Nathon Pier and Lomprayah Pier. The journey takes 30-45 minutes by speedboat. Lomprayah and Seatran are the main operators. Tickets start from $8 and should be booked in advance via 12Go Asia, especially in high season. The first departure is usually around 8am and the last around 5pm.
Lomprayah speedboats run twice daily from Koh Samui to Koh Tao — typically at 8am and 1pm. The journey takes around 1h30-2h. Tickets start from $18 and must be booked in advance via 12Go Asia. You can also go via Koh Phangan (30 min from Samui then 45 min to Koh Tao) which breaks the journey nicely if you plan to stop for a few days.
No — Ang Thong National Marine Park is only accessible via organised speedboat tours. There are no public ferries to the park. Tours depart from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan daily at around 8:30am and return by 5pm. The tours include snorkeling equipment, kayaking, a Thai lunch and a park ranger guide. Book via Klook or GetYourGuide — prices start from $45 per person.
For a day trip, spend the day at Ang Thong Marine Park — it's the best single-day experience. For 3 days, do Ang Thong on day 1, then take the ferry to Koh Phangan for 1-2 nights. For a full 5-day circuit, do Ang Thong → Koh Phangan (2 nights) → Koh Tao (1 night) → Koh Nang Yuan (half day) → return to Samui. Book all ferries in advance via 12Go Asia.
Ready to Explore the Gulf Islands?
Book your ferries and tours now — Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Ang Thong are waiting.