- Haad Rin pier is a few minutes walk from the Full Moon Party beach, and return speedboats to Koh Samui leave every hour from 0:00 to 6:00.
- You do not book a return time: come to the pier when you are ready, show your ticket badge and take the next boat.
- The ride back to Bangrak pier on Koh Samui takes 20-30 minutes, depending on the sea, and every passenger gets a life jacket.
- On Koh Samui you are put on the transfer list and a minivan drops you at your hotel or villa.
- A round trip transfer costs ฿1290 per person, paid in cash at the pier; with a one way ticket you arrange the way back yourself.
Haad Rin pier is a few minutes walk from the Full Moon Party beach, and speedboats back to Koh Samui leave from it every hour from 0:00 to 6:00: you walk over when you are ready, show your ticket badge and take the next boat. No fixed time, no race against a last ferry.
It is 3:40 am. Your feet are sandy, your neon paint has started to smudge, and one of your friends has just said "one more song" for the fifth time. This guide is about the next hour: getting from the sand to the boat and into bed on Samui without stress.
Where is Haad Rin pier in relation to the beach?
The pier is on the other side of Haad Rin village from the party, a few minutes walk from Sunrise Beach. Haad Rin sits on a narrow tip of land with a bay on each side: the party is on one bay, the pier on the other, and the village is in between.
When you arrive in the evening, you walk this route in the other direction, so pay attention to it then. Note a shop, a corner or a lit sign you will recognise at 4 am, when everything looks the same.
The streets in between are busy all night, with food stalls, bars and people heading in both directions. Stay on the main lanes and walk with your group. For the layout of the beach itself, the article on Haad Rin beach describes it bar by bar.
How do the return boats from Haad Rin pier work?
It is a simple rolling system. Boats leave every hour from 0:00 to 6:00, and you do not need to choose the time in advance.
- Walk from the beach to Haad Rin pier whenever you are ready.
- Show your ticket badge, the one you received at Bangrak pier on the way out.
- Wait with the other guests for the next boat.
- Put on your life jacket and board.
- Cross to Bangrak pier on Koh Samui in 20-30 minutes, depending on the sea.
- Get on the minivan to your hotel or villa.
The flexibility is the best part. If you are done at 1 am, you go at 1 am. If you want the sunrise, you take a later boat. The minivans and speedboats are run by licensed partner operators; FullMoonParty.net sells the tickets and looks after the guests.
More detail on the whole way home, including the minivan side, is in the guide on how to get back to Koh Samui after the party.
What is the ticket badge and why does it matter?
The ticket badge is your proof that you already have a seat on a return boat. No badge means a difficult conversation at 4 am, so treat it like your passport for the night.
You get it at Bangrak pier when you pay in cash before the boat out. Keep it on you, not in a friend's bag, because groups split up on the beach more often than anyone plans.
- Keep it somewhere that stays dry: a zip pocket or a small waterproof pouch.
- Check it is still there before you start walking to the pier.
- Do not swap or lend it, everyone in the group needs their own.
The guide on what to wear and bring to the Full Moon Party covers pouches, shoes and other small things that make the walk back easier.
What is the waiting area at the pier like?
You wait together with other guests near the pier until the next boat is called. Expect a mix of tired, happy and very loud people, some asleep on their friend's shoulder, some still dancing to music from a phone.
It is not luxurious, but it works. Find a place to sit, keep your group together and do a quick headcount before the boat is called. People who wander back to the beach "for five minutes" are the ones who miss the boat they meant to catch.
Buy a bottle of water and something salty on the walk over if you can. It makes the boat ride much nicer.
If someone in your group feels sick, tell the crew before boarding and sit them near the back of the boat, where the ride is usually smoother. A seat with fresh air and a view of the horizon helps more than any pill at that point. And if the sea looks rough, waiting for a later boat costs you nothing: the next one is only an hour away.
One more thing people forget: the night air on the water can feel cool after hours of dancing in the heat. A thin long-sleeve top in your bag weighs almost nothing and makes the crossing far more comfortable, especially if you are sitting near the edge and catching some spray.
When are the queues at Haad Rin pier longest?
The pier gets busiest after 3-4 am, when big groups decide at the same moment that they are done. Leaving a bit earlier or a bit later than the main wave makes the wait shorter.
Here is how the night usually feels at the pier. These are rough patterns from many party nights, not a promise, and a big New Year crowd changes everything.
| Boat | Who is usually on it | My take |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 - 1:00 | Early leavers, couples, people who came in the afternoon | Quiet and quick, a good choice if you are already tired |
| 2:00 | People who did a solid night and want to sleep | Usually the easiest balance of party and comfort |
| 3:00 - 4:00 | The main wave, large groups | Busiest time, expect to wait for a boat after the first one |
| 5:00 | Late dancers | Calmer again, the sky starts to change |
| 6:00 | Sunrise crowd | The last boat, do not risk missing it |
My honest opinion: if you are not set on the sunrise, aim for the 2:00 boat. You get the peak of the party and miss the longest wait.
Is the 6:00 boat worth waiting for?
For some people, yes. The party goes on until sunrise, about 6 to 7 am, and the 6:00 boat is the last return boat, so staying for it means catching first light from the beach or the pier.
If you have flights, a tour or a checkout the next day, skip it. If you have a free day on Samui, staying until the last boat can be a great end to the night. Just leave enough time for the walk and the wait.
What happens when you land back on Koh Samui?
The boat arrives at Bangrak pier in the Big Buddha area, and you are put on the transfer list for a minivan to your hotel. Minivans go out to the different areas of the island, so tell the staff your hotel name clearly.
You may share the minivan with other guests going to nearby hotels, so it can take a few stops. Most people fall asleep on the way. For a closer look at the Samui side, the article on Bangrak pier explains where everything is.
With a one way ticket the minivan is not included, and you arrange the way back yourself. At 5 am after a party, that is the option I would not choose.
How to plan your way home before you leave the hotel
The return is easy when you sort it in daylight. A round trip ticket covers the hotel pickup, the speedboat both ways and the minivan back, for ฿1290 per person (one way ฿890), paid in cash at the pier.
- Agree on a time to meet before you split up on the beach.
- Choose a meeting spot near the walk to the pier, not in the middle of the crowd.
- Charge your phone and keep the badge with you, not in a shared bag.
- Keep some cash for water and food on the walk back.
Book a round trip transfer from Koh Samui for free on the Full Moon Party transfer page, and pay only when you get to the pier.
Staying on Koh Samui? Hotel pickup, speedboat from Bangrak pier to Haad Rin and boats back every hour from 0:00 to 6:00. One way ฿890, round trip ฿1290, free booking, pay cash at the pier.
Book your transferThen dance, walk back when you are ready and let the hourly boats do the rest.
Questions and answers
How far is Haad Rin pier from the Full Moon Party?
It is a few minutes walk through Haad Rin village. You walk the same route when you arrive, so it is easy to find on the way back if you pay attention to it in the evening.
Do I need to book a specific return boat time?
No. Boats leave every hour from 0:00 to 6:00, and you take the next one when you come to the pier. Just show your ticket badge.
What time is the last boat from Haad Rin to Koh Samui?
The last return boat leaves Haad Rin pier at 6:00. After that you need to make your own way back, so do not plan to stay on the beach later.
What if I lose my ticket badge?
Keep it safe, because it is how the crew at the pier knows you have a return ticket. If it goes missing, go to the pier early rather than at the busiest time, so there is time to sort things out calmly.
Can I go back with a one way ticket?
A one way ticket covers the trip to the party only. With it you arrange the way back yourself, which is much harder in the middle of the night, so most people from Koh Samui choose a round trip.
Are there regular ferries back to Koh Samui at night?
No. Regular ferries stop in the early evening, before the party starts, and there are no regular ferries back at night. That is why people staying on Koh Samui use the night speedboat transfer.
How do I get from Bangrak pier to my hotel?
With a round trip transfer you are put on the transfer list at the pier, and a minivan takes you to your hotel or villa in any area of Koh Samui.
Transfer facts checked on 3 November 2026. Prices and party dates can change: the booking form always shows the current ones.
