Koh Samui sits at the centre of one of Thailand's most rewarding stretches of water, with the southern Pig Island chain, Ang Thong National Marine Park, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan all within a day's reach. The hard part is not finding a boat trip, it is choosing the right one. This guide walks through every option, what each costs, and how to match the boat to your group and your day.
Quick answer: Your first choice is how you travel. Join a scheduled group day tour from 2,200 THB per person, take a smaller boutique group trip at 5,450 THB per person, or charter a whole boat privately from 10,000 THB. If you charter privately, your main vessels are the luxury longtail (calm and scenic, for the southern islands), a speedboat (fast, reaches further), a catamaran (stable and spacious), or a motor yacht (premium, for celebrations). The right one depends on your group size, your budget, and where you want to go.
- Scheduled group day tour: from 2,200 THB per person.
- Small-group boutique tour: 5,450 THB per person.
- Private luxury longtail: from 10,000 THB for the whole boat.
- Private speedboat charter: from 34,000 THB for the day.
- Catamarans and motor yachts: from around 15,000 THB, arranged to suit.
First decision: group, small group, or private charter
Before you pick a boat, decide how you want to travel. We run three modes, and they suit very different trips and budgets.
Scheduled group day tours (from 2,200 THB per person)
Scheduled group tours are single tickets on a set departure, where you join a wider group. They are the most affordable way to see the headline destinations such as Ang Thong National Marine Park and Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, from 2,200 THB per person. The itinerary is fixed and the boat is busier, but the value is excellent.
Small-group boutique tours (5,450 THB per person)
Boutique tours run the same headline routes with far smaller numbers for a calmer day on the water. At 5,450 THB per person you get more room, more attention and a less rushed pace, without the cost of chartering a whole boat.
Private charters (from 10,000 THB for the whole boat)
A private charter is the whole boat for your party alone, with the day shaped around you. Prices start from 10,000 THB for a half-day longtail and rise with the size and type of vessel. This is the route for families, couples and groups who want privacy, flexibility and a pace of their own. Everything below applies to private charters.
Choosing your boat for a private charter
Once you have decided to charter privately, the boat itself is the next choice. Each type suits a different kind of day.
Luxury longtail (from 10,000 THB)
The luxury longtail is our signature private charter and the best way to explore the calm southern islands. A half day from 10,000 THB takes your group to Koh Mad Sum (Pig Island) and Koh Taen for swimming, snorkelling and the famous beach pigs. A full day from 16,000 THB adds more of the southern archipelago. The longtail is offered as a private whole-boat charter only, never as single join-in seats, so the boat is always yours. It is calm, scenic and unhurried rather than fast.
Speedboat (from 34,000 THB private)
A private speedboat is the choice when you want to cover more distance in a day. Speedboats reach the further islands quickly, which makes them ideal for Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Phangan, or a full circuit of Koh Samui. Private speedboat charters start from 34,000 THB for the day, reflecting the greater range and the larger, faster boat. Browse the options in our private speedboat charters.
Catamaran (from around 15,000 THB)
A catamaran is the most stable and spacious option, with room to spread out, shaded seating and an easy, relaxed pace. Catamarans suit larger groups, families and anyone prone to seasickness, and they are a favourite for sunset cruises. A half-day or sunset catamaran cruise starts from around 15,000 THB, with full days and larger vessels priced on request.
Motor yacht and all-inclusive luxury yacht
For a premium day or a special occasion, a private motor yacht offers the most comfort and the fullest service, with prices ranging from around 40,000 THB up to 100,000 THB depending on the vessel and the day. At the top sits our all-inclusive luxury yacht, complete with an Italian chef and an open bar, where the food and drink are part of the experience. These charters are arranged on enquiry so we can match the right boat to your group. See our private yacht charters.
Fishing charter (from 9,500 THB)
If your group would rather fish than island-hop, a private fishing charter starts from 9,500 THB and comes with rods, equipment and a skipper who knows the water.
Match the boat to your day
A quick way to narrow it down by who you are travelling with and what you want from the day.
- Couples and honeymooners: a private luxury longtail or a sunset catamaran cruise.
- Families: a catamaran for space and stability, or a half-day longtail for younger children.
- Groups and celebrations: a catamaran or a private motor yacht, with the all-inclusive yacht for a milestone.
- Keen anglers: a private fishing charter.
- Seeing as much as possible: a private speedboat to reach the further islands.
Match the boat to the destination
- Koh Mad Sum (Pig Island) and the southern islands: the luxury longtail, which is built for these calm, close waters.
- Ang Thong National Marine Park: a speedboat or yacht, as the park sits further out. A private Ang Thong tour starts from 35,000 THB.
- Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: a speedboat, for the best snorkelling and diving water in the area.
- Koh Phangan: a speedboat or catamaran, depending on whether you want speed or space.
When to go
The best months for boat trips are December to August, with the calmest seas and clearest water from December to March. Conditions stay good through the hotter middle of the year. The monsoon arrives late in the year and affects the eastern islands most, so October and November bring rougher water and occasional closures, particularly at Ang Thong. We always advise on conditions when you book and move a trip if the sea is not safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest boat trip in Koh Samui?
The most affordable option is a scheduled group day tour, from 2,200 THB per person, to destinations such as Ang Thong or Koh Tao. You join a wider group on a set itinerary.
How much does it cost to charter a private boat in Koh Samui?
Private charters start from 10,000 THB for a half-day luxury longtail. Private speedboat charters start from 34,000 THB, and catamarans and motor yachts range from around 15,000 THB up to 100,000 THB depending on the vessel and the day.
What is the difference between a longtail and a speedboat?
A longtail is a calm, scenic boat best for the close southern islands, offered as a private whole-boat charter from 10,000 THB. A speedboat is faster and reaches the further islands such as Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, with private charters from 34,000 THB.
Which boat is best for families?
A catamaran is usually best for families, as it is stable, spacious and shaded. For younger children and a shorter day, a half-day private longtail to Pig Island also works well.
Can I see Pig Island by private boat?
Yes. Koh Mad Sum, known as Pig Island, is reached on a private luxury longtail charter from 10,000 THB for a half day, usually combined with Koh Taen for snorkelling.
Do you offer sunset cruises?
Yes. Sunset cruises are most popular on a catamaran, starting from around 15,000 THB, and can also be arranged on a private yacht.
When is the best time of year for a boat trip in Koh Samui?
December to August offers the best conditions, with the calmest seas from December to March. October and November can bring rough water and occasional closures because of the monsoon.
Are the longtail trips private or shared?
The luxury longtail is offered as a private whole-boat charter only. The boat is always yours, and it is not sold as single join-in seats.
About Paradise Travel and Tours
We are a small, Koh Samui-based team arranging private charters, group boat trips and bespoke days on the water across the island and its surrounding archipelago. We work with a curated network of trusted boats and skippers, and we match the right vessel to your group, your budget and the day you have in mind. If you would like us to plan it for you, start with our ocean tours and boat trips or ask us for a bespoke itinerary.
TAT Licence: 43/01405 | Website: www.paradisetravelandtours.co
Reviewed June 2026. Prices are a guide and are confirmed at the time of booking.