Nathon Pier → Chaweng
Exit Nathon Pier, flag down a songthaew on the main road, and tell the driver ‘Chaweng’. Agree on the fare before boarding.
Cruise port in Thailand
Ko Samui
Disembark directly onto the island. Average time in port: 9 hours. 25 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 8 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 77 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 9 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 1,218
Photo: Image by Zachtleven fotografie from Pixabay
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Nathon Pier. Disembark directly onto the island.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Nathon Pier.
About 9 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
- Ko SamuiAt the pierTime at destinationAbout 9 hr
- Big Buddha TempleAbout 35 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 7 hr 30 min
- Chaweng BeachAbout 40 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 7 hr 30 min
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Koh Samui cruise ship anchorage → Nathon Pier
Take the ship's tender boat or a local tender ferry from the anchored cruise ship to land at Nathon Pier. The sea transfer takes about 15–20 minutes.
Nathon Pier → Chaweng Beach
After landing at Nathon Pier, take a taxi and tell the driver Chaweng Beach is your destination. The source lists a one-way starting fare of 800–1,000 THB.
Ko Samui places to explore
Explore 18 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Wat Plai Laem
A temple complex with a Guanyin statue and laughing Buddha built on an artificial lake.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Mon Closed
Tue–Sun 11:00–23:30
Reviews say it is busy in the morning, so adjust your visit time if you want a quieter look around.
Wat Khunaram
A temple housing the remains of a monk seated in a meditative posture inside a glass case.
- Admission
- Free
Women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders.
Wat Ratchathammaram
A temple notable for its bright red ordination hall, combining Srivijaya and Bayon styles of architecture, and also featuring a golden stupa.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Daily 07:00–17:00
Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when visiting the temple.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks
A rocky formation south of Lamai Bay, included in Koh Samui day tours. Thai and international visitors take photos in front of the two rocks.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30
Sat 08:00–19:00
Sun 08:30–18:30
Na Muang Waterfall 1
A waterfall with cascades 30–40 m high running down a forest cliff. Visitors can cool off in the pool below; rocks make a good photo spot. Admission is free.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Daily 09:00–17:00
Reviews say souvenir stalls solicit customers along the path from the parking lot to the waterfall, so walk past them if you are not interested.
Khao Hua Jook Pagoda
A stupa housing Buddhist relics, with views of Chaweng Beach and the airport runway.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–17:30
Trips nearby
With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.
Big Buddha Temple
About 35 min each wayTime at destination About 7 hr 30 min
SightsBig Buddha TempleOne of Koh Samui's main landmarks, described for its large Buddha in the temple complex and sea views. Admission is free.
Chaweng Beach
About 40 min each wayTime at destination About 7 hr 30 min
NeighborhoodsChaweng BeachKoh Samui's busiest coastal area, with restaurants, shops, and beach clubs along Chaweng Beach Road behind the beach.
ActivitiesChaweng Beach WatersportsWater-sports operators are spread along the beach, offering jet skis, banana boats, parasailing, and stand-up paddleboards.
ActivitiesSEEN Beach Club SamuiA beach club adjacent to Chaweng Beach, described with a sea-view pool and beachfront seating.
Food and cafésRanong 2 RestaurantA restaurant in Chaweng that has operated for many years and is popular with locals. It serves fish with coconut curry sauce, opens from 3 pm to midnight, and is closed on the 1st and 16th of each month.
NeighborhoodsChaweng Beach RoadA street running parallel to the coastline, lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and beach clubs.
ActivitiesARKbar Beach ClubA beach club on the central stretch of Chaweng Beach, described as hosting afternoon pool parties and nighttime fire shows.
Cruises calling at Ko Samui
77 sailings are grouped into 54 cruises by ship and route.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection2 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2026.12Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Hong Kong to Laem Chabang
Hong Kong → Laem Chabang
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 14,900
Holland America Line3 departure dates1 sailing available to book
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2027.01Asia cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
14-Day Far East Discovery
Hong Kong → Singapore
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 3,799
Regent Seven Seas CruisesSailing 2026.11Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Peaks & Pagodas
Bangkok → Benoa, Bali
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 11,799
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection2 departure dates
Sailing 2026.12Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Laem Chabang to Hong Kong
Laem Chabang → Hong Kong
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 14,900
Norwegian Cruise Line2 departure dates1 sailing available to book
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.01Asia cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
Asia: Thailand & Vietnam
Hong Kong → Singapore
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,454
Celebrity CruisesBook now
Sailing 2026.12Asia cruises · 15 nights · Long cruise
15 Night Thailand & Vietnam Holiday - Christmas at Sea
Singapore → Hong Kong
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Holland America LineSailing 2026.12Oceania cruises · 42 nights · Long cruise
42-Day Far East Holiday, Coral Triangle & Great Barrier Reef
Hong Kong → Singapore
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Holland America LineSailing 2026.12Asia cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
14-Day Far East Discovery Holiday
Hong Kong → Singapore
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 3,209
Norwegian Cruise Line2 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.01Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
Asia: Chang Mai, Hanoi & Ko Samui
Singapore → Hong Kong
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,218
Celebrity CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.01Asia cruises · 11 nights · Long cruise
11 Night Vietnam & Thailand Cruise
Hong Kong → Singapore
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Holland America LineSailing 2027.01Oceania cruises · 42 nights · Long cruise
42-Day Coral Triangle, Great Barrier Reef & Southeast Asia
Singapore → Hong Kong
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Celebrity CruisesBook now
Sailing 2027.01Asia cruises · 13 nights · Long cruise
13 Night Thailand & Vietnam Cruise
Singapore → Hong Kong
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
54 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Ko Samui
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
Celebrity Cruises · 15 sailings
Celebrity Solstice
33 cabin types · 13 dining venues · 43 entertainment options · 14 decks
Explore the ship
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection · 13 sailings
Luminara
8 cabin types · 6 dining venues · 10 entertainment options · 8 decks
Explore the ship
Norwegian Cruise Line · 12 sailings
Norwegian Jade
29 cabin types · 15 dining venues · 35 entertainment options · 12 decks
Explore the ship
Regent Seven Seas Cruises · 11 sailings
Seven Seas Explorer
10 cabin types · 10 dining venues · 41 entertainment options · 10 decks
Explore the ship
About Ko Samui
Koh Samui is the most popular tourist destination on the Western Gulf coast, which isn't surprising, considering the island's gorgeous beaches, perfect weather, and sparkling blue, almost turquoise, water. Koh Samui has seen rapid development since the 1990s, and you'll encounter hotels in all price ranges.Koh Samui is half the size of Phuket, so you could easily drive around it in a day. But Koh Samui is best appreciated by those who take a slower, more casual approach. Most people come for the sun and sea, so they head straight to their hotel and rarely venture beyond its beach. But it's worth exploring beyond your lodging. Every beach has its own character, and you might find the perfect one for you. One beach many visitors find to their liking is Chawaeng. On Koh Samui's east coast, this stretch of glistening white sand is divided into two main sections—Chawaeng Yai (yai means "big") and Chawaeng Noi (noi means "little"). You'll find the greatest variety of hotels, restaurants, and bars here. Despite the crowds, Chawaeng is no Pattaya or Patong—the mood is very laid-back. A rocky headland separates Chawaeng Lamai Beach, whose clear water and long stretch of sand were the first place on the island to attract developers. More budget accommodations are available here than in Chawaeng, and there are some happening nightclubs.On the west coast of Koh Samui, Na Thon is the island's primary port and the spot where ferries arrive from the mainland. It's home to the island's governmental offices, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and there are banks, foreign-exchange booths, travel agents, shops, restaurants, and cafés by the ferry pier. A few places rent rooms, but there's really no reason to stay here—nicer accommodations can be found a short songthaew ride away.To the north and east of Na Thon lie a few beaches worthy of exploration. Laem Yai, 5 km (3 miles) north, has great seafood. East of here, a small headland separates two low-key communities on the northern shore, Mae Nam and Bophut Beach. Mae Nam is also the departure point for boats bound for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao . Just south of the Samui's northeastern tip you'll find sandy Choengmon Beach, a good area for swimming that's not overdeveloped.
Cruise lines calling here: 5 places
Celebrity CruisesHolland America LineNorwegian Cruise LineRegent Seven Seas CruisesThe Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Ports frequently visited before this one
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