Private Half-Day Red Dragon Yacht for Snorkeling Koh Tan & Visit Pig Island

Perfect for a private island day.

This five-hour Koh Samui charter combines quiet snorkeling at Koh Taen with a visit to Pig Island aboard the 75-foot Red Dragon, a traditional teak sailing junk with generous space, a sun deck, dining lounge, hot tub, and onboard sound system. I like the relaxed private setting and the fact that lunch, hotel transport, equipment, and soft drinks are included. I also like the choice between active water time and simply resting on the boat.

The main consideration is price. At $1,448.92 for up to 10 people, this is expensive for a half-day outing unless you fill the boat with family or friends. The base price covers 10 people, while additional passengers up to the stated maximum of 15 cost extra. Weather may also change the plan, including the stop at Pig Island.

Key things to know before booking

• The Red Dragon is the main attraction: This 75-foot teak junk gives you room to spread out, eat lunch, use the sun deck, or relax in the hot tub between stops.
• Koh Taen offers calmer snorkeling: The reef can be lively with fish, and the site is usually less crowded than Koh Tao, though visibility can range from 1 to 10 meters.
• Pig Island is a short, playful stop: You can reach Koh Mudsum by dinghy or kayak, feed the wild pigs, stroll the beach, or simply sunbathe.
• The outing works for mixed groups: Swimmers can snorkel, non-swimmers can use a netted raft, and anyone can stay aboard in the floating lounge.
• Lunch and transport are included: Hotel pickup, return transfer, fresh fruit, soft drinks, freshly cooked food, equipment, and English-speaking guides are covered.
• The price makes most sense for a full group: Splitting the cost among 10 people gives you a private boat day without sharing the water time with strangers.

Why the Red Dragon changes the feel of a half-day trip

Many boat trips are mainly about getting from one island to the next. Here, the boat is part of the experience. The Red Dragon is a traditional 23-meter teak junk with a master cabin, dining lounge, wide sun deck, hot tub, and sound system.

That matters because five hours on the water can feel cramped on a small speedboat. This vessel gives your group places to sit, stretch out, eat, and cool off. You can use the boat as a floating base instead of treating it as simple transport.

I especially like this setup for groups with mixed energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can rest in the floating lounge, and someone else can enjoy the hot tub or sun deck. Families can spread out more easily, too. One reported outing included two families with six children between ages 8 and 17, and the boat felt bigger than expected. That is useful information if you are booking for a large family group.

The boat is described as offering comfortable yet fast cruising speeds. You should still think of this as a relaxed yacht outing, not a high-speed thrill ride. The appeal is space, privacy, and time on the water.

Leaving Koh Samui for the Five Islands

Hotel pickup and return transport are included, which removes one of the usual headaches of a boat excursion. Once aboard, the route takes you toward the islands south of Koh Samui, including the Five Islands area.

The scenery includes caves, beaches, and bamboo dwellings perched against limestone cliffs. One of the islands is described as the most scenic in the group, with two steep limestone mountains and a valley between them, along with a pristine beach.

There is also a local story connected with the islands: bird nests are harvested here, sometimes called White Gold. The itinerary presents this as a long-standing local practice, but the trip does not promise a landing or a close visit to the harvesting sites. Consider it background to the coastal views rather than a separate activity.

The cruise around the islands is one of the quieter pleasures of the outing. You get time to watch the shoreline from the boat, take photographs, and settle into the day before the main water activities begin.

Snorkeling at Koh Taen

The first main stop is Koh Taen, where the Red Dragon anchors at a snorkeling site. A professional snorkeling leader guides the water activity, and the tour supplies masks, snorkeling equipment, and life vests.

The reef can support plenty of tropical marine life. The comparison with Koh Tao is favorable in one important way: Koh Taen is generally less busy. If you dislike entering the water at a crowded site, that quieter setting may be worth a lot.

Visibility is the biggest variable. Conditions can range from 1 to 10 meters, so you may get clear views or a much murkier look at the reef. This depends on the day and should shape your expectations. The trip offers a chance to see fish and coral, not a guaranteed perfect underwater scene.

You do not have to snorkel. The boat has a floating lounge positioned above the reef, plus a hot tub and sun deck. Non-swimmers are welcome, and a netted raft is available. That makes the stop more flexible than many snorkeling tours, which can leave non-swimmers sitting on a small boat with little to do.

I would recommend bringing a calm attitude about the water conditions. The experience is strongest when you treat snorkeling as one part of the day, not the only reason for booking. If visibility is poor, the Red Dragon still gives you comfortable places to relax while others swim.

The one-hour stop is long enough for a taste of the reef without turning the entire excursion into a single activity. You can go into the water, return to the boat, have a drink, and take in the view.

Lunch, fruit, and time to slow down

Fresh fruit, soft drinks, and a freshly cooked lunch are included. That is a meaningful part of the value because you do not need to arrange food while moving between islands.

Lunch is served aboard the Red Dragon, using the dining area rather than a beach restaurant. This keeps the private rhythm of the charter intact. You can eat with your own group, then return to the deck or water without another transfer.

The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. The useful point is that the meal is cooked and included, rather than leaving you to pack food or pay for lunch separately.

The boat’s design helps here. A meal on a spacious teak junk feels more comfortable than eating from a plastic container on a crowded excursion boat. Families also benefit from having a proper place to sit, especially after snorkeling.

Fresh fruit and drinks are served during the cruise back toward Koh Samui as well. That return stretch is a good time to stop trying to fit in activities. Sit on the deck, listen to music if your group wants it, and watch the coastline pass by.

Pig Island and Koh Mudsum

The second main stop is Ko Mat Sum, commonly called Pig Island. You transfer from the Red Dragon by dinghy or kayak to reach the beach.

The island’s main appeal is simple and memorable: you can see and feed the wild pigs. You can also walk along the beach, sunbathe, or rest by the water. This is not a major cultural site or a long nature hike. It is a light, unusual beach stop that works well for children and anyone who wants something different from snorkeling.

There is a 50 THB admission fee per person for Pig Island, and it is not included. Bring Thai cash if possible, since the information provided does not confirm payment methods.

The stop lasts about an hour. That is enough time for photographs, a walk, and some pig watching, but you should not expect a full afternoon on the island. The visit is also subject to weather conditions.

If conditions are not suitable, the crew may substitute Koh Taen’s secret beach. You may also have the option of a guided sea kayaking trip through Koh Taen’s mangrove forest, priced at 200 THB per person. This is a useful backup because the day does not collapse if Pig Island is unavailable.

The kayaking option is not included, so budget for it separately if you want a more active outing. The information does not specify how long the kayak activity lasts, so ask the operator if that detail matters to your plans.

What the private format is worth

The advertised cost is $1,448.92 per group for up to 10 people. On a full group, that works out to about $145 per person before the Pig Island fee and any extra services. That is not a cheap half-day boat trip, but it includes a private charter rather than a shared boat.

The value improves if you are traveling with a large family, several couples, or a group of friends. You are paying for privacy, space, hotel transfers, food, snorkeling equipment, staff, and the boat itself. You also control the social atmosphere. There is no need to fit into another group’s pace or spend the day beside strangers.

For a couple or small family, the cost is harder to justify. A shared excursion may offer a lower per-person price if privacy is not important. This charter makes the most sense when you can fill most of the available places.

The supplied information has two different group figures to keep clear. The booking price covers up to 10 people, while the boat can take up to 15. Each person over 10 costs 900 THB for an adult or 600 THB for a child. Confirm the final group size and price before paying.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this experience for a group that wants comfort and control more than a packed schedule. It suits families, birthday groups, small reunions, and friends who want to spend time together without sharing a boat with other parties.

It also suits groups with different ideas of fun. Strong swimmers can snorkel, children can enjoy the pigs, non-swimmers can use the raft or stay aboard, and adults can sit on the deck with a drink. That flexibility is one of the charter’s best features.

You should think twice if your main goal is serious snorkeling. Visibility varies greatly, and the snorkeling stop is only about an hour. The tour is better understood as a private island outing with snorkeling, not as a dedicated reef expedition.

The Pig Island stop may also feel brief if you want a long beach visit. Its appeal comes from the unusual animal encounter and easy beach time, not from extensive exploration.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, but most people can participate. The availability of life vests and a netted raft makes the water portion less intimidating for non-swimmers.

Timing, weather, and practical details

The total outing lasts about five hours. That is long enough to visit both main stops without using an entire day, leaving room for other Koh Samui plans.

Weather can affect the route. The crew may replace Pig Island with Koh Taen’s secret beach, and a guided mangrove kayak option may be available instead. You should keep your plans flexible rather than arranging an important fixed activity immediately afterward.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so check your dates and group size carefully before committing.

The tour is conducted in English, and round-trip hotel transport is included. Snorkeling gear and life vests are provided, but the supplied details do not specify what personal items to bring. A sensible approach is to carry only what you need for sun, water, and photographs.

Should you book the Red Dragon?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you value privacy, space, and a flexible day. The Red Dragon, cooked lunch, hotel transfers, quieter Koh Taen snorkeling, and the playful Pig Island stop create a well-rounded outing rather than a single-purpose water trip.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the lowest-cost way to snorkel. The price is difficult to defend for a small party, and water visibility is not guaranteed.

For a full group, this is a polished and comfortable way to see the islands south of Koh Samui. Just allow for the Pig Island fee, possible extra costs for larger groups or kayaking, and a route that may change with the weather.

FAQ

How long is the Red Dragon yacht experience?

The excursion lasts approximately five hours, including the boat journey, snorkeling, island visit, lunch, and return cruise.

How many people can join the private charter?

The advertised group price covers up to 10 people. The boat can accommodate up to 15 passengers, with an additional charge for each person over 10.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transportation is included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Complete snorkeling equipment and life vests are included.

Can non-swimmers join the tour?

Yes. Non-swimmers are welcome, and a netted raft is available. You can also relax aboard the boat instead of snorkeling.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly cooked lunch, soft drinks, and fresh fruit are included.

Is there an extra fee for Pig Island?

Yes. Admission to Pig Island costs 50 THB per person and is not included in the tour price.

Can I go kayaking?

A guided sea kayaking option may be available for 200 THB per person. It is subject to the planned route and weather conditions.

What happens if the weather prevents a visit to Pig Island?

The crew may visit Koh Taen’s secret beach instead. A guided kayak trip through Koh Taen’s mangrove forest may also be offered, subject to conditions.