Book Now

Koh Samui ↔ Koh Phangan ↔ Koh Tao

Island-hop the Gulf of Thailand triangle — from the party beaches of Phangan to the dive sites of Tao. Year-round catamarans with direct Samui–Tao sailings.

30 min
Samui → Phangan
$17
From / Person
~10× daily
Departures
Lomprayah
Fastest

About This Route

The Koh Samui ↔ Koh Phangan ↔ Koh Tao triangle is the Gulf of Thailand's most popular island-hopping circuit. Ferries shuttle between Nathon Pier on Samui, Thong Sala Pier on Phangan and Mae Haad Pier on Tao year-round, with the shortest hop — Samui to Phangan — taking just 30 minutes and the longest direct leg, Samui to Tao, around 2–2.5 hours. Operators including Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery, Songserm and Raja cover every combination, with prices from $17 USD per leg.


Each island pulls a different crowd. Koh Phangan is world-famous for its Full Moon Party on Haad Rin beach (plus the Jungle Experience and half-moon events), while Koh Tao is Thailand's cheapest and most laid-back dive destination — the place most travellers get their PADI Open Water certification, with 50+ dive sites and Sail Rock nearby. Koh Samui, the biggest of the three, is the transport hub with the international airport and the widest choice of boats in every direction.


Island-hopping tip: buy a through-ticket for Samui → Phangan → Tao in one booking — the operator handles the connection at Thong Sala and you don't re-check-in between legs. For the fastest full-triangle day trip, take the direct morning catamaran from Nathon to Mae Haad (about 2 hours) and work your way back south. We recommend booking through 12Go, whose live schedules compare Lomprayah, Seatran, Songserm and Raja on every leg of the triangle.

Schedule & Prices

Departure Arrival Duration Operator Price
10:30 — Nathon Pier, Koh Samui ~11:00 — Thong Sala, Koh Phangan 30 min Lomprayah $17 Book →
09:00 — Thong Sala, Koh Phangan ~10:45 — Mae Haad, Koh Tao 1 h 45 m Lomprayah $26 Book →
08:00 — Nathon Pier, Koh Samui ~10:15 — Mae Haad, Koh Tao (direct) 2 h 15 m Seatran Discovery $32 Book →
10:30 — Mae Haad, Koh Tao ~12:45 — Nathon Pier, Koh Samui 2 h 15 m Lomprayah $32 Book →

⚠️ Schedules may change during bad weather, and extra sailings are added around the Full Moon Party and Thai holidays (Dec–Mar high season). Prices are per person one-way and vary by operator and speed — book early for the best fares.

Ready to Island-Hop the Triangle?

Compare Lomprayah, Seatran, Songserm & Raja schedules and book instant e-tickets on 12Go.

🔍 Search & Book Tickets

Operator Info

🚢 Lomprayah

High-Speed Catamaran — Fastest on the Triangle

  • High-speed catamarans, fastest Samui–Phangan–Tao times
  • 77 sailings per day across 42 routes
  • Air-conditioned indoor cabin
  • Onboard snack bar
  • Life jackets & full safety equipment
  • Generous luggage allowance (one suitcase + carry-on)
  • Known for on-time reliability

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the ferry between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao?
Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala) takes about 30 minutes. Koh Phangan to Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) takes roughly 1.5–2 hours, and direct Koh Samui to Koh Tao sailings take about 2–2.5 hours. Lomprayah catamarans are the fastest option on all three legs.
How do I get to the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan?
From Koh Samui, catch the 30-minute ferry from Nathon Pier to Thong Sala Pier, then take a songthaew or taxi to Haad Rin beach. From Koh Tao, take the ferry south to Thong Sala (1.5–2 hours) and continue to Haad Rin. Book ahead around full moon dates — boats sell out days in advance during high season (December to March).
Can I visit all three islands in one day?
Yes — with a through-ticket you can hop Samui → Phangan → Tao in a single day: the earliest morning ferry from Nathon reaches Thong Sala in 30 minutes, and onward departures to Mae Haad run through the morning and early afternoon. A direct Samui → Tao catamaran (about 2 hours) is the fastest way to cover the full triangle in one day.
Which operator is fastest on the Samui–Phangan–Tao triangle?
Lomprayah is the fastest operator on the triangle, running high-speed catamarans with 77 sailings a day across 42 routes. Seatran Discovery also runs fast catamarans, while Songserm and Raja run slower, cheaper ferries. Expect to pay $17–32 USD per leg depending on operator and speed.
Is Koh Tao good for diving and how do I get there?
Koh Tao is Thailand's most popular dive destination — the cheapest place in the country to get PADI Open Water certified, with more than 50 dive sites around the island and neighbouring Sail Rock. Ferries arrive at Mae Haad Pier from Koh Samui (direct, 2–2.5 hours) or via Koh Phangan (1.5–2 hours from Thong Sala).

Related Guides

Book your Samui–Phangan–Tao ferry tickets →