Around Koh Samui: islands, ferries, and routes to waterfalls

Trips around Koh Samui are easiest to choose by purpose: Phangan for beaches and a nature walk, Koh Tao for snorkeling and diving training, Nang Yuan for the sand spit and viewpoint. Ang Thong adds a separate sea route, and Koh Samui’s waterfalls let you swap a beach day for a walk without a crossing. Whether you can return in the evening depends on the return sailing you choose.

Start simple: decide whether you want to spend a day on a neighboring island, stay overnight, or stick to a land route. Then compare the road, walking sections and costs paid separately. A passenger ticket, a tour and a diving course solve different problems, so comparing only starting prices is not very useful.

Current as of publication. Fares and conditions may change; diving information does not replace individual participation terms. Below are trip options and a preparation sequence to help you choose a suitable route.

Where to go from Koh Samui: islands or waterfalls

Choose the day trip together with the return sailing. Having a ferry crossing does not by itself mean a convenient departure will be available after your walk. For a diving course, you first need the class schedule, then accommodation and the sea route.

If you are still choosing a base and getting around on land, the Koh Samui guide will help. For an organized format, the Thailand tour selection is useful: compare stops, transport and included costs, not just the name of the destination.

Ferries from Koh Samui: operators, piers and the return trip

Start with the travel date and the operator, then choose the departure and arrival piers. After that, arrange the return and land transfer at both ends. Do not carry the price or duration of one route over to another vessel: the ferry company (Raja Ferry) and the fast-boat operator (Lomprayah) have different offers.

Ferry between Lipa Noi and Thong Sala (Raja Ferry)

According to October 2026 data, in the official fare table (Raja Ferry) for the Koh Samui — Phangan route the following categories are listed:

• standard passenger — 170 baht;
• bicycle — 210 baht;
• motorcycle — 230 baht.

Confirm the current price of the ticket you choose. For bicycle and motorcycle categories, do not assume the driver’s fare is included automatically: find out what the payment covers when you book the crossing.

The ferry company (Raja Ferry) gives the approximate crossing time between the pier Lipa Noi (Lipa Noi Pier) on Koh Samui and the pier Thong Sala (Thong Sala Pier) on Phangan — about 1 hour 30 minutes, as of October 2026. This is the sea crossing time only, without the road from your accommodation to the pier and further movement around the island.

Fast boats between the islands (Lomprayah)

The fast-boat operator (Lomprayah) has published its 2026 timetable, with several daily departures for trips to Koh Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao. When booking, choose a specific island and pier combination. A general timetable description does not replace the sailing you choose.

According to October 2026 data, the operator (Lomprayah) lists an ID card or passport among the documents for visiting an office. Offices accept cash and cards, and phone booking is available daily from 08:00 to 20:00. These hours apply to phone booking, not to vessel departures.

Before paying, check exactly where you will be dropped off and where the return journey starts. If a land transfer is needed between your walk and the return, include it in the plan separately.

Koh Phangan: beaches and natural sites

Koh Phangan suits a trip without a nightlife party. Here you can pick a beach stop or build a walk around natural sites. The “Koh Phangan from Koh Samui” format is best started with a short program that is easy to link with your arrival and return.

On the beach Mae Haad (Mae Haad Beach) a sand spit connects the shore with a neighboring islet. The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes this feature. Mae Haad on Phangan and the place of the same name on Koh Tao are different points; when choosing transport, check the island name.

National Park (Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan National Park) combines waterfalls, beaches, bays and islands, according to the official state tourism catalog. Choose specific stops, then plan the movement between them. The park’s name alone does not describe the walking effort of your chosen walk.

Phangan and Nang Yuan offer a similar reason to visit, to see a sand spit, but the routes to them differ. So choose the scenery together with the route you are willing to take. You do not need to try to see everything at once.

Full Moon Party on Phangan

Plan a trip to the Full Moon Party separately from a daytime walk. The main spot — Haad Rin (Haad Rin), but a ticket to the island does not yet settle how you get to the venue and return after the night program. First choose transport or accommodation, then book the rest.

Before paying, check the event date, entry conditions and availability of the transport you need. If you are staying on Phangan, it is better to book accommodation in advance. Check the stay conditions with the specific property, without assuming any mandatory minimum stay.

For such a trip, it is useful to write down in advance:

• where you will be dropped off on the island;
• how you will get to Haad Rin;
• the meeting point for the return;
• the accommodation option, if you choose one;
• costs that are paid separately.

A night program needs its own return plan. Do not plug a daytime ferry into that plan just because it suits an ordinary walk. Match the transport to when you want to leave, and keep the details of your booking.

Koh Tao: snorkeling, diving and an overnight trip

On Koh Tao the choice of program especially affects how long the trip takes. Snorkeling, an introductory dive and a certification course are different activities. For training, it makes sense to choose overnight stays to fit the school’s schedule, and for a sightseeing trip, choose the program to fit your return sailing.

The island is reached by boat; tickets are available directly and through travel agents. Travel time depends on the route you choose. Do not assume the same crossing time for a ferry and a tour boat.

Snorkeling from the shore and separate fees

The Koh Tao Tourism Association describes a small sunken object near Mae Haad (Mae Haad), which can be explored while snorkeling. In the bay Shark Bay there is a chance to see turtles and blacktip reef sharks. Encounters with the animals are not guaranteed.

A fee is charged for access to some beaches, so the association recommends carrying small change. This is a separate cost item that should not automatically be counted as part of the island ticket. Before going out on the water, it is worth reading about safety when swimming and snorkeling.

Training and introductory program at the school (Ban’s)

According to October 2026 data, dive center (Ban’s) (Ban’s Diving Resort) lists the initial certification course (Open Water Diver) for 11,000 baht. The stated duration — 3 ½ days, age threshold — 10+. A separate introductory program (Discover Scuba Diving) costs 2,500 baht.

Confirm the current price, package contents and participation terms with the school before paying. These amounts apply to this specific operator, not to every dive center on the island. Do not assume accommodation, meals or equipment are included unless the offer describes them.

The age threshold does not confirm medical clearance or other participation conditions. Choose the introductory program and the course according to their own terms, without assuming a universal certificate requirement for any first contact with diving. A certification course should also not be understood as permission to dive alone.

Viewpoints on Koh Tao

According to the tourism association, eastern viewpoints are better for sunrise and western ones for sunset. A fee is charged for access to some viewpoints. If you add a panoramic view to a beach walk, plan a separate walking section and a possible payment.

Diving and the next flight

In the recommendations of the Koh Tao Tourism Association there is a stated interval of 24 hours between the last dive and the next flight. Take this recommendation into account when choosing a course and onward route. It does not replace individual participation conditions and is not a universal medical clearance to fly.

Koh Nang Yuan: sand spit and viewpoint

Koh Nang Yuan lies next to Koh Tao. The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes it as three small islands connected by a white sand spit. Here you can plan a day visit, snorkeling and a climb to the viewpoint.

Viewpoint (Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint) is a separate part of the outing. If you want to combine it with swimming, match the program with the landing conditions and the return transport time. Do not treat the climb as a stop without walking effort.

When choosing a trip, separate the cost of travel from possible visit fees. Ask the organizer to describe where transport starts, which stops are included and how the return works. The island name in the program does not explain the whole set of services.

For a day route, first arrange the return transfer. After that, divide your time between the sand spit, the water and the viewpoint, keeping the program suitable for your group. Take the boat journey duration from the offer you choose.

Ang Thong Marine Park: tour and separate costs

Marine park Ang Thong (Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park) can be considered as a separate sea trip based out of Koh Samui. Here the choice starts with the program: which stops are offered, which vessel the route uses and how the return is organized. When comparing tours from Koh Samui, check what the offer actually includes.

Before paying, ask them to list:

• the route and stops;
• the vessel type;
• where the trip starts and ends;
• land transfer;
• included payments;
• entry fees and other costs paid separately.

The tour price and entry fees are separate parts of the budget. If the offer includes a total amount, find out exactly which costs it covers. Also check park availability for your chosen date before booking.

Do not choose a program based only on a photo or a promise of a packed day. Compare the sea route, walking sections and order of stops with your group’s abilities. For a trip with children, it is especially helpful to know in advance where you can shorten the walk and how the transfers work.

Koh Samui waterfalls: Na Muang and Hin Lad

Koh Samui’s waterfalls let you plan a nature outing without a sea crossing. The official state tourism catalog describes Na Muang (Na Muang Waterfall) as a medium-sized waterfall where water flows down tall granite cliffs. This is a description of the place; access conditions and the walking approach should be assessed separately.

Na Muang: access and parking

Before setting out, decide on the access road, parking spot and start of the walk. Do not treat a waterfall marker on a map as a confirmed start for every walking route. Agree on a return point to your transport if you use a transfer.

In your budget, you can set aside transport, possible parking and other separate payments. Do not assume free access just because you are going to a natural site. Check what costs are included for the approach you choose.

Na Muang: choosing a walking approach

Before starting the walk, assess the condition of the trail and your group’s abilities. With children, go by the actual approach, not a general promise of a “family waterfall”. Suitability for a stroller cannot be inferred from the name of the place alone.

Choose a route that lets you return without rushing. If the approach conditions do not suit your family’s abilities, shorten the walk or change stops. The waterfall does not require climbing every available path.

Hin Lad: alternative walk

Hin Lad (Hin Lad Waterfall) treat it as a separate alternative. Before setting out, check access and the condition of the approach, and do not carry over the conditions for Na Muang. Other Koh Samui attractions will help you choose stops for a land day.

How to plan a route: budget, weather and what to pack

To compare trips around Koh Samui, build a budget by category. A passenger fare does not show the cost of the whole day, and a course price does not explain travel and accommodation costs. Calculate the total once you know the necessary payments.

Write down separately:

• round-trip tickets;
• land transfers;
• the tour, training or introductory program;
• entry fees and possible charges;
• overnight stay, if needed.

Before paying, check the program terms and a suitable return sailing. For a course, align the classes with your arrival, accommodation and onward travel. For a night party, start with the return or accommodation, and for a waterfall, start with the access road and walking approach.

Do not make the route more complicated than necessary. If snorkeling is your main goal, there is no need to add every viewpoint; if you want a nature walk without a crossing, you can stay on Koh Samui. This kind of choice helps match costs with the purpose of your trip.

Bring light clothing and cash for separate payments. Small change is useful where access is paid separately, but this does not mean cards are refused everywhere: the operator (Lomprayah) accepts them at its offices. A general list can help you put together things to bring for a trip to Thailand.

Before a sea trip, check the forecast and whether your chosen sailing is operating. Choosing a season for your trip is useful for general planning, but a calendar does not replace checking conditions for a specific date. Save your booking details and meeting point so you do not have to look for them before departure.