- A speedboat reaches Koh Tao and Ang Thong faster, which matters most on 8-hour days with long distances.
- A catamaran gives shade, a toilet on most models, nets to lie on and a steadier ride for seasickness-prone guests.
- For Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and short Ang Thong runs, both boat types work well and price is often the deciding factor.
- Big groups over 15 to 20 people usually need a catamaran such as Blue Coco, Coco Paradise or Serenity, or a large speedboat like Neverland.
- Families with small kids and older relatives are generally more comfortable on a catamaran's flat deck than jumping on and off a speedboat's bow.
Standing at the pier, bags in hand, most people have never had to choose between a speedboat and a catamaran before. The honest answer to catamaran or speedboat Koh Samui depends less on which boat looks nicer in photos and more on who is in your group, how far you want to go, and how many hours you are willing to spend bouncing across open water. This article breaks it down route by route, so you can match the boat to the day you actually want.
What is the real difference between a catamaran and a speedboat?
A speedboat gets you there fast on a single hull or planing hull, while a catamaran is a two-hulled sailing or motor boat built for stability and space rather than speed. Boats like Anda, Sapphire or Ofcourse run twin outboard engines of 200 to 300 hp and reach a top speed around 40 knots, which cuts travel time to distant islands dramatically. A catamaran such as Blue Coco or Nina cruises at a fraction of that speed but makes up for it with a flat, wide deck, shade across most of the boat, and far less pounding when the sea has any chop.
The hull shape is what causes most of the felt difference on board. A monohull speedboat leans and slaps against waves, which guests either love as a thrill or dread as a seasickness trigger. The twin hulls of a catamaran sit wider on the water and resist rocking side to side, so drinks stay upright and the floor stays level even when the boat is moving.
The deciding factor is almost always the destination and the time you have, not a general preference for one hull type over the other. A short run to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum suits either boat equally well. A full day to Koh Tao and back is a different story, and we will get into exactly why below.
Which boat is faster to Ang Thong and Koh Tao?
Speedboats reach Ang Thong Marine Park and Koh Tao noticeably faster, leaving more time on the water instead of in transit. On a boat like Neverland or Ti Ti, the 8-hour Ang Thong trip and the 8-hour run to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan are built around that speed: with three 250 hp engines, Neverland can cover ground quickly enough that the day still has several hours free for swimming, snorkelling and lunch once you arrive.
Catamarans can do the same routes but the maths changes. Coco Paradise runs a full day to Ang Thong Marine Park from 08:30 to 18:30, a ten-hour window that uses the extra time to cover the slower cruising speed. Blue Coco does the same park in an 08:30 to 18:30 day. Neither feels rushed, but you are trading travel time for a more comfortable ride, and on a long day that trade is worth discussing honestly with your group before booking.
Koh Tao is the clearest case where a speedboat's range matters. It is the longest run on offer from Koh Samui, and catamaran operators in our listings do not currently run a dedicated Koh Tao day the way several speedboats do, including Coco Cay, Summer Casa, Sapphire, Ofcourse, Ti Ti and Ruby 38. If Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan are the priority, a speedboat is the practical choice, and you can read more about the crossing on the Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan page.
Which boat is better for seasickness?
A catamaran is generally the kinder option for anyone prone to seasickness, thanks to its wider stance and steadier motion in waves. The two hulls resist the rolling motion that triggers nausea in most people, and the open, breezy deck helps too, since fresh air and a stable horizon line both ease symptoms. If someone in your group has struggled on boats before, this is the single biggest reason to lean catamaran.
That said, a speedboat is not automatically worse. On a calm day, especially in the morning before any wind picks up, a fast boat can actually be smoother than a slow one, because it skims the surface rather than wallowing through small waves. The problem shows up when conditions turn choppy, typically in the afternoon or during windier months, when a speedboat's harder ride becomes tiring fast.
Sitting low and central, facing forward, and keeping eyes on the horizon helps on either boat type, but it helps a catamaran passenger recover faster simply because there is more flat space to move to. If you know seasickness is a real risk, mention it when you send a booking request: a manager can suggest a route with shorter open-water sections or recommend one of the gentler catamarans like Vickey or Victoria for a half day close to shore.
Which boat has more shade, space and a toilet?
Catamarans almost always win on shade, deck space and onboard comfort. A boat like Serenity, at 71 feet with four double cabins and a living room that seats 25 for a meal, offers a genuinely different kind of day: guests can move between the saloon, the trampoline nets and the aft deck, and there is always a shaded spot to retreat to. Scarlet and Coco Paradise both carry a similar layout with bedrooms, restrooms and a water slide on longer trips.
Speedboats are improving on this front, but space is naturally limited by the hull. Coco Cay and Summer Casa both include an onboard toilet and a sun bed, which puts them ahead of most speedboats in their class, while smaller models like Ruby 38 or Pearl rely on a covered canopy for shade and have no dedicated bathroom. If a full day without a toilet break sounds impractical for your group, especially with older guests or small children, check this detail on the boat page before booking rather than assuming.
The nets at the bow of a catamaran, often called trampolines, are one of the most underrated features for a relaxed day. Lying on the mesh with the water rushing beneath you while the boat is anchored or moving slowly is something a speedboat simply cannot offer. Vickey, Victoria and Nina all have this feature and are sized for smaller groups who want that slower, lounging kind of day rather than nonstop island hopping.
Which boat suits kids and older guests?
A catamaran's flat, stable deck is the easier and safer option for young children and older relatives who need solid footing. Climbing on and off a speedboat's bow seating, especially when anchored and rocking gently, asks more of small kids and grandparents than stepping across a catamaran's wide cockpit or walking the netted bow. The lower freeboard and swim platforms on most catamarans also make getting in and out of the water simpler.
Speedboats are not off-limits for families, and plenty of parents book them successfully, particularly for shorter 4-hour trips to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum where the open-water time is limited. Coco Cay and Summer Casa even price per couple as a base, which works out well for a small family adding one or two children at the listed extra-guest rate. Just plan for a calmer route and keep an eye on the weather, since a choppy ride is far less fun for a child than for an adult who chose the speed on purpose.
For a full day with grandparents or toddlers, the gentler motion and shaded lounging space of a catamaran usually wins out. Nina and Victoria both run half-day and shorter full-day programs to Koh Madsum and Koh Tan that keep the trip manageable without a long open-water crossing, and both include a water slide and swimming stops that work for a wide range of ages on the same boat.
Which boat works for big groups and celebrations?
For groups above 15 or 20 people, a large catamaran or a big speedboat is the only realistic option, and catamarans generally offer more usable space per guest. Serenity takes up to 60 guests plus crew with a dining area that seats 25 at once, which makes it one of the better choices for a milestone birthday, a company outing or a wedding party that wants everyone on one boat rather than split across several. Coco Paradise, at up to 45 guests, and Blue Coco, up to 25, sit a step below that in scale but still offer a butler, bartender and proper picnic setup that suits a celebration.
On the speedboat side, Neverland stands out for groups, carrying up to 37 passengers thanks to its three-engine layout, with a base price that already covers 10 guests before the per-person add-on kicks in. This is useful for a group that wants speed and range, for example a big Ang Thong or Koh Tao day, without splitting into two boats.
Whichever type you choose for a celebration, check two things before confirming: whether the price already includes the number of guests you have, since most boats quote a base group size with an extra charge per additional person, and whether food, drinks or a cake can be arranged in advance. None of this is complicated, but it is much easier sorted out before the day than negotiated at the pier.
Which routes can each boat actually cover?
This is where the FACTS settle most arguments: not every boat runs every route, and matching the boat to the destination saves a round of back-and-forth messages. The table below summarises what is realistic for each boat type on the main routes.
| Route | Speedboat | Catamaran |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Tan & Koh Madsum | Yes, from ฿30,000 (Anda, 8 hours) | Yes, from ฿21,000 (Victoria sunset) or ฿22,000 half day (Vickey) |
| Koh Phangan | Yes, from ฿30,000 (Anda) to ฿53,000 full day (Coco Cay) | Yes, from ฿35,000 (Vickey) to ฿75,000 (Coco Paradise) |
| Ang Thong Marine Park | Yes, from ฿32,000 (Anda) to ฿56,000 (Coco Cay) | Yes, from ฿72,000 (Blue Coco) to ฿130,000 (Serenity) |
| Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan | Yes, from ฿47,000 (Neverland) to ฿61,000 (Coco Cay) | Not offered in current catamaran listings |
| Sunset cruise | Not a standard program | Yes, from ฿21,000 (Victoria, 2.5 hours) |
A few patterns stand out here. Ang Thong on a catamaran costs noticeably more than on a speedboat, mainly because the slower cruising speed means a longer charter day and a bigger boat to run it. If budget is the main concern and seasickness is not, a speedboat day to Ang Thong is the more affordable way to see the park; read the Ang Thong Marine Park page for what the islands actually look like once you are there, and remember the park is closed every year from 1 November to 15 December, so no boat type runs there in that window.
Koh Phangan and Koh Tan sit in the middle: both boat types cover them well, and the choice comes down to comfort and price rather than capability. For Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and nearby islands, the dedicated route page has more on what a day there looks like, including the pigs on the beach at Koh Madsum.
So, catamaran or speedboat for your group?
If your day is about reaching a distant island fast and spending the saved hours in the water, choose a speedboat. Anda, Ofcourse, Sapphire and Ti Ti are solid mid-size options for groups up to six without extra charges, while Neverland and Coco Cay stretch to larger groups or longer routes like Koh Tao.
If your day is about a relaxed, social time on board with shade, space to move and a gentler ride, choose a catamaran. Vickey and Victoria suit small groups and couples who want nets to lie on and a half day close to shore, Nina and Scarlet step up in size and add a water slide, and Blue Coco, Coco Paradise and Serenity handle larger groups with a butler and a proper picnic.
- Choose a speedboat for Koh Tao, for a tight schedule, or when budget per route matters most.
- Choose a catamaran for seasickness-prone guests, young kids, older relatives, or a group that wants to lounge as much as sightsee.
- For Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and Koh Phangan, either works, so pick based on comfort and price rather than capability.
- For groups above 20, lean catamaran for space or a large speedboat like Neverland for speed with capacity.
Whichever you lean toward, send a free, non-binding request through the booking form on any boat page or get in touch via the contact page with your dates, group size and the route you have in mind. A manager will confirm the boat is free and the final price before anything is paid, and can suggest an alternative boat if the one you had in mind does not fit your group size or your date.
Questions and answers
Is a catamaran more expensive than a speedboat on Koh Samui?
For the same route, catamarans are usually priced higher than speedboats of a similar group size, mainly because of the larger deck, crew and onboard service. For example, the Ang Thong day costs from ฿32,000 on the speedboat Anda but from ฿72,000 on the catamaran Blue Coco.
Can a catamaran go to Koh Tao from Koh Samui?
In the current lineup, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan day trips are run by speedboats such as Coco Cay, Summer Casa, Neverland, Sapphire, Ofcourse, Ti Ti and Ruby 38, not by the catamarans listed here. If Koh Tao is the priority, a speedboat is the straightforward choice.
Which is safer for small children, a catamaran or a speedboat?
A catamaran's flat, stable deck and lower freeboard generally make it easier and safer for small children to move around and get in and out of the water. Life jackets are provided on all boats regardless of type, and shorter routes close to shore are a sensible choice for very young kids either way.
Does a speedboat always make more waves and feel rougher?
On calm mornings a speedboat can feel perfectly smooth, but it tends to slap harder than a catamaran once any chop builds up, especially in the afternoon. Sea conditions change through the day and by season, so ask about timing if a smoother ride matters to your group.
Can I bring my own food and drinks on a catamaran?
Several catamarans, including Blue Coco, Nina, Scarlet, Vickey and Victoria, allow guests to bring their own snacks, food and drinks on board at no extra charge, with glasses and dishes provided. Policies can vary by boat, so it is worth confirming when you send the booking request.
Is a half day enough on a catamaran, or should I book a full day?
A half day works well for a shorter route like Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, where several catamarans including Vickey, Victoria and Blue Coco offer morning or afternoon programs. A full day makes more sense for Koh Phangan or Ang Thong, where travel time eats into a shorter window.
Do speedboats include a guide and snorkelling equipment?
Most speedboats in this lineup, including Anda, Sapphire, Ofcourse and Ti Ti, include a licensed guide and snorkelling equipment as standard, with lunch and fishing gear usually offered as an extra charge. Always check the specific boat page since inclusions vary slightly between boats.
What happens if the sea is too rough on the day we booked?
Both catamarans and speedboats may change route or postpone a trip in rough conditions, which is more common roughly between November and January when the north-east monsoon can affect the Gulf of Thailand. A manager will discuss alternatives with you rather than send a boat out in unsafe conditions.
Ready to choose your boat?
Every boat page shows the routes, prices and what is included. The booking request is free: a manager checks the boat is free on your date and confirms the price.
Updated 22 October 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.
