Do you love Thailand but is feeling a bit bored of the main cities; Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai? Well try visiting Koh Samet (Or Samet Island). If you’re looking for somewhere to relax and get your mind off of all the noise from the main cities, you should definitely give this place a visit!

Distance wise it’s pretty close to both Bangkok and Pattaya. From Bangkok expect to travel around 220km, and from Pattaya around 80km. So not absurdly far!

(IMG: https://www.placesofjuma.com/koh-samet-thailand/)

(IMG: https://www.ban-phe.com/piers.html)

Now the differences between a public ferry and speedboat hugely depends on the price AND the time it takes to get to your destination. For starters here are the main comparisons:

Ferry: 30-45 mins of travel time

Speedboats: 15-25 mins of travel time (fastest will get you there at 8 minutes! Personal experience!)

(Keep in mind the prices do vary with speedboats depending on where they drop you off. The further it is, the more it’ll cost ya).

The ferries will take you to Na Dan Pier (Main Pier on Koh Samet) or directly to certain beaches, depending on the type of ferries.

The Cost

It is important to know what your wallets will be getting into before planning your trip. So here’s a brief cost-list.

Now, there is an entrance fee upon arriving on the island 200 THB for adults and 100THB for children (foreigners), so be ready to get your wallet out.

Moving on to the ferry and speedboat prices. Ticket price for the regular ferry will set you back around 70-120THB (2-3USD), and the speedboat will cost you around 300-600THB (9-18USD), depending on which beach they drop you off of.

Ferry: 70-120THB (2-3USD)

Speedboat: 300-600 (9-18USD)

The price of speedboats vary a lot. If you want the cheapest speedboat price check out Nuanthip Pier, it will cost you 300THB per person (From personal experience). For more information press here

Main Attractions (Beaches)

The main arrival point will be on Na Dan Pier (Northern part of the Island). From there, you can walk, take a songthaew (basically a shared taxi truck), rent a motorbike, or if your resort have pickup services utilize that.

Koh Samet has quite a lot of beaches. In total there’s around 14 beaches on the island each with its own vibe and label. I’ll be listing a few notable beaches!

(IMG: https://www.expedia.co.th/en/Things-To-Do-In-Koh-Samet.d6123502.Travel-Guide-Activities)

Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach) – Definitely the main beach here at Koh Samet and is the main ‘beach attraction’. With its beautiful scenery, bustling with restaurants, bars, water sports. It’s more on the livelier side of the island. Perfect for people who enjoy nightlife and group trips!
Ao Phai- it’s a bit smaller than Hat Sai Kaew but the vibes here are a little more laid back, more “chill” if you will. Good for young travelers. And they hold beautiful fire shows at night!
Ao wai – moving to the south/west side of the island it tends to get a lot quieter. With this beach, it’s relatively calm and secluded away from all the noise and party! It’s ideal for couples and for people who are looking for peaceful swims.
Ao Prao (West)- This beach is definitely a lot less crowded than the previous ones mentioned. They offer luxury resorts and generally have more ‘luxurious things’ to offer. Basically “less crowded, more expensive” sorta vibe. Also stunning sunsets!

There are many more beaches but these are the ones I thought are worth mentioning! It’s best to explore them all on your own to get a feel for it!

Activities; What Can You Do??

Now, what activities are there to partake you might ask?

Here are some lists of things you can do.

Beach hopping: Rent a motorbike or hire a songthaew to explore multiple bays. Fun for groups of friends or even going solo!

Snorkeling and diving: Coral reeds around Ao Pakarang and nearby islets. You can find services along the beaches.

Kayaking and Paddle boarding: Rentals available at most big beaches. Perfect for sea-sports-lovers. Perfect for a hot day.

Hiking: Small trails to viewpoints,Especially near Ao Phrao. Great for a mini expenditure!

Nightlife: Fire shows at Hat Sai Kaew and Ao Phai, beach bars with live music.

Tips and Tricks

Avoid weekends and Thai public holidays!— it gets packed with Bangkok locals

Stay overnight if possible— day trips are nice, sure, but sunsets and night fire shows are what makes the trip feel fulfilled.

Cash is GOD—few ATMs, make sure to have some cash on you. Better safe than sorry.

Speedboat VS ferry— speedboats cost more..a quite more but you save 30-40 minutes.

Book accommodation in advance!!! During peak season (Sep-Feb, songkran).

Things To Be Aware Of

National Park Fees: Foreigners pay 200 TBH (Adults), Thais pay less- KEEP THE TICKET for multiple days.

Sunburn risk: Thailand it gets HOT make sure to bring your BEST SUNSCREEN

Motorbike rentals: many do not include insurance; drive carefully!

Alcohol on the beach: allowed in most places, but RESPECT LOCAL RULES

Weather: rainy season (May-Oct) can cause ferry cancellations.

Koh Samet is definitely a place worth visiting if you’re ever in Thailand. It’s perfect for a perfect holiday/vacation!

How to get there; What Are Your Options?

Now, there are a few ways to get there. The most common main route is to drive or take a direct transport (Taxi, private car hires etc.) to Ban Phe Pier (Rayong), and from there either take a public ferry or speedboat.

Now, to get to Ban Phe Pier, as mentioned, you will need to have some kind of transportation. If you have a personal car then that’s done deal, but do keep in mind that you transport your car with you to the island (unlike Koh Samui). There are alternatives for people who do not own a private car:

Taxi – Not a bad option at all, however the price will definitely vary a lot depending on the driver
Bus/Van- Probably the cheapest option on this list. There’s a bus terminal at Ekkamai that offers direct trip for a pretty affordable price!
Private Car Hires – Although the price will be slightly higher than taking the bus, it offers more comfort and leniency (and more leg room! can’t say no to that!). Services like picking you up directly at your hotel is something included. For more information check out our packages by pressing HERE.