Distance 65 km (40.6 miles) | |
Price range US$16-US$31 | |
Ride Duration Range 1h 30m-4h | |
Earliest Departure 03:30 | |
Latest Departure 09:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Taking a ferry is the best option to get from Koh Samui to Koh Tao. Be advised there is usually just one crossing per day so you will want to plan your departure ahead of time. Bring your beach and hiking gear to Koh Tao as it’s great for snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, exploring, and rock climbing. It also has a great nightlife for those who want to stay out late. The best time of year to visit Koh Tao is between February and April.
Leaving Koh Samui won’t be so difficult knowing you are on your way to Koh Tao. It’s a treat for all the senses, with everything from snorkeling to jungle trekking to fill your days.
Koh Tao is ideal for travelers who want to get off the beaten track and take in Thailand’s remote island beauty with fewer fellow tourists milling about.
Marvel at beautiful jungle scenery, swim in waterfalls, learn to scuba dive and hike to the highest point on the island before spending your evenings beachside sampling delicious cocktails and fresh seafood as the sun dips beneath the horizon.
The only way to get from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is by boat. The 2-4 hour journey is serene, as long as you travel on a good weather day. While sailing between these paradisiacal islands, enjoy views dominated by glorious blue skies reflected in the undulating waves of the Gulf of Thailand.
With several departures from Koh Samui to Koh Tao every single day, you’ll be sunbathing on yet another beautiful Thai beach before you can say, pad thai, please!
After exploring the treasures on offer on Koh Samui, it is a natural choice to head to Koh Tao, which translates to Turtle Island.
Earning its nickname from the plentiful Hawksbill and green turtle species that live in the surrounding waters, Koh Tao is perhaps the least well-known of the three islands that make up the Chumphon Archipelago: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao.
While Phangan accommodates the backpacker clientele looking to party all night and Samui entices resort clientele with its luxurious resorts, Koh Tao is mostly visited by diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
Located just 67.6 kilometers (42 miles) from Koh Samui’s shores, this island is made up of steep hills that require some driving savvy to navigate safely. Less developed than its sister islands, Koh Tao still retains the raw beauty Thailand became world-famous for.
Koh Tao is a small yet mighty tourist destination, with countless activities packed into its 21-kilometer squared circumference. Wandering its shores will open up plenty of adventurous opportunities to explore. Don’t forget to include these must-do things in your Koh Tao itinerary:
Learn to scuba dive. Koh Tao is one of the most popular places in Thailand, and maybe even the world, to get a PADI scuba diving certificate. It’s one of the most affordable places to dive, but it's not just the cost that attracts visitors. The diving opportunities are also a major draw. You can explore the amazing reefs surrounding the islands, and if you're lucky, you might even see majestic whale sharks up close!
Try snorkeling. Maybe scuba diving isn’t your thing, but you can still see the surreal underwater seascapes. Rent some gear and snorkel offshore at one of the beaches, or book a day trip to visit iconic sites like Koh Nang Yuan or Shark Bay to see the island’s abundant marine life, including countless turtles.
Chill on the beaches. Koh Tao is scattered with stunning beaches, some of which are harder to reach than others. Sairee Beach is the perfect stretch for people who don’t feel comfortable driving because it’s connected to various restaurants and bars by pedestrian walkways. Other popular choices include June Juea Bay and Hin Wong Bay.
Enjoy a spa day. It would be wrong to come to Thailand without getting a massage, and on Koh Tao, you can have one right on the beach. Listen to the gently rolling waves as the masseuse beats your troubled muscles into submission.
Hike up to a viewpoint. Thanks to its rolling jungle hills, Koh Tao is home to more than a dozen epic viewpoints. Get up early one day and hike to a peak to see panoramic views of this tropical paradise. Favorite viewpoints among backpackers include the John-Suwan viewpoint on the southern tip and the Grape viewpoint on the northern tip of Koh Tao.
Pro tip: Check out Tanote Beach on the island's southwest side. F Few tourists visit it; it’s got tons of wildlife, and several beach bars are nearby where you can relax afterward.
When traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, travelers can choose between taking a ferry and transporting themselves to the port or booking a van and ferry to get dropped off at the port.
Since you are traveling from island to island, you’ll need a ferry to get from Koh Samui to Koh Tao.
You have a few options, though. Most travelers will make their way to the pier to catch a ferry solo. However, some operators offer a pickup service for an additional charge.
The three main operators are Lomprayah, Songserm, and Phantip.
Early ferries start at 8 a.m., and the latest departure is around 5 p.m. Ferries to Koh Tao from Koh Samui typically depart from Maenam Pier and arrive at Mae Haad Pier, but double-check to be sure.
Slow ferries can take up to four hours to arrive at Koh Tao, depending on whether they stop at Koh Phangan first.
Catamarans are generally high-speed boats with fewer seats and significantly faster travel times. Most will take a maximum of two hours to traverse the distance between these two islands.
Possible amenities include:
If you want to streamline your journey, opt for a van and ferry combination to reach Koh Tao from Koh Samui.
Taking a van and ferry is the perfect choice for those flying into Koh Samui.
This option takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to complete the journey. You’ll be picked up at Koh Samui Airport in a minivan before taking a 30-minute drive to Maenam Pier.
From here, you’ll board a 2.5-hour ferry to reach Koh Tao Pier.
Possible minivan amenities include:
Air conditioning
Ample luggage allowance
Meet and greet at the airport
Once you arrive on its serene shores, hiring a scooter is the best way to get around Koh Tao.
For just a few dollars a day, travelers can navigate the island's winding roads, finding hidden treasures around every bend. However, if you aren’t a confident driver, avoid driving. The steep roads are not beginner-friendly.
Instead, get around by hiring motorbike taxis and taxi boats to visit beaches and viewpoints.
This short trip over the Gulf of Thailand to reach Koh Tao offers stunning views, especially if you cross on a good weather day.
You’ll pass by the network of islands and islets that make up Ang Thong National Marine Park. You can visit it on a day trip from Koh Tao and hike up to its highest points to enjoy incredible views.
To reach Koh Tao, the boat will sail past Koh Phangan, the second biggest island in this chain. Grab a seat on the deck for the best views of the unbeatable scenery.
Thanks to its tropical climate, Koh Tao is an amazing destination year-round.
July to September bring an ideal climate for scuba divers seeking the best underwater visibility, and party-seekers should visit between December and February for excellent daytime weather and plenty of fellow travelers to dance the night away with.
If you're going on a relaxing holiday, spend a week or two on Koh Tao. Luxuriate on the beaches, ride carefree on a scooter on winding roads through vast jungles, and party the night away at a jungle or beachside rave.
For scuba diving newbies, schedule at least a week here to get your PADI qualification with enough time for a couple of days of exploring when you’re finished.
Backpackers should stop by for a few days, check out the hotspots, and then head to one of the other two islands in the Chumphon Archipelago.
Pro tip: Stay around Sairee Beach if you don’t want to ride a scooter. It’s home to the longest stretch of sand beach on the island, and you can walk from place to place or catch a taxi boat to see the island’s more remote areas.
If you still have the energy for more island-hopping after ticking Koh Tao off your list, head to nearby Koh Phangan to hit every single island in the chain. It’s a haven for spiritual travelers looking to connect with their inner selves, and the monthly Full Moon Party is famous worldwide for its epic atmosphere.
Based on 1348 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from Koh Samui to Koh Tao
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You can’t go to Southeast Asia & not go island hopping in Thailand. From Phuket & Koh Samui to Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta and Koh Tao, it`s all here
Koh Tao offers more than just pretty beaches and clear waters. Here’s a quick guide to all you can do on the island for an outdoorsy trip.
An in-depth, A to Z guide of how to get from the adventure of Koh Samui to the serenity of Koh Tao in beautiful Thailand.
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