Private Speedboat Koh Tan & Pig Island Snorkeling from Samui

The best part of this six-hour outing is the private speedboat. Your group of up to five can leave from Thong Krut Beach, visit Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, and return without waiting for a large boat to fill or unload. I especially like the smooth hotel pickup and the Thai set lunch served on Koh Tan.

I also like that the trip gives you both water time and island time. You can snorkel, walk on the sand, and request a kayak rather than spend the whole day sitting in one place. The main caution is simple: snorkeling depends on weather and water conditions, and recent rain can make Koh Tan’s water cloudy or poor.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to five: You get the boat to yourselves, which saves time and gives your group more breathing room.
• Two different island stops: Koh Tan is quiet and lightly visited, while Koh Madsum is the stop known as Pig Island.
• Four hours on the water: The boat portion leaves useful time for snorkeling, beach exploring, and transfers between islands.
• Lunch is included: A Thai set meal is served on Koh Tan, along with drinking water and an ice box.
• Small extra charges apply: Pig Island costs THB 50 per person, and a kayak costs THB 350 if you request one.
• Water quality can change: A recent rainstorm affected snorkeling conditions on one outing, so do not book this expecting guaranteed clear water.

Leaving Koh Samui from Thong Krut Beach

Your day begins with hotel pickup at about 9 a.m. and a transfer to Thong Krut Beach on Samui’s south coast. This is a useful starting point because the fishing village faces Koh Tan, keeping the boat ride to the nearby islands relatively direct.

The tour includes private round-trip transport between your hotel and the pier. That matters more than it may seem. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a distant marina, carry snorkeling equipment through Samui, or worry about finding the return pier after a day in the sun.

The transfer is also handled with some flexibility. On one outing, a festival and parade blocked the driver from reaching the planned pickup point. The driver located the group and escorted them to the van instead. That is a small but practical sign that the pickup system can cope with ordinary Samui traffic problems.

At the pier, you board the private speedboat. The boat is reserved for your group, with a stated four hours of private boat time. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are supplied, and an ice box with drinking water is included.

You should still confirm the equipment fit before leaving the pier. A life jacket that sits well and a mask that seals properly will make the water stops much more comfortable.

Koh Tan, Samui’s quieter island stop

Koh Tan, also written as Ko Taen, is the first island stop. It is accessible only by boat and is reached most commonly from Thong Krut, directly across the water from Samui.

Koh Tan sees far fewer visitors than the main island. That gives the stop a more peaceful feel, especially if you want a break from Samui’s hotels, roads, and busy beaches. The tour allows about 50 minutes here, though the exact use of that time depends on the sea conditions and the captain’s plan for the day.

This is usually the more interesting stop for people who want a sense of place rather than only a quick swim. You can expect time for snorkeling and beach exploring, followed by the included Thai set lunch on Koh Tan.

The lunch is a genuine advantage. A private boat trip can otherwise leave you searching for food between water stops, so having a meal arranged keeps the day simple. It also gives you a chance to sit down rather than rushing from one activity to the next.

The important limitation is water clarity. After recent rain, the snorkeling near Koh Tan was described as poor. That is not a fault the operator can fully control. Rain can stir up shallow water, reduce visibility, and change the quality of the marine stop from one day to the next.

I would book this for the island setting, private boat, and easy day out, not solely for coral or fish viewing. If clear snorkeling is your main reason for going, check the weather forecast and ask about recent water conditions before departure.

Koh Madsum, the Pig Island stop

From Koh Tan, the boat continues to Koh Madsum, also spelled Koh Matsum. The small island sits close to Koh Tan and only a few minutes by boat from Samui’s south coast.

Koh Madsum is widely known as Pig Island. The name comes from the pigs associated with the island, which have become part of its appeal. You should expect this to be a light, informal beach stop rather than a major cultural site or a long nature walk.

The planned time here is about one hour and 30 minutes. That is enough time to get off the boat, look around, enjoy the beach, and take a break from the ride. If you want to use a kayak, it can be requested for THB 350 per kayak.

There is also a THB 50 entrance fee per person for Pig Island. This is not included in the tour price, so carry some Thai baht. It is a small charge, but knowing about it in advance prevents an awkward moment at the entrance.

Koh Madsum is likely to feel more developed for day visitors than Koh Tan. That contrast is useful: Koh Tan gives you a quieter island stop, while Pig Island supplies a more playful and easygoing beach visit.

If you want a full day of secluded beaches, this route may feel too familiar because it follows the same basic island circuit used by group trips. The private boat does not create a new route. Its value is that you avoid waiting for other groups and keep the timing within your own party.

What the private boat really adds

The advertised price is $423.76 per group of up to five. At full capacity, that works out to about $84.75 per person before the THB 50 Pig Island fee. For two people, the same boat works out to about $211.88 each, so the value depends heavily on your group size.

For five people, the price is attractive when you count the included hotel transport, private boat, equipment, life jackets, water, lunch, and insurance. You are paying for convenience as much as for the islands.

The private setup also helps families and small groups. You do not have to wait for strangers to board, eat, finish snorkeling, or return to the boat. The captain can keep the day relaxed, which was one of the strongest points in the feedback about the service.

That said, private does not mean completely independent. The trip still visits Koh Tan and Pig Island, following the same general route used by group tours. If you are looking for a custom island-hopping day with entirely different stops, this is not that type of charter.

You should also remember that a speedboat ride can feel lively on the water. The boat is a fast way to reach the islands, but sea conditions affect comfort. Anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare accordingly, though no special medication or onboard remedy is listed as part of the tour.

Snorkeling equipment and time in the water

Snorkeling gear is included, which removes one of the common annoyances of island trips around Samui. You do not need to find a rental shop before pickup or haul your own fins and mask to the pier.

The tour provides life jackets as well. Even confident swimmers should use the equipment as directed, since boat traffic, currents, and changing sea conditions can make open-water swimming different from a hotel pool.

The route gives you several hours of private boat time, but that does not mean four continuous hours of snorkeling. The boat time includes movement between Samui, Koh Tan, and Koh Madsum, plus stops, boarding, lunch, and the return to the pier.

That distinction is worth noting when comparing tours. This is a balanced island day with snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and transport. It is not a specialist marine excursion built around long sessions in the water.

Recent rain can have a large effect on the experience. Water that looks inviting from the beach may have limited visibility below the surface. If your group is flexible, treat snorkeling as one part of the day and enjoy the islands, lunch, and private ride even if the water is not at its best.

Lunch, water, and the practical comforts

The included Thai set lunch is served on Koh Tan. This keeps the outing from becoming a string of paid snacks and gives you a scheduled pause in the middle of the day.

Drinking water and an ice box are included. That is useful in the tropical heat, especially after time in the sun and salt water. You should still bring whatever personal sun protection you need, since the supplied information does not specify sunscreen, towels, or dry bags.

Insurance is included, which adds a basic layer of reassurance. It does not replace careful attention to the crew’s safety instructions or a sensible check of your own travel insurance terms.

The tour also includes private hotel transfers in both directions. After the return to the pier, you are transferred back to your hotel rather than left to arrange your own ride from Thong Krut.

The operator, Backpacker Samui Travel, identifies Tony and the team as the local contact. Feedback about the captain and crew particularly emphasizes skilled boat handling, helpful service, and an organized day. Those qualities matter on a private water trip because good timing and clear instructions affect how much island time you actually get.

Who will enjoy this Samui island day

I would recommend this trip to a family or small group of friends who want a straightforward day on the water without sharing the boat. The private format is especially useful when people in your group have different energy levels, since not everyone must follow a large group’s pace.

It also suits first-time visitors who want hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, and return transport handled in one booking. You can focus on the islands rather than piecing together a taxi, pier departure, boat rental, snorkeling hire, and meal.

The outing may appeal to couples too, but the economics are less favorable for only two people. The same group price becomes much better value with four or five participants.

I would be cautious about booking it for a serious snorkeling holiday. The route offers snorkeling, but the quality depends on the weather, and one outing had poor water conditions after rain. The tour is best understood as a private island excursion that includes snorkeling, not as a guaranteed clear-water wildlife trip.

The route may also disappoint anyone seeking a completely offbeat itinerary. Koh Tan is quiet and boat-only, but Pig Island is a known stop on Samui’s standard island circuit. The private boat gives you space and saves waiting time, rather than taking you to an entirely unknown corner of the archipelago.

Timing, cancellation, and small costs

The listed start time is 9 a.m., and the full experience lasts about six hours. That gives you a morning departure, island stops, lunch, and a return to Samui in the afternoon.

Pig Island’s THB 50 entrance fee per person is extra. Kayaks cost THB 350 each if requested. Those are the only specific add-on costs provided, but it is sensible to carry money for personal snacks or other purchases.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is worth keeping in mind when planning around a short stay on Koh Samui.

Should you book the Koh Tan and Pig Island speedboat?

Book it if you want a private, well-organized island day with hotel pickup, a private speedboat, snorkeling gear, lunch, and no large group to slow you down. The strongest reasons to choose it are the easy logistics, relaxed pace, capable crew, and good value when five people share the cost.

Think twice if your priority is guaranteed clear snorkeling or a highly unusual route. Water conditions can change after rain, and the boat still follows the familiar Koh Tan and Pig Island circuit.

For a full group of four or five, I think the price is reasonable for the amount of transport and equipment included. For two people, it is a premium outing, but the private space may still justify the cost if comfort and control matter more than finding the cheapest boat trip.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, also known as Pig Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private transport between your hotel and the pier is included in both directions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Are there any extra fees?

Yes. Pig Island charges an entrance fee of THB 50 per person. A kayak can also be requested for THB 350 per kayak.