Gulf Coast: Island-hopping guide

Thailand’s Gulf Coast is the location for a trio of tropical islands: Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao. They make for an ideal island-hopping holiday with proximity to each other and convenient access from the mainland and via inter-connecting boat services.

In this Gulf Coast island-hopping guide, we run through how to travel between the islands with details of ferry companies, journey times, and how to reach them from the mainland.

How to book boat and ferry services 

Boats and ferries for Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao can easily be booked in person when you are in Thailand. You can visit any local tour office or ask at your hotel or guest-house who may be able to arrange everything for you. Some of the best-known boat companies operating services on the Gulf Coast routes include:

• Lomprayah 
• Raja Ferry 
• Seatran 
• Songserm 

Several smaller boat companies also operate boats and speedboats between Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan. 

Unfortunately, some Thai travel websites can be frustrating to use when it comes to booking tickets or getting up-to-date timetables. As an alternative, you can also book through online agents such as 12Go. These sites tend to be more user-friendly but keep in mind that they won’t list every available boat service. This is where booking in person when you are in Thailand can be an advantage.

Booking boat and ferry trips in Thailand

Routes and journey times

The graphic below includes the main routes to and from the Gulf Coast islands together with an estimate of the journey times. 

• Check the latest schedules and availability with local transportation providers or travel agencies in Thailand. 
• Weather conditions can impact boat schedules, especially during the Gulf Coast monsoon season (usually late October to mid-December)
• Check locally before making travel plans
• Boat arrival/departure times aren’t always punctual.
• If you have a flight connection, give yourself plenty of extra time to allow for potential delays or ferry cancellations.

How do I know which pier to use?

When booking boat tickets from a tour office in Thailand, minivan/bus transfers are often included in the price and you will be taken to the correct pier for your trip. If you are making your own transport arrangements, check locally which pier is being used.

On Ko Samui, the main piers used are Bangrak Pier, Maenam Pier, and Nathon Pier. On Ko Tao, Mae Haad Pier is the main one used for boat services while on Ko Pha Ngan it’s Thong Sala Pier.

What are the boats like?

The Gulf Coast islands are well-served by a variety of boat services. Slower ferries like the Raja Ferry carry vehicles, while at the other end of the scale, the high-speed catamaran operated by Lomprayah is quicker and features air-conditioned cabins for passengers. For the journey between Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, there is the option to take a speedboat or use a direct boat from Bangrak (Big Buddha) pier to Haad Rin on Ko Pha Ngan.

Nearest airports to the islands

The fastest way to reach the islands is by flying into Samui International Airport (USM), located on Ko Samui. Bangkok Airways operates direct flights from Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and international destinations such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. From Ko Samui, ferries connect to Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao.

Flights to Surat Thani are a cheaper option than flying to Ko Samui. From Surat Thani Airport there are connecting bus transfers to the pier for the islands. Surat Thani is also convenient if you’d like to include Khao Sok National Park on your travel itinerary.

Another option would be to fly to Nakon Si Thammarat from where you can also make arrangements to connect to boat services to the Gulf Coast islands. This can be a good option if you’d like to explore the beaches of Khanom on the mainland.

If you are travelling to Ko Tao, you can fly to Chumphon and transfer from there.

Nearest train station to the islands

If you prefer the advantages of slow travel, take an overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani. Trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in the Thai capital and take approximately 10 hours to reach Surat Thani. From Surat Thani, buses and minivans transfer passengers to Donsak Pier, where ferries depart for Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, and Ko Tao.

If you are travelling to Ko Tao first, you can take the train to Chumphon and transfer from there to Ko Tao. 

Several companies, such as Lomprayah, Seatran, and Raja Ferry, operate combined bus and ferry tickets from Bangkok’s Khao San Road or Southern Bus Terminal to the islands. The journey takes around 15 hours depending on connections.

Good to know

• Book tickets in advance especially during the peak season (December to April and July to August.)
• Ferries can be crowded, so arriving 30–45 minutes before departure can help ensure you get a good seat.
• Rough seas are common during the monsoon season (late October to mid-December). If you are prone to travel sickness, pack appropriate remedies.
• Carrying large luggage can be cumbersome on boat transfers, especially on speedboats.

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