Ko Samet
Island In Khao Laem Ya Mu Ko Samet National Park, A Short Ferry From Ban Phe · Ko Samet, Rayong
Ko Samet is a small, slender island off the coast of Rayong province, about 200 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, and the nearest island with fine white-sand beaches to the capital, about three to four hours from the city by road and boat. The whole island lies within Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park, so visitors pay a park fee on arrival. Ferries and speedboats cross from the mainland port of Ban Phe to Na Dan pier in the north, and green songthaews run down the island's rough central road to the bays. Almost all the beaches line the sheltered east coast: Sai Kaew, the longest and busiest, with squeaky white sand; Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai with their evening fire shows; the crescent of Ao Wong Duean; and quieter coves further south. On the west side, Ao Prao is the one sunset beach. Samet is drier than much of the east coast, making it a reliable escape for much of the year. It fills with Thai visitors at weekends and holidays and is quiet midweek. Rayong's fruit orchards and aquarium lie on the mainland near the pier.
Na Dan Pier, Phe, Ko Samet, Rayong, 21160, Thailand
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: the island never closes, but boats run only by day, with slow ferries from Ban Phe from roughly 8 am to 5 or 6 pm, leaving when full or on a schedule, and speedboats until dusk or by arrangement; there is no night ferry. The park fee checkpoint near Na Dan is staffed during boat hours. Beach bars and fire shows run in the evening, busiest at weekends. There is no weekly closing day, but on Buddhist holy days alcohol sales stop. The traps that ruin a day are arriving at Ban Phe after the last ferry, a holiday weekend with every room booked, a return ticket tied to the wrong operator and pier, traffic from Bangkok doubling the drive, and a jet ski damage dispute. Confirm current times before relying on them.