Compared to the large island of Koh Samui, Koh Tao is a small island of about 21 square kilometers that offers a different experience than Koh Samui’s busy beaches, luxury spas and hotels. It is not as popular with backpackers as other islands in Thailand and offers good accommodation ranging from quite cheap to expensive and luxurious, but without the great nightlife that other areas have. If you’ve enjoyed Koh Samui’s nightlife and beaches, head to Koh Tao to practice your scuba diving and experience a more relaxed pace of life.
It is approximately 67 kilometers (42 miles) from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, and the only way to travel between the two islands is by ferry or speedboat as Koh Tao is too small to have an airport. In addition to public ferries and private speedboats, you can also go on a scuba diving trip from Koh Samui to Koh Tao if you feel like diving for a day without spending the night on the island. Read on to discover all the possibilities.
Ferries from Koh Samui to Koh Tao
Traveling from island to island through Thai waters is very cheap if you use public ferries. It is usually the same three or four ferry operators that operate the various routes connecting the islands of Thailand, which are used by both tourists and locals. With each company offering multiple routes per day, there are always plenty of options to choose from when traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Tao.
The main difference between the ferry companies is the type of ship they operate on. Some have catamarans or high-speed ferries, while others have conventional ferries that take at least half an hour longer to cover the route. While it may surprise you, high-speed ferries are usually not much more expensive than conventional ones, so if you don’t mind spending a little more, you can choose the company that suits you best depending on where you depart.
Lomprayah High Speed Ferry / Shutterstock.com
Lomprayah has a high-speed catamaran that goes from Koh Samui to Koh Tao. It is the fastest way to get from one place to another and usually takes between 1 hour and 30 minutes and between 1 hour and 45 minutes. They depart from Paralan Port in Maenam and arrive at Mae Haad Port on the west coast of Koh Tao, the island’s only ferry port.
This fast Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry has comfortable indoor and outdoor seating and a snack shop. It also has several toilets and TVs where movies are broadcast, although you would certainly prefer to contemplate the spectacular landscape.
The Seatran ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is slightly slower than the Lomprayah catamarans, but only slightly. Travel time on these fast ferries is approximately two hours. Seatran ferries depart from Bangrak Port on Koh Samui and arrive at Mae Haad Port on Koh Tao. If you tend to get seasick while traveling, perhaps the Seatran ferry is a better option than the catamaran. Ferries tend to be more stable in choppy water, so keep this in mind when purchasing tickets.
Seatran Ferry © mukphoto / Shutterstock.com
Songserm is another ferry company offering trips from Koh Samui to Koh Tao. Songserm tickets are a bit cheaper than other companies because their ferries are a bit older and slower. The trip takes about two and a half hours and the onboard facilities are not very good.
Another option is private boats. They are ideal for small groups of travelers who want to split the cost of travel. Speedboats are a quick and flexible option as they can pick you up from your beachfront hotel and drop you off at Koh Tao Beach.
Speedboats on Koh Samui waiting to take passengers to Koh Tao © LMspencer / Shutterstock.com
Diving trip from Koh Samui to Koh Tao
If you plan to spend more than one day on Koh Tao, the ferries are a good option, but if you’re short on time and just want to spend the day diving on the island, an organized scuba diving trip from Koh Samui to Koh Tao might be what you’re looking for.
There are different tour options offered by different companies, but you can, for example, book a tour with no certifications or prior diving experience required if you are a beginner. You can expect them to keep you busy all day as they usually start early and most tours include everything from hotel pickup in Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry ride, safety instructions, full snorkel gear, supervised dives, lunch and of course , return by ferry to Koh Samui and back to the hotel.
Compared to a regular ferry trip, a snorkeling trip from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is a bit more expensive, but if you just want to spend the day on Turtle Island and think about everything that’s included, it’s a pretty good deal. .