Thai Island Ferry & Speedboat Connector
Compare ferry and speedboat routes between Thai islands with cancel-risk by month.
What this solves
Connecting Thai islands is half the fun and half the headache. Ferry vs speedboat matters for both price and time. The southwest monsoon (May–October) closes the Andaman coast to most small boats; the northeast monsoon (October–February) lashes the Gulf. Cancel-risk scoring per month helps you decide whether to book a refundable ticket or wait until the day before.
How to read results
Ferries are cheaper, slower, and almost never cancel — they run on larger boats that handle 1.5 m swell. Speedboats are 2–3x faster but cancel easily above 1 m swell and won't operate if the harbor master flags small craft. The cancel-risk number is a percentage chance of cancellation for a single booking day.
Limitations
- Cancel-risk is based on monthly averages, not real-time weather — always check the operator's morning briefing.
- Speedboat prices vary by operator (Lomprayah, Phantip, Songserm, Seatran); calculator outputs a typical band.
- Routes between Ko Lanta and Phuket require a land transfer via Krabi — shown when relevant.
FAQ
Should I book in advance?
Yes, especially in December–February (peak Gulf season) and June–August (peak Andaman season). Booking 3–7 days ahead secures seats. Last-minute tickets exist at the pier but popular crossings (Koh Tao↔Koh Samui) sell out on Saturdays.
Which month has the best sea conditions?
Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao): February–April is calmest. Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi): November–March. Avoid May–October for the Andaman.
Are speedboats safe?
They are safe in calm conditions. In monsoon months, accidents rise sharply. Always wear the provided life jacket and don't insist on a speedboat if the operator recommends the ferry.
Sources
- Lomprayah — published timetable and cancellation policy.
- Seatran Discovery — Gulf crossing schedules and prices.
- Thai Meteorological Department — published monthly monsoon climatology.