Koh Tao (“Turtle Island”) lies about 65 km north of Samui and is one of the world’s most popular places to learn to dive. Just off its north-west tip is Koh Nang Yuan: three small islets connected by a pale sandbar, one of the most photographed views in the Gulf of Thailand.
Day trips by speedboat from Samui take around 1.5–2 hours each way and typically include a snorkelling stop off Koh Tao, lunch and a couple of hours on Koh Nang Yuan. It is a long day on the water, but the snorkelling is clearly better than anything close to Samui itself.
Top things to do at Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan
Climb to the Nang Yuan viewpoint
A path and steps, followed by a short scramble over boulders at the top, lead to the classic view down over the sandbar. Allow 15–20 minutes each way and expect a queue at the summit in high season.
Snorkel the Japanese Garden
The shallow bay on the east side of the sandbar has coral and plenty of reef fish within a few metres of the beach. Do not stand on or touch the coral.
Stay longer and dive
If you want to dive, a day trip is not enough: take the catamaran to Koh Tao and stay a few nights. Dive schools there offer everything from try-dives to full certification courses.
How to get to Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan
- On a day trip: speedboat tours with hotel pickup leave Samui early in the morning and return late in the afternoon.
- By scheduled ferry: high-speed catamarans run from Samui’s north coast to Koh Tao via Koh Phangan in roughly 2–3 hours.
Insider tips
- Koh Nang Yuan is privately owned and charges a landing fee (around 250 baht — check whether your tour includes it). Plastic bottles are not allowed on the island.
- Crossings are roughest from about October to December, and trips are cancelled in bad weather. The calmest seas are usually between March and September.
- Take a seasickness tablet in advance if you are at all susceptible.
Best tours & tickets for Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan:
Full-day snorkelling trip from €56 From Samui: Ko Tao and Koh Nang Yuan Speedboat Day Trip
A long day, but the snorkelling around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan is the best within reach of Samui. The open-sea crossing can be rough outside the calm months, and trips are cancelled in bad weather — book early in your stay so there is room to reschedule.
- Snorkelling stops around Koh Tao
- Time on Koh Nang Yuan’s sandbar and viewpoint
- Speedboat crossing from Samui
Ferry ticket from €19 Koh Samui: High-Speed Catamaran Transfer to/from Koh Tao
The straightforward way to move on to Koh Tao for a few days of diving, or to come back. The catamaran calls at Koh Phangan on the way; take seasickness tablets if the wind is up.
- High-speed catamaran between Samui and Koh Tao
- Runs via Koh Phangan
- Fixed seat booked in advance
