Koh Samui: Pig Island & Koh Tan Snorkeling by Speed boat

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is the star of this easy island outing. Friendly pigs wander along the beach, pose beside the water, and provide the kind of silly holiday photographs you cannot plan at home. I like the short boat rides and the relaxed pace, with roughly an hour for the pigs, snorkeling, and lunch.

I also like the private-pier departure, included minivan transfer, buffet lunch, drinking water, and helpful crew members such as Sun, Joe, Cola, and Alex. The main catch is timing: the advertised four hours can become five to six and a half hours once hotel transfers are added, especially from northern Koh Samui.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island is the clear highlight: You get time to swim, take photos, feed the pigs, and enjoy the beach.
• Short speedboat crossings: Koh Madsum is about 10 minutes from the pier, and Koh Tan is only a few minutes farther.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: Fish and coral are possible, but full-moon tides, weather, and cloudy water can reduce visibility.
• Lunch is better than expected: The Koh Tan buffet includes Thai dishes, fruit, and drinking water, with enough time to eat and relax.
• Transfers take patience: The drive from your hotel to the southern pier takes about 40 to 50 minutes, and longer from the north.
• Good value at $52: The price covers transport, guide, equipment, lunch, water, fruit, and insurance, but Pig Island’s 50-baht entrance fee is extra.

Why Pig Island makes this tour different

Many island trips around Koh Samui are mainly about beaches and snorkeling. This one has a more memorable hook: pigs roam the sands of Koh Madsum, sometimes with piglets in tow. They are used to people, and you can buy food for them on the island for about 50 baht.

The pigs are not trained performers. That is part of the fun. They wander, pause for food, head into the shallows, and ignore you when something more interesting appears. You can take pictures, swim, sit on the sand, or simply watch the animals do their own thing.

I would not book this tour expecting a pristine, empty beach. Pig Island can become crowded, and about an hour is enough for most people. The visit works best as a lighthearted stop rather than a full beach day.

The island also gives you options if you are not keen on swimming. You can stay on the beach, take photographs, or watch the pigs near the shoreline. Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, since shade and facilities are not the main reason to come here.

The southern pier keeps the boat ride easy

Your morning or afternoon begins with an air-conditioned minivan from your hotel. Pickup is available from a long list of resorts across Samui, including Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Choeng Mon, and more remote southern and western areas.

The drive to the private pier takes about 40 to 50 minutes, depending on your hotel. If you stay at the north end of the island, allow about an hour. This road time is the chief weakness of the trip, but it buys you a much shorter crossing once you reach the coast.

That tradeoff matters if you get seasick or dislike spending half a day on a boat. From the southern pier, the speedboat reaches Koh Madsum quickly, and the next crossing to the snorkeling area near Koh Tan is also short. You spend more of the outing in the water or on land, rather than bouncing across open sea.

At the pier, the crew checks you in and provides a wristband. You may be offered items such as water shoes and snacks before boarding. Comfortable clothing and shoes are sensible, and water shoes are especially useful near coral.

Koh Madsum, the one-hour Pig Island stop

The first island stop is Koh Madsum. The speedboat journey from the pier takes roughly 10 minutes, giving you a quick arrival and little time to get tired before the main attraction.

The crew can help with photographs, which is useful when you want a picture with a pig near the water. Guides named Sun, Joe, Cola, and Alex receive repeated praise for their humor, energy, and willingness to help with photos. The exact guide on your boat can vary, but the staff’s role is more hands-on than simply pointing out the island and leaving you alone.

You can spend your hour in several ways:

• Walk along the beach and look for pigs and piglets.
• Buy food for the animals.
• Swim in the clear shallows.
• Sit back with a drink from the small island bar.
• Take pictures of the beach, boats, pigs, and surrounding sea.

The pigs are the reason to choose this trip, but the setting helps. Koh Madsum offers open sea views and a simple island atmosphere. You will not find a long list of sights. The pleasure is in the unusual scene and the chance to slow down.

One practical point: timing can vary. Some departures provide close to an hour, while others move the group along after about 45 minutes. That may feel short if Pig Island is your main reason for booking. At the same time, the beach can get crowded, and a limited stop prevents the tour from becoming an all-day visit focused on one small island.

The 50-baht Pig Island entrance fee is not included in the tour price. Keep some Thai cash ready so this small extra does not catch you by surprise.

Snorkeling at Koh Tan depends on the sea

After Pig Island, the boat heads toward Koh Tan, also spelled Koh Taen. The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the day’s schedule and conditions.

You receive a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. The boat stops in calm water, and you enter directly from the back of the speedboat. For confident swimmers, that gives the stop a fun, uncomplicated feel. If you prefer not to snorkel, some departures also allow you to remain on the boat or use nearby beach areas, though you should confirm the exact arrangement with the crew.

The water can be clear enough to see small fish, coral, and other marine life. Some outings produce better sightings, including a large starfish and, on one occasion, a turtle. I would still treat the snorkeling as a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to book.

Visibility changes with weather, tides, and recent sea conditions. Full-moon periods can stir up the water, and several outings have had cloudy conditions with only a few fish types visible. The tour does not control the sea, so even a well-run stop may offer limited views.

This is where expectations matter. If you want serious reef snorkeling with guaranteed clear visibility, choose a trip designed around longer snorkeling time. If you want a short swim in calm water added to a Pig Island visit, Koh Tan fits well.

Take care around coral, and wear water shoes if you have them. They protect your feet and make getting in and out of the water more comfortable.

A Thai buffet and a quiet hour on Koh Tan

After snorkeling, the boat takes you to another part of Koh Tan for lunch. You get about an hour to eat, use the facilities, walk around, and enjoy the sea views.

The buffet usually includes Thai-style dishes such as rice, vegetables, crispy or fried chicken, spring rolls, and fruit. The selection is not huge, but the food is filling and often a pleasant surprise at this price. Spring rolls can go quickly, so take them when you see them.

Lunch is an important part of the value here. A $52 excursion that included only transport and a beach stop would be fair but unremarkable. Add a cooked buffet, fruit, water, snorkeling gear, a guide, insurance, and hotel transfers, and the package becomes strong for a half-day island outing.

The Koh Tan lunch stop also breaks up the activity. After swimming and standing on a boat, you can sit down properly rather than rushing straight back to Samui. Toilet facilities are available at the lunch area, which makes the stop more useful for families and anyone who prefers a little comfort between water activities.

Do not expect a polished resort restaurant. This is a simple island meal in a scenic setting. Shoreline cleanliness can vary, and one stop may show litter along the beach. The view and quiet pace are appealing, but the surroundings are not perfectly maintained.

The real schedule is longer than four hours

The listed duration is four hours, but you should read that as the boat program rather than guaranteed door-to-door time. Hotel pickup, the ride to the pier, check-in, and the return drive add a good deal.

From central or southern Samui, the full outing may take around five hours. From Chaweng, some departures have taken about six and a half hours from pickup to drop-off. From the northern end of the island, the drive each way can approach an hour.

That makes the tour less suitable if you have a tightly packed day, a flight, or a cruise departure. If you are staying on Samui for several days, the extra road time is easier to accept.

The schedule is generally arranged around approximately one hour at Pig Island, 45 minutes to one hour for snorkeling, and one hour for lunch and free time. The order may change. Some departures snorkel first and visit Pig Island afterward, while others begin with the pigs.

Your exact pickup time is confirmed by email or WhatsApp. Wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the stated time. Since Samui roads and hotel locations vary, allow some flexibility rather than planning a restaurant booking immediately after the scheduled finish.

Guides, boat comfort, and group feel

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Sun is frequently singled out for being funny, helpful, and good at explaining the pigs. Joe, Cola, and Alex are also associated with friendly service, jokes, and help with photographs.

That matters on a simple tour. The islands provide the setting, but the crew controls how easy the day feels. A good guide helps you get on and off the boat, checks that people are comfortable, points out the best photo moments, and keeps the group moving without making the day feel hurried.

The speedboat offers a smooth start from the private pier, but it is still a speedboat. You should expect sun, spray, and some movement on the water. Life jackets are provided, and unlimited drinking water is included.

A private group option is available. This can be useful if you have limited time, are visiting from a cruise ship, or want more control over the schedule. The standard outing already aims for a relaxed pace, but a private booking gives you a better chance of shaping the day around your group.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Pregnant women are not permitted to participate, and insurance does not apply in that case. Boarding a speedboat, stepping into the sea, and walking on uneven island surfaces require reasonable mobility.

Who will get the most from the $52 price

I see this as a good match for couples, families with older children, first-time visitors to Samui, and anyone who wants several island experiences without spending a full day at sea.

Children taller than 120 centimeters should be booked at the adult price. The mix of pigs, swimming, food, and a short boat ride gives families several points of interest, though parents should still keep an eye on children near the water and animals.

The tour also suits you if you want a gentle introduction to snorkeling. You receive basic equipment and a life jacket, and the stop is not so long that a beginner becomes exhausted. Strong swimmers who want a serious reef session may find the snorkeling too brief or too dependent on visibility.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is underwater scenery. The water may be clear and full of small fish, or it may be cloudy with limited sightings. Pig Island is the dependable part of the experience. Snorkeling is weather-dependent.

At $52 per person, the cost is reasonable because so much is bundled in. You pay extra for the Pig Island entrance fee, but hotel transport, the guide, equipment, insurance, water, fruit, lunch, and the boat are included. Compared with arranging separate transport and a boat yourself, the package saves effort and reduces uncertainty.

Should you book this Koh Samui island tour?

Book it if you want a cheerful, easygoing outing with a memorable animal stop, short boat rides, and a proper lunch. Pig Island is genuinely unusual, and the friendly crew adds warmth to what could otherwise be a basic island transfer.

Book with realistic snorkeling expectations. The sea may offer colorful fish, coral, a starfish, or even a turtle, but cloudy water is possible. Also allow extra time for hotel transfers, especially if you stay in northern Samui.

For most people, I think the $52 price is fair. Choose it for the pigs, scenery, swimming, and relaxed island rhythm. Choose another tour only if you need guaranteed reef visibility, a very short total schedule, or a full-day snorkeling program.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Madsum and Koh Tan tour last?

The advertised activity duration is four hours, but the full outing can take longer once hotel transfers are included. Pickup from the hotel to the pier takes about 40 to 50 minutes, and the complete trip may take around six and a half hours from pickup to drop-off in some cases.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transfers by air-conditioned minivan are included. The supplier confirms your exact pickup time by email or WhatsApp, and you should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs $52 per person. A 50-baht-per-person entrance fee for Pig Island is not included.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel transfers, an English-speaking guide, speedboat transport, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, travel insurance, unlimited drinking water, seasonal fruit, and a buffet lunch on Koh Tan.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are provided. Water shoes are not listed as included, so bringing your own is useful because coral may be present.

Can children join the tour?

Children can join, but anyone taller than 120 centimeters should be booked at the adult price. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve now and pay later booking.