Ko Samui: Pig Island Snorkeling and Koh Tan Speedboat Tour

Pig Island is the star here: a white beach, friendly woolly pigs, curious dogs, and no roads, electricity, or running water. You get a cheerful island outing with a side of snorkeling, not a serious reef expedition. I like the long stay at Koh Madsum, which gives you time to relax instead of rushing from photo stop to photo stop. I also like the hotel pickup, food, drinks, kayak, and equipment bundled into one price.

The main catch is simple: snorkeling conditions can be cloudy, and the stop may feel short if you came mainly for underwater scenery. The 51 dollar price is good value for a half-day outing, but you still pay the 50 baht Koh Mudsum entrance fee, and shared transfers can take time.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island is the main event: You get plenty of time to see the pigs, walk the beach, swim, kayak, and relax.
• Koh Tan offers about one hour: Snorkel or swim from the boat, with equipment and life jackets supplied.
• Hotel pickup is included: Air-conditioned minibus service runs in the morning or afternoon, depending on your booking.
• Lunch or dinner is included: Expect a simple Thai meal, soft drinks, and drinking water on the island.
• The speedboat ride is lively: Boats are clean and comfortable, but the ride can feel brisk in rougher seas.
• Bring 50 baht extra: Koh Mudsum charges an entrance fee that is not included in the advertised price.

Why Pig Island is worth the boat ride

Koh Madsum, usually called Pig Island, is a funny and memorable place. A few woolly pigs wander along the white sand, often close to the water or around the beach restaurant. You can watch them, take photos, offer water, and enjoy the odd sight of farm animals living on a tropical island.

The island is not a polished resort. There is no running water or electricity, and the facilities are basic. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not expect a perfectly manicured beach or a long list of organized activities.

I like the fact that the schedule leaves roughly two and a half hours here. That is enough time to see the animals without treating the whole visit like a quick photo stop. You can walk, swim, kayak if the sea allows, or simply sit with lunch and watch the pigs wander past.

The pigs are the reason to book this trip. If your main goal is colorful coral and a serious snorkeling session, choose a tour built around Koh Tao or another stronger reef area instead. Here, the underwater stop is a pleasant extra, while the pigs provide the memorable part of the day.

Koh Tan gives you a short reef stop

The speedboat leaves from the Bang Khao area in southern Koh Samui, near a small fishing village. In normal sea conditions, the trip to Koh Tan takes about 20 minutes. The boat anchors near the island, and you get around an hour for snorkeling, swimming, and photos.

Snorkeling gear is supplied, and life jackets are available on board for every participant. The water can be calm and clear, but conditions change with weather, tide, and traffic on the water. Some outings have produced cloudy water, while others have offered fish close to the swimmers.

Set your expectations correctly. This is not a dedicated marine-life trip with long guided reef sessions. You may see a range of small sea creatures, but the snorkeling can be ordinary when visibility drops. One useful tip is to check your mask carefully before entering the water. A little defogging may be needed.

Kayaking may happen at Koh Tan if conditions work, or later at Koh Madsum. The crew adjusts the order when the sea requires it. That flexibility is useful, though it means the exact rhythm of the day can change.

The speedboat ride and group size

The tour is described as an economy trip with a middle-sized group. In practice, the boat may feel fuller than the wording suggests. One account described a clean, comfortable speedboat carrying around 60 people, while another praised a large boat powered by four Honda V8 engines.

That tells you two things. First, this is not a private island charter. Second, the boat is designed to move a sizable group efficiently between Koh Samui and the islands. You get a lively shared outing rather than a quiet, custom-made cruise.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun, but it can be noisy and bumpy. Life jackets are on board, and the crew is described as attentive about safety. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch and secure loose items before the boat accelerates.

The return crossing usually takes around 15 minutes from the islands to Bang Khao. Views of Koh Samui and the smaller islands make the trip back pleasant, and sea creatures are sometimes spotted from the boat.

Morning or afternoon: choose your timing carefully

The morning option generally collects people between 8:30 and 9:30 am. The afternoon option begins with pickup around 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Exact pickup time depends on your accommodation, so check the message sent through the booking platform and wait at the general car park.

The morning schedule gives you a classic half-day excursion and an earlier return. It may suit families, people with evening plans, or anyone who wants the rest of the day free.

The afternoon schedule can have a softer feel. Some departures reach Pig Island late enough to catch sunset, which adds a lovely finish to the beach time. If sunset matters to you, confirm the current timing before you book, because weather, traffic, and boat operations can change the program.

Pickup is convenient, but it can also be the slowest part. The minibus collects people from several hotels, and the trip from northern Koh Samui can take 75 to 80 minutes each way in some cases. Air conditioning helps, but you may spend a fair amount of time in the van before reaching the pier.

You might also arrive before the boat is ready. Some outings include a wait of around 45 minutes at a beach bar or pier. That is not a deal breaker, but it matters if you expect the advertised 270 minutes to mean 270 minutes of nonstop island activity.

Lunch on the beach, with pigs nearby

Lunch or dinner is served at a local restaurant on Koh Madsum, usually in the beach setting. The food is described as simple Thai fare, with enough provided to make a filling meal. Soft drinks and water are included, and vegetarian meals have been accommodated.

The food is not the main reason to book, but it does its job well. Several meals were described as tasty, while some people found the buffet-style dishes plain. If you are hoping for a special Thai cooking experience, keep expectations modest. If you want a convenient meal without leaving the island, it is a useful inclusion.

The setting adds much of the charm. You eat with the sand and sea nearby, and pigs may wander around the beach. Keep food and plastic bottles under control. Do not feed the animals anything unsuitable, and never leave bottles or cigarette ends in the sand.

The extra cost is small but easy to miss. Koh Mudsum charges 50 baht per person for entry, and that fee is not included in the advertised 51 dollar price. Bring Thai baht so the payment does not become an awkward surprise on arrival.

What the guides do well

The guide’s main job is keeping the day moving. You are collected, shown where to wait, taken to the boat, briefed on the stops, and told how long you have at each place. That matters on a shared tour, especially when several hotel pickups and boat groups are involved.

The strongest praise centers on friendly, organized staff. Guides have been described as funny, attentive, and clear with instructions. One host was identified as Mr 11, while another outing featured a young guide who kept the day running smoothly. The supplied information does not provide a full official guide roster, so names may vary.

You should still pay close attention to directions on Koh Madsum. The island has a viewpoint and walking areas, but signage may not be clear. It is possible to spend 20 or 30 minutes looking for the viewpoint and find litter rather than a good view. Ask the guide exactly where to go before setting off.

How good is the value at 51 dollars?

At 51 dollars per person, the tour gives you a lot in one package: hotel transfer, speedboat transport, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, kayaking, lunch or dinner, soft drinks, accident insurance, and return transport.

That makes the price attractive for anyone who wants convenience. Booking separate transport to Bang Khao, hiring a boat, renting equipment, arranging food, and returning to your hotel would take more work and might not save much.

The value is strongest if you want a broad half-day experience. You get two islands, water activities, beach time, food, and the unusual Pig Island setting. The value is weaker if you only care about snorkeling, since the reef stop can be cloudy and the time in the water is limited.

The advertised duration is 270 minutes, but your total outing can be longer once hotel collection, pier waiting, and the return drive are included. Think of it as a half-day to most of a day depending on your location and pickup schedule, not five uninterrupted hours at sea.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking give you some flexibility. Pregnant people, babies under one year, and cruise ship passengers should not book this particular option. Cruise ship passengers need the separate cruise ship tour listed by the operator.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and cash for the 50 baht entrance fee. A waterproof phone case is useful, especially on the speedboat and around the pigs.

Wear something that dries quickly. You may move from minibus to speedboat to sea and beach within a short time. Secure hats and sunglasses on the boat, and avoid carrying anything that cannot handle salt water or sand.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the boat feels most stable and consider your usual precautions. The ride is short in normal conditions, but the speedboat can move sharply when the sea is rough.

Treat the pigs as animals, not props. Let them approach, avoid crowding them, and do not hand them plastic bottles. The island’s charm depends on keeping the sand and water clean.

Families should find the mix of animals, swimming, food, and boat travel appealing, though young children need close supervision near the water. Couples may prefer the afternoon departure if sunset timing lines up. Solo visitors can easily join the shared group, but should expect a social outing rather than solitude.

Who should book this Koh Samui tour?

I would book this if you want to see Pig Island without arranging separate transport and you like having several activities packed into one outing. The long Koh Madsum stop is the big advantage. You can enjoy the pigs, beach, kayak, lunch, and sea without feeling hurried.

I would also recommend it for families and first-time visitors to Koh Samui. The tour removes much of the planning, and the guides handle the timing, equipment, and transfers.

I would hesitate if your priority is excellent snorkeling, a private boat, or a quiet island. The reef stop is weather dependent, the group can be large, and hotel transfers may take longer than expected.

For most people, the decision comes down to the pigs. If seeing free-roaming animals on a beautiful beach sounds like a perfect holiday story, the 51 dollar price is fair. If Pig Island feels like a novelty you could skip, spend your boat budget on a trip built around stronger snorkeling instead.

FAQ

How long does the Pig Island tour last?

The advertised activity duration is 270 minutes. Hotel pickup, pier waiting, and return transport can make the total time from your accommodation longer.

What time does the morning tour begin?

Morning hotel pickup generally takes place between 8:30 and 9:30 am. You receive the final pickup time based on your accommodation.

What time does the afternoon tour begin?

Afternoon pickup generally takes place between 1:00 and 2:00 pm. The exact time depends on your accommodation and the final message from the operator.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport by air-conditioned minibus are included for accommodation locations that can be reached by the vehicle.

What happens if the minibus cannot reach my accommodation?

If the road is too steep or inaccessible, the operator provides an alternative pickup location nearby. You must make your own way to that location.

Is snorkeling equipment supplied?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are available on the speedboat for each participant.

Is food included?

Yes. Lunch on the morning program or dinner on the afternoon program is included, along with soft drinks and water. Vegetarian meals have been accommodated.

Do I need to pay anything extra?

Yes. Koh Mudsum charges a 50 baht entrance fee per person. Your own personal expenses are also not included.