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

Two small islands, one easy morning escape. This Koh Madsum and Koh Tan trip gives you white-sand beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, and lunch without arranging your own boat. I like the short speedboat ride from Thong Krut and the useful hotel pickup from much of Koh Samui. The main drawback is that the day can become less relaxing if your pickup runs late or weather disrupts the snorkeling.

I also like that the tour leaves time for both islands instead of treating them as quick photo stops. The Thai lunch, soft drinks, fruit, kayak, mask, life jacket, and sunbed are included, which makes the $50.15 price reasonable for a half-day outing. Still, Koh Madsum, often called Pig Island, can feel touristy, and a 50-baht admission fee is extra.

Key points at a glance

• A 15-minute speedboat ride from Thong Krut gets you quickly from Koh Samui to Koh Tan.
• Koh Tan is the snorkeling stop, with masks, life jackets, and roughly an hour scheduled for water activities.
• Koh Madsum gets the longest visit, including kayaking, swimming, beach time, lunch, and soft drinks.
• Pig Island is not a quiet desert island, since pigs may gather around visitors and food.
• Hotel pickup covers many Koh Samui areas, but remote west and southwest locations cost an extra 700 baht per person each way.
• The group can reach 30 people, and the tour needs at least 10 participants to operate.

Why this Koh Samui island trip works

This is a practical choice if you want a taste of the small islands south of Koh Samui but do not want to negotiate with longtail boat operators or arrange separate transport. The morning schedule combines the main ingredients people usually seek: sea time, a beach, a simple meal, and a few hours away from the main island.

The trip costs $50.15 per person. That is not the cheapest possible way to reach Koh Madsum or Koh Tan, but it covers hotel transfer from many parts of Koh Samui, the speedboat, lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, kayaking, a sunbed, and accident insurance. Add the 50-baht admission charge, and you still have a fairly tidy package for a five to six-hour outing.

I would see this as a convenience purchase rather than a private-island experience. You pay to have the transport and timing handled for you. In return, you accept a fixed schedule, a shared boat, and the chance of waiting for other people.

The strongest part of the plan is its balance. Koh Tan provides the water activity, while Koh Madsum gives you more time to sit, eat, paddle, or swim. You are not expected to spend the whole morning snorkeling, which helps if one person in your group prefers the beach.

The morning pickup and ride to Thong Krut

Pickup is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., with the speedboat departing around 9:00. Transfers are offered from Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, the Butterfly Garden area, and other listed locations.

You should confirm your exact pickup point at booking. If you stay in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai, the listed extra charge is 700 baht per person each way. That surcharge can change the value calculation, especially for couples or families.

The first road leg takes you to Thong Krut Beach and its pier. One piece of feedback describes a badly delayed day with a long minibus transfer to a different departure point. That may not be typical, but it is the main practical risk here: a boat tour can feel much shorter when several hours are spent in a van or waiting at the pier.

For that reason, I would not book this outing if you need a tightly controlled schedule. The tour is also not recommended for people arriving by cruise ship or large boat, since the pickup and timing are designed around Koh Samui hotel stays.

Koh Tan: the water-focused first stop

The speedboat ride from Thong Krut to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes. That short crossing is a real advantage. You get island scenery without committing to a long, rough sea journey before the first activity.

Koh Tan is scheduled for about an hour. This is where you will use the provided mask and snorkel, and kayaking is also mentioned in the program. The water time is not an all-day snorkeling session. One account describes about 40 minutes in the water, which was considered enough time for seeing fish and coral.

Conditions matter here. One day may offer clear water and good marine life, while another may produce weaker visibility or rougher seas. The operator requires good weather and can cancel for poor conditions, offering another date or a refund.

If snorkeling is the main reason you are booking, keep your expectations sensible. The trip provides a convenient introduction, not a specialist reef excursion. You may see fish and coral over pale sand, but the experience depends heavily on sea conditions, the number of boats, and the time available.

The supplied equipment removes one small hassle. You do not need to bring your own mask or life jacket, though you may still want a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for valuables. Those items are not listed as included, so pack them yourself.

Koh Madsum and the Pig Island question

After Koh Tan, the boat heads to Koh Madsum, usually called Pig Island. The schedule allows around three hours here, making it the main stop of the day rather than a quick landing.

You can kayak, swim, relax on the beach, use a sunbed, and eat lunch. That longer stay is useful because it gives you room to choose your own pace. I like this part of the setup for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the water, children can enjoy the beach, and anyone who has had enough sun can slow down over lunch.

The island’s pigs are part of the attraction, but they also shape the experience. There may be around 10 pigs, and they can gather where people feed them. That creates entertaining photographs, but it also means the beach may not feel peaceful or untouched.

You should also be comfortable with the less charming side of animal tourism. Pigs eat, urinate, and defecate, and one piece of feedback specifically complained about waste near the public feeding area and people petting the pigs in the sea. If you want a quiet beach with no animals and no crowds around food, Koh Madsum may disappoint.

I would treat Pig Island as a fun, unusual stop, not as an untouched tropical sanctuary. The beach, kayak time, and meal are the stronger reasons to visit. The pigs are an extra attraction, and your enjoyment will depend on how much you like that kind of setting.

Lunch, drinks, and the long middle of the day

Lunch is served on Koh Madsum around 12:30 p.m. The included package lists Thai food, soft drinks such as water and cola, and fresh fruit. The meal is valuable because you do not need to return to Koh Samui or search for food between the two island stops.

A meal served on an island also makes the schedule easier. You can spend the main part of the visit in one place rather than rushing back to the boat for a restaurant stop. The food is described positively in the available feedback, and the crew is credited with working hard to provide the meal and overall experience.

Still, this is a group excursion, so do not expect a private beach lunch or a custom menu. The supplied information does not specify individual dishes or dietary arrangements. If you have food restrictions, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the lunch can be adjusted.

The combination of lunch, fruit, drinks, a kayak, and a sunbed helps the $50.15 fare make sense. If you only count the snorkeling time, the price may seem high. If you count the hotel transport, boat, meal, equipment, and several hours on Koh Madsum, the package becomes more competitive.

Group size, timing, and comfort

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is small enough to remain manageable, but it is not a private outing. At busy times, you may share the beach, water, kayaks, and feeding areas with other groups.

The tour needs at least 10 people to run. If the minimum is not met, the operator can offer another date or activity, or provide a full refund. That condition is worth noting if you are visiting during a quiet period or have only one free day.

The advertised duration is five to six hours. The listed schedule starts with pickup around 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. and includes the boat transfer, Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, lunch, and the return arrangements. Road traffic and pickup order can affect the total day.

One account describes spending two and a half hours in a vehicle, while another says snorkeling was missed because of planning and weather issues. You cannot control sea conditions, but you can reduce the risk of frustration by treating the times as approximate rather than guaranteed.

The tour includes accident insurance, but that does not make every activity suitable for every person. Pregnant people and those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases are not recommended to join.

What the strongest day looks like

On a smooth-running day, you are collected from your hotel, reach Thong Krut, and board the speedboat for the short crossing to Koh Tan. You get a compact session of snorkeling and possibly kayaking, with enough time to see fish and coral without spending the entire morning in the water.

Then you move to Koh Madsum for the slower part of the day. You can paddle, swim, sit on the sand, watch the pigs, or simply rest before lunch. The staff handle the food and equipment, leaving you free to enjoy the island instead of organizing every detail.

The most positive feedback praises the friendly, helpful crew, the coral and fish around Koh Tan, the lunch, and the chance to spend about three hours on Pig Island. Those are the features I would use to judge the tour.

The weaker day looks different. You may face a long road transfer, a late departure, a crowded Pig Island, or snorkeling that is shortened or canceled. The operator cannot fix bad weather, but poor planning can make the experience feel like more bus than boat.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward half-day island outing from Koh Samui and value included transport. It suits couples, families with children aged 4 to 11, and mixed groups where not everyone wants a demanding water activity.

It is also a good match if you like the idea of kayaking and beach time as much as snorkeling. The schedule gives Koh Madsum the longest visit, so you are not locked into reef time from start to finish.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, uncrowded island or a serious snorkeling session. Pig Island can be lively and messy around the animals, and the snorkeling window may be fairly short. I would also avoid booking it on a day when you must return to a cruise ship or catch a fixed transport connection.

Cancellation and booking advice

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to reach the 10-person minimum can lead to a different date, another activity, or a full refund.

Before paying, check four things: your pickup area, the 700-baht remote-zone surcharge if relevant, the 50-baht admission fee, and the likely sea forecast. Those details give you a clearer picture of the real cost and the chance of getting the snorkeling experience you want.

Should you book Koh Madsum and Koh Tan?

Book this trip if you want a convenient, reasonably priced introduction to two islands south of Koh Samui, with lunch and equipment included. The friendly crew, short boat crossing, coral and fish at Koh Tan, and generous time on Koh Madsum are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you need a private boat, spotless solitude, or guaranteed snorkeling. For most visitors who want a simple day at sea without planning every detail, it offers fair value. Just think of Koh Madsum as a lively Pig Island beach stop, not an untouched island, and allow extra time for road transfers and weather changes.

FAQ

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

The experience 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 stated meeting time at 9:00 a.m.

How long is the speedboat ride to Koh Tan?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from listed areas including Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and the Butterfly Garden area.

Is there an extra transfer charge?

Yes. Transfers from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, and Lipayai cost an extra 700 baht per person each way.

What activities are available on Koh Tan?

Koh Tan is used for snorkeling and kayaking. A snorkeling mask and life jacket are provided.

What can I do on Koh Madsum?

You can kayak, swim, relax on the beach, use a sunbed, watch the pigs, and eat lunch on the island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, soft drinks including water and cola, and fresh fruit are included.

Is the 50-baht admission fee included?

No. A 50-baht admission fee per person is payable separately.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children aged 4 to 11 qualify for a child ticket. Most people can participate, but the activity is not recommended for pregnant people or those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases.