The Pigs Island snorkeling trip from Koh Samui by Speedboat

Koh Taen and Koh Madsum offer a welcome change from Koh Samui’s developed beaches. You’ll leave from Thong Krut Beach, ride out by traditional long-tail boat, snorkel around Koh Taen, and have time to swim or sunbathe on Koh Madsum. The hotel pickup and included lunch make this a simple island day at a fair $58 price.

I like the chance to visit two very different islands in one outing, and I like that the package covers equipment, fruit, bottled water, and soft drinks. The main caution is the snorkeling itself. Conditions can be clear and colorful, but some areas may be murky and the coral can look tired, so you should book this for a pleasant island outing rather than a world-class reef encounter.

Key points before you book

• Koh Taen offers the main snorkeling: Expect coral reefs, fish, and usually two short water sessions rather than hours of continuous snorkeling.
• Koh Madsum adds beach time: You can swim, lie in the sun, and buy drinks or beer during the island stop.
• Thong Krut Beach is the hub: This is where the boat leaves and where you eat the Thai-style lunch after the water activities.
• Hotel transfers cover Koh Samui: Pickup and return transport are included from anywhere on the island.
• The group limit is 20 people: That keeps the outing smaller than a large ferry excursion, though the exact boat setup can vary.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Leaving Koh Samui from Thong Krut Beach

The day begins around 8:00 a.m., with pickup available from hotels anywhere on Koh Samui. That matters more than it may seem. Thong Krut Beach is on the island’s southern coast, so a hotel on the north side can mean a fairly long ride before you even reach the boat.

The transfer also lets you avoid arranging a taxi at dawn or guessing how much time to allow. One useful bonus is that the drive across Koh Samui gives you a look at parts of the island you might otherwise miss. Pickup is listed as included both ways, so you return to your accommodation after lunch rather than arranging your own ride back.

At Thong Krut Beach, the boat departs for Koh Taen. The tour description presents the vessel as a traditional long-tail boat, even though the product title refers to a speedboat. That difference is worth checking when you book, particularly if you have strong preferences about speed, noise, shade, or boat comfort.

The route also includes views of the Five Islands area. You may not spend a long time at each island, but the passage gives you more than a simple ride from one beach to another. The boat trip is part of the outing, not just transport between stops.

Koh Taen and the first snorkeling session

Koh Taen is the main reason to choose this trip. It is an undeveloped island off southern Koh Samui, with coral reefs and fish close to shore. The setting feels quieter than Samui because there are no large resort areas competing for space.

The snorkeling is arranged around Koh Taen, with the exact length affected by sea and weather conditions. A practical expectation is two sessions of about 30 minutes each, rather than one long period in the water. That format works well for couples and families because you get a break between swims and do not need to spend the entire morning wearing a mask and fins.

The equipment is included, which saves you from renting a mask, snorkel, and fins separately. You still need to be comfortable in open water, since most travelers can participate but the excursion is built around swimming and snorkeling. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the operator about the available support before booking.

Water quality can change from one day to the next. On a good day, the water around the islands is clear and blue, and you may see colorful fish. A blue-spotted stingray has also been seen in the area, though wildlife is never guaranteed. On another day, the water may be cloudy and sections of reef may look pale or damaged.

That mixed picture is important. Koh Taen can provide a very enjoyable first snorkeling stop, but this is not a specialist reef trip. You are paying for a six-hour island outing that combines snorkeling, beach time, boat travel, food, and transfers. If your main goal is the healthiest coral possible, you may want to compare it with a dedicated marine tour.

For the best chance of enjoying the water, bring sun protection and wear swim clothes under your regular clothes. The tour supplies basic snorkeling equipment, but personal items such as towels and reef-safe sunscreen are not listed among the inclusions.

The Five Islands boat ride

The Five Islands area adds a scenic element before or around the Koh Taen visit. From the boat, you can look across the small island group and southern coast of Koh Samui. The emphasis here is on seeing the area from the water rather than making a full landing on each island.

That distinction helps set expectations. You are not booking a long series of island walks or cultural visits. The outing is focused on water, beaches, and a relaxed boat route. If you prefer a day with minimal structure, this trip gives you some freedom between the scheduled stops. If you want detailed island interpretation or a busy list of attractions, it may feel too light.

The ride can also be useful for families. Parents can enjoy the scenery while children have a change of pace between snorkeling and beach time. Couples get an easy half-day away from the hotel without needing to plan several separate activities.

Koh Madsum for swimming and beach time

Koh Madsum is the more relaxed stop. After snorkeling, you can use the clear water for a swim, stretch out on the beach, or simply sit and enjoy the island setting. The stop is a useful counterweight to Koh Taen, where the focus is on getting into the water and looking below the surface.

Plan for roughly an hour and a half on the island, although the exact timing can depend on the day’s conditions. There are opportunities to buy drinks, beer, and fruit on Koh Madsum, but alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price. The included drinks are soft drinks and bottled water.

This is where the trip works best for mixed groups. One person can swim, another can sunbathe, and someone else can have a drink without needing to follow a tight sightseeing schedule. You will not be pushed from one activity to another every few minutes.

The beach stop also reveals the tour’s limits. Koh Madsum is not presented as a major cultural site or a place for an extended walk. If you want several hours of quiet beach time, the schedule may feel short. If you want a balanced day with both snorkeling and rest, the timing is more useful.

Bring cash if you want to buy drinks or other items on the island. The tour price covers the stated inclusions, but it does not cover alcohol.

Thai lunch at Thong Krut Beach

Lunch takes place at Thong Krut Beach after the snorkeling and island stops. The meal is a Thai-style buffet with halal and vegetarian options, so it is more flexible than a fixed plate served to everyone.

Food is one of the stronger practical parts of the package. By the time you return from the water, having a meal already arranged saves you from searching for a restaurant or settling for snacks. Fresh fruit is also included, along with bottled water and a soft drink.

You should still tell the operator about any important dietary needs before departure. The tour specifically lists halal and vegetarian choices, but it does not provide a full menu or promise to handle every allergy.

The lunch setting is straightforward rather than formal. This is a day tour built around the sea, not a restaurant experience. I like that the meal is placed after the active part of the day, when you are ready for something substantial and a chance to dry off.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58, this trip offers reasonable value because several costs are bundled together. You receive hotel transfers, boat transport, snorkeling equipment, lunch, fresh fruit, bottled water, and a soft drink. Buying those pieces separately could easily take more planning and may cost more once taxis and equipment rental are added.

The price is especially attractive if you are staying away from the southern coast. A taxi to Thong Krut Beach, boat arrangements, food, and a separate visit to Koh Madsum would turn a simple outing into a small logistical project.

The value is less clear if you already have your own boat plans or only want a short snorkeling session. The reef conditions are not guaranteed, and the actual water time may be about one hour split into two sessions. You are paying for the complete package, not just time with a mask in the sea.

The group maximum is 20 people. That is a useful middle ground. You are unlikely to have the scale of a large party boat, but this is still a shared excursion rather than a private charter. The group size can affect how quickly people board, receive equipment, and move between activities.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m., and the full outing lasts about six hours. With hotel pickup, boat travel, snorkeling, Koh Madsum, and lunch, the schedule fills most of the morning and early afternoon.

The tour requires good weather. If sea conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful in a place where wind and rain can change the quality of a boat trip quickly.

For a smoother day, bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Cash for drinks or personal purchases on Koh Madsum
• A waterproof bag for phones and small valuables
• Any personal snorkeling gear you prefer to use

The operator provides the core equipment, so you do not need to pack fins or a mask unless you want your own.

The experience is listed as suitable for most people and near public transportation, although hotel pickup is the simpler choice. It is not described as accessible for every mobility need, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm the boat and beach arrangements before paying.

Who will enjoy this island day most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to the islands south of Koh Samui. It gives you a little of everything: a boat ride, two snorkeling areas or sessions, a beach stop, a Thai meal, and transport back to your hotel.

It also suits people who value convenience. You do not need to find a pier, rent equipment, or arrange a separate lunch. The included fruit and drinks are small details, but they make a difference on a warm day.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to serious snorkelers. The reef can be colorful, but the water may also be murky and some coral may appear dead. The trip is best judged as a broad island excursion with snorkeling, not as an expert marine-life expedition.

It may also disappoint anyone expecting a private, silent escape. The group can include up to 20 people, and the day follows a set route. You get a fair amount of freedom at Koh Madsum, but the boat and meal are shared.

Should you book the Koh Taen and Koh Madsum tour?

Book it if you want a practical, moderately priced day away from Koh Samui, especially if hotel pickup matters to you. The strongest points are the two-island route, included Thai lunch, equipment, and relaxed beach time. The reported 4.1 rating reflects a good but not flawless outing, which matches the sensible expectation here.

Do not book it solely for perfect coral or guaranteed clear water. Sea conditions vary, and the snorkeling can be pleasant rather than spectacular. For most people, the best reason to choose this tour is the complete package: Koh Taen for reef time, Koh Madsum for swimming and sun, and Thong Krut Beach for an easy meal before the ride back.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a minimum number of participants is required. Keep that timing in mind when coordinating the trip with flights or other fixed plans.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. Hotel pickup is offered from anywhere on Koh Samui.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Koh Taen and Koh Madsum, and includes sightseeing around the Five Islands area.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A Thai-style buffet lunch is included, with halal and vegetarian options. Fresh fruit, bottled water, and a soft drink are also provided.

Are hotel transfers included?

Yes. Return hotel transfers to and from anywhere on Koh Samui are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the trip, you can receive a full refund or choose another date or experience.