Why January to September?

That is the easier Lower Gulf window. May to September is also when Andaman swell is up, so this week is the south plan in those months.

Bangrak or Maenam for Lomprayah?

Read the ticket. Both run to Thong Sala in about 30 minutes. Nathon and Lipa Noi are different desks.

Do you need Koh Tao on this week?

Only if a dive course is the point. A day snorkel works. A full Open Water card needs the 10-day Gulf plan.

7 days in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan

Known for a Lower Gulf week: Samui north-coast sleep, an Ang Thong day boat, then Thong Sala for Haad Yuan, Bottle Beach, or Srithanu. Fits January to September.

Lower Gulf30-minute hopOptional Tao

SeasonJanuary to September; Andaman swell runs May to September

Sleep4 nights Samui; 3 nights Phangan

BoatLomprayah about 30 minutes, Bangrak or Maenam to Thong Sala

Ang Thong300 THB foreign park fee; no public ferry

Seven Gulf days are known for a Samui airport base and a short hop to Phangan bays. Sleep four nights on [Koh Samui](/koh-samui) in Bophut Fisherman's Village, Choeng Mon, or Chaweng. Book [Ang Thong](/koh-samui/ang-thong-marine-park) as a day trip when the park is open (300 THB foreign adult; closed 1 November to 15 December). Fly into USM. No boat on landing day.

The Lomprayah catamaran from Bangrak or Maenam Pier to Thong Sala on [Koh Phangan](/koh-phangan) takes about 30 minutes. Sleep three nights at Haad Yuan, Bottle Beach, or the Srithanu / Zen Beach west coast. Haad Rin is a Full Moon product, not a default base. Add a day snorkel or an overnight hop to [Koh Tao](/koh-tao) only if diving is the point. January to September is the dry Gulf window, the same months the Andaman carries monsoon swell (May to September). For a 10-day three-island version, use [Gulf islands](/itineraries/10-days-gulf-islands-samui-phangan-tao).

Day by day

Land USM

Sleep Bophut, Choeng Mon, or Chaweng. No boat. Learn the Grab or songthaew pattern.

Samui beach and village

Bophut Fisherman's Village if you sleep north. Chaweng if you want lights. Book Ang Thong for tomorrow if the park is open.

Ang Thong day boat

Park fee 300 THB. No public ferry. Back to Samui before dark. Write tomorrow's Lomprayah pier: Bangrak or Maenam.

Samui buffer

Swap coasts if the first beach is wrong. Pack for a morning catamaran. Fourth Samui night stays on this island.

Lomprayah to Thong Sala

About 30 minutes. Sleep Haad Yuan, Bottle Beach, or Srithanu / Zen Beach. Skip Haad Rin unless Full Moon is the trip.

Phangan bay day

Swim the bay you booked. Optional snorkel boat. Optional overnight hop to Tao only if a dive shop is waiting.

West-coast morning, then out

Buffer for swell. Boat back to Samui for USM, or stay for a later Lomprayah. Same-day international from USM is tight.

Four Samui nights, three Phangan nights

Read the pier name on the ticket. Bangrak and Maenam are not Nathon. Thong Sala is the useful Phangan arrival, not Haad Rin. [Bangkok to Phangan](/get-there/bangkok-to-koh-phangan) covers the Chumphon backup if USM sells out.

Block	Sleep	Move
Nights 1 to 4	Bophut, Choeng Mon, or Chaweng	USM; Ang Thong day boat 300 THB
Boat	Thong Sala Pier	Lomprayah about 30 minutes from Bangrak or Maenam
Nights 5 to 7	Haad Yuan, Bottle Beach, or Srithanu	Optional Tao snorkel or overnight

Book

Common questions

Why January to September?: That is the easier Lower Gulf window. May to September is also when Andaman swell is up, so this week is the south plan in those months.
Bangrak or Maenam for Lomprayah?: Read the ticket. Both run to Thong Sala in about 30 minutes. Nathon and Lipa Noi are different desks.
Do you need Koh Tao on this week?: Only if a dive course is the point. A day snorkel works. A full Open Water card needs the 10-day Gulf plan.