Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking)

Pig Island is the hook here: a quick speedboat ride from Koh Samui brings you to a white-sand beach where pigs wander near the water. I like the mix of kayaking and snorkeling with an easy animal encounter, and I like that hotel pickup, lunch, equipment, and insurance are bundled into one price.

The main caution is timing. This is a group tour of up to 45 people, and pickup runs around Koh Samui before reaching Thong Krut Pier. One recent outing involved a long wait before departure, so this suits you best if you value convenience and variety more than a perfectly tight schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Pig Island is Koh Mudsum: Enjoy beach time, swimming, kayaking, and photos with the island’s pigs.
• Koh Tan brings the snorkeling: You’ll look down from the surface at fish and coral near the coast.
• The speedboat keeps transfers short: The ride from the pier to Pig Island takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Lunch is served by the beach: You do not need to arrange a separate meal during the six-hour outing.
• The price is fairly inclusive: Pickup, snorkeling gear, kayaking, a life jacket, and travel insurance are covered.
• Weather can change the order: Koh Tan may come first if sea conditions make that wiser.

Two southern islands in six hours

This tour packs several classic Koh Samui day-trip activities into one half-day outing. You leave from Thong Krut Pier, ride by speedboat to Koh Mudsum, then continue to Koh Tan for snorkeling before returning to the pier.

That combination is useful if you have limited time on Samui. You get beach relaxation, kayaking, animal photos, a meal, and time in the water without arranging separate transfers or boats.

The pace is active, but not punishing. The total duration is about six hours, and the first boat ride is only 15 to 20 minutes. That short crossing matters because you spend more of your outing on the islands rather than sitting at sea.

Still, this is a shared group trip, not a private charter. The listed maximum is 45 people, and pickup may involve collecting people from several Koh Samui hotels. Build some flexibility into your day. A transfer from a hotel to the pier can take about an hour, and delays are possible before the boat leaves.

Reaching Koh Mudsum, the Pig Island stop

Koh Mudsum is better known as Pig Island, and it is the tour’s most unusual stop. After the speedboat reaches the island, you can choose how to use your beach time.

You might settle on the white sand, swim, take photographs, or kayak along the coast. The pigs provide the memorable twist. You can see them near the beach and take pictures, but this is not presented as a formal animal show or feeding program. Think of it as a relaxed island visit with pigs sharing the shoreline.

I like that you are not forced into one activity. If you have had enough sun, you can sit by the beach. If you want to move, kayaking gives you a gentle way to see the coast. Swimming and photography fill the gaps between activities.

The setting also has a practical limit. Pig Island is famous because of the pigs, so it can feel more like a photo stop than a quiet wilderness visit. The supplied information also notes concern about trash on the island, a useful reminder to keep your expectations realistic and your own footprint light.

The extra cost here is small but easy to miss. Entry to Koh Mudsum costs 50 baht per person and is not included in the tour price. Bring Thai baht if possible, since this is a separate payment at the island.

Kayaking, swimming, and simple beach time

Kayaking is included, which adds real value to the package. You do not need to rent a kayak separately or negotiate another activity once you arrive.

The available description does not give a set kayaking route or a precise time limit. You should therefore expect access to kayaking during the beach stop rather than a guided expedition around the island. That is fine for a short outing, especially if you want a quick paddle close to shore.

The same applies to swimming. You have time to enter the water, but the schedule also includes lunch and a second island. If swimming is your main reason for booking, ask the crew about the day’s timing once you arrive.

A towel, sun cream, sunglasses, and a hat belong in your day bag. The tropical sun can be strong even when the breeze on the boat feels pleasant. You will also want to keep your phone protected around the water, particularly if you plan to photograph the pigs from the beach.

Lunch beside the beach

Lunch is included and served at a beach restaurant. That is a useful convenience, especially because you do not need to leave the island to find food or carry a full picnic.

The menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. The value is mainly in having a meal built into the schedule. You can eat, rest, and prepare for the trip to Koh Tan without another transfer.

The meal also gives the group a natural pause. Pig Island includes sun, water, and activity, so a seated lunch breaks up the morning before the snorkeling stop.

If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied details do not confirm special meal options. Contact the operator before booking if food requirements are important to you.

Snorkeling around Koh Tan

After Pig Island, the boat heads to Koh Tan. The snorkeling takes place around the coast, where you can see fish from the surface and look down toward coral areas that shelter sea life.

The included equipment makes this easy for beginners. Snorkeling gear and a life jacket are provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask or flotation equipment. You should still bring your own towel and sun protection.

The tour description presents Koh Tan as a place with plentiful coral and many kinds of fish. Conditions can change with weather and water clarity, though. One account of the outing described murky water near Koh Tan, so you should not expect perfect visibility on every departure.

That is the key trade-off. The tour gives you access to a coral area without requiring advanced snorkeling skills, but it cannot control sea conditions. On a clear day, the stop can be a pleasant look at coastal marine life. On a cloudy or rough day, the underwater view may be less impressive.

The order of the stops can change. The operator may visit Koh Tan first if weather conditions call for it. This is sensible for safety and sea conditions, but it means you should not plan around a fixed sequence.

The speedboat and the waiting issue

The speedboat is one of the practical strengths of this trip. The crossing to Koh Mudsum takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes, much quicker than a slower boat would manage. That leaves more time for the islands during a six-hour schedule.

The boat is also the reason the tour can combine two stops in one outing. Koh Tan and Pig Island are not treated as separate full-day commitments.

The weaker point is the time around the pier. Pickup can be on schedule, yet the boat departure may still be delayed while the group checks in or waits for other people. One detailed account described pickup at about 1 p.m., arrival at the pier after a roughly hour-long transfer, and departure around 2:45 p.m. The exact times will vary, but the lesson is clear: a prompt hotel pickup does not guarantee an immediate departure.

For that reason, avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately after this tour. The advertised duration is about six hours, but group transport and sea conditions can stretch the day.

What the $50.46 price really covers

At $50.46 per person, this is a reasonable package if you plan to use most of its inclusions. Hotel pickup, lunch, snorkeling equipment, kayaking, a life jacket, travel insurance, and the speedboat transfer are all covered.

The price works best for you if you want several activities without arranging them one by one. Separate boat transport, kayak rental, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and island transfers could easily make an independent plan less convenient, even if you managed to spend less.

The 50-baht Koh Mudsum admission fee is extra. It is not a major addition, but include it when comparing the total cost.

The group size affects the value. A maximum of 45 people can mean a lower price, but it also means less control over departure times and activity length. A private outing may feel more relaxed, as shown by one account of a private arrangement that avoided waiting for other people, but this product is designed as the budget group option.

The tour has a current rating of 3.8 from 12 reviews. That suggests a generally workable experience with noticeable room for improvement, rather than a flawless one. The strongest points are the organized pickup, the appealing Pig Island beach, and the range of included activities. The main complaint is waiting time before departure, with water clarity at Koh Tan another possible variable.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this for a first visit to Koh Samui when you want a simple day on the water and do not want to plan every detail yourself. It is especially suited to couples, families, and small groups who like having several choices at each stop.

It also works well if your group has mixed interests. One person can kayak, another can swim, and someone else can stay on the sand and take photographs. The pigs give the stop a light, playful focus, while Koh Tan offers a more traditional snorkeling experience.

This is less suitable if you want quiet beaches, a highly personal guide, or a strict timetable. A group of up to 45 people can make the day feel busy, and a wait at the pier may reduce the time you hoped to spend on the islands.

It is also not recommended for cruise ship passengers. The timing and hotel pickup setup are aimed at people staying on Koh Samui, and the tour ends back at Thong Krut Pier rather than at a cruise terminal.

Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable with a speedboat ride, beach access, swimming conditions, and basic snorkeling activity. If you have concerns about these, ask the provider before booking.

Meeting at Thong Krut Pier

The formal starting point is Thong Krut Pier, at 79, 1 in Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140. Hotel pickup is offered, so you may not need to make your own way there.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. That matters if you have arranged your own transport or plan to meet someone later in the day. Allow extra time after the advertised six hours rather than assuming you will be back at an exact minute.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Pig Island and Koh Tan tour?

Book it if you want good variety at a moderate price. The tour makes it easy to combine Pig Island, kayaking, lunch, snorkeling, and hotel transport in one outing. The short speedboat ride is a real advantage, and the pigs give the day a memorable focus beyond ordinary beach time.

Skip it if you dislike group schedules or waiting around. The 45-person maximum is substantial, and the departure from the pier may not be as quick as the speedboat ride itself. Koh Tan can also have murky water, so snorkeling quality is not guaranteed.

My practical verdict: this is a solid choice for a flexible half-day, provided you treat the schedule as approximate. Pack sun protection, bring 50 baht for Koh Mudsum, leave room in your evening plans, and book it for the mix of activities rather than for a perfect snorkeling session.

FAQ

How long is the Pig Island and Koh Tan tour?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Thong Krut Pier in Koh Samui and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel pickup is included.

How long is the speedboat ride to Pig Island?

The speedboat ride from the pier to Koh Mudsum, also called Pig Island, takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a beach restaurant is included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is included in the tour.

Is the Koh Mudsum admission fee included?

No. Admission to Koh Mudsum costs 50 baht per person and is paid separately.

Can the order of Koh Tan and Pig Island change?

Yes. The operator may visit Koh Tan first depending on weather conditions.