REVIEW · BOPHUT
Samui Speedboat: Full Moon Party Experience
Book on Viator →Operated by Parallel Tour · Bookable on Viator
Speedboat to the Full Moon without the stress. What makes this one interesting is the round-trip setup: pre-booked tickets plus hotel pickup in key Samui areas, so you’re not figuring out transport while the party starts warming up. The trade-off is simple: the Full Moon entrance fee is not included, and you’ll pay it when you arrive at Haad Rin.
Timing is another win. Boats run every hour from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM, and returns are scheduled flexibly between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM, which helps when the night runs late. I also like that you get a mobile ticket and the group is capped at 70, but the last stretch can mean a longer wait at the pier after midnight.
On paper, it’s a 3 to 6 hour trip, yet you’re really buying yourself a way to do a full night on Koh Phangan. If your hotel is outside the included pickup zones, there’s an 800 THB/way pickup charge, and December 31 includes an extra surcharge for countdown service.
In This Review
- Key points before you go
- What This Speedboat Full Moon Trip Really Does for You
- Price, Extras, and the Real Cost of a Smooth Night
- Getting There: Hotel Pickup vs Meeting at Funny Day Sea Tour Pier
- Departure Timing: The Benefit of Hourly Boats
- Speedboat Ride on the Water: What to Expect
- The Full Moon at Haad Rin: How to Plan Since Entry Is Extra
- Return Transfer 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM: Where Things Can Get Tricky
- Peak Dates: New Year’s Eve Is a Different Beast
- Group Size and Organization: Small Cap, Big Crowd Reality
- Dates for the 2025 Full Moon Party You Can Choose From
- Who This Speedboat Tour Suits Best
- Practical Tips That Make This Tour Feel Easier
- Should You Book the Samui Speedboat Full Moon Party Experience?
- FAQ
- Is the Full Moon Party entrance fee included?
- What times do the boats depart from Koh Samui?
- What time range are return transfers scheduled for?
- Do you offer hotel pickup and drop-off?
- If my hotel is outside the pickup zones, is there an extra charge?
- Can I meet the group at the pier instead of getting pickup?
- Where is the meeting point?
- What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?
Key points before you go

- Hotel pickup areas are limited: Chaweng, Bo Phut, Lamai, Mae Nam (transfer option only)
- Hourly departures from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM keep you flexible on travel time
- Return transfers run 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM so you’re not stuck with one exact clock time
- Full Moon entry is separate and is paid at Haad Rin after you arrive
- Maximum group size is 70, which can help, but peak dates still get crowded
- Extra costs can apply: 800 THB/way for some pickup zones and a Dec 31 countdown surcharge
What This Speedboat Full Moon Trip Really Does for You
This isn’t a party ticket. It’s a transport package that gets you from Koh Samui to the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan (Haad Rin) with less hassle.
The value comes from the structure: you’re not chasing ferries, guessing timings, or trying to line up a last-minute ride home when everyone else is doing the same. You also get air-conditioned hotel pickup in the included areas, then a speedboat crossing that turns the trip into part of the fun rather than a chore.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Bophut.
Price, Extras, and the Real Cost of a Smooth Night

At $40.68 per person, the base price is fairly straightforward. The part that changes the math is add-ons.
Here’s what you should plan to pay beyond the tour price:
- Full Moon Party entrance fee, which you pay on arrival at Haad Rin (not included)
- Pickup surcharge of 800 THB/way if you’re in Natong, Huathanon, Talingam Pangka, or Lipa Noi
- December 31 countdown surcharge (extra charge applies for transfer services that night)
So when does it feel like a bargain? When you’re using the transfer option in the included pickup zones, and you want the round-trip organization. When it feels less great is when you add surcharges due to location, or when you’re already paying an entrance fee on top.
Also note: you’ll usually be choosing between two styles—hotel pickup/drop-off, or meet at the pier. If you’re close to the pier already, meeting there can keep the total simple.
Getting There: Hotel Pickup vs Meeting at Funny Day Sea Tour Pier

Your biggest logistics choice is whether you want the hotel pickup/drop-off option or the pier meet option.
If you book with transfer, pickup and drop-off are listed for:
- Chaweng
- Bo Phut
- Lamai
- Mae Nam
If your hotel is outside those areas, pickup may cost an extra 800 THB/way, or you may need to choose the pier meet option. Importantly, pickup isn’t offered at all if you select the option without transfer.
Your meeting point (if you meet at the pier) is:
Funny Day Sea Tour Pier, 842 Bangrak Reach Road, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
This is also useful if you’re trying to avoid last-minute taxi rides late at night. Being close to transport helps.
Departure Timing: The Benefit of Hourly Boats

One of the most practical parts of this tour is how departure works. Boats run every hour within the departure window:
- from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
That means you can pick a time that matches your day. If you want to arrive early to settle in, you can. If you’re taking your time on Samui and want a later start, you can do that too.
It also gives you breathing room if your dinner runs long or you’re stuck in traffic. Just don’t treat the last possible departure like a sure thing without building in buffer time. The Full Moon setup rewards calm planning.
Speedboat Ride on the Water: What to Expect
The crossing is the thrill piece. You’re traveling by speedboat from Koh Samui toward the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, and you’ll do it in the evening atmosphere that makes this event feel like a big regional spectacle.
What’s smart here is that the tour is designed around round-trip ticketing. You’re not buying one-way tickets and hoping the return works out the same way.
Practical note: speedboats can be bouncy. Even though conditions aren’t described, I’d still be ready for motion—bring whatever you normally use to feel comfortable on boats, and keep your phone secured (mobile ticket matters).
The Full Moon at Haad Rin: How to Plan Since Entry Is Extra

Once you arrive, you’re moving into the Haad Rin party area. The key thing to understand is that the Full Moon Party entrance fee is not included.
So your timing has two layers:
- Your boat arrival time (you choose through the departure window)
- Your party entry decision once you’re at Haad Rin
Because returns aren’t locked to one exact moment, you’re free to stay as long as you want, within the scheduled return window. The trade-off is you need to stay aware of time, because you’re relying on the last stages of transport when it’s busiest.
Return Transfer 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM: Where Things Can Get Tricky

Return transfers are scheduled flexibly between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM. That’s a nice feature because it matches real party life. You’re not forced onto one boat at, say, 1:15 AM whether you’re ready or not.
The potential drawback shows up at the jetty level. On nights when crowds surge—especially high-demand dates—getting on the next boat can feel chaotic and slow. There’s also the land-transfer wait risk after the party, since end-of-night logistics can take time when many people are moving together.
If you’re the type who hates uncertainty, this is the part to plan for. Go in expecting that late-night organization can be stretched, not because the boat won’t operate, but because the number of people is the hardest variable.
Peak Dates: New Year’s Eve Is a Different Beast

December 31 is called out with a countdown party surcharge. That usually means more people, more energy, and more pressure on transport.
The reviews attached to this experience include problems on New Year’s Eve: overselling, refunds, and cases where pickup didn’t happen as expected. I can’t promise how your night will go, but the lesson is clear: if you’re going specifically for the December 31 event, plan extra buffer time, keep backup options in mind, and don’t assume your schedule will be as smooth as a normal monthly Full Moon.
On regular Full Moon dates, the experience is described as going according to plan for many people. So the trip can be solid—just treat peak dates like a higher-stakes scenario.
Group Size and Organization: Small Cap, Big Crowd Reality
The group cap is 70 travelers. That’s not tiny, but it’s also not a massive busload situation.
Still, the Full Moon Party itself draws serious crowds, and everyone uses the same shared party infrastructure. Even if your group size is controlled, you’ll be mixing into larger flows at Haad Rin and at the pier during return.
This is why I think the best strategy is to stay flexible. If you’re expecting perfect crowd control at every step, you may feel frustrated. If you’re expecting a busy party machine that moves in waves, you’ll feel more at ease.
Dates for the 2025 Full Moon Party You Can Choose From
The schedule provided for 2025 includes these dates:
- May 12, 2025 (Monday)
- June 10, 2025 (Tuesday)
- July 12, 2025 (Saturday)
- August 9, 2025 (Saturday)
- September 7, 2025 (Sunday)
- October 8, 2025 (Wednesday)
- December 5, 2025 (Friday)
- December 31, 2025 (Wednesday, Countdown New Year Party)
There’s also a listed date of November 5, 2024 (Wednesday) in the schedule you’re given, so double-check you’re selecting the correct year for your plans.
Because this is a monthly event, booking earlier can help. The average booking time listed is about 11 days in advance, which fits what you’re seeing here: popular dates can sell out or get operationally busy.
Who This Speedboat Tour Suits Best
This tour is a great fit if you:
- want organized round-trip transport instead of piecing together your own plan
- prefer hotel pickup/drop-off in the included Samui areas
- like the idea of choosing a departure within a wide window
- are okay with some late-night waiting as part of the Full Moon experience
It’s less ideal if you:
- hate crowding and lines at the pier on peak nights
- need strict timing with zero waiting buffer
- are going on December 31 and can’t handle the possibility of delays or schedule changes
Practical Tips That Make This Tour Feel Easier
Here’s how I’d set yourself up to avoid common stress points.
- Bring cash for Haad Rin entrance. It’s not included.
- If you’re in Natong, Huathanon, Talingam Pangka, or Lipa Noi, expect the 800 THB/way pickup charge if you choose pickup.
- Keep your mobile ticket accessible and your phone charged.
- Aim to show up early for the departure window. Boats leave hourly, but check-in still takes time in crowds.
- For the return, decide your vibe in advance: do you want the earliest return window, or are you staying later and accepting the wait?
One more thing: if you’re traveling solo or with friends who have different party stamina, the flexible return window can actually help—just communicate meeting times and don’t rely on perfect cell service.
Should You Book the Samui Speedboat Full Moon Party Experience?
I’d book this if you want the easiest way to get from Samui to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party with round-trip ticketing and, ideally, hotel pickup/drop-off.
I’d hesitate only if you’re going on December 31, or if you’re far from the included pickup zones and you don’t want to deal with extra charges. Also think twice if you need a tightly controlled schedule with no uncertainty at the pier.
If you go in with the right expectations—plan for crowds, handle the entry fee separately, and treat the return as a wave—you’ll get a fun, well-structured way to experience one of Thailand’s biggest night events.
FAQ
Is the Full Moon Party entrance fee included?
No. The entrance fee is not included and is paid by you upon arrival at Haad Rin.
What times do the boats depart from Koh Samui?
Boats depart every hour, with departures available from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
What time range are return transfers scheduled for?
Return transfers are scheduled flexibly between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM after the party.
Do you offer hotel pickup and drop-off?
Yes, hotel pickup & drop-off are included only if you book with the transfer option, and only for hotels in Chaweng, Bo Phut, Lamai, and Mae Nam.
If my hotel is outside the pickup zones, is there an extra charge?
Yes. Pickup from Natong, Huathanon, Talingam Pangka, or Lipa Noi costs 800 THB/way.
Can I meet the group at the pier instead of getting pickup?
Yes. You can choose to meet at the pier at your preferred departure time instead of using hotel transfer.
Where is the meeting point?
The meeting point is Funny Day Sea Tour Pier, 842 Bangrak Reach Road, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand.
What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?
You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time (local time). If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
























