Koh Samui, Koh Phangan & Koh Tao Itinerary: 10-Day Route

Overview

The best Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao itinerary takes 10 days: about 4 nights on Samui, 2 on Phangan and 2 on Tao, plus ferry and buffer days, so no ferry connection feels rushed. This route spends four days on Koh Samui (beaches, temples, Ang Thong Marine Park, a waterfall), two on Koh Phangan (beaches and jungle waterfalls, with an optional Full Moon Party overlay), two on Koh Tao (diving or snorkeling), and reserves the last two for ferry days and a buffer before flying home.

The three islands sit in a line up the Gulf of Thailand, connected by a well-run network of catamarans and ferries, so no leg takes longer than about two and a half hours. Base in Bophut or Maenam on Koh Samui (both sit a few minutes from the Lomprayah and Seatran piers that start this route), then move to Thong Sala or Haad Rin on Koh Phangan, and Sairee Beach on Koh Tao, the standard base for divers and beach time alike.

Key takeaways

• 10 days covers all three islands at a comfortable pace: 4 on Koh Samui, 2 on Koh Phangan, 2 on Koh Tao, 2 for ferry/buffer days.
• Every inter-island leg runs about 30 minutes to 3.5 hours by Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery or Songserm: fares from roughly 130-740 THB (~3.50-21 USD) one way.
• Ang Thong Marine Park (Day 3) is closed from about 1 November to mid-December: travelling then, swap Day 3 for a Samui beach or waterfall day.
• Base near Bophut or Maenam on Samui to minimize the transfer to the first ferry pier.
• Koh Tao is Thailand’s budget diving hub: a two-tank dive runs ~1,800-2,800 THB (~51-80 USD); non-divers snorkel from ~900 THB (~26 USD).
• Build in one buffer day before the return flight: Gulf ferries do get cancelled or delayed in rough seas, mainly November-December. Lomprayah and Seatran run only about three daytime crossings a day on the Samui-Phangan leg.

Gulf Islands Route at a Glance

This table lays out all 10 days in one view: where you sleep, what fills the day, and roughly what it costs per person.

* Only if your dates land on the monthly Full Moon Party at Haad Rin. See the route variants below.

How Many Nights on Each Island?

Four nights on Samui, two on Phangan and two on Tao is the baseline, with two nights as buffer and ferry days. Forum advice for a tighter trip is about 3 nights on Phangan and 2 on Tao (Tao is very small); with 7 days, cut one night each from Samui and Phangan. Divers doing a certification course need 3-4 nights on Tao instead, so drop a Samui day.

Ferry Legs: Operators, Times & Fares

Three inter-island ferry legs carry this whole route, and every one of them is covered by more than one operator, so a delay or full boat rarely strands you. Figures below come from operator pages and aggregator listings (12Go, Direct Ferries) as of Oct 2026, and sources disagree by 10-50 THB, so treat them as ranges; always recheck the current schedule before booking, since Gulf ferry times shift with the monsoon.

Full detail for each of these legs (every departure time, seasonal notes and which pier suits which Samui beach) lives in our dedicated guides: Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry and Koh Samui to Koh Tao. Book Lomprayah directly at lomprayah.com or compare all operators on 12Go Asia; both list current timetables.

Children (roughly ages 3-11) typically pay 50-70% of the adult fare on every operator above. Only Raja Ferry’s car ferry from Lipa Noi carries vehicles, and it does not run to Koh Tao, so this route is on foot and songthaew throughout. Lomprayah and Seatran run only about three daytime crossings each between Samui and Phangan, so a missed boat can cost half a day.

Days 1-2: Koh Samui Highlights

Koh Samui opens this itinerary with two easy days built around Chaweng for arrival and Big Buddha for culture, both a short taxi ride from a Bophut or north-coast base. Landing at Koh Samui Airport in the morning leaves the whole first afternoon free.

Day 1: check in near Bophut, then head to Chaweng for the afternoon (Samui’s longest beach and the easiest base for restaurants, watersports rental and nightlife). Return to Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village for dinner among the converted shophouses; if it’s a Friday, the weekly night market adds street food stalls until late.

Day 2: visit Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha), a 12-meter gold statue visible from the ferry approach, then Wat Plai Laem next door for its 18-armed Guanyin statue and lagoon setting, both temples sit within 10 minutes of each other and are free to enter (small optional donation). Spend the rest of the afternoon at Bophut beach, and stay for sunset; the shallow, calm water here suits a slower pace than Chaweng.

Day 3: Ang Thong Marine Park

A full-day boat tour to Ang Thong Marine Park is the highlight of the Koh Samui leg, and it needs the whole day, departing around 08:00 and returning by 17:00. Big-boat tours start from about 1,200 THB (~34 USD) and speedboat tours from about 1,850 THB (~53 USD); the national park fee (300 THB adult, 150 THB child) is included by some operators and billed separately by others, so ask. Tours depart from Nathon or Bang Rak pier depending on the operator. The park is closed from about 1 November to mid-December each year: on a trip in that window, use Day 3 for a Samui beach day instead.

The park’s 42 islands (about 102 km2, open about 08:00-17:00, tours only) include Ko Wua Talap, where a steep 30-45 minute climb reaches a viewpoint over the archipelago, and the Emerald Lake, a landlocked saltwater lagoon reached by a short trail from the main beach. Kayaking and snorkeling stops fill the middle of the day. Book through a Samui tour desk or hotel a day or two ahead: capacity is limited and tours sell out in high season (December-February).

Day 4: Waterfalls, Temples & Packing for the Crossing

Day 4 mixes nature and culture on Koh Samui’s south side before the ferry crossing begins the next morning. Start at Na Muang Waterfalls, a two-tier fall reachable by a short paved path (Na Muang 1) or a steeper 30-minute trail (Na Muang 2); entry is free, and the pools are best for swimming just after the rainy season (October-January).

Continue to Wat Khunaram to see the mummified monk displayed in a glass case, then Secret Buddha Garden in the hills above, a hillside sculpture garden reached by a rough 30-40 minute drive up Route 4169’s side roads: a rented scooter or hired driver both work. Finish with dinner in Lamai, then pack for an early ferry: whichever operator you choose (see the ferry legs table above), check-in closes 30 minutes before departure.

Day 5: Ferry to Koh Phangan

Board a morning Lomprayah catamaran from Maenam (Pralan) pier (~30 minutes, about 250-350 THB / ~7-10 USD) or a Seatran Discovery ferry from Bang Rak (~30-45 minutes, about 300-355 THB / ~8.50-10 USD); both land at Thong Sala, Koh Phangan’s main pier. Travelers heading straight to the Full Moon Party beach can instead take the Haad Rin Queen direct from Big Buddha pier (about 50 minutes, about 250-300 THB; listings disagree on departures), skipping the songthaew transfer.

From Thong Sala, a songthaew (40-60 THB) or taxi covers the last stretch to Haad Rin or a north-coast resort. Spend the afternoon on the beach nearest your hotel, then explore Thong Sala’s night market in the evening for the island’s cheapest and most varied food stalls.

Days 6-7: Koh Phangan Beaches & Waterfalls

Koh Phangan trades Samui’s polish for a scrappier, more jungle-covered island, best explored by rented scooter. Start Day 6 at Phaeng Waterfall, the most accessible fall on the island, a 10-15 minute walk from the parking area; entry is free. In the afternoon, head to Thong Nai Pan on the northeast coast (a twin-bay stretch of pale sand, about 40 minutes from Thong Sala) or Bottle Beach, reachable only by longtail boat or a steep scooter track, for a quieter alternative to Haad Rin.

If your dates land on the monthly Full Moon Party (the next 2026 dates are 27 October, 24 November and 24 December: see the Full Moon Party dates), Day 6 or 7 evening is the natural slot: entry runs free to a few hundred baht at the gate, with drink prices spiking on the night itself. Travelers skipping the party can instead book a snorkeling day trip (800-1,500 THB / ~23-43 USD) or a half-day yoga or Muay Thai session, both widely available around Srithanu and Haad Rin. Use Day 7 to recover, pack, and confirm your Day 8 ferry booking.

Day 8: Ferry to Koh Tao

Catch a Lomprayah (~1-1.5 hr, 450-650 THB / ~13-19 USD), Seatran Discovery (~1-1.75 hr, 500-650 THB / ~14-19 USD) or budget Songserm (~1.5 hr, 350-450 THB / ~10-13 USD) boat from Thong Sala to Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao: all three operators run this leg, with a combined 5-7 sailings a day. Confirm the day’s schedule at the pier the afternoon before, since departure times shift seasonally.

Settle into Sairee Beach, Koh Tao’s main strip and the natural base for both divers and beach-focused travelers, then spend the evening at one of the beachfront bars for sunset. If diving is on the agenda, most dive shops offer a free briefing and gear-fitting session the evening before a course or fun dive starts.

Day 9: Diving and Snorkeling on Koh Tao

Koh Tao is Thailand’s main budget diving hub, and Day 9 is built around the water. A two-tank fun dive for certified divers runs about 1,800-2,800 THB (~51-80 USD); non-divers can join a snorkeling boat trip from around 900-1,500 THB (~26-43 USD), often including a stop at Koh Nang Yuan, a three-islet sandbar connected by a shallow sand spit and one of Thailand’s most photographed viewpoints (separate marine park fee, 200-300 THB / ~5.50-8.50 USD).

Travelers with more time on a future trip could extend this stop for a 3-4 day PADI Open Water course (roughly 9,000-12,000 THB / ~257-343 USD), but a single day is enough for a taste of Koh Tao’s reefs on this route. Spend the evening back on Sairee Beach’s sunset strip, and confirm tomorrow’s return ferry time before turning in.

Day 10: Return to Koh Samui and Departure

Ferry back to Koh Samui on Lomprayah (Mae Haad to Maenam or Nathon, ~1.5-2 hr, about 650-740 THB / ~19-21 USD) or Seatran Discovery (Mae Haad to Bang Rak, ~2-2.5 hr, about 600 THB / ~17 USD). Time the sailing to land with at least 3-4 hours before your flight: allow 60-90 minutes for the taxi transfer plus airport check-in, more if landing at Nathon rather than Bang Rak, which sits closer to the airport.

If the schedule is tight, consider flying out of Koh Samui Airport the following morning instead and using Day 10 purely as a buffer: Gulf ferries occasionally run late or get rescheduled in choppy conditions, and a same-day flight connection leaves no margin for a delay.

Koh Tao or Koh Phangan: Which Is Better?

Neither wins outright: pick by what you want to do. Koh Tao is the diving and snorkeling island, with a two-tank dive at about 1,800-2,800 THB (~51-80 USD) and a Koh Nang Yuan day trip, and it is small enough to cover in two nights. Koh Phangan has the waterfalls, the pale-sand bays of Thong Nai Pan and a monthly party at Haad Rin, and it needs scooter time to explore. Koh Samui is the easiest base with the most hotels, flights and restaurants, which is why this route starts and ends there. For a side-by-side with Samui itself, see Gulf islands compared.

Route Variants by Traveler Type

Not every traveler needs the same balance of beach, culture and nightlife: adjust the split between islands based on what matters most.

Budget Breakdown

Costs below cover a mid-range traveler for the full 10 days, per person, excluding international flights.

Booking Timeline

• 8-12 weeks out: book flights into and out of Koh Samui Airport (USM); confirm dates against the Full Moon Party calendar if that’s part of the plan.
• 4-6 weeks out: reserve accommodation in Bophut/Maenam, Thong Sala or Haad Rin, and Sairee Beach. Haad Rin fills up fastest around party dates and December-January.
• 1-2 weeks out: book the Ang Thong Marine Park tour and any Koh Tao dive course in advance; both have limited daily capacity in high season.
• 2-3 days out: book Lomprayah or Seatran Discovery ferry tickets online for both crossings. Walk-up tickets are usually available outside December-January but riskier around holidays.
• Day before each ferry: reconfirm the departure time at the pier or on the operator’s site; Gulf schedules shift with weather and season.

FAQ

How many days do I need for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao?

Ten days covers all three islands at a workable pace: 4 days on Koh Samui, 2 on Koh Phangan, 2 on Koh Tao, and 2 for ferry transfers and a departure buffer. Seven days is possible by cutting one Koh Samui day and one Koh Phangan day, but it leaves no slack if a ferry runs late.

What is the cheapest way to island-hop between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao?

Raja Ferry from Lipa Noi (about 130 THB) is the cheapest Samui-Phangan crossing, and Songserm is the cheapest scheduled boat on the Phangan-Tao leg (about 350-450 THB, ~10-13 USD) versus 450-650 THB on Lomprayah or Seatran Discovery. Both are slower and less frequent, so budget extra buffer time around each crossing.

Which is better, Koh Tao or Koh Phangan?

Koh Tao suits divers and snorkelers, Koh Phangan suits beach-hoppers, waterfalls and the Full Moon Party. Tao is smaller and built around the sea, Phangan is bigger and more jungle-covered, so most people give Phangan the extra night. Our Koh Samui vs Koh Tao and Koh Samui vs Koh Phangan guides compare each against Samui.

Can I do this route in reverse, starting from Koh Tao?

Yes: every ferry operator on this route runs both directions on the same schedule, so starting from Koh Tao (reached via Chumphon on the mainland) and finishing on Koh Samui works just as well. Flip the day plan and keep the same fares and durations.

Do I need to book ferry tickets in advance?

Book 2-3 days ahead for Lomprayah or Seatran Discovery in high season (December-January) or around Full Moon Party dates; outside those windows, walk-up tickets are usually available the same morning. Songserm rarely sells out but has far fewer daily departures.

Is this itinerary suitable for non-divers?

Yes: Koh Tao’s snorkeling day trips (from ~900 THB / ~26 USD) and Koh Nang Yuan visit work well without diving certification, and Koh Phangan’s beaches and waterfalls need no water skills at all. Only the optional PADI course variant requires a multi-day commitment.

What’s the biggest risk factor on this itinerary?

Monsoon-season sea conditions (roughly November-December) are the main risk: smaller, slower boats like Songserm get cancelled first in rough weather, and Lomprayah and Seatran sailings can run late. Build a buffer day before any flight or onward connection during these months.