Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) – Koh Samui (Nathon Pier)
Ferries to Koh Samui Island
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) – Koh Samui (Nathon Pier)
Ferries to Koh Samui Island
The Koh Tao Koh Samui ferry route connects Koh Tao Island with Koh Samui Island. Currently there is just the 1 ferry company operating this ferry service, Songserm. The crossing operates up to 7 times each week with sailing durations from around 3 hours 30 minutes.
Koh Tao Koh Samui sailing durations and frequency may vary from season to season so we’d advise doing a live check to get the most up to date information.
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Koh Tao is located off the east coast of Thailand, neighbouring the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. The port remains one of the busier areas of Koh Tao; there are cafes close to the port and it remains a hub of activity throughout the day with many ferry routes to nearby islands and tourist destinations. Away from the pier, the island is renowned for being particularly clean – any rubbish that can’t be burned must leave the island, making it tricky for visitors with upcoming departures. There are no waste disposal workers on Koh Tao, therefore it is important not to waste the limited resources of the island. As opposed to many of the popular tourist areas of Thailand, Koh Tao isn’t geared towards backpackers and travellers on a budget; the desired clientele is primarily those who have a keen interest in diving and want to take advantage of the excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities. For those not keen on water sport adventures, the beaches across the island boast white sands next to azure seas, creating the idyllic setting for a relaxing holiday. To travel around the island, most tourists rent a motorcycle for the duration of their stay. It is advised to be careful whilst on the roads, most of them are basic and bumpy and although the lack of traffic makes serious accidents rare, there have been known injuries. There are rental shops within a few minutes of the port, though it is important to use official stores to avoid scammers.
Koh Samui is the third largest island belonging to Thailand, laying off the coast of Thailand’s mainland. The port lays on the southwest coast of the island with the town centre within a 10-15 minute walk from the landing pier; for those not wishing to travel on foot there is also a taxi rank directly outside the port. Away from the port, the easiest and cheapest way to get around the island is by songthaew (a covered pick-up truck type vehicle that serves as a local bus) which are seen frequently and can be flagged down from the side of the road. The majority of the population live in the town surrounding the port, Nathorn, though the major sights are found scattered around the island. Because 90% of the island is buddhist, one of the main attractions is the Big Buddha, a giant statue that can be seen by walking up many stairs. It is worthwhile noting that visitors are required to remove their shoes if they are to witness the statue up close. Aside from the Big Buddha, Koh Samui has copious beaches on offer – the most popular is Chaweng Beach which has plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops to enjoy. The island is notorious for being the most upmarket in Thailand, transforming its clientele from backpackers on a budget to middle class Europeans and North Americans. To escape the tourist focused areas, the south of the island offers a totally different landscape; Samui family-run restaurants are hidden among long stretches of coconut palms and dusty roads. Ferry routes run relatively frequently from the port to the neighbouring islands as well as the Thailand mainland; the crossings are all fairly short and comfortable making it a stress free sailing.
