Ranong Island Plan
Koh Phayam & Koh Chang, Slow Days

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The fun part of an island trip in Ranong is that you don't sit on a boat for hours like over in Krabi or Samui. From Ranong town it's only about half an hour by road to the pier, then roughly 45 minutes to 2 hours on the boat and you're there. What makes this trip click is that both islands leave from the same cluster of piers around Pak Nam and the fish market, so you can chain them into one trip. We put Koh Phayam first for 2 nights because there's more to do, then cross to Koh Chang Ranong for 1 more night to close things out somewhere quiet.

How the two islands differ, and which suits you

Before we get into the plan, it helps to understand the character of each island, because picking the wrong one can leave you flat. Honestly, Koh Phayam is an island that still has a pulse, while Koh Chang Ranong is one that's genuinely quiet. It isn't flashy or postcard-pretty, but it has an atmosphere that's getting hard to find.

• Koh Phayam — the bigger island, around 35 sq km, with roads, motorbikes for rent, and electricity for most of the day. You can swim at Ao Yai and Buffalo Bay, and there are bars, cafes, and beachfront restaurants. Good for several nights, and busier with visitors.
• Koh Chang Ranong — smaller, with maybe 200–250 residents, wooden fan bungalows, generator power for set hours, patchy mobile signal, and no ATM. It's about lying in a hammock listening to the waves, ideal if you really want to switch off.
• When to go — both islands are best from November to April, when the sea is clear and calm. In the rainy season (May–Oct) some stays on Koh Chang close and boats run less often, so check ahead.

Boats, piers, and timing

Both islands leave from the piers around Pak Nam Ranong (the fish market pier / Koh Phayam pier). From town it's about 20–30 minutes by songthaew or motorbike, and you can park near the pier for around 50–100 THB a day. There are two types of boat to choose from.

• Speedboat — around 350 THB/person, about 45 minutes, several runs a day in the morning and afternoon. Faster and more comfortable, better if you get seasick easily.
• Slow boat (ferry) — around 200–250 THB/person, 2 hours or more, fewer runs, but you get the atmosphere and it's cheaper.
• Crossing to Koh Chang Ranong — boats leave from the same pier, and at certain times there's a boat linking Koh Phayam and Koh Chang. Ask your stay or the boat operators ahead, because runs aren't frequent.

Day by day — the 4-day, 3-night plan

This is the rhythm we think works best: 2 nights on Koh Phayam so you can see the whole island, then 1 night on Koh Chang Ranong to end the trip on a calm note. The times are loose, so adjust to the actual boat schedule.

Where to stay, and how to choose well

On Koh Phayam, the stays cluster on two main beaches, Ao Yai and Buffalo Bay, so pick based on the vibe you want. Koh Chang Ranong has only a handful of options, so booking ahead is reassuring, especially in high season.

Rough budget per person (4 days, 3 nights)

• Boats round-trip + island crossing — around 700–1,200 THB, depending on whether you take the speedboat or the ferry.
• 3 nights' lodging — around 1,500–4,500 THB (fan bungalow up to a beachfront resort).
• Motorbike rental + fuel — around 500–900 THB for the whole trip.
• Food + drinks — around 1,200–2,500 THB, eating seafood and hitting the bars.
• Snorkeling — around 600–700 THB if you want to rent gear or join a tour.