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

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is the star here. Friendly pigs wander along the sand and into the shallows, giving you a wonderfully odd photo opportunity before you settle into a swim or a cold drink. I like the short speedboat rides and the easy mix of wildlife, snorkeling, lunch, and beach time.

I also like the warm, hands-on crew. Guides named Sun, Joe, Cola, and Alex are repeatedly praised for keeping the mood light and helping with photos. The main catch is timing: the boat portion is short, but hotel pickup and drop-off can stretch the outing to six hours or more, especially from northern Samui.

At a Glance: What Makes This Tour Worth Considering

• Pig Island comes first: Spend about an hour meeting free-roaming pigs, swimming, taking pictures, or relaxing on the beach.
• Short crossings from the southern pier: Koh Madsum and Koh Tan are close to Samui, so you spend less time bouncing across open water.
• Snorkeling is weather-dependent: Calm days can bring small colorful fish, starfish, and occasional larger marine life, but visibility can turn cloudy after rough weather or a full moon.
• A proper lunch is included: The Koh Tan buffet usually includes Thai-style dishes such as rice, vegetables, spring rolls, crispy chicken, and fruit.
• Friendly guides add real value: Sun, Joe, Cola, and Alex are known for jokes, practical help, and taking pictures.
• The $52 price covers a lot: Hotel transfers, equipment, insurance, water, lunch, fruit, and a four-hour island program are included, but Pig Island’s 50-baht entry fee is extra.

Why Pig Island Is the Main Event

Koh Madsum is not a grand, untouched island. It is a small, simple beach stop whose unusual residents make it memorable. Pigs roam the sand, search for food, and wander near the water. Some are large, while others may be young piglets, depending on the season.

You can buy food for the pigs on the island for about 50 baht. Feeding them creates easy photo moments, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions and give the animals space. The charm comes from watching them behave like pigs at the beach, not from turning the stop into a petting zoo.

The visit lasts roughly an hour. That is enough time to walk along the beach, take pictures, swim, or sit with a drink from the small island bar. It is also short enough to keep the stop lively. When the beach gets crowded, an hour can feel just right.

I would make Pig Island your main reason for booking this trip. The snorkeling is a pleasant extra, but the pigs are the feature you cannot easily duplicate elsewhere around Samui. If you want a serious reef excursion, this may not be the best fit. If you want a fun, unusual island morning with children, friends, or a camera-ready partner, it makes much more sense.

A Short Speedboat Ride Instead of a Long Sea Crossing

The tour leaves from a private pier in southern Koh Samui. That location matters. Your minivan ride from the hotel can take around 40 to 50 minutes, and from the north end of the island it may take close to an hour. You pay for that transfer with time on the road.

The reward is a short ride once you reach the pier. Koh Madsum is only a quick speedboat trip away, and the ride between the island stops is also brief. If you dislike long boat journeys, this setup is a strong point. You get more time at the islands and less time sitting on a boat in the sun.

The air-conditioned minivan is included for both directions. Pickup is available from a large list of Samui hotels, and the exact time is confirmed by email or WhatsApp. You should wait in the hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup.

The advertised duration is four hours, but you should not plan your whole day around that exact figure. The island activities total about three hours, while pickup, check-in, pier transfers, and the drive back can add quite a bit. A morning trip from Chaweng has taken some people around six and a half hours from hotel to hotel. That is not a problem if you have room in your schedule, but it matters if you have a flight, spa booking, or ferry connection later.

Snorkeling Around Koh Tan

After Pig Island, the boat continues to Koh Tan for snorkeling. The water is often calm, and the stop lasts about 45 minutes to one hour. You receive a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. You can also remain on the boat or use the beach area if you would rather not enter the water.

Conditions decide how good this stop will be. On a clear day, you might see small tropical fish, coral, a starfish, or other marine life close to the boat. One outing even produced a turtle. On other days, the water can be cloudy, especially after poor weather or a full moon. Some people see only a few kinds of fish.

That variation is important. I would not book this tour solely for exceptional snorkeling. The operator can choose a reasonable spot and provide the equipment, but no guide can control visibility, currents, or recent weather. Several outings have had enjoyable snorkeling without the water being perfectly clear.

Water shoes are a smart addition. Coral can be close to the swimming area, and entering from the boat may put your feet near rough or sharp surfaces. Bring your own if you have them, or check whether the pier sells them before departure. A towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and comfortable clothes also belong in your day bag.

The equipment is included, but fit may vary. One person found the masks too small, so check yours before you jump in. If it does not seal well, ask the crew for another size. Life jackets are available for anyone who wants extra support.

Lunch on Koh Tan

After snorkeling, you eat on Koh Tan. The lunch is buffet-style and has received unusually strong praise for a boat excursion at this price. The meal can include rice, vegetables, spring rolls, crispy chicken, fruit, and other simple Thai dishes.

This is not a polished resort restaurant. It is an island meal with a practical setup. Still, the food gives the tour more value than a basic fruit snack and bottled water. You can eat, use the toilet facilities, walk a little, and enjoy the sea views before returning to Samui.

The lunch stop lasts about an hour. That slower pace helps balance the busy Pig Island visit and the active snorkeling stop. You are not expected to rush from one photo opportunity to the next.

Unlimited drinking water and seasonal fruit are included. You may want to carry extra snacks, especially if you have dietary restrictions or a large appetite. Pig Island also has a small bar selling cold drinks, fruit, and snacks, but those purchases are separate.

One small concern is the condition of the shoreline. Some parts of Koh Tan may have litter along the beach. The island setting is attractive, but do not expect every inch of the coast to look maintained for a postcard.

Guides Who Keep the Day Moving

The crew is a major part of the experience. Sun is often singled out for his humor, helpfulness, and information about the pigs. Joe, Cola, and Alex are also mentioned for keeping people entertained and helping with pictures.

That photo help is useful. Pig Island is the kind of place where you want a picture beside a pig, not just a distant shot of the beach. The guides know how to organize those moments while also watching the group and helping with equipment.

You should expect a friendly, energetic style rather than a formal history lecture. The information focuses on the islands, the pigs, the snorkeling stop, and what to do next. That suits the relaxed nature of the trip.

The group setup can vary, but a private group is available. If you are visiting Samui for a short cruise or ship stop, the private option may be worth considering because it gives you more control over timing. For most hotel-based visitors, the standard shared outing should offer good value.

What the $52 Price Really Covers

At $52 per person, this is a strong package if you use most of what is included. The price covers:

• Round-trip hotel transfers
• English-speaking guide
• Speedboat transport
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jacket
• Travel insurance
• Unlimited drinking water
• Buffet lunch on Koh Tan
• Seasonal fruit

You still pay 50 baht per person to enter Pig Island. Food for the pigs, drinks at the island bar, snacks, and any optional water shoes are also extra.

The value comes from the transport and meal. A private transfer to a pier, speedboat access, snorkeling equipment, and an island lunch can add up quickly if arranged separately. The tour also avoids a long crossing to distant islands, which makes it efficient for a half-day plan.

The price is less attractive if you want a full day on a quiet beach or a serious coral reef trip. You are paying for variety: pigs, swimming, snorkeling, food, and a second island. That variety is exactly why it suits families and first-time visitors to Samui.

Timing, Comfort, and Who Should Book

This tour works best for you if you want a light, social outing with plenty of activity but no demanding hike. You can swim, take pictures, snorkel, eat, and rest without committing to a full day at sea.

Families should note that children taller than 120 centimeters are charged the adult price. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Pregnant women are specifically excluded for safety reasons, and insurance does not apply if someone participates despite that restriction.

Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, a towel, and clothes that dry reasonably fast. A waterproof phone pouch is also sensible, though it is not listed as an included item. Keep your belongings organized on the boat, since you will switch between beach time, snorkeling, and lunch.

The tour is not ideal if you need strict timing. Pickup times can change by hotel location, and traffic affects the road journey. The boat portion may run smoothly, but the total hotel-to-hotel schedule can be longer than four hours.

You should also expect a lively group atmosphere. The guides often joke with the group and help everyone take pictures. That is part of the appeal, but anyone looking for silence and solitude should choose a smaller private trip.

How This Tour Compares With a Full-Day Island Excursion

A full-day boat trip around Samui may reach farther islands and provide longer swimming or snorkeling periods. It may also involve a longer ride in open water. This four-hour plan takes a different approach.

I like it for a first taste of the southern islands. You get two island stops and lunch without giving up the entire day. The short crossings are kinder to anyone who gets seasick, though the speedboat can still feel lively in rough conditions.

The tradeoff is depth. You will not have hours to explore Koh Tan, and Pig Island is mainly about the animals, beach, and photographs. The snorkeling stop is enough for a taste, not a full marine excursion.

If your holiday is short, this is an efficient way to add a boat outing. If you have several days and care most about reefs, you may want to compare it with a dedicated snorkeling trip.

Should You Book the Pig Island and Koh Tan Tour?

Book it if you want an easygoing island sampler with short boat rides, a friendly crew, a solid included lunch, and the strange delight of pigs roaming a tropical beach. The $52 price is fair because it includes hotel transport, equipment, water, lunch, and fruit.

Go in with sensible expectations about snorkeling. Clear water is possible, but cloudy conditions can reduce the fish you see. Also allow extra time for the hotel transfer, especially from northern Samui.

For most people, Pig Island will be the highlight, with Koh Tan and lunch providing a pleasant second act. I would choose this tour for families, couples, first-time Samui visitors, and anyone who wants a memorable half-day without a long sea crossing. I would choose something else if reef quality, quiet beaches, or a tightly fixed schedule matters most.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Samui Pig Island tour last?

The listed activity duration is four hours. Pickup and drop-off can make the total hotel-to-hotel outing much longer, sometimes around six and a half hours from Chaweng.

How long does the hotel transfer take?

The drive from your hotel to the southern pier takes about 40 to 50 minutes, depending on location. From northern Koh Samui, it may take around one hour.

What islands does the tour visit?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch on Koh Tan, drinking water, and seasonal fruit are included.

Do I have to pay an additional entrance fee?

Yes. Pig Island charges an entrance fee of 50 baht per person. Food for the pigs, drinks, snacks, and optional water shoes are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes.

Can pregnant women join the tour?

No. Pregnant women are not permitted to participate for safety reasons, and insurance coverage does not apply in those circumstances.

Can I book a private group?

Yes. A private group option is available. This can be useful if you are visiting Koh Samui for a limited time from a cruise ship or other vessel.