Ko Samui: Pig Island Snorkeling and Koh Tan Speedboat Tour

Pig Island is the star here: a small, mostly undeveloped beach island where free-roaming pigs and piglets wander across the sand. You get time to feed them, take photos, swim, kayak, or simply sit by the water, rather than rushing through a quick photo stop.

I like two things in particular: the tour pairs Pig Island with Koh Tan’s snorkeling stop, and the price includes hotel pickup, a speedboat, lunch, drinks, equipment, and kayaking. The main caution is that snorkeling conditions can be cloudy, and the boat ride may feel lively when the sea is rough or the group is large.

Key points at a glance

• Pig Island is the main event: Spend about two and a half hours on Koh Mudsum with pigs, piglets, dogs, beach time, swimming, and kayaking.
• Snorkeling comes first: Koh Tan offers about an hour in the water, though visibility depends heavily on weather and sea conditions.
• A practical $51 package: Hotel pickup, return transport, lunch or dinner, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaking, and insurance are included.
• Expect a shared speedboat: The tour is designed for a middle-sized group, but the boat can feel fairly full, with one account estimating around 60 people.
• The schedule has two versions: Morning departures return around 2:30 pm, while afternoon departures can return around 6:45 pm and may include sunset.
• Bring 50 baht for Koh Mudsum: The island entrance fee is not included in the advertised price.

Why Pig Island is worth the boat ride

Koh Mudsum, better known as Pig Island, is unusual because the pigs are not behind a fence or part of a formal animal show. They wander around the beach, often near people looking for food or water. You may see tiny piglets, larger pigs, and friendly dogs sharing the sand.

That makes the stop feel playful and easygoing. You can take photos, walk along the beach, swim, or sit with a drink while the pigs do their own thing. You may even see pigs in the water, though that is not guaranteed. The island has no running water or electricity, so do not expect a polished resort experience.

I like that the schedule allows about two and a half hours here. That is enough time to enjoy the animals without spending the whole day on a single small island. It also gives you room to slow down after the speedboat ride and enjoy the beach instead of treating Pig Island as a five-minute photo stop.

There is a less charming side. The island can suffer from litter, especially discarded plastic bottles and cigarette ends. Please use bins, avoid giving pigs plastic containers, and take care around animals that are accustomed to being fed. The pigs are friendly, but they are still animals, not toys for children to chase.

Koh Tan snorkeling, with weather as the deciding factor

The first major stop is Koh Tan, reached by speedboat from a small fishing village in southern Koh Samui. The crossing usually takes about 20 minutes in normal sea conditions.

The tour presents Koh Tan as a good snorkeling area because parts of its coral reef remain intact. You receive snorkeling equipment, and the stop lasts about an hour, including time for swimming and getting settled in the water.

The quality of this part can change from day to day. Clear, calm water can give you a good look at fish and coral close to the boat. On cloudy days or after rough weather, visibility may be poor. Several visitors found the snorkeling enjoyable but not the strongest part of the trip, and some saw fish only inches away despite murky water.

That is the right way to judge this tour. Book it primarily for Pig Island, with snorkeling as a useful extra. If your main goal is serious reef viewing, this may not be the best choice because the operator cannot control visibility, current, or weather.

The equipment is included, though one note pointed out that some masks may need defogging. If you own a comfortable mask, bringing it could improve your time in the water. Life jackets are available on the speedboat for every participant.

The speedboat ride and group size

The boat is a fast, larger speedboat rather than a quiet long-tail boat. One account described a clean boat with four Honda V8 engines, which gives you an idea of the power and pace. The ride from the fishing village to Koh Tan takes around 20 minutes, followed by a shorter crossing to Pig Island and roughly 15 minutes back to Samui.

A fast boat makes the two-island plan possible in a half day, but it can be bumpy. Keep your belongings secure and expect spray if you sit near the edge. Anyone prone to motion sickness should consider taking suitable precautions before leaving shore.

The tour is described as a middle-sized group experience. In practice, the boat may feel busier than that wording suggests. One booking account estimated about 60 people on board, while another group of 10 found the transport comfortable. Group size may depend on the departure and boat assigned that day.

This matters because the experience works best when you accept that it is a shared outing. You will not have a private guide or a quiet island all to yourself. On the other hand, a larger boat can feel more stable and gives the operator enough capacity to include transport, meals, and equipment at a low price.

Pickup from your hotel in southern Koh Samui

The morning program generally collects people between 8:30 and 9:30 am. The afternoon program usually collects people between 1:00 and 2:00 pm. Pickup is by air-conditioned minibus from the general parking area of your accommodation.

The exact time depends on your location, and you receive the final pickup time through the booking message system. If your accommodation sits on a steep or inaccessible road, you may need to reach a nearby pickup point on your own.

Allow extra patience at the beginning. The minibus collects several groups, and some people have spent time waiting at the pier or a beach restaurant before the boat departs. One passenger near Fisherman’s Village reported a long transfer because of multiple pickups, though the air-conditioned van made the ride comfortable.

This is a useful tradeoff. Hotel pickup removes the need to arrange a taxi to Bang Khao, but it also means your day starts with other pickups. If you are staying far from the south of the island, the road portion may take much longer than the boat portion.

At the meeting point, show your mobile ticket at the ticket counter inside the beach restaurant. Keep your phone charged and check the final pickup message before leaving your accommodation.

What happens on Koh Mudsum

After the short boat ride from Koh Tan, you reach Koh Mudsum. The island is simple, sandy, and undeveloped. There are no regular civic facilities such as running water or electricity, so it feels more like a beach stop than a resort visit.

The pigs are usually the first thing you notice. You can watch them wander, take pictures, and, where permitted, offer food or water. Piglets are a particular highlight, but their presence changes with the day. You should not assume you will see a pig swimming or feeding right at the shoreline.

Kayaking is included and may take place at Koh Mudsum, or earlier at Koh Tan, depending on sea conditions. You also have time for swimming and walking. The schedule gives you enough freedom to choose your pace, which is important because not everyone in a group wants to spend the entire stop beside the animals.

There is a viewpoint mentioned in the experience, but finding it may not be straightforward. One person spent 20 to 30 minutes looking for it and found litter in the jungle instead. I would not make the viewpoint your main reason for booking. The beach, pigs, and sea are the reliable attractions.

Lunch on the beach

Food is served at a local restaurant on or beside the island, with the sea and beach nearby. The included meal is traditional Thai food, and soft drinks or water are provided. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated, but you should make your preference clear when booking or before eating.

The meal is practical rather than gourmet. Many people found it tasty and filling, while some thought the food was bland or less impressive than the island itself. That is normal for a shared meal prepared for a large group. You are paying for the convenience of having lunch ready during a short island trip, not for a special restaurant meal.

The lunch break also gives you a welcome pause. After snorkeling and a speedboat ride, sitting down with food while watching pigs wander nearby is part of the fun. If you are still hungry, one account found there was more food available, though portions and supply can vary.

Bring some extra cash for personal purchases and the 50 baht Koh Mudsum entrance fee. That fee is not included in the $51 tour price, and some people were surprised to be asked for it after arrival.

Morning or afternoon departure?

The morning version is the safer choice if you want the standard daytime experience. Pickup is around 8:30 to 9:30 am, and the return to Bang Khao is around 2:15 pm, followed by hotel drop-off at about 2:30 pm. You get bright beach light, a conventional lunch, and plenty of time on the island.

The afternoon version usually begins between 1:00 and 2:00 pm and returns around 6:30 pm, with hotel drop-off near 6:45 pm. It may give you sunset light at Pig Island, which can make the beach feel calmer and more photogenic.

The afternoon option also comes with less certainty about light for snorkeling. If seeing the reef is your priority, choose the morning. If you care more about a relaxed beach stop and sunset, the afternoon may be more appealing.

Traffic, weather, and sea conditions can change the order or timing. Treat the schedule as a guide rather than a promise to the minute.

Is $51 good value?

At $51 per person, this is a strong value for a half-day island outing if you would otherwise need to arrange transport, a boat, lunch, equipment, and activities separately.

The price includes:

• Air-conditioned hotel pickup and return
• Speedboat transport
• English-speaking guide
• Accident insurance
• Snorkeling equipment
• Kayaking
• Lunch or dinner
• Soft drinks
• Life jackets on the boat

You still pay the 50 baht Koh Mudsum entrance fee and your own personal expenses. A local booking may sometimes cost less, but that is not guaranteed, and the online option gives you a confirmed place, hotel pickup arrangements, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

The value is strongest for couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want a simple introduction to the southern islands. It is less compelling if you already have a private boat or if your main goal is high-quality snorkeling.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this tour if you want three things in one outing: a fast boat ride, a little snorkeling, and a memorable animal encounter. It is especially good for families and people who want a half-day activity rather than a full-day expedition.

You should also be comfortable with shared transport, a potentially busy boat, and a schedule that includes waiting for other pickups. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, babies under one year old, or cruise ship passengers. Cruise ship passengers need a separate tour designed around ship departure times.

This is also a good choice if you like unpolished places. Koh Mudsum is not a luxury beach club. Its appeal is the odd, cheerful sight of pigs and piglets walking over white sand with no large resort buildings behind them.

Should you book the Pig Island tour?

Yes, if Pig Island is the main reason you are interested. The pigs, relaxed beach time, included lunch, and friendly guides give this tour its value. The snorkeling adds variety, but I would not book it as a dedicated reef excursion.

Choose the morning for better daylight and a more predictable snorkeling stop. Choose the afternoon if sunset on Koh Mudsum sounds more appealing. Pack swimwear, sun protection, a phone or camera, cash for the entrance fee, and patience for group pickups.

For $51, this is an easy, well-organized way to see two small islands without spending a full day at sea. Just keep your expectations in the right place: Pig Island is the highlight, while snorkeling is a weather-dependent bonus.

FAQ

How long does the Pig Island tour last?

The advertised activity duration is 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. Hotel pickup, multiple collection stops, and the return drive can make the overall time away from your accommodation longer.

What time does the morning tour start?

Morning hotel pickup generally takes place between 8:30 and 9:30 am. You receive the final pickup time after booking, based on your accommodation location.

What time does the afternoon tour start?

Afternoon pickup generally takes place between 1:00 and 2:00 pm. The return to Koh Samui is around 6:30 pm, with hotel drop-off near 6:45 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport by air-conditioned minibus are included for hotel accommodations. If the road to your accommodation is too steep or inaccessible, you may be directed to a nearby alternative pickup point.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are available on the speedboat for each participant.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes lunch on the morning program or dinner on the afternoon program, along with soft drinks. Vegetarian food can be provided.

Is the Koh Mudsum entrance fee included?

No. You need to pay the 50 baht Koh Mudsum entrance fee separately. Your other personal expenses are also not included.

Can cruise ship passengers join this tour?

No. This experience is not suitable for cruise ship passengers. A separate cruise ship tour is available for that type of schedule.