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

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is the unusual star of this half-day trip. You can kayak, swim, eat lunch, and see the island’s resident pigs before heading to Koh Tan for about 40 minutes of snorkeling. I like the mix of easy beach time and active water sports, and I like that the tour handles the boat, equipment, food, and hotel transfer for one reasonable price.

The main drawback is the transport. Pickup begins as early as 8:30 a.m., and some routes can involve a long minivan ride before you reach Thong Krut pier. The tour also requires at least 10 people and good weather, so confirm the departure details and pickup time before you set your plans around it.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island is the main attraction: Koh Madsum gives you beach time, kayaking, lunch, and the chance to see pigs near the shore.
• Snorkeling time is fairly short: Plan on roughly 40 to 60 minutes at Koh Tan, depending on the day’s schedule and sea conditions.
• Hotel pickup covers many Samui areas: Transfers are offered from Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheong Mon, Bangrak, and nearby areas.
• The price includes useful extras: Lunch, soft drinks, fruit, a life jacket, mask, kayak, sunbed, insurance, and transfers are included.
• Expect a group outing: The boat can carry up to 30 people, and the tour needs at least 10 bookings to run.
• Bring 50 baht for admission: A 50-baht-per-person fee is not included in the advertised price.

Two islands, two very different moods

This trip works because Koh Tan and Koh Madsum offer different kinds of island time.

Koh Tan is the water stop. You go there to snorkel, paddle, and look down through clear water at fish and coral. The reef can be a strong part of the day when the sea is calm. One recent schedule allows about 40 minutes for snorkeling, though the published timing gives Koh Tan roughly an hour.

Koh Madsum is more relaxed and more social. Its pale beach is suited to swimming, sitting on a sunbed, and taking photos. Kayaking is included, so you can get off the sand and see the coast from the water. Lunch is served here, with soft drinks and fresh fruit included.

The island’s pigs add a strange, memorable twist. They are used to people and may be close to the beach, especially when visitors feed them. That can make the stop fun for families, but it also means Koh Madsum does not feel like an untouched island. Expect a popular attraction, not a deserted beach.

The morning schedule from hotel to sea

Pickup is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., depending on your hotel and location. The listed departure point is Thong Krut, on Koh Samui’s southern coast, where you board the speedboat.

The boat ride from Thong Krut to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes. That short crossing is a plus if you dislike long boat rides, though the hotel transfer can still take time. Pickup areas include Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheong Mon, Bangrak, and the Butterfly Garden area.

If you stay in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai, an extra transfer fee of 700 baht per person, per way, applies. That can change the value of the trip quite a bit. Check your hotel’s location before booking rather than assuming all Samui hotels receive the same transfer.

Transport planning has been uneven on some departures. A schedule can look like a quick boat trip, yet a delayed pickup or a change of pier may add a long minivan ride. I would keep the morning free, avoid booking a tight afternoon activity, and confirm the pickup point directly.

Snorkeling at Koh Tan

The first island stop is Koh Tan, where you use the supplied mask and snorkel. A life jacket is also included, which is useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer or who wants extra support in the water.

The snorkeling period is not an all-day reef session. You should expect around 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the conditions and the group. That is enough time to see fish and coral without making the entire trip about snorkeling, but serious snorkelers may find it brief.

Sea conditions control the quality of this stop. In calm weather, you may find good visibility over white sand and reef. In rougher conditions, the water can be less clear and the boat may shorten or adjust the stop. The tour requires good weather for this reason.

You will likely share the water with other people from the boat. This is not a private reef outing, and the maximum group size is 30. Still, the speedboat format gets you between the islands faster than a slower traditional boat.

Koh Madsum, kayaking, pigs, and lunch

After Koh Tan, the boat heads to Koh Madsum. The schedule places roughly three hours here, including kayaking, swimming, relaxing, and lunch. This longer stop gives the day its easy rhythm.

The included kayak is a practical bonus. You do not need to arrange one separately or pay a rental fee on the beach. If the sea is calm, you can paddle near shore before returning to the sand. If you prefer not to kayak, you can use the time for swimming or a sunbed.

Lunch is fresh-cooked Thai food, served with water or cola and fresh fruit. It is a useful inclusion because the trip covers the middle of the day, and you do not need to buy a meal on the island. Do not expect a restaurant experience or a long menu. The value is in having a simple meal ready during a remote island stop.

The pigs are entertaining, but you should set your expectations. Koh Madsum has become a visitor attraction, and feeding brings the animals close to people. Pigs also create obvious hygiene problems near the beach. Keep your belongings away from animals, wash your hands before eating, and do not expect the island to feel pristine around the pig area.

The best way to enjoy Koh Madsum is to treat it as a lighthearted stop rather than a wilderness experience. Have lunch, take a short kayak trip, swim, and enjoy the odd sight of pigs wandering beside a tropical beach. If you want solitude, this may not be your favorite part of the day.

How much value do you get for $50.15?

At $50.15 per person, the tour offers solid value if you need hotel transport and want several inclusions in one booking. You are paying for the speedboat, transfers from covered areas, snorkeling equipment, kayak use, a life jacket, sunbed, lunch, drinks, fruit, and accident insurance.

A private boat would usually give you more control over timing, but it would also remove the simplicity of a shared package. Here, you do not need to negotiate with boat operators or arrange food and equipment separately. That convenience is the main reason to choose this trip.

The value drops if you are staying in one of the areas with the 700-baht transfer surcharge. It also drops if your main goal is long snorkeling time, since the reef stop is limited. For a relaxed half-day with several activities, the price makes sense. For a dedicated snorkeling day, you may want a tour built around longer water time.

Remember the additional 50-baht admission fee per person. It is small, but it is not included in the advertised price. Bring cash so it does not become an irritating surprise at the pier or island entrance.

Group size and the feel of the day

The maximum group size is 30, so this is a shared excursion rather than a small private outing. That affects everything from hotel pickup to boarding the boat, serving lunch, and getting into the water.

A group can be helpful for families and solo visitors because the day has a set structure. You have a boat crew, equipment, food, and a clear route. The tradeoff is less flexibility. You cannot decide to stay longer at Koh Tan or skip lunch and move on whenever you wish.

The tour needs at least 10 people to operate. If that number is not reached, the operator may offer another date, another tour, or a full refund. Since the trip can also be canceled for poor weather, avoid making this your only plan for an important final day on Samui.

The experience is not recommended for people who are pregnant or have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone disease. It is also not recommended if you are arriving by cruise ship or large boat, since the hotel pickup and timing are designed for people staying on Koh Samui.

Who will enjoy this Koh Samui boat trip?

I would recommend this outing to families with children aged 4 to 11, couples wanting an uncomplicated island morning, and first-time visitors who want to see two nearby islands without arranging separate transport.

It also works well if you want variety. You can snorkel, kayak, swim, watch the pigs, eat Thai food, and rest on the beach in one outing. That variety keeps the day interesting for a mixed group where one person wants water activities and another prefers a chair in the shade.

Children need to be comfortable around boats and water, even though life jackets are provided. The tour is not designed as a specialist children’s program, so parents should supervise them around the sea and animals.

I would be more cautious about booking if you are an experienced snorkeler, dislike organized group activities, or want a quiet island. The snorkeling window may feel too short, and Koh Madsum can feel crowded around the pig area.

What to pack and how to plan

Wear swimwear under light clothing so you can change activities without wasting time. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel, and a waterproof bag for phones and valuables. The tour supplies masks, snorkels, life jackets, kayaks, and sunbeds, but the supplied information does not specify towel service.

Bring cash for the 50-baht admission fee. If you stay outside the standard pickup zone, confirm the extra transfer cost before payment.

I would also keep your schedule flexible after the tour. The planned duration is five to six hours, but hotel pickups, road traffic, pier changes, sea conditions, and group timing can affect the return. The published schedule begins around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. and places lunch at about 12:30 p.m., but treat those times as estimates.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is sent when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

Because the trip depends on both weather and minimum numbers, there is some flexibility built into the cancellation terms. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

I would book once the forecast looks reasonable, but not leave it until the last possible moment if the trip is important to you. Also, check the exact pickup instructions after booking. A past departure problem involved long waits and a change of departure point, so clear transport information matters.

Should you book this island trip?

Book it if you want a convenient, reasonably priced morning that combines Koh Tan snorkeling with Koh Madsum beach time, lunch, kayaking, and hotel pickup. The staff have been praised for being friendly and helpful, and the meal and crew service can make the outing feel easy from start to finish.

Think twice if you want a private boat, a quiet beach, or several hours in the water. The tour is shared, Pig Island can feel commercial, and the snorkeling period is limited. For most people, the strongest reason to book is the mix of activities and the amount included for $50.15. The strongest reason to skip it is the possibility of a long transfer and a less peaceful experience than the photographs suggest.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where does the speedboat leave from?

The speedboat departs from Thong Krut Beach, also referred to as Thong Krut pier.

How long is the boat ride to Koh Tan?

The speedboat ride from Thong Krut to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, soft drinks such as water and cola, and fresh fruit are included.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayak use is included, along with a sunbed.

Is there an additional admission fee?

Yes. A 50-baht admission fee per person is not included in the tour price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.