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

Pig Island delivers the fun. This four-hour Koh Samui outing pairs the very photogenic pigs of Koh Madsum with a short boat ride to Koh Tan for snorkeling and lunch. I like the short sea crossings and the warm, playful guides, especially names that come up often such as Sun, Joe, Cola, and Coca Cola. The main catch is simple: hotel transfers from northern Samui can take close to an hour each way, and snorkeling visibility depends heavily on tides and weather.

I also like that the tour starts from a private pier in southern Samui, so you reach the islands quickly instead of spending half the morning bouncing across open water. The buffet lunch earns unusually high praise for a simple island meal, though Pig Island’s 50-baht entrance fee is extra and the stop can feel crowded when several boats arrive.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island is only about a short speedboat ride away, giving you more beach time and less time on the water.
• Koh Madsum is the clear star, with free-roaming pigs, beach time, swimming, and easy photo opportunities.
• Snorkeling conditions vary, and recent trips have had everything from plenty of fish and a turtle to cloudy water with little to see.
• The Koh Tan buffet is better than expected, with Thai dishes, fried chicken, spring rolls, rice, vegetables, fruit, and drinking water.
• Hotel pickup covers a wide part of Samui, but the ride to the southern pier may take 40 to 50 minutes, or longer from the north.
• The tour costs $52 per person, with transfers, guide, equipment, lunch, fruit, water, and insurance included.

Why this half-day island trip works

This is a compact island outing with three clear pleasures: cute animals, warm water, and a prepared lunch. You are not signing up for a long expedition around the Gulf of Thailand. You are getting a neatly packed morning or afternoon near Samui’s southern coast.

I see the tour as a good fit for you if Pig Island is the main goal but you also want a little snorkeling and a meal without arranging separate boats. The speedboat ride between Samui, Koh Madsum, and Koh Tan is short, which matters if you dislike long crossings or get restless on the water.

The published duration is four hours, but your full day may be longer once hotel transport is added. A pickup from Chaweng has taken roughly 6.5 hours from hotel departure to return on some outings. From northern Samui, the road ride can take about an hour each way. Keep that in mind if you have an evening flight, a cruise departure, or another fixed appointment.

Hotel pickup and the southern pier

Your day begins in an air-conditioned minivan. Pickup is available from a long list of hotels around Koh Samui, including Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Choeng Mon, Maenam, Taling Ngam, and several southern resorts.

The operator confirms the exact pickup time by WhatsApp or email. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes early, since the route may include several stops and the timing changes with your location.

The southern departure point is one of the tour’s practical strengths. The drive may feel like the slow part, but once you reach the private pier, the boat ride to the islands is pleasantly brief. You avoid the long open-water journey required by some Samui excursions to more distant island groups.

At the pier, you board a speedboat and receive safety equipment. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, though one person found the supplied masks too small. If you have a favorite mask, bringing it is sensible. Water shoes are also useful because coral may be present near the snorkeling area.

Koh Madsum, where the pigs own the beach

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, usually comes first or near the beginning of the outing. The ride from the pier is short, often around 10 minutes according to the detailed trip accounts, so you get your island scenery without a long wait.

The pigs are the reason to come. They wander along the beach and around the shallow water, and you may see plenty of piglets. The guides help with pictures, and several of them seem to treat photography as part of their job. Sun, Joe, Cola, and Coca Cola are all singled out for keeping the mood light and helping people capture photos.

You can feed the pigs with food purchased on the island, but you do not need to feed them to enjoy the stop. You can swim, sit on the sand, take pictures, or simply watch the animals do their business. A small bar sells cold drinks, fruit, and snacks, which is useful if you want something beyond the included water.

The scheduled visit is about one hour, though the exact time may change. Some outings have allowed extra time, while others have moved people back toward the boat after about 45 minutes. That is not necessarily a problem. Once the beach fills with several groups, an hour is enough for most people to meet the pigs, swim, and take photos.

The island is charming but not untouched. You are visiting a popular stop built around a very specific attraction, not a deserted beach. The pigs are the experience, and once you have had your photographs and a swim, there is not a long list of other sights to explore.

Snorkeling near Koh Tan

The boat then makes the short trip toward Koh Tan. Depending on the day’s route and conditions, snorkeling lasts about 45 minutes to one hour.

The water can be calm and clear, with small colorful fish, coral, and occasional larger sightings. One outing recorded a turtle, while another found a large starfish. On better days, the snorkeling is a satisfying part of the tour, especially for beginners who want an easy introduction rather than a full marine excursion.

Still, you should keep your expectations sensible. Visibility is not guaranteed. Full-moon conditions, weather, tides, and ordinary water movement can turn the sea cloudy. Some people have seen only a few fish types, while others have found plenty to watch. The guides may advise you not to snorkel if conditions are poor.

This variation is the tour’s biggest weakness. If your main purpose is serious snorkeling, I would not book this solely for the underwater life. The stop is better understood as a pleasant chance to swim and look around, with Pig Island and lunch providing the more dependable highlights.

You do not have to snorkel. The tour description includes swimming and beach time, and the boat setting gives non-snorkelers a chance to relax while others enter the water. Ask the crew for help with the mask and life jacket if needed.

Koh Tan lunch and a slower island hour

After the water stop, you head to another part of Koh Tan for lunch and free time. The pace changes here. Instead of jumping from the boat into the sea, you get an hour to eat, walk, look at the views, and use the toilet facilities.

The buffet is included and has received strong praise. The selection is not enormous, but it may include fried chicken, spring rolls, rice, vegetables, Thai dishes, and fruit. Several people found the food tastier than expected, and one family described it as among the best meals of their Thailand outings.

Spring rolls may disappear quickly, so take them when you see them. Drinking water is supplied during the trip, and seasonal fruit is included. You should still bring sunscreen and a towel, since the sun can be strong even during a short morning or afternoon tour.

Koh Tan is less about grand sightseeing than a comfortable pause. You can eat with sea views, stretch your legs, and enjoy a quieter hour after the more playful Pig Island stop. There has been some shoreline rubbish at one stop, so do not expect every corner to look pristine. That small flaw is worth noting, especially if you picture an untouched island picnic.

Guides who shape the mood

The guides are one of the most consistently praised parts of this outing. Sun is often described as funny, helpful, and good at explaining the pigs. Joe and Cola are also remembered for keeping people laughing, taking pictures, and checking that everyone is comfortable.

That matters on a short group excursion. A guide who helps with masks, points out animals, manages the boat movements, and takes decent photos can make the day feel easy. Several guides have gone out of their way to help with lost belongings or to arrange group photographs.

The service style is friendly and energetic rather than formal. If you prefer a quiet private boat with little commentary, you may find the group atmosphere more lively than expected. Private groups are available, which may suit you if you are visiting Samui briefly from a cruise ship or want more control over the pace.

What the $52 price really covers

At $52 per person, the tour offers reasonable value because the price includes quite a lot: round-trip hotel transfers, the speedboat trip, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, travel insurance, unlimited drinking water, seasonal fruit, and a buffet lunch.

The 50-baht Pig Island entrance fee is not included. You may also spend extra on pig food, snacks, or drinks at the island bar. Those costs are optional, but budget for the entrance charge so there are no surprises.

I would compare this price with the cost and effort of arranging a private boat, taxi to the pier, equipment rental, and lunch on your own. For a half-day outing, the included transport and meal do much of the practical work. The value is strongest if you are staying at a hotel covered by pickup and want a simple package.

The value weakens slightly if you are staying far north and spend two hours or more on the road. It is still workable, but you should think of it as a half-day on the islands plus a substantial transfer period, not exactly four hours from hotel door to hotel door.

Timing, comfort, and who should book

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Water shoes are a smart extra for the coral area. You should also protect your phone carefully around the pigs and boat, even if the guides help with photographs.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Pregnant women are specifically not permitted for safety reasons, and insurance will not apply in that situation.

Children taller than 120 centimeters are charged the adult price. The outing can suit families, couples, and solo visitors who enjoy a light activity with plenty of swimming and sitting time. It is also a good choice for anyone who wants to see Pig Island without committing to a full-day island circuit.

You may want another tour if you need highly reliable snorkeling, a quiet undeveloped beach, or a truly short hotel-to-hotel excursion. You may also prefer a private boat if your schedule is tight or you are arriving by cruise ship.

Should you book the Koh Madsum and Koh Tan tour?

I would book this tour if you want an easy, cheerful island morning built around Pig Island. The pigs, friendly guides, short boat rides, and surprisingly good lunch give it a lot of appeal for $52.

I would not book it as a specialist snorkeling trip. The underwater conditions can be excellent or cloudy, and the reef life may be modest. Think of snorkeling as a welcome extra rather than the main event.

For the best experience, accept that the road transfer may take longer than the island portion, bring water shoes, arrive ready for sun, and keep your schedule flexible. If cute piglets, beach photos, a swim, and a relaxed Thai buffet sound like a good use of half a day, this is a solid Samui choice.

FAQ

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

The advertised tour duration is four hours. The full time from hotel pickup to hotel drop-off can be longer, especially from northern Koh Samui. Some pickup-to-drop-off outings have taken about 6.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transfers are included, and pickup is available from many hotels across Koh Samui. The exact pickup time is confirmed by WhatsApp or email.

How long does the drive to the pier take?

The drive from a hotel to the pier takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes depending on the hotel location. From the north of the island, the trip may take about an hour.

Is the Pig Island entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee to Pig Island is 50 baht per person.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and a life jacket are included. You may want to bring your own mask if you need a particular fit.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch on Koh Tan is included, along with seasonal fruit and drinking water.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children over 120 centimeters are asked to reserve the adult price.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments?

No. Pregnant women are not permitted for safety reasons, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.