Getting To The Islands
Rainy Season
During the monsoon season (roughly November and December) weather conditions may prevent boats from sailing. If the weather seems bad it may be best to check before going to the jetty.
Terminated Services
If you've got an old guidebook note that the Ekawin Speed Ferry and Koh Tao Cruiser no longer operate
Inshore Islands
If you want to visit one of the islands close to the mainland you'll probably need to charter a long-tail boat. See the individual islands for more details.
Alternatively we could arrange a day-trip for you - contact our shop in Chumphon).
Koh Tao And Beyond
There are half a dozen boats sailing from Chumphon to Koh Tao daily. Several continues onwards to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. All boats leave from the Tha Yang Pier area except for the Lomprayah catamaran (which leaves from the pier at Thung Mahkam Yai) and the Seatran Discovery (leaving from Pak Nam Chumphon).
Departure Times From Chumphon
(N.B: The following timetable should be taken as a guideline only, especially the arrival/departure times at the various islands)
Departs |
Koh Tao |
Koh Phangan |
Koh Samui |
Service |
| 07:00 daily | arr 08:30, dep 09:30 | arr 10:30, dep 11:00 | arr 11:30 | Lomprayah |
| 07:00 daily | arr 09:30, dep 10:00 | arr 11:30, dep 12:00 | arr 12:45 | Songserm |
| 07:00 daily | arr 08:30, dep 09:30 | arr 11:00, dep 11:00 | arr 11:30 | Seatran |
| 13:00 daily | arr 14:30, dep 15:00 | arr 16:00, dep 16:10 | arr 16:45 | Lomprayah |
| 23:00 (Mon, Wed, Fri only) |
05:00 | n/a | n/a | Car ferry |
| 24:00 daily | 06:00 | n/a | n/a | Night boat |
Lomprayah Catamaran
Lomprayah catamaran
How To Get To The Lomprayah Jetty
Location: The jetty is in Ao Thung Mahkam Noi
Directions: Simply follow the directions to Thung Mahkam Noi. The ticket usually includes the transfer between the jetty and Chumphon town centre.
chumphon - koh toa |
koh tao - chumphon |
Lomprayah Catamarandep. 07.00 am. - arr. 08.30 am.dep. 13.00 pm. - arr. 14.30 pm. |
Lomprayah Catamarandep. 10.00 am. - arr. 11.30 am.dep. 15.00 pm. - arr. 16.30 pm. |
For further information see the Lomprayah website.
Seatran Ferry
Seatran express boat
How To Get To The Seatran Jetty
Location: The jetty is on the southern bank of the river
Directions: From Chumphon take highway 4001 to Tha Yang bridge, follow highway 4119 over the bridge. ??? (The ticket usually includes the transfer between the jetty and Chumphon town centre)
chumphon - koh toa |
koh tao - chumphon |
| dep. 07.00 am. - arr. 08.30 am. | dep. 10.00 am. - arr. 11.30 am. dep. 15.00 pm. - arr. 16.30 pm. |
For further information see the Seatran website.
The Tha Yang Pier Area
There are several different piers and jetties here, all within a few hundred metres of each other. Make sure you go to the correct one for your boat!
How To Get To Tha Yang Pier
Location: Tha Yang pier is close to the junction of highways 4001 and 4119, near Tha Yang bridge (Tha Yang sub-district), and is about 5km upstream from the Thatapao river mouth.
Directions: From Chumphon take highway 4001 to Tha Yang bridge and turn left just before the bridge. The Tha Yang pier area is a few hundred metres along this road on your right hand side. (See also the Chumphon area map.)
Songserm Express Boat
Songserm express boat
chumphon - koh toa |
koh tao - chumphon |
Songserm Express Boatdep. 07.00 am. - arr. 10.00 am. |
Songserm Express Boatdep. 14.30 pm. - arr. 17.30 pm. |
Ko Jaroen Car Ferry
Ko Jaroen car ferry
chumphon - koh toa |
koh tao - chumphon |
Ko Jaroen Car Ferrydep. 23.00 pm. - arr. 05.00 am.(Mon, Wed, Fri only) |
Ko Jaroen Car Ferrydep. 23.00 pm. - 05.00 am.(Tue, Thu, Sat only) |
The second-cheapest option. The car ferry has a metal-riveted construction with an enclosed upper passenger deck. There are two seperate boats - one with bunk-beds, and the other with just floor space. Mattresses, pillows, and blankets are provided on both, but sleeping spaces are not reserved. Get there early enough to claim your space.
Since both the car ferry and the wooden night boat are both "night boats", make sure you are specific about which you want to travel on.
Night Boat
Night boat
chumphon - koh toa |
koh tao - chumphon |
Night Boatdep. 24.00 - arr. 06.00 am. |
Night Boatdep. 22.00 pm. - arr. 03.00 am. |
The cheapest option. No mattresses or blankets are provided on the wooden night-boats, and there are no shutters on the unglazed windows. If the weather is cold, windy or raining be prepared for an uncomfortable night!
Since both the car ferry and the wooden night boat are both "night boats", make sure you are specific about which you want to travel on.
