About the ride from Koh Phayam to Ranong
Widely acknowledged as Thailand’s best-kept secret island, it would be no surprise if you are having a hard time leaving Koh Phayam. However, the ride from Koh Phayam to Ranong might help cure the beach hangover just a little.
While those visiting Ranong see it mainly as a launching pad for visiting the beautiful islands of Koh Phayam and Ko Chang, the town has a few attractions that are worth a night’s halt.
Known to be one of Thailand’s wettest regions, Ranong is verdant, lush, and very green. With rains that last for more than six months, it’s little wonder that Ranong is home to the impressive Ngao Waterfall, located inside the Ngao National Park. Dropping from a height of several hundred feet and cascading over a rugged rock face, the waterfall can be spotted from afar and is a real treat to watch after the monsoon season.
The Pornrung Hot Springs is located close to the park and is the perfect spot to give your tired muscles a good soak. Pick your ideal temperature; you will find many communal baths of varying temperatures to dive in. And if it gets a little too hot, jump in the nearby river for a refreshing dip.
Ranong Hot Springs, situated in the city center, is yet another popular hot spring known for its therapeutic and mineral-rich water.
Located a little away from the city are the Bald Hills. No prizes for guessing why they are named that! Almost devoid of trees and vegetation, the best time to visit the rolling hills is from December to March when covered in golden-colored grass.
The Ranong Canyon is another spot to visit for nature lovers. While it’s certainly not the most impressive canyon in Thailand, it’s the ideal spot to be surrounded by nature.
Ranong’s Rattanarangsan Palace is a charming wooden replica of the palace built for King Chulalongkorn, which now serves as a museum.
And if you are missing the sublime sunsets of Koh Phayam, head to Hat Chan Damri, a 10 km drive from the city. Walk across the pier and bathe in a golden afterglow as the sun goes down in the Andaman Sea.
The distance from Koh Phayam to Ranong is 23 miles (or 37 km). The only way to cover this distance is by boat.
Depending on your preference, you can take a slow ferry or a speedboat.
Ferries are inexpensive but take more than twice the time of a speedboat.
Speedboats take a mere 30-40 mins to get you from Koh Phayam to Ranong. With around ten departures, finding a time that works best for you is easy.
What to see when traveling from Koh Phayam to Ranong
There isn’t much to see or do on the journey from Koh Phyam to Ranong. And that, perhaps, is the best part.
The ideal way to experience this journey is to simply sit back and relax to the sights and sounds of the Andaman Sea.
The sight of colorful boats and the freshness of the salty sea air is sure to recharge you and get you ready for the adventures ahead.
How to get from Koh Phayam to Ranong
Taking a ferry from Koh Phayam to Ranong
The only available option for transport from Koh Phayam to Ranong is over water. There are more than ten departures every day, so you can pick one that best matches your hotel check-out. No wasting time that way!
The earliest ferry leaves at around 8:00 am, and the latest is at 4:00 pm.
Ticket prices for the boats range from US$6 to US$13 per person.
There are two types of ferries that you can choose from – slow boats and faster speedboats.
The slow boats take around two hours to get from Koh Phayam to Ranong. There are only two departures per day, one in the morning and the other in the evening.
The other option is to take a speedboat. Speedboats only take 30-40 minutes to cover the same distance. In addition, the frequency of these boats is higher, which allows you a little more flexibility in planning your travel.
All of the boats offer semi-covered seating and depart from the Koh Phayam Pie. However, they arrive at different piers depending on the operator. It could be Tai Kak Pier, Nava Andaman Pier, or Ranong Pier in Ranong.
If money is no object, a speedboat is the best way to get from Koh Phayam to Ranong. And if you’re short on time, it may be worth the splurge.
You can bring one large piece of luggage (weighing up to 20 kgs) and one smaller piece of hand luggage (weighing up to 7 kgs).
Fame Tours & Services, Fufaung Travel, Tai Kak Pier, and Nava Andaman are well-known ferry operators on this route.
With ticket prices starting from US$6/person, the Open Air Ferry by Tai Kak Pier is the best way to travel from Koh Phayam to Ranong if you’re on a tight budget.
The Speedboat Ferry by Nava Andaman takes just 30 mins to get to Ranong, making this the fastest option.
Getting to Koh Phayam Pier
With no car access in Koh Phayam, you will have to either walk to the pier (if you are staying in a hotel that is close by), take a motorbike taxi, or rent a bike.
Traveling from Ranong Pier
The Ranong Pier is located about three to four miles from the center of Ranong town. To get to the city, you can take a motorbike taxi, or if you have a little more luggage, you can take a songthaew.