Koh Tao sits about 40 km north of Koh Phangan across a stretch of open Gulf, and the catamaran crossing is the natural next step for anyone island-hopping up from Samui and Phangan. The journey takes 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the operator, the connection is usually smooth, and Mae Haad pier on Koh Tao is well set up for new arrivals. It is one of the shorter inter-island passages in the Gulf, but one of the most rewarding in terms of the destination.
Operators: Lomprayah and Songserm
Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran
Lomprayah operates the most frequent and best-known catamaran service between the Gulf islands. Northbound, their catamarans depart from Thong Sala pier on Koh Phangan's west coast and cross to Mae Haad pier on Koh Tao in around 1 hour. Many of these services have already called at Koh Samui earlier in the day — if you are holding a through-ticket from Samui or the mainland, you simply stay aboard or reboard at Thong Sala depending on the service type. Lomprayah typically runs two northbound departures per day in high season — morning and early afternoon — with times adjusted in low season. Check the current timetable when you buy your ticket, as departure times shift seasonally.
Lomprayah's through-ticketing is one of their greatest practical advantages. A single ticket can cover Bangkok → Surat Thani by bus → Donsak → Samui → Phangan → Tao, and their customer-service counters at each pier are well-staffed and used to handling connections and delays. If you are doing the full Gulf island chain, Lomprayah is the most straightforward operator to use from start to finish.
Songserm Express Boat
Songserm runs a high-speed catamaran from Thong Sala to Mae Haad in roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, typically with a single morning departure. Songserm is a long-established Gulf operator and their Koh Tao service has run for many years, though their vessels are generally older than Lomprayah's. In low season, Songserm may reduce to fewer weekly sailings — check before assuming a daily service. Tickets are available at the Thong Sala pier counter or through local travel agents on Koh Phangan.
Thong Sala pier: where to find your boat
Thong Sala is Koh Phangan's main pier and commercial hub. Both Lomprayah and Songserm have booking counters at or near the pier. If you already hold a through-ticket, look for your operator's counter to confirm your seat on the northbound catamaran. If you are buying on the day, the pier counters sell directly — no need to pre-book in most of the year, though during Full Moon Party periods and high-season weekends the morning Lomprayah sailing can sell out. Arriving at the pier 20–30 minutes before departure is sensible.
Songthaews from all parts of Koh Phangan run to Thong Sala; from Hat Rin in the far south-east, allow 45 minutes and take the songthaew rather than a taxi if you are not in a hurry. From the quieter northern bays (Haad Yao, Haad Salad, Thong Nai Pan), allow 30–50 minutes depending on road conditions.
The crossing
The sea between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao is open Gulf water. In calm conditions — which prevail for most of the year — it is a pleasant crossing with views of Koh Tao's distinctive rocky peaks appearing ahead. The catamaran's air-conditioned interior is fine for the short journey, though sitting outside on the rear deck is enjoyable if the sun is not too fierce. In rough weather, the interior is the better option: catamarans slam into waves rather than rolling through them, and motion sickness is more likely than on the slower car ferries. Seasickness tablets are sold in Thong Sala's pharmacies if you are prone.
Arriving at Mae Haad, Koh Tao
All scheduled catamaran services from Phangan arrive at Mae Haad pier on Koh Tao's west coast. The pier area is the island's commercial heart: dive shops, restaurants, pharmacies, bike rental and a small supermarket are all within a few hundred metres. Most of Koh Tao's accommodation clusters along Sairee Beach (a short walk or songthaew north from Mae Haad), the Mae Haad village strip itself, and the quieter bays further around the coast.
If your guesthouse or resort is in one of the more remote eastern bays — Tanote Bay, Ao Leuk, Shark Bay — arrange a pickup in advance or take a songthaew from Mae Haad. The roads on Koh Tao are steep and rough in places; a motorbike rather than a scooter is better if you are venturing off the main Mae Haad–Sairee strip.
Rough weather: October to December
As with all Gulf of Thailand crossings, the monsoon period from roughly October to December brings the risk of rough seas and service disruptions. The Koh Phangan–Koh Tao leg is more exposed than the shorter Samui–Phangan hop, and in bad weather the catamaran crossing can be cancelled at short notice. November is the peak of the monsoon and the most risky month. If you are planning to leave Koh Tao in November or December, build a day or two of buffer into your schedule and keep accommodation flexible. See Surat Thani to Koh Tao for more on seasonal considerations around this island, and ferries to the Thai islands for an overview of how monsoon patterns differ across Thailand's two coastlines.
October–December: The Koh Phangan–Koh Tao catamaran can be cancelled in severe weather. Check forecasts and book flexible accommodation if travelling in these months.
Booking tips
For most of the year, buying a ticket at the Thong Sala pier counter on the morning of travel is perfectly adequate. In high season — particularly December to March and around the Full Moon Party — book ahead through Lomprayah's website or a platform such as 12Go Asia. Lomprayah's morning departure is the most popular and fills first; if it is full, the early afternoon sailing is the alternative. Songserm's single morning departure is a second option if Lomprayah is sold out, though check it is running on your date. For help booking ferries in general, the booking ferries guide covers the main platforms and how to compare options.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the catamaran from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao take?
Lomprayah takes around 1 hour from Thong Sala to Mae Haad. Songserm runs a similar service in 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. Journey time varies slightly depending on sea conditions.
How many crossings a day are there?
In high season, Lomprayah typically runs two northbound departures (morning and early afternoon) and Songserm runs one morning departure, giving a total of two or three options per day. In low season, services reduce, sometimes to one daily catamaran. Check timetables before you travel.
Can I do the full island chain — Samui, Phangan, Tao — in one day?
In theory yes, but it makes for an exhausting and rushed day. The more comfortable approach is to spend at least one night on each island, catching an early-ish morning catamaran between each. Lomprayah through-tickets make the logistics straightforward. Starting from Surat Thani, the realistic schedule is: Surat Thani → Samui (day 1), Samui → Phangan (day 2 or 3), Phangan → Tao (day 4 or 5). See Surat Thani to Koh Samui for the starting leg.
Is there an overnight boat from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao?
No scheduled overnight service operates directly between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Overnight slow boats exist from Surat Thani to Koh Tao, but if you are already on Phangan the catamaran is the standard option. It is short enough that an overnight service would not make sense.
Sources and further reading:
- Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran (lomprayah.com) — Thong Sala to Mae Haad timetables and booking.
- Songserm Express Boat (songserm-expressboat.com) — Gulf of Thailand schedules.
- Thai Meteorological Department (tmd.go.th) — Gulf weather and monsoon forecasts.