Koh Samui or Koh Tao? A big resort island with an airport, or a small one built around diving.
The short answer: Koh Samui is the big island of the Gulf of Thailand, with its own airport, a ring road, resorts all round the coast and Grab. Koh Tao, about one and a half to two and a half hours north by boat, is about a tenth of the size and built around diving: many people come to learn, and the PADI Open Water course was listed by several schools at around 10,000 to 12,000 baht in 2026. Both share the Gulf weather, wettest from about October to December.
Below: a side-by-side comparison, who each island suits, and how to travel between them.
Koh Samui and Koh Tao side by side
The practical differences that usually decide it. Checked in November 2026.
| Koh Samui | Koh Tao | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | About 229 km²; a 51 km ring road goes round it | About 21 km² |
| Getting there | Samui Airport (Bangkok Airways), or a bus and ferry via Surat Thani | No airport: boats from Chumphon (about 2 hours), Samui or Phangan |
| Known for | Resorts and long beaches: Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam | Diving and snorkelling, Koh Nang Yuan |
| Beaches | Long, busy beaches on the east coast, quieter ones in the north, south and west | Sairee (about 2 km, the longest), Mae Haad by the pier, Chalok Baan Kao and small coves |
| Getting around | Taxis, songthaews and Grab all work, though they are not cheap | No Grab: taxis, songthaews, longtail boats or a scooter on steep roads |
| Nightlife | Bars and clubs in Chaweng and Lamai | Beach bars on Sairee |
| Weather | Gulf of Thailand: wettest from about October to December, especially November | The same |
Ferries between the islands: Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao ferry guide.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Koh Samui for an easy holiday: a flight straight to the island, a wide choice of resorts, families and couples, and restaurants and day trips close at hand.
Choose Koh Tao if you want to dive or learn to dive, or spend your days snorkelling. It is small and simple, though the hill roads are steep.
Do both: fly into Samui, then take the boat to Koh Tao for a few days of diving; most boats stop at Koh Phangan on the way.
Getting there
Samui Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways, which flies most routes there, and fares tend to be higher than to other beach airports. Many people fly to Surat Thani instead and take a bus and ferry. See Bangkok to Koh Samui.
Koh Tao has no airport. From Bangkok, the usual ways are the night bus or train to Chumphon and a catamaran of about two hours, or a flight to Samui and a boat. See Bangkok to Koh Tao.
Diving and snorkelling
Koh Tao is one of the best-known places in Thailand to learn to dive. In 2026 several dive schools listed the PADI Open Water course at around 10,000 to 12,000 baht; it takes three to four days. The sandbar of Koh Nang Yuan, just off the north-west coast, is a short boat ride away.
From Samui, diving and snorkelling are mostly day trips by boat, for example to Koh Tao or Ang Thong Marine Park, which closes every year from 1 November to about mid-December. See our Koh Tao day trip from Samui page.
Beaches and getting around
Samui's busiest beaches are Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast; Bophut and Maenam on the north coast are quieter. Taxis, songthaews and Grab all work. See where to stay on Koh Samui.
On Koh Tao, Sairee is the longest beach, about 2 km, with the beach bars; Mae Haad is by the pier and Chalok Baan Kao in the south. There is no Grab, and the hill roads are steep. See where to stay on Koh Tao.
Travelling between Koh Samui and Koh Tao
Boats from Samui to Koh Tao take about one and a half to two and a half hours, and most stop at Koh Phangan on the way. They leave from Maenam and other Samui piers and arrive at Mae Haad on Koh Tao. All run in daylight; on the day we checked, the last boat from Samui to Koh Tao left around 14:30.
Around the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, book the boats three to seven days ahead.
Koh Samui vs Koh Tao FAQ
Is Koh Samui or Koh Tao better?
Samui for an easy resort holiday with a flight to the island; Koh Tao for diving, snorkelling and a smaller, simpler island.
How long is the ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao?
About one and a half to two and a half hours; most boats stop at Koh Phangan on the way.
Can I visit Koh Tao as a day trip from Samui?
Yes, on a boat tour that usually includes Koh Nang Yuan. Staying a few nights is better if you want to dive.
How much is a diving course on Koh Tao?
In 2026 several schools listed the PADI Open Water course at around 10,000 to 12,000 baht, over three to four days.
Does Grab work on Koh Tao?
No. Use taxis, songthaews, longtail boats or a scooter. On Samui, Grab does work.
Last checked: 7 November 2026. Island sizes from Wikipedia (Ko Samui, Ko Tao); Samui airport and Ang Thong closure from our Phuket vs Koh Samui page; dive course prices, Koh Tao beaches, Chumphon boats and getting around from our Koh Tao vs Koh Phangan page (Big Blue Diving, Koh Tao Scuba Club, 12Go); Grab on Samui from our Koh Samui vs Koh Phangan page; boats between Samui and Koh Tao from our island ferries page (12Go, 6 November 2026).