Who it suits
Couples or groups of 2–4 friends who want clear water without driving. Samet is one of the closest islands to Bangkok that still has fine white sand and water worth swimming in. It works well if you only have Saturday and Sunday and do not want to lose half a day on connections.
If you want a silent island with no vehicles, or serious diving, look elsewhere. Songthaews and motorbikes run all day, and the reefs suit snorkelling more than diving.
When to go
November to April brings calm seas and little rain, so the ferry ride is at its most comfortable. May to October is monsoon season. Rain here is lighter than in many places and rooms are often cheaper, but some days are rough, so check the forecast first. To avoid crowds, skip long weekends and New Year.
Getting there without a car
The simplest route is a van or bus to Ban Phe pier in Rayong, then a passenger ferry to Na Dan. If you book a far beach such as Ao Prao, ask your stay whether it runs a boat or pickup.
The length of each block is the time it takes. About 4 h 10 min in total, not counting waits.
The last ferry leaves in the early evening. Usually around 17:00–18:00 (an estimate, so check with the pier before you leave). Arrive late and you must charter a speedboat or spend a night in Ban Phe. The national park also charges an entry fee.
A morning departure is the comfortable choice. Leave Bangkok around 7 or 8 and you reach the island before noon, in time to drop your bags. If you want to leave after work on Friday, you will most likely miss the last passenger ferry. The cheaper answer is a night in Ban Phe and the Saturday morning boat.
Visitors pay a national park fee at the pier or at a checkpoint on the island: about ฿40 for Thais and about ฿200 for foreigners. Bring cash.
Where to stay
Choose the beach before you choose the room, because each side feels very different.
- Hat Sai Kaew is close to the pier, with plenty of restaurants and lively nights. Good for a first visit or if you want to skip extra transport.
- Ao Phai and Ao Phutsa are calmer with smaller beaches, and suit couples. You can walk along the shore back to Sai Kaew.
- Ao Wong Duean sits further south, reached by direct boat or songthaew, and is quieter than the north.
- Ao Prao is on the west coast, the one side where the sun sets over the sea. Few places to stay, and a higher budget.
A sample 2-day plan
Day one. Morning ferry, on the island before noon. Drop your bags, eat, then swim in the afternoon as the sun softens. In the evening walk the beach and eat seafood on the sand, confirming the price by weight before you order.
Day two. Snorkel around the island in the morning. Most trips leave around 9 or 10 and take 3–4 hours. Come back for lunch, pack, and take an afternoon ferry. Do not cut it fine: Sunday evening vans fill fast, so booking your return ahead gives peace of mind.
Rough budget for 2
About ฿4,000–6,000, covering transport, 1 night, food and one activity. Roughly: return transport for two ฿800–1,200, a mid-range room ฿1,500–2,500 a night, food ฿1,000–1,500, and a snorkel trip ฿500–1,000 per person. Rooms can cost clearly more on long weekends. All figures are estimates, so check real prices before you book.
Before you leave
Check three things: the last ferry that day, the wind and wave forecast, and which beach your stay is on, since songthaew fares follow distance. Carry some cash, as small shops and the park fee often take nothing else. Leave shells and coral where they are: the island is inside a national park.