Koh Samui sits in the heart of the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by dozens of tropical islands within easy reach by boat. From uninhabited coral gardens to dramatic limestone karsts, the archipelago offers some of Southeast Asia's most spectacular island-hopping opportunities. Here's your complete guide to 8 islands you can visit from Koh Samui, with travel times, activities, and how to book.
Island Hopping Overview
| Island | Distance | Travel Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Tan | 5 km | 15-20 min | Snorkeling, coral reefs |
| Koh Madsum (Pig Island) | 6 km | 15-20 min | Families, swimming pigs |
| Koh Rap | 8 km | 25-30 min | BBQ, secluded beaches |
| Ang Thong Marine Park | 28 km | 1.5 hours | Scenery, hiking, kayaking |
| Koh Phangan | 15 km | 45 min - 1 hour | Full Moon Party, beaches |
| Koh Tao | 70 km | 2 hours | Diving, snorkeling |
| Koh Nang Yuan | 75 km | 2.5 hours | Iconic viewpoint, snorkeling |
| Koh Wua Ta Lap | 30 km | 1.5 hours | Hiking, Emerald Lagoon |
1. Koh Tan — Best Snorkeling Near Koh Samui
Koh Tan
Koh Tan is the closest island to Koh Samui with world-class snorkeling. The Coral Gardens on the northeast tip feature healthy hard coral, tropical fish, and excellent visibility year-round. The island is largely undeveloped with just a handful of local families and a small restaurant serving fresh seafood.
What to do: Snorkeling (the main draw), kayaking around the coastline, beach swimming, and lunch at the island restaurant. The water around Koh Tan is calm and shallow — perfect for beginners and children.
How to visit: Samui Authentic's Koh Tan & Pig Island tour (2,800 THB per adult, 6 hours) combines Koh Tan with Koh Madsum in a full-day trip. Private longtail charters from 6,000 THB.
2. Koh Madsum (Pig Island) — Family Favorite
Koh Madsum (Pig Island)
Koh Madsum is famous for the friendly pigs that roam the beach. Kids love feeding and swimming with them. Beyond the pigs, the island offers a long sandy beach, shallow turquoise water, and gentle snorkeling around the rocks at either end.
What to do: Meet the swimming pigs, beach relaxation, paddle in shallow water, light snorkeling. There's a small beach bar for drinks and snacks.
How to visit: Included in the Koh Tan & Pig Island tour (2,800 THB). One of the most popular family excursions in Koh Samui.
3. Koh Rap — Secluded BBQ Paradise
Koh Rap
Koh Rap is Koh Samui's best-kept secret. This small, uninhabited island has pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and virtually no other visitors. Our tours include a freshly grilled seafood BBQ lunch on the beach — prawns, fish, chicken, and Thai salads.
What to do: Snorkeling, beach lounging, BBQ lunch, exploring the island (takes 15 minutes to walk around). The snorkeling here is excellent with diverse marine life and coral.
How to visit: Koh Rap BBQ tour (3,500 THB per adult, 5-6 hours) or as part of a custom private charter combining Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, and Koh Rap in one day.
4. Ang Thong Marine Park — The Crown Jewel
Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong is a protected archipelago of 42 limestone islands. Towering karst cliffs, hidden lagoons, pristine beaches, and emerald-green water make it one of Southeast Asia's most beautiful destinations. The park covers 102 km² and was the inspiration for the novel and film "The Beach."
What to do: Hike to the famous viewpoint (430 meters, 500 steps), kayak through sea caves and lagoons, snorkel at Wua Ta Lap Island, visit the Emerald Lagoon (Talay Nai), and explore multiple beaches. Full-day tours typically visit 3-4 key spots.
How to visit: Ang Thong Marine Park tour by Samui Authentic (4,400 THB per adult, 7.5 hours). Includes park fees, lunch, snorkeling gear, kayaking, and guided hikes. The park is closed annually from November 1 to mid-December.
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Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is world-famous for its Full Moon Party, but the island offers much more — stunning beaches, jungle waterfalls, yoga retreats, and laid-back beach bars. The northern and eastern coasts are quieter, with secluded coves perfect for snorkeling.
What to do: Visit Haad Rin beach (Full Moon Party location), explore Bottle Beach and Thong Nai Pan, snorkel at Koh Ma, visit waterfalls, or take a beach-hopping speedboat tour around the island.
How to visit: Koh Phangan day tour by Samui Authentic (4,000 THB per adult, 7 hours). We visit 3-4 beaches, snorkeling spots, and include lunch. Private charters from 22,000 THB for a full-day trip.
6. Koh Tao — Diving & Snorkeling Paradise
Koh Tao
Koh Tao (Turtle Island) is Thailand's premier diving destination. The island has over 30 dive sites with vibrant coral reefs, frequent turtle sightings, and diverse marine life. For snorkelers, spots like Shark Bay, Japanese Gardens, and Aow Leuk offer incredible underwater experiences.
What to do: Snorkeling at world-class sites, diving (many operators offer day-trip dives), visit Koh Nang Yuan (connected to Koh Tao), explore viewpoints, and relax at Sairee Beach. The island is mountainous with scenic coastal roads.
How to visit: Private Koh Tao day tour by Samui Authentic (5,000 THB per adult, full day). Custom itinerary with snorkeling, lunch, and beach time. Private charters recommended for this distance — from 28,000 THB for a speedboat.
7. Koh Nang Yuan — Iconic Viewpoint
Koh Nang Yuan
Koh Nang Yuan is three tiny islands connected by a white sandbar. The aerial view from the hilltop viewpoint is one of Thailand's most photographed scenes. The surrounding water is crystal-clear with excellent snorkeling just offshore.
What to do: Hike to the viewpoint (15-20 minutes, steep but short), snorkel around the islands, swim in the shallow bay, and relax on the sandbar. There's one resort on the island with a restaurant open to day visitors. Note: Plastic bottles are banned — bring reusable water bottles.
How to visit: Usually combined with Koh Tao on a full-day private charter. Entrance fee 100 THB per person paid on arrival.
8. Koh Wua Ta Lap — Ang Thong's Main Island
Koh Wua Ta Lap
Koh Wua Ta Lap is the largest island in Ang Thong Marine Park and home to the park headquarters. It features the famous viewpoint hike and the stunning Emerald Lagoon (Talay Nai) — a landlocked saltwater lake surrounded by cliffs.
What to do: Hike to the viewpoint overlooking the entire archipelago (500 steps, breathtaking views), visit the Emerald Lagoon (200 steps down), snorkel at the beach, and kayak along the coastline. Most Ang Thong tours spend 2-3 hours here.
How to visit: Included in all Ang Thong Marine Park tours. This is the primary stop on most tours to the park.
Island Hopping Tips
- Combine nearby islands — Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, and Koh Rap can be visited in a single day with a private charter, offering the best variety.
- Choose speedboat vs longtail wisely — Longtails are perfect for nearby islands (Koh Tan, Koh Madsum) and offer an authentic experience. Speedboats are necessary for distant destinations like Ang Thong and Koh Tao.
- Check weather and seasons — December to March offers the calmest seas and best weather. Monsoon season (November) can limit trips to Ang Thong.
- Book Ang Thong early — It's the most popular tour and fills up quickly during peak season. Book 3-5 days ahead.
- Go private for flexibility — If you're a group of 4+, a private charter offers incredible value and lets you customize your route, timing, and stops.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen — Protect the coral reefs by using biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen. Avoid products with oxybenzone or octinoxate.
Frequently Asked Questions
From Koh Samui, you can easily visit Koh Tan, Koh Madsum (Pig Island), Koh Rap, the Ang Thong Marine Park islands, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Koh Nang Yuan. Closer islands like Koh Tan and Koh Madsum are 15-20 minutes away, while Ang Thong is about 1.5 hours and Koh Tao around 2 hours by speedboat.
Shared boat tours range from 2,800 to 4,400 THB per adult depending on the destination. Nearby islands like Koh Tan cost around 2,800 THB per person, while Ang Thong Marine Park tours are typically 4,400 THB. Private charters start from 6,000 THB for a half-day longtail boat up to 30,000+ THB for a full-day speedboat.
It depends on what you're looking for. Ang Thong Marine Park is the most spectacular for scenery and hiking. Koh Tan offers the best snorkeling. Pig Island (Koh Madsum) is perfect for families. Koh Tao is ideal for serious divers. For a quiet beach escape, Koh Rap is unbeatable.
Yes. Most island hopping tours are designed as full-day trips. You can visit 2-3 nearby islands in one day (like combining Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, and Koh Rap) or explore multiple islands within Ang Thong Marine Park. Private charters offer the most flexibility to customize your island-hopping route.
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