Koh Phangan to Koh Tao: One Ferry, A World of Diving

Koh Tao Is Right There

If you're on Koh Phangan — whether you came for the Full Moon Party, a yoga retreat, or just the beaches — Koh Tao is sitting right on your doorstep. The two islands are neighbours in the Gulf of Thailand, separated by about 20km of open water. The ferry crossing takes around 1.5 hours. Many travellers spend days on Phangan never realising that one of the world's top dive destinations is visible on the horizon.

Don't make that mistake.

Getting from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao

There are two main ferry operators connecting Koh Phangan and Koh Tao:

Lomprayah High-Speed Catamaran

The faster and more comfortable option. Lomprayah runs multiple daily departures from Thong Sala pier (the main pier on the south coast of Phangan).

• Journey time: ~1.5 hours
• Cost: ~400–500 THB ($11–14) one-way
• Frequency: 2–3 departures daily
• Book: lomprayah.com or at Thong Sala pier

Lomprayah also operates as part of the Bangkok–Koh Tao combined ticket, so if you've already got a through ticket, you're sorted.

Songserm Express

A slower, cheaper alternative that has been running in the Gulf for decades.

• Journey time: ~2 hours
• Cost: ~300–400 THB ($8–11) one-way
• Note: Less frequent than Lomprayah; check current schedule at the pier

Tip for Full Moon Party travellers: Ferries after Full Moon (which goes through the night) depart early morning. If you're planning to continue to Koh Tao the day after Full Moon, book your ferry in advance — these departures sell out.

What Awaits You on Koh Tao

Koh Tao is the dive capital of Southeast Asia. More people learn to dive here than anywhere else on earth. But it's not just a beginner island — there are legitimately world-class dive sites: