Ban Phe Pier — Local services in Rayong Province

If you want to take the ferry to Koh Samed (the slower, larger boat), I suggest walking over to Nuanthip Pier which is less than a 5-minute walk from Ban Phe Pier. The companies at Ban Phe Pier are mostly speedboat companies with higher ticket prices. I believe they CAN or DO sell ferry tickets at Ban Phe, but they want to sell customers the more expensive, speedboat tickets. When my family and I arrived at Ban Phe Pier and were coming out of our taxi, a man came over immediately to take my bags. I did not get the impression that he was trying to steal them, but rather 'help' me with my bags as a way of soliciting business for one of the speedboat companies. I just firmly told him, "No thank you", and there were no problems. Nuanthip Pier (literally next door to Ban Phe Pier) has all the transfer prices posted CLEARLY for both speedboat and ferry rides, and the price is pre-printed on the tickets, unlike the handwritten, carbon copied tickets that I saw sold at Ban Phe Pier. As of April 6, 2023, the price of the ferry from Nuanthip Pier to Koh Samed was 70฿ one-way, or 120฿ for a return ticket. The employee at the Nuanthip Pier ticket counter said that the return ticket can be used "any day". The six available return ferry times are also printed on the two-way 120฿ tickets. As of April 6, 2023, the return times listed were 09:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00. The people at Nuanthip Pier were very pleasant and helpful, which is more than I can say for the folks at Ban Phe Pier. They tried HARD to sell me speedboat tickets which I wasn't interested in getting (I had an elderly relative with me), and they weren't exactly forthcoming with the information about the ferry prices/times and where the tickets could be purchased. When the folks at Ban Phe realized that I wasn't going to fall for their scam, AND that I can actually speak Thai, they eventually told me about the next pier.

Save yourself the time and headache and go to Nuanthip Pier if you'd prefer a more...

There is nothing wrong with Ban Phe Pier. But everything with booking a speed boate to Koh Samet. The advantage of using a speed boat is that the they can bring you right to the beach of your resort. But the price you pay is high, not in terms of money (two ways 500 Bhat) but in term of comfort. The boat owner put too many people on the boat, so it was very crowded, especially as many people carried big suitcases. The trip was rough and bumpy. Don't sit in front. Even with small waves you will get wet. It was more like a roller coaster ride. Debarking on the beach can be difficult. You have to step down from the boat right into the water. If you are old or have big luggage it will be difficult. I payed for a two-way trip, but I will go back with the big boat to avoid another horror trip on...

As soon as you arrive, 2 -3 people will take your luggage and ask you to follow them to one of the desks. They claimed their speedboat is more convenient than Nuanthip Pier because of the taxi, waiting ,,etc. The lady started writing my receipt on a carbon paper book before I even said yes! She also offered to include a taxi to BKK so she can reduce the price.

Speedboat RETURN trip price comparison:

From Ban Phe Wong Duean = 1200 (Direct) + 200 entry (Total 1400 Bhat)

From Nuanthip Nadan Wong Duean = 300 + 60 taxi + 200 entry (Total 560 Bhat) there was 10-20 mins waiting

it's not about the 800 Bhat but nobody likes to be scammed. I like Nuanthip speedboat, price is clear, good service and I met new people, we laughed and had a chat while waiting....