Koh Madsum and Koh Tan Snorkeling Trip By Speedboat From Koh Samui

Koh Madsum and Koh Tan offer a simple island escape from Koh Samui: a quick speedboat ride, clear water, white sand, snorkeling, kayaking, and lunch beside the beach. The best part is the mix of activity and free time, so you are not stuck snorkeling all morning.

I like the short boat ride from Thong Krut, which keeps the trip focused on the islands. I also like the included Thai lunch, drinks, fruit, kayak, and snorkeling gear, since those extras add real value to the $50.15 price.

The main caution is transport. Pickup can take time, and poor weather or low numbers can cancel the trip. Some departures have also faced long road transfers or schedule changes, so this is best booked on a flexible day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two islands in one morning: Visit Koh Tan for snorkeling and Koh Madsum for kayaking, swimming, lunch, and beach time.
• A quick 15-minute speedboat ride: The boat leaves from Thong Krut Beach, on Koh Samui’s southern coast.
• About 40 minutes of snorkeling: The water around Koh Tan may offer fish and coral, but sea conditions affect visibility.
• Roughly three hours on Koh Madsum: This is the relaxed part of the outing, with time for lunch and beach activities.
• Transfers cover much of Samui: Pickup is offered from Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and nearby areas.
• Budget for a 50 THB admission fee: It is not included in the advertised price.

Why this island trip works well from Koh Samui

The appeal here is ease. You do not need to find a longtail boat operator, haggle at the pier, arrange lunch, or rent snorkeling equipment separately. A morning transfer brings you to Thong Krut Beach, where the speedboat makes the short run to Koh Tan.

At $50.15 per person, the package is reasonably priced for a half-day outing. You receive hotel transfer in covered areas, the boat trip, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, kayak use, a sunbed, lunch, soft drinks, fruit, and accident insurance. The 50 THB admission charge is small, but you should carry cash for it.

I see this as a middle ground between a private boat and a large sightseeing cruise. The maximum group size is 30 people, so it is not intimate, but it should be more manageable than a very large boat excursion. The exact feel depends on how many people book that day.

The tour runs for about five to six hours. Pickup is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., with the main meeting time listed as 9:00 a.m. You should expect the day to include road time before and after the boat, especially if your hotel is far from the southern pier.

The ride from Thong Krut to Koh Tan

Thong Krut Beach is the launch point for the island section. Once the group is organized, the speedboat ride to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes. That short crossing is useful if you dislike long stretches at sea or are traveling with children who may not enjoy a full-day boat ride.

Koh Tan is the more active first stop. The planned schedule places snorkeling here at about 9:45 a.m., followed by time for kayaking. The water may show coral and fish, and one account of the outing described good fish life and attractive coral. Still, snorkeling quality depends heavily on wind, waves, tides, and visibility.

You should not expect a full morning in the water. The planned snorkeling period is about 40 minutes, which is enough to swim, look around, and get a taste of the reef. It is not enough for a serious snorkeler who wants several separate sites or a long guided session.

The supplied equipment includes a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. That saves you from packing your own gear, although you may prefer to bring a personal mask if fit matters to you. The information does not specify the exact snorkeling site, water depth, or whether a guide enters the water with the group, so do not book this expecting a detailed marine-life lesson.

Kayaking is part of the Koh Tan stop and also appears in the Koh Madsum schedule. This gives you another way to enjoy the water if snorkeling conditions are not ideal. The activity is more about a pleasant island outing than technical paddling or a long kayak route.

Koh Madsum, beach time, and the famous pigs

After Koh Tan, the speedboat heads to Koh Madsum, often called Pig Island. The island is known for its pigs, which are fed by visitors and form part of the attraction. That can be amusing, especially for families, but it also creates a less peaceful setting than the word unspoiled might suggest.

The pigs are around public areas and may enter the shallows. You should be comfortable with animals nearby and should not assume this is a quiet, empty beach. Feeding animals can also mean mess around the sand and water, which is one reason some people may find the stop more touristy than expected.

The schedule allows about three hours on Koh Madsum. That is the strongest part of the day for people who want to slow down. You can kayak, swim, use a sunbed, rest on the beach, and wait for lunch without rushing from one activity to another.

The long stop also helps balance the short snorkeling session. If Koh Tan gives you the water activity, Koh Madsum gives you the easy holiday portion: sand, food, swimming, and time with no complicated plan.

Keep your expectations in check. Koh Madsum is not presented as a wilderness expedition. It is a popular island stop with a recognizable animal attraction, beach facilities, and organized tour groups. I would choose it for convenience and variety, not for solitude.

Lunch at Koh Madsum

Lunch is included and is served on Koh Madsum. The meal is described as a fresh-cooked Thai lunch, with soft drinks, water, and fresh fruit also provided. That matters because island food can add up quickly, and you will not need to organize a separate meal during the outing.

The exact dishes are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular menu or special dietary arrangement. If you have strict food needs, ask the operator before booking. The available information does not confirm vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or halal options.

A meal at this point in the day is practical. After the early pickup, boat transfer, and snorkeling, you will likely appreciate sitting down rather than immediately boarding another boat. The lunch also gives the outing a social, relaxed rhythm.

Soft drinks and fruit are included, but you should still bring sun protection and any personal snacks or medication you need. The tour includes water, though the details do not state how much is supplied or whether refill points are available.

The real value of the $50.15 price

The price makes sense if you want several services bundled together. Hotel pickup, speedboat transport, lunch, drinks, fruit, equipment, kayak use, a sunbed, and accident insurance would be awkward to arrange separately. You are paying for simplicity as much as for the islands.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors to Koh Samui or anyone staying in one of the covered pickup zones. Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, the Butterfly Garden area, and nearby locations are included.

The price is weaker if you are staying on the island’s west or far southwest side. Pickup from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai costs an additional 700 baht per person each way. That extra charge can change the calculation quickly, particularly for a family or group.

You also need to add the 50 THB admission fee per person. It is not a large amount, but the tour price is not fully all-inclusive. Carry Thai baht rather than assuming a card will be accepted.

I would compare the total cost, including the extra transfer fee if applicable, before booking. For a central or eastern Samui hotel, the package offers useful convenience. For a distant resort, a closer departure option may be better value.

Pickup, timing, and the risk of delays

Pickup begins around 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. The operator covers many hotel zones, but shared transfers can make the morning longer than the island schedule suggests. You may collect other passengers before reaching Thong Krut Beach.

The published route allows about one hour for the Thong Krut transfer section, followed by the 15-minute speedboat journey. In practice, the road portion can be the least predictable part of the day. One reported departure involved a long wait and a minibus change before reaching a different launch point, while another involved several hours of road travel and missed snorkeling.

Those problems do not appear to be the normal plan, but they are worth keeping in mind. I would avoid booking this on a day when you need to catch a flight, reach a cruise ship, or make another fixed appointment.

The operator requires at least 10 people for the trip to run and can cancel if that minimum is not reached. Poor weather can also cancel the outing. In either case, you are offered another date, an alternative experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Because the tour depends on weather and minimum numbers, flexible planning is sensible.

Who should book this Koh Samui excursion

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a straightforward island day without organizing every detail yourself. It suits couples, families with children aged 4 to 11, and visitors who want a mix of snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and beach time.

The tour is also a good fit if you are happy with a shared group and do not need a private boat. A maximum of 30 people keeps the outing from becoming enormous, but you should still expect shared transport, group timing, and activity limits.

It is less suitable for serious snorkelers. The snorkeling window is short, the site is not specified, and sea conditions can affect the experience. If your main goal is extended reef time, look for a trip built around several snorkeling locations.

It may also disappoint you if you want a quiet beach. Koh Madsum’s pigs are part of its appeal, but they also make the island feel like a popular stop rather than an untouched shore. The animal encounter is best treated as an extra, not the whole reason to book.

Pregnant people and those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone conditions are not advised to join. The activity is also not recommended for people arriving by cruise ship or large boat, because the pickup and timing do not fit that situation well.

What to bring and how to make the day better

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, dry clothes, and cash for the 50 THB admission fee. A waterproof phone pouch is useful around the speedboat and beach, though it is not listed as provided.

Wear footwear that you can manage around sand and boat steps. The exact beach and pier conditions are not described, so practical shoes are safer than delicate sandals.

If you care about snorkeling, bring your own mask if you have one that fits well. The tour supplies masks and snorkels, but personal equipment can make a short water session more comfortable.

Try to keep the morning free of other commitments. Shared transfers, weather, and boat operations can affect the schedule. The trip is advertised at five to six hours, but a flexible afternoon will make the experience less stressful.

Should you book the Koh Madsum and Koh Tan trip?

Book it if you want an easy, reasonably priced half-day from Koh Samui with two islands, a short speedboat ride, snorkeling, kayaking, lunch, and hotel transfers. The included meal and equipment make the $50.15 cost practical for many central Samui hotels.

Skip it if you want solitude, a long snorkeling session, or a carefully timed private excursion. The 50 THB fee, possible extra transfer charge, shared transport, animal crowds, weather risk, and occasional schedule problems all matter.

My advice is simple: book this for variety and convenience, not for perfect reef conditions or an empty beach. Choose a flexible day, confirm your pickup zone, carry cash, and treat the Koh Tan snorkeling as one part of a pleasant island outing rather than the entire purpose of the trip.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., with the main meeting time listed as 9:00 a.m.

Where does the speedboat leave from?

The speedboat leaves from Thong Krut Beach on Koh Samui.

How long is the speedboat ride to Koh Tan?

The speedboat ride from Thong Krut to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayak use is included in the tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on Koh Madsum is included, along with soft drinks, water, and fresh fruit.

Is the Koh Madsum admission fee included?

No. You must pay an additional admission fee of 50 THB per person.

Which Koh Samui areas have hotel pickup?

Pickup is offered from Lamai, the Butterfly Garden area, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and other listed nearby areas.

Is there an extra pickup charge for some locations?

Yes. Pickup from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai costs an additional 700 baht per person each way.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. The child ticket applies to children aged 4 to 11.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

What happens if too few people book?

The tour requires a minimum of 10 participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date, an alternative tour, or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.