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

Koh Tan and Koh Madsum give you two very different island stops in one day. Koh Tan is the snorkeling stop, while Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is where you go for sand, shallow water, photos, and the island’s semi-wild pigs.

I like the simple setup: hotel pickup, boat transport, gear, lunch, drinks, and return transfer are all handled for you. I also like the contrast between the two islands, with reef time at Koh Tan and a slower beach break at Koh Madsum.

The main concern is snorkeling time and crowding. One account found only about 45 minutes in a tight area with many people, while another reported a boat carrying 40 people despite being told to expect 15. The listed maximum is 30, but you should still be ready for a busy outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Koh Tan supplies the main snorkeling session, with about two hours scheduled at the island, though the actual water time may be shorter.
• Koh Madsum is mostly a beach and photo stop, not a second full snorkeling session.
• Pig Island’s semi-wild pigs are the star attraction, but the animals are only one part of the visit.
• Hotel transfers are included from several Koh Samui areas, while distant west-coast pickup zones cost an extra 700 baht per person each way.
• Lunch, soft drinks, fruit, a mask, and a life jacket are included, helping make the $60.34 price easier to justify.
• The tour needs at least 10 people to operate and can carry up to 30 people under the stated conditions.

Two islands, two very different kinds of fun

This is not an all-day reef expedition. It is a mixed island day that uses snorkeling as its main theme, then adds a relaxed beach stop at Koh Madsum.

That distinction matters. If you want repeated reef sessions, long swims, or a serious look at marine life, this trip may feel light on snorkeling. If you want a straightforward day away from Koh Samui, with boat views, a reef stop, lunch, and a memorable island visit, the balance works better.

You leave Koh Samui by speedboat and cross the Gulf of Thailand toward the Samui archipelago. Koh Tan sits about 15 kilometers from the mainland and roughly five kilometers south of Koh Samui. The ride gives you open-water views and makes the day feel like a proper island outing rather than a short transfer.

The tour lasts about six to seven hours. Pickup is offered from Lamai, Chaweng, Bophut, Bang Rak, Cheong Mon, Maenam, Bangpor, and the Butterfly Garden area. Pickup from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai costs an additional 700 baht per person each way, so check your hotel location before you compare the total price.

Koh Tan: the day’s main reef stop

Koh Tan is the first island and the place where the trip earns its snorkeling label. The island is known for coral reefs, and the planned stop allows around two hours for snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing near the beach.

You receive a snorkeling mask and a life jacket, so you do not need to rent basic equipment separately. That is useful if you are packing light or do not want to carry wet gear through Koh Samui afterward.

Still, keep your expectations measured. Water conditions, visibility, the exact anchoring point, and the number of boats can change the quality of the stop. One account described snorkeling with few fish, while another found the session short and confined to a small area with many people. These details suggest that Koh Tan can be pleasant, but it is not guaranteed to feel like a private reef.

The schedule lists two hours at Koh Tan, yet the time in the water may be much less once the boat reaches the island, equipment is handed out, and the group gets organized. If snorkeling is your priority, ask the operator on the day how long you will actually have in the water.

You may also prefer to split your time. Snorkel early, then use the remaining minutes to sit on the sand or swim. Since the tour includes a second island with more relaxed beach time, you do not need to force every minute at Koh Tan into a single activity.

Koh Madsum and the appeal of Pig Island

Koh Madsum is the most distinctive part of the outing. The island has a broad sandy stretch, clear water, and semi-wild pigs that wander around the shore. The nickname Pig Island is not a marketing trick with a single photo opportunity. The pigs are a regular part of the setting, and you can watch them walk along the beach or pose for pictures.

I would treat Koh Madsum as a beach and photography stop first. You can relax, beachcomb, swim, and possibly kayak along the shore, but the information for this trip does not promise a full snorkeling session here. One direct account specifically noted that snorkeling does not take place at Koh Madsum.

The water near the pier may be too shallow for a proper swim. To bathe, you may need to walk to the opposite side of the island from the arrival point. That is a small but useful detail, especially if you are expecting to step straight off the boat into deep water.

The listed schedule gives Koh Madsum four hours, which is a long pause compared with the reef stop. That time allows for a slower pace, but it can also feel excessive if you came mainly to snorkel. You will probably spend part of it taking pictures, watching the pigs, resting on the sand, and waiting for lunch.

The pigs are semi-wild, so treat them as animals rather than props. Give them space, keep food under control, and follow the guide’s instructions. The island’s appeal comes from the unusual setting: a sandy tropical beach where pigs stroll past the waterline.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical value of the package

The price is listed at $60.34 per person. For that amount, you receive round-trip hotel transfers in covered areas, speedboat transport, a Thai set menu, soft drinks, fresh fruit, a mask, a life jacket, and accident insurance. There is also a separate admission charge of 50 baht per person.

That package makes sense for you if you want convenience. Booking a boat, arranging island transport, finding snorkeling gear, and organizing lunch separately would take more effort. Here, the main pieces are bundled into one half-day outing.

The food experience may not be the strongest part of the day. The included meal is described as a Thai set menu, while one account described a buffet served back on the main shore for several tour groups. The same account found the food questionable because it had been sitting in the heat.

I would bring a small personal snack if you need food at a particular time, while remembering that lunch, water, cola, and fruit are supplied. Do not count on a quiet restaurant meal. This is a group excursion, and the meal setup can vary.

The 50-baht admission fee is small, but you should include it in your budget. If your hotel lies in one of the extra-charge areas, the transfer surcharge will matter much more than the island admission.

What the speedboat ride adds to the day

The speedboat makes the route quick and gives you wide Gulf of Thailand views between stops. It is more efficient than a slower long-tail boat, which matters when you have only six or seven hours for two islands.

Speedboats also mean a more active ride. Seating can feel close, and the boat may be noisy or bumpy depending on the sea. The supplied details do not describe the seating arrangement, so you should not assume a spacious private setup.

The tour is not suitable for people arriving on a cruise ship or large boat. The timing and pickup system are designed around Koh Samui hotel transfers, not a ship’s arrival and departure schedule.

A start time of 10 a.m. is provided, with pickup arranged from selected parts of Koh Samui. Exact hotel pickup timing can vary, so keep your morning open and confirm the meeting details when you book.

Group size, timing, and the crowding question

The stated maximum is 30 people, and the minimum required to run the tour is 10. That means the trip may operate with a moderate-sized group rather than a tiny private party.

There is an important practical warning: one account described 40 people on the speedboat, despite being told to expect 15. I cannot treat that as the normal arrangement, but it is worth keeping in mind when booking a low-cost group boat. Group size affects nearly everything: how fast people receive masks, how much room you have in the water, and how easy it is to find a quiet patch of sand.

The planned schedule also creates a possible mismatch. Koh Tan is meant to be the snorkeling focus, but the actual water session may be shorter than the two-hour island allocation. Koh Madsum then receives the longer block of time, even though it is mostly for beach time and photos.

That setup suits you if you enjoy a flexible island day. It is less suitable if you measure value by minutes spent snorkeling.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to the islands south of Koh Samui. The included transfers remove much of the planning, and most people can participate.

Children aged 4 to 11 qualify for child tickets. The activity is not recommended for people who are pregnant or who have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases. The boat ride, swimming, and snorkeling demands are worth considering before you book.

You should also be comfortable with a group schedule. You will not set every departure, meal, and beach break yourself. The benefit is that you can enjoy the day without arranging every detail. The trade-off is less control over snorkeling time and where you spend each hour.

This is a good choice if your idea of a successful day includes a few reef views, a fun boat ride, a sandy beach, and unusual photos with pigs. It is not the best match for an experienced snorkeler seeking quiet water and several serious reef sites.

How to get better value from the day

Pack swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a dry bag for your phone and valuables. A phone case or waterproof pouch will be especially useful at Pig Island, where you will likely want pictures near the pigs and shoreline.

Wear something easy to move in. You will be boarding a boat, walking on sand, and possibly heading to the opposite side of Koh Madsum for deeper swimming water.

Use the snorkeling gear early at Koh Tan. Since this is the main reef stop, do not wait until the end of the island visit if you want time in the water. If the site feels crowded, staying near the edge of the group may give you a less hectic experience, though you should remain within the guide’s safety instructions.

Keep cash for the 50-baht admission fee and any personal purchases. If your hotel is in a surcharge area, confirm the extra transfer price before payment so the final cost does not surprise you.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can cancel the activity, in which case you should be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book Koh Tan and Koh Madsum?

Book this trip if you want a convenient, moderately priced day with one main snorkeling stop and one unusual beach stop. The hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, drinks, fruit, and return transfer give the $60.34 price solid practical value, especially for a first island outing from Koh Samui.

Book with caution if snorkeling is your only goal. The reef time may be shorter than the schedule suggests, conditions may limit what you see, and Koh Madsum is mainly for pigs, sand, swimming, and photos.

My call: choose it for variety and ease, not for an intensive underwater program. You will get the most from it if you see Koh Tan as a chance to snorkel, Koh Madsum as a relaxed Pig Island visit, and the boat ride as part of the experience rather than mere transport.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately six to seven hours. The listed start time is 10 a.m., with hotel pickup arranged from selected areas of Koh Samui.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from Lamai, the Butterfly Garden area, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheong Mon, and Bang Rak. Pickup from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai costs an extra 700 baht per person each way.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included. Koh Tan is the main snorkeling stop.

Is snorkeling available at Koh Madsum?

The tour information does not list snorkeling at Koh Madsum. This stop is mainly for the beach, swimming, photos, beachcombing, and seeing the semi-wild pigs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a Thai set menu, soft drinks including water and cola, and fresh fruit. A separate admission charge of 50 baht per person is not included.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Child tickets apply to children aged 4 to 11. The tour is not recommended for people who are pregnant or who have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases.