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Thailand

Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) → Koh Tao

The overnight sleeper boats from the Tapi riverfront in Surat Thani town to Mae Haad on Koh Tao. A boat leaves every night at 21:00 and arrives around 05:00–06:00; passengers sleep on bunk-bed decks, and the boats also carry cargo, motorbikes and cars.

⏱ 8h – 9h (overnight)🚢 4 operators📅 Nightly at 21:00 in both directions (one rota boat each night), plus Ko Jaroen on Mon, Wed and Fri from Surat Thani🚗 Vehicles accepted
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Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) to Koh Tao ferry at a glance

The ferry from Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) to Koh Tao takes 8h – 9h (overnight) across the Gulf of Thailand, operated by Chor. Maetapee Night Ferry, Sea Crest Ferry, ST 4289 and Ko Jaroen Night Ferry. Both vehicles and foot passengers are carried. Typical frequency: nightly at 21:00 in both directions (one rota boat each night), plus Ko Jaroen on Mon, Wed and Fri from Surat Thani.

Crossing times and frequencies are typical figures and vary by season. Confirm the current timetable with the operator or booking partner before you travel. Route facts last reviewed 2026-10-04.

Sources: facebook.com · facebook.com · facebook.com · facebook.com · How we verify

Return crossing: Koh Tao to Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers)

Chor. Maetapee Night Ferry and Sea Crest Ferry and ST 4289 and Ko Jaroen Night Ferry also sail Koh Tao to Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers), taking 8h – 9h (overnight). From Koh Tao a night boat also leaves every night at 21:00 and reaches Surat Thani around 05:00. Ko Jaroen sails back from Koh Tao on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) to Koh Tao ferry timetable & sailing pattern

One night boat every night in each direction at 21:00 (Sea Crest Ferry, ST 4289 and Chor. Maetapee in rotation), plus Ko Jaroen Night Ferry from Surat Thani on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

October 2026 timetables. On low-water days departures can move to 20:00 (as on several days in August and September 2026), and a boat can be withdrawn for repairs (Chor. Maetapee, 27–28 September 2026).

Published departure times

  • Surat Thani: 21:00 nightly (arr. Koh Tao about 05:00–06:00)
  • Koh Tao: 21:00 nightly (arr. Surat Thani about 05:00)
  • Ko Jaroen: Surat Thani Mon, Wed, Fri 21:00; Koh Tao Tue, Thu, Sat 21:00

Return: From Koh Tao a night boat also leaves every night at 21:00 and reaches Surat Thani around 05:00. Ko Jaroen sails back from Koh Tao on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Timetables change by season and date. Check exact departures for your travel date on the official timetable.

Official Chor. Maetapee Night Ferry timetable →Check prices & book on 12Go →

Source: Joint October 2026 timetable and Ko Jaroen October 2026 timetable on the operators’ official Facebook pages (operator Facebook page). Verified 2026-10-04.

Maritime Crossing Route Map

Interactive sea passage between Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) and Koh Tao

📐 70 Nautical Miles
Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers)⇄Koh Tao
⏱ 8h – 9h (overnight) · 📐 70 nm
© OpenFreeMap / OSM
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Operators on This Route

OperatorCrossing TimeVessels
Chor. Maetapee Night Ferry21:00 → 05:00Chor. Maetapee (night sleeper boat)
Sea Crest Ferry21:00 → 05:00Sea Crest Ferry (night sleeper boat)
ST 428921:00 → 06:00 (05:00 on the return)ST 4289 (night sleeper boat)
Ko Jaroen Night FerryDeparts 21:00Ko Jaroen (two-deck air-conditioned sleeper boat)

Route Features

🚗

Vehicles

Cars, campervans, and motorbikes accepted

🚶

Foot Passengers

Walk-on passengers welcome

🐕

Pets

No pet facilities

📐

Distance

70 nautical miles

Getting There & Onward Transport

  • The night-boat piers are on the riverfront in Surat Thani town (Ban Don), not at Donsak or Lomprayah’s Tapee Pier, which serve the daytime boats
  • Mae Haad on Koh Tao is also the pier for the morning Lomprayah, Songserm and Boonsiri boats to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Chumphon

Tips for the Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) to Koh Tao Crossing

  • Each boat sells its own tickets and berths by phone or LINE; check which boat is on the rota for your date (the operators post a monthly timetable).
  • ST 4289 asks passengers to check in an hour before departure.
  • When the river is low the boats may leave an hour early (20:00); the operators announce this on their Facebook pages on the day.

Related Ferry Crossings

Also sails from Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers)Surat Thani → Koh Tao2h 30m – 4h · LomprayahAlso sails from Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers)Surat Thani → Koh PhanganAbout 2h 50m · LomprayahAlso sails from Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers)Surat Thani → Koh Samui1h 30m – 2h · LomprayahOnward from Koh TaoKoh Samui → Koh Tao1h 25m – 2h 30m (longer with a change on Koh Phangan or on the slow ferry) · Lomprayah, Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, SongsermOnward from Koh TaoChumphon → Koh Tao1h 30m – 2h 30m · Lomprayah, Boonsiri High Speed FerriesOnward from Koh TaoKoh Phangan → Koh Tao45m – 2h · Lomprayah, Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, Songserm
📘 Koh Samui, Phangan & Tao Ferries: Times & Piers⚓ Surat Thani – Ban Don night-boat piers guide⚓ Koh Tao – Mae Haad Pier guide⛴ All ferries from Koh Tao🌊 Gulf of Thailand ferries🗺 All ferries in Thailand🔎 Search all routes

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the night boat from Surat Thani to Koh Tao leave?
At 21:00 every night in October 2026: the joint timetable of Sea Crest Ferry, ST 4289 and Chor. Maetapee puts one of the three boats on each night, and Ko Jaroen Night Ferry also sails at 21:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On low-water days the operators sometimes bring departure forward to 20:00 and post a notice on Facebook.
How long does the night boat to Koh Tao take?
About 8–9 hours. The joint timetable gives 21:00 – 05:00, and ST 4289 states arrival at Koh Tao at 06:00 and, on the return, at Surat Thani at 05:00.
Can I take a motorbike or car on the night boat to Koh Tao?
Yes. Chor. Maetapee, Sea Crest Ferry and Ko Jaroen all say they carry vehicles as well as passengers and cargo; book the vehicle space with the boat by phone or LINE.
How often does the Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) to Koh Tao ferry sail?
One night boat every night in each direction at 21:00 (Sea Crest Ferry, ST 4289 and Chor. Maetapee in rotation), plus Ko Jaroen Night Ferry from Surat Thani on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. October 2026 timetables. On low-water days departures can move to 20:00 (as on several days in August and September 2026), and a boat can be withdrawn for repairs (Chor. Maetapee, 27–28 September 2026). This is the pattern published in the Joint October 2026 timetable and Ko Jaroen October 2026 timetable on the operators’ official Facebook pages (operator Facebook page) (checked 2026-10-04); confirm exact departure times on the official timetable before you travel.
Which ferry companies sail from Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) to Koh Tao?
Chor. Maetapee Night Ferry, Sea Crest Ferry, ST 4289, Ko Jaroen Night Ferry operate this route. Compare sailing times and ticket types before booking, as they often differ between operators.
Can I take the Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) to Koh Tao ferry as a foot passenger?
Yes. Foot passengers can travel on this route. Allow time to reach the passenger terminal and check the operator’s check-in closing time.
Are dogs and pets allowed on the Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) to Koh Tao ferry?
This route has no dedicated pet facilities. Assistance dogs are normally carried, but confirm with the operator before travelling.
How far is Surat Thani (Ban Don night-boat piers) from Koh Tao by ferry?
The sea crossing is about 70 nautical miles (roughly 130 km).