Koh Samui: Pig Island & Koh Tan Snorkeling by Speed boat

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is the star of this easygoing trip. Friendly pigs wander along the beach, posing for photos and hunting for food, while you swim, sunbathe, and enjoy a short island escape. I like the short speedboat rides and the fact that the tour includes both snorkeling and lunch, rather than making you spend half the day getting to the islands.

I also like the warm, playful guiding style. Guides such as Sun, Joe, Cola, and Alex are often praised for keeping people laughing and taking photos. The main drawback is the transfer: from northern Koh Samui, the minivan ride to the southern pier can take close to an hour each way, so a four-hour boat tour may use much of your morning or afternoon.

Key points to know before you book

• Pig Island is the main attraction: Meet free-roaming pigs, including young piglets, on a small beach with swimming and photo time.
• Koh Tan is close by: The short ride between the islands leaves more time for swimming and less time bouncing over open water.
• Snorkeling conditions vary: You may see colorful fish, starfish, or even a turtle, but tides, weather, season, and recent full moons can make the water cloudy.
• Lunch is included on Koh Tan: Expect a simple Thai buffet with rice, vegetables, fried chicken, spring rolls, and fruit.
• The southern pier saves boat time: Hotel transfers can be long, but the sea crossings to Koh Madsum and Koh Tan are pleasantly short.
• Budget an extra 50 baht: Pig Island charges an entrance fee per person, not included in the advertised price.

Why Pig Island makes this tour different

Many island trips around Koh Samui are built around long hours at sea. This one is more modest and more focused. You get two nearby islands, a swim, a snorkeling stop, lunch, and a memorable encounter with pigs, all within a half-day boat program.

Koh Madsum is not a grand tropical island with a long walking trail or a list of sights. Its appeal is simple. Pigs wander over the sand and through the shallow water, and you can watch them root around for food while taking photos from a respectful distance. You can buy food for them on the island, usually for about 50 baht, though feeding is optional.

I like the oddness of the place. You may have seen pigs on a farm or in a market, but watching them trot along a beach with the sea behind them is a very different scene. It gives the outing a playful edge that a standard snorkeling trip lacks.

The beach also gives you an alternative if you do not want to spend all your time in the water. You can swim, sit in the sun, take pictures, or simply watch the pigs. A small bar sells cold drinks, fruit, and snacks, which is useful because the island fee and refreshments are not covered by the tour price.

The southern pier keeps the boat ride short

Your day begins with pickup in an air-conditioned minivan. The operator offers a very broad list of hotel pickup and drop-off points around Koh Samui, and the exact time is confirmed by email or WhatsApp. You should wait in the lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup.

The drive to the private pier in the south takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes from many parts of the island. From the north, including areas around Bophut and the northern beaches, it can take around an hour. That is the tradeoff here: more time on the road, less time on the boat.

I consider that a fair exchange if you dislike long sea crossings. From the southern pier, the ride to Koh Madsum is often only about 10 minutes, and Koh Tan is just a short hop away. The boat portion feels efficient rather than exhausting.

At the pier, you check in, receive a wristband, and board the speedboat. You may be offered the chance to buy water shoes or snacks before departure. Water, life jackets, and snorkeling gear are provided, but bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat.

Koh Madsum: an hour with the beach pigs

The first island stop usually gives you around an hour at Koh Madsum. That is enough time to see the pigs, get into the water, and take photos without turning the stop into a rushed photo line.

The pigs are the reason most people choose this excursion. They roam freely along the beach, and some are comfortable approaching people. You should still give them space, especially around food and young piglets. The guides are helpful here, often positioning people for pictures and explaining how to interact with the animals.

Several guides are singled out for their energy and humor. Sun is frequently praised for being attentive and funny, while Joe and Cola are known for keeping the mood light. You may also find the crew taking photos for the group, a welcome touch when you want a picture with the pigs but do not want to hand your phone to a stranger.

The island can become crowded, and an hour is about right for most people. Some visitors wish they had longer, while others find that the pigs, beach, and photos have delivered what they came for after 45 minutes. If the island is busy, move beyond the first photo spot and take a moment to enjoy the sea views.

The 50-baht entrance fee is not included. Carry some Thai currency for that charge, pig food, and drinks. You may want water shoes here and at the snorkeling stop, since shallow areas can include coral and rough patches.

Koh Tan snorkeling: pleasant, but not guaranteed to be clear

The snorkeling stop takes place around Koh Tan, where the water is generally calm and the boat drops you near coral and small marine life. You receive a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. The water time is usually around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the day’s schedule.

Conditions are the part of this tour you should treat with flexibility. On a clear day, you might see schools of small fish, colorful marine life, coral, a large starfish, or even a turtle. Some outings offer a genuinely enjoyable swim, with calm water and enough fish to make the stop worthwhile.

At other times, visibility is limited. Weather, tides, the season, and a recent full moon can stir the water. Several accounts describe the sea as cloudy or murky, with only a few fish visible. That is not a problem the guides can always fix, and the snorkeling spot may feel modest if you have already snorkeled at famous reef sites elsewhere in Thailand.

The practical lesson is simple: book this for the full mix of Pig Island, snorkeling, lunch, and an easy boat ride. Do not book it solely for perfect underwater visibility. If the water is not clear, you can still swim or relax on the boat, but snorkeling is the least reliable part of the day.

Masks may not fit every face well, so check yours before entering the water. Water shoes are a smart addition because coral can be present around the swimming area. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the life jacket and follow the crew’s instructions.

Lunch on Koh Tan adds real value

After snorkeling, the boat takes you to another part of Koh Tan for lunch and free time. This stop usually lasts about an hour. The setting is peaceful, with sea views and a slower pace after the activity in the water.

The buffet is simple rather than lavish, but it is more substantial than you might expect at this price. Typical choices include rice, vegetables, fried chicken, spring rolls, and fruit. Bottled water and additional drinking water are included, and seasonal fruit is provided during the day.

I like that lunch is served on the island instead of being eaten quickly on the boat. You have time to sit down, use decent toilet facilities, walk a little, and enjoy the surroundings. The food receives especially strong praise, with the spring rolls and fried chicken often getting special attention.

The selection may be limited, so do not expect a resort buffet or a wide range of dishes for special diets. For a $52 excursion, though, a fresh buffet, fruit, water, and island seating make the price look sensible. Lunch also fills an important gap in the schedule: this is not just a quick boat ride and a photo stop.

Timing: four hours on paper, longer door to door

The advertised duration is four hours, but you should measure the experience from hotel pickup to hotel drop-off. From Chaweng, one outing took about 6.5 hours in total, and pickups from the northern end of Samui can take around an hour each way.

The boat schedule itself is compact. You generally spend about an hour at Pig Island, 45 minutes to an hour snorkeling, and about an hour around lunch on Koh Tan. The exact order may change with conditions and the operator’s schedule. Some departures visit Pig Island first, while others snorkel before lunch and finish at the pigs.

That flexibility is useful if sea conditions change, but it also explains why the experience can run longer than the four-hour description. Do not schedule an airport transfer, ferry, or fixed appointment immediately afterward.

The pace is usually comfortable. You have enough time for the key activities without being stuck on the boat for long stretches. One small point to watch is the Pig Island timing. Some outings allow a full hour, while others call people back after about 45 minutes if the schedule is moving along.

The people and service matter here

This is a straightforward excursion, so the crew has a large effect on the day. The strongest part of the experience is often the way the guides handle the practical details: fitting equipment, helping people into the water, watching the group, sharing information about the pigs, and taking photos.

Sun, Joe, Cola, and Alex are names associated with friendly, lively service on different departures. The guides use humor without letting the day become chaotic. You can expect a social atmosphere, but the trip is not described as a loud party boat.

The minivan transfer is generally comfortable and air-conditioned, though road conditions and individual drivers can vary. One account noted a chaotic return drive, so I would not treat the transport as the polished part of the experience. The boat and guide service tend to be the stronger elements.

A private group option is available. That may be useful if you are visiting Koh Samui for a short time from a cruise ship or want more control over the day. The standard trip offers the better price, while a private departure gives you more flexibility.

Is $52 a fair price?

At $52 per person, the tour includes hotel transfers, the speedboat, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, travel insurance, unlimited drinking water, seasonal fruit, and a buffet lunch. You still pay the 50-baht Koh Madsum entrance fee, plus any drinks, snacks, or pig food bought on the island.

That is good value for a half-day package, especially when you add the air-conditioned transfer and short crossings. Booking separate transport, a boat, lunch, and snorkeling equipment would likely require more planning and would not necessarily save money.

The value drops slightly if you are staying far from the pier and count the long road transfer as part of the day. It also drops if your only goal is serious reef snorkeling. For a mix of unusual wildlife, swimming, scenery, food, and easy logistics, the price is strong.

Who should book this island trip?

I would choose this tour for couples, families with older children, first-time visitors to Koh Samui, and anyone who wants a manageable island outing without a long open-water journey. Children over 120 centimeters are charged the adult price.

It suits people who want a relaxed schedule with plenty of photo time. It also works well for anyone who is not a serious snorkeler, since Pig Island and lunch carry much of the experience.

I would look elsewhere if you need step-free access or have significant mobility limitations. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, and insurance does not apply if a pregnant person participates. You should also choose another trip if your priority is advanced snorkeling or an untouched beach with no visitor facilities.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those flexible terms help if your Samui plans are still shifting, but the usual practical advice still applies: check the weather and keep the day after arrival or before departure free from tight connections.

Should you book Koh Madsum and Koh Tan?

Book it if you want Pig Island first and snorkeling second. The pigs are the memorable feature, the lunch is better than the modest price suggests, and the short boat rides make this easier than many full-day island trips.

Go in with realistic expectations about the sea. You may see plenty of fish, a starfish, or a turtle, but cloudy water is possible. If you can accept that variation, the combination of friendly guides, scenic island time, swimming, food, and simple transport makes this a well-priced half-day outing.

FAQ

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

The advertised activity lasts four hours, but the full experience can take longer because of hotel transfers. Pickup from northern Koh Samui may take around an hour each way, and one outing from Chaweng took about 6.5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What is included in the price?

The price includes round-trip hotel transfers, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, travel insurance, drinking water, seasonal fruit, and a buffet lunch on Koh Tan.

Is the Pig Island entrance fee included?

No. Koh Madsum charges an entrance fee of 50 baht per person. Food for the pigs, drinks, and snacks on the island are also extra.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children over 120 centimeters must reserve at the adult price. The tour information does not specify a minimum age.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included. You should bring sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, and comfortable clothing. Water shoes are useful because coral may be present.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments?

No. Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments are listed as unsuitable for this activity. Insurance coverage does not apply to pregnant participants.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.