Ko Samui: Pig Island Snorkeling and Koh Tan Speedboat Tour

Meet the pigs of Koh Madsum. This half-day Gulf of Thailand trip combines a lively speedboat ride with snorkeling at Koh Tan and a generous stay on Pig Island. I like the friendly guides and the amount of time set aside for swimming, kayaking, lunch, and the pigs. The main catch is that snorkeling depends heavily on sea conditions, and the 50-baht island entrance fee is extra.

You can book a morning or afternoon departure, with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minibus. I also like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, kayak use, life jackets, and return transport are included in the $51 price. Allow extra patience for collection stops and pier waiting, since the advertised 270 minutes may stretch once road transfers are added.

Key points to know before you book

• Pig Island is the main event: Koh Madsum has white sand, free-roaming pigs, friendly dogs, and plenty of time to relax.
• Koh Tan offers the water stop: You get about an hour for snorkeling, swimming, and photos, but visibility can be cloudy.
• The tour suits a half-day schedule: It fits well into a Samui holiday without taking up a full day.
• Transport is included: Hotel pickup and return use an air-conditioned minibus, followed by a speedboat from Bang Khao.
• Budget for 50 baht: The Koh Madsum entrance fee is not included in the advertised price.
• Afternoon departures can be special: The later trip may reach Pig Island near sunset, but timing depends on conditions and operations.

What this Koh Samui boat trip is really about

This is not primarily a serious coral-reef expedition. It is a cheerful island outing built around a memorable oddity: pigs wandering on a tropical beach.

That distinction matters. If you want long, quiet snorkeling sessions and untouched underwater scenery, this may leave you wanting more. If you want a relaxed combination of sea views, a fast boat, lunch, beach time, and amusing animals, the trip makes good sense.

The tour runs in a middle-sized group, although the speedboat can feel fairly full. One account described a boat carrying about 60 people, while other departures may feel smaller. The exact group size can change, so do not expect a private charter.

The price is $51 per person. For that, you receive hotel transport, a guide, the boat, life jackets, snorkeling equipment, kayaking, lunch or dinner, soft drinks, and the ride back to your accommodation. Add the 50-baht entrance fee for Koh Madsum, plus any personal spending on the island.

That is a fair package for Samui, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange a taxi, boat, food, and equipment separately. The value is strongest for families, couples, and first-time visitors who want several easy activities in one booking.

Pickup from your hotel and the ride to Bang Khao

Morning pickup is generally between 8:30 and 9:30 am. Afternoon pickup is usually between 1 and 2 pm. The exact time depends on your location, and the final pickup details arrive through the booking message system.

You wait at the general car park or another stated meeting point, not necessarily at your room or villa door. If your accommodation sits on a steep or narrow road, the minibus may not be able to reach it. In that case, you will need to walk or arrange your own way to a nearby pickup point.

The minibus is air-conditioned, which is welcome in Koh Samui’s heat. The downside is the collection circuit. If you are picked up early, you may sit while other people are collected, then wait at the pier before the boat leaves.

One useful example comes from a north Samui pickup near Fisherman’s Village. The ride to Bang Khao took roughly 75 to 80 minutes each way because of the collection route, though the van was comfortable. That is not a problem if you plan for it, but it can make a supposedly short outing feel much longer.

Some departures also involve a wait at a beach bar before boarding. One morning group arrived at the pier around 9:15 am and waited until 10 am. Bring patience, sun protection, and perhaps a little water for the transfer period, even though drinks are provided later.

Bang Khao is in the south of Koh Samui, near the small fishing village used for the boat departure. You show your ticket at the counter inside the beach restaurant at the meeting point.

Koh Tan: one hour in the water

The speedboat ride to Koh Tan takes about 20 minutes in normal sea conditions. Life jackets are available on board for every participant, and the boat ride itself is part of the fun. Some boats use several powerful engines, so expect a brisk crossing rather than a quiet long-tail-boat journey.

At Koh Tan, the boat anchors near the island for about an hour. You can snorkel, swim, take photos, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

Koh Tan is included because its coral area can offer better marine life than the beach at Pig Island. In good conditions, you may see small fish close to the boat. The clearest water gives you the best chance of seeing the reef and sea creatures.

The important phrase is in good conditions. Cloudy water, wind, and changing sea conditions can reduce visibility. Several outings had murky water, and some people found the snorkeling pleasant but not remarkable. One practical complaint was that masks sometimes needed defogging.

I would treat Koh Tan as a bonus water stop, not the sole reason to book. If your priority is excellent snorkeling, check the weather before committing and keep expectations sensible. The time in the water can feel short for confident snorkelers, especially when the main attraction is still ahead.

The guide will explain the swimming and snorkeling arrangements, and the program may change with weather or traffic. That flexibility is sensible in the Gulf of Thailand, where a fixed plan can quickly become uncomfortable or unsafe.

Koh Madsum, the island known as Pig Island

After Koh Tan, the boat makes the short crossing to Koh Madsum. This is the part most people remember.

Koh Madsum has no normal running water or electricity for visitors, giving the island a simple, undeveloped feel. The white sand beach is home to woolly pigs, including young piglets at some times of year. Dogs also roam the island, and the animals are accustomed to people.

You get about two and a half hours here, though the exact timing can vary. That is enough for a relaxed walk, photos, swimming, kayaking, or sitting under the tropical sun and watching the pigs wander past.

The pigs are friendly and entertaining, but treat them as animals rather than props. Do not force contact, and pay attention to what the guide says about feeding or giving them water. Plastic bottles and cigarette ends have been seen in the sand, so use bins and keep anything harmful away from the animals.

Kayaking is included, though it may take place at Koh Tan instead if sea conditions make that more suitable. You can also swim from the beach or simply sit back with a drink. This generous island time is one of the tour’s strongest features. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next.

There is a viewpoint on the island, but finding it may not be straightforward. One outing involved 20 to 30 minutes of searching and led instead to rubbish in the jungle. I would not make the viewpoint your main goal. The beach, pigs, water, and open sea views are the dependable pleasures.

The island can also become crowded, particularly when several boats arrive together. The tour aims for a middle-sized group, but the wider beach may still have other boat parties. The afternoon outing can be appealing because it may leave you on the island later in the day, sometimes near sunset, when the light is softer and the beach feels calmer.

Lunch, drinks, and the beach restaurant

Lunch or dinner is served at a local beach restaurant during the Koh Madsum stop. The meal is traditionally Thai in style, with soft drinks and water included.

Food quality is generally a positive part of the trip, though it is not a restaurant-focused food tour. Many people found the meal tasty and filling, with additional portions available on at least some departures. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated, but you should make your requirements clear when booking or before departure.

The meal can vary. Some food was described as simple or bland, and buffet-style items such as chips and chicken nuggets were not always at their best. That is normal for food prepared for a large boat group, but it is worth knowing if you are expecting a polished Thai dining experience.

The setting does much of the work. You eat near the white sand with a view of the sea, while pigs wander nearby. It is an unusual lunch setting, and the animals provide plenty of entertainment between bites.

Bring cash for personal purchases. Drinks on the island were considered reasonably priced, but your own spending is not covered. The 50-baht entrance fee should also be ready in Thai currency.

The return crossing and drop-off

After the island stop, everyone returns to the boat for the crossing back to Koh Samui. The ride takes about 15 minutes under normal conditions, and the route offers another look at the smaller islands and open water.

Sea creatures have sometimes been spotted near the route, though this is not guaranteed. The guide will gather the group and explain when it is time to return. Keep track of your belongings, especially masks, towels, phones, and beach footwear.

The listed return times are around 2:15 pm for the morning program and 6:30 pm for the afternoon program. Hotel drop-off follows, usually around 2:30 pm or 6:45 pm, but road traffic and the number of accommodations on the route can alter this.

The stated duration is 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. In practice, you should think of it as a half-day activity plus transport. A southern Samui hotel may have a fairly efficient transfer, while a northern resort or villa can add a substantial amount of road time.

What the guides and crew add to the day

The strongest praise is directed at the staff. The guides are described as friendly, attentive, funny, and clear about where to go and how long each stop lasts.

That practical guidance matters on a group boat. You need clear instructions for boarding, snorkeling, lunch, kayaking, and the return meeting time. Several outings ran smoothly because the guide kept people informed and organized.

The crew also receives good marks for keeping the boat clean and for paying attention to safety. Life jackets are supplied on board, and the speedboat team gives instructions before the crossings and water activities.

English is the stated tour language. If you prefer a quiet, independent outing, the group format may feel structured. If you like having someone manage the timing and transport, the organization is a real benefit.

Who should book this Pig Island tour?

I would recommend it to:

• Families who want animals, swimming, and a manageable half-day schedule
• Couples looking for beach time and a memorable photo stop
• First-time Samui visitors who want several highlights without arranging transport
• People who enjoy fast boat rides and simple island outings
• Anyone who values included lunch, equipment, and hotel transfers

I would be more cautious if you:

• Want a serious snorkeling trip with long reef sessions
• Dislike speedboats, group schedules, or waiting during pickups
• Need a quiet, empty beach
• Expect gourmet food
• Have mobility needs that make minibus transfers, beach boarding, or uneven sand difficult

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, babies under one year, or cruise ship passengers. Cruise ship passengers need a separate cruise-focused Pig Island tour because this service is designed around hotel pickup.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if the forecast looks uncertain, though weather can still change the running order on the day.

Is the $51 price good value?

For a boat outing with return hotel transport, lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaking, a guide, and accident insurance, $51 is competitive.

The value depends on what you want from the day. You are paying for convenience and variety rather than a remote-island experience. You get a boat ride, a reef stop, an animal encounter, beach time, food, and transport in one package.

The 50-baht entrance charge is small, but it should be clearly budgeted. A few people were surprised to be asked for it after arrival, so keep that cost in mind when comparing the total price with other operators.

The biggest hidden cost is time. A northern pickup can mean long van rides, and an early arrival may include waiting at the pier. If your holiday schedule is tight, choose the departure closest to your accommodation or ask for the pickup details before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an easy, cheerful Samui outing where Pig Island is the star. The friendly crew, included food and equipment, comfortable minibus, and long beach stop make it a solid choice for families and first-time visitors.

Do not book it mainly for world-class snorkeling. Koh Tan can be enjoyable, but water clarity varies and the snorkeling portion may feel brief. Choose the morning for a classic half-day trip, or consider the afternoon if you like the possibility of softer light and a later island visit.

For $51, plus 50 baht for entry, this is a good-value introduction to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum. Just allow extra time for road transfers, expect a group setting, and let the pigs do most of the entertaining.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Tan and Pig Island tour last?

The stated activity duration is 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. Hotel pickup, collection stops, traffic, and pier waiting can make the total time away from your accommodation longer.

What time does hotel pickup happen?

Morning pickup is generally between 8:30 and 9:30 am. Afternoon pickup is generally between 1 and 2 pm. Your final time depends on your accommodation and is sent through the booking message system.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes lunch on the morning program or dinner on the afternoon program, along with soft drinks. Vegetarian meals can be provided for group members who need them.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling equipment is included. Life jackets are also available on board for every participant.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is included, although it may take place at Koh Tan instead of Koh Madsum if sea conditions require a change.

What extra fee must I pay?

Koh Madsum charges a 50-baht entrance fee, which is not included in the tour price. Your other personal expenses are also separate.

Can cruise ship passengers join this tour?

No. This tour is intended for people staying in hotels or other accommodations on Koh Samui. Cruise ship passengers should book the separate cruise ship Pig Island tour instead.