Pack the swimwear, skip the group tour and point the bow towards somewhere new. These five island escapes are among the best ways to spend a day off Koh Samui.
Koh Samui is only the beginning of a particularly beautiful patch of the Gulf of Thailand. An hour by speedboat takes you to the limestone islands and emerald lagoons of Ang Thong, while the quieter beaches of Koh Phangan are just 30–45 minutes away. Venture farther to Koh Tao, around 1.5–2 hours from Samui, and the scenery gets even better once you put on a snorkel. Or keep things close to home with Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, just 20–30 minutes off the south coast, for shallow reefs, sandy shores and a few scene-stealing pigs.
When you stay with Luxe Nomad, the boat arrangements are the easy part — our complimentary concierge can take care of those. Deciding where to sail to? That takes a little more thought.
Five destinations, five distinctly different days on the water. Let’s find your kind of sea day.
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Ang Thong Marine Park
If Koh Samui had a greatest-hits album, Ang Thong would probably be on the cover. The marine park scatters 42 islands across the Gulf, with sheer limestone cliffs rising from blue-green water, jungle-covered peaks, lovely beaches and an emerald lagoon hidden among it all. Just around an hour from Koh Samui by speedboat, it is close enough that most of the day is spent exploring rather than simply getting there.
The headline stop is Talay Nai, a saltwater lagoon tucked inside Koh Mae Ko, with a viewpoint above that rewards the climb. Sensible shoes are your friend here; flip-flops, comfy as they may be, have their limits. Back at sea level, there is kayaking between limestone formations, swimming off quiet beaches and snorkelling in the surrounding waters, though it is the landscape that really steals the show.
There are two things worth knowing before you go. Ang Thong has a national park entrance fee, and its good looks are hardly a secret. By mid-morning, group tours begin arriving at the most popular stops. This is where having a private boat makes sense: leave early and you can reach the lagoon and viewpoint before the crowds build, then move on at your own pace rather than somebody else’s timetable.
If you only have room for one big day on the water, Ang Thong makes a good case. Set the alarm, bring proper shoes, and get there before everyone else has the same idea.
Get to know more about Ang Thong: Inside the Tropical Paradise That is Ang Thong National Marine Park
Koh Tao
If Ang Thong is about what rises above the water, Koh Tao is all about what lies beneath it. Around 1.5–2 hours from Koh Samui by speedboat, this is the longest journey on the list, but also the one to make if snorkelling or diving is near the top of your holiday agenda.
There are plenty of places to get your fins wet. Shark Bay is known for its marine life and, despite the slightly ominous name, the blacktip reef sharks often spotted here are generally more interested in going about their day than yours.
Meanwhile, Mango Bay, offers clear, sheltered water and coral reefs that make it a favourite for snorkelling. Just offshore, Koh Nang Yuan adds another rather photogenic stop, where a ribbon of white sand connects three tiny islands.
With the longer crossing, Koh Tao deserves a full day rather than a hurried there-and-back. Confident swimmers will get the most from it, with plenty of time to move between snorkelling spots and linger when the underwater scenery warrants another lap. Those wanting to go deeper can also arrange instructor-led dives.
Curious about the other side of the surface? Scuba Diving in Samui: A General Manager’s Guide to Underwater Adventure
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan may be famous for parties that last until sunrise, but there is also a quieter side to the island — and thankfully, you don’t need to stay up until dawn to find it. Just 30–45 minutes from Koh Samui by speedboat, it is close enough for an easy half-day escape without sacrificing most of it to the journey.
Head towards the island’s quieter north and northeast, where jungle-covered hills tumble down towards sandy coves and clear water. Bottle Beach feels pleasantly tucked away, while the Thong Nai Pan side offers long stretches of sand where the agenda can be as ambitious as a swim followed by lunch.
That makes Koh Phangan the right choice for guests who want an easy beach day without committing to a full-day adventure. It also pairs well with a late start, which is not something you can say for Ang Thong or Koh Tao.
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Koh Tan and Koh Madsum
Koh Tan and Koh Madsum prove that you don’t have to venture far from Samui to find a change of scenery. Just 20–30 minutes off Koh Samui’s south coast, the two make an easy pairing, with shallow reefs, sandy shores and a few famous four-legged residents waiting on the other side.
Start at Koh Tan, where shallow reefs and calmer waters make snorkelling approachable for beginners and younger swimmers. There is enough beneath the surface to make putting on a mask worthwhile, without turning the day into a serious underwater expedition. Then hop across to neighbouring Koh Madsum for sandy shores, swimming and the island’s scene-stealing residents: its famous pigs. Children, unsurprisingly, tend to approve.
The beauty of pairing the two is variety without too much effort. There is snorkelling for the adventurous ones, beach time for everyone else and pigs for anyone whose enthusiasm for coral has begun to wane. That easy mix, combined with the short crossing, makes this one particularly good escape for families, especially when different ages and attention spans are involved.
For more family days on Koh Samui: Family Holiday in Koh Samui: Top Tips & Must-Visit Spots for an Unforgettable Getaway
How to do it: Blue Voyage
Knowing which island to choose is one thing. Getting there comfortably is the next order of business.
For Luxe Nomad guests, island-hopping trips can be arranged through the complimentary concierge service with Blue Voyage, our official boat partner in Koh Samui. Its fleet includes three speedboats and two catamarans, so the boat can be matched to the kind of day you have in mind. Speedboats make sense when you want to cover more ground — particularly for Ang Thong or Koh Tao — while a catamaran lends itself nicely to a more leisurely day out.
There is also a rather lovely perk for guests staying along Samui’s west coast. Tide permitting, The Blue Voyage can collect you directly from the beach outside select villas, which means skipping the drive to the pier and beginning the day practically from your doorstep. This works particularly well for stays at Luxe Nomad’s Ban Suriya, Baan Kilee and Villa Akatsuki, as well as other villas around Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam.
Want to step onto the boat from your own stretch of sand? Villa of the Week: Villa Akatsuki in Koh Samui, Thailand
Sailing Quickfire:
Which island is best for snorkelling near Koh Samui?
Koh Tao, by a comfortable margin. Shark Bay and Mango Bay offer clear water and lively reef. It is a full day, though. If you want something gentler and closer, Koh Tan has a shallow reef that suits beginners and children nicely.
How long does it take to reach Ang Thong?
About an hour by speedboat from Samui. That is short enough to have a proper day at the park. Leave early: by mid-morning, it gets pretty busy, and the lagoon and viewpoint are far nicer before the crowds arrive.
Is Koh Tao worth a day trip from Samui?
Yes, if your group likes the water. It is 1.5 to 2 hours each way, so the day is long, but it’s the best snorkelling spot given the distance. Anyone who wants to dive as well can add instructor-led dives.
Which trip suits young children?
Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, both islands are 20 to 30 minutes away. Koh Tan’s shallow reef is calm and easy, and Koh Madsum has a sandbar and pigs. It is the shortest, simplest day of the five.
Can the boat pick us up from our villa beach?
Yes, Blue Voyage can collect guests straight off the beach, tide permitting, so there is no pier to drive to. This works for Luxe Nomad’s Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam villas, including Ban Suriya, Baan Kilee and Villa Akatsuki.
What is the best time of year for the crossing?
February to April is the main island-hopping season, when conditions are generally at their most settled. Book early for those months, especially for Ang Thong and Koh Tao, because the best days go first.
Every island-hopping trip needs a home base. Start here.
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