Koh Samui: Pig Island & Koh Tan Speedboat Tour with Lunch

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is the star of this five-hour trip. You can walk onto the beach, feed friendly pigs, then swim or kayak with the Gulf of Thailand around you. It is an unusual island stop, and the short boat ride makes it easy to fit into a Koh Samui holiday.

I like the hotel pickup and the simple all-in-one setup. You get a guide, speedboat, snorkeling mask, snorkel, life jacket, drinks, snacks, lunch, and accident insurance without arranging each piece yourself. I also like the mix of activities: Koh Tan offers snorkeling, while Koh Madsum gives you time to slow down, meet the pigs, and enjoy the beach.

The main caution is the sea. One child-focused review found the boat rough when waves were up, with the ride hitting the water hard. Snorkeling visibility can also vary, and fins are not supplied, so this is not the trip to choose if you expect a full reef excursion.

Key points

• Pig Island is Koh Madsum: Feed friendly pigs, then swim, kayak, walk, or rest on the beach.
• Koh Tan comes first: The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes, with fish and underwater views dependent on weather and water clarity.
• The speedboat ride is part of the adventure: Each open-water crossing takes about 30 minutes and can feel rough in wind or waves.
• Lunch is scheduled at Thong Krut Pier: The published timing places the meal after the return boat ride, not during the Pig Island stop.
• Hotel pickup covers much of Koh Samui: Hill hotels may require a short transfer to a nearby hotel or meeting point.
• The price is $47 per person: That is fair for a half-day trip with transfers, food, equipment, and a guide, but remember the 50 THB admission fee and possible remote-area transfer surcharge.

Meeting the boat at Thong Krut Pier

Your morning begins with pickup from a Koh Samui hotel, usually between 7:40 and 8:30 a.m. The exact time is sent by email, so check your inbox before bed and wait in the hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early.

Pickup is available from Lamai, Chaweng, Bophut, Maenam, Bangpor, Bangrak, Cheongmon, and the Butterfly Garden area. If your hotel sits up a hill, you may need to meet the vehicle at a nearby hotel or roadside meeting point. Hotels around Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai may incur an extra 700-baht-per-person, per-way transfer charge.

At Thong Krut Pier, allow about 30 minutes for the welcome, safety briefing, and basic instructions. This is useful time rather than dead time. You can collect your equipment, hear how the boat works, and learn what the guide expects in the water.

The exact group size is not supplied, so do not assume an intimate private outing. This is a shared tour with an English- and Thai-speaking guide. The operator also supplies a first aid kit and accident insurance, sensible additions for a boat trip with swimming and snorkeling.

You will need to pay a separate 50 THB admission fee per person. It is a small charge, but include it in your budget.

The 30-minute speedboat ride to Koh Tan

The first crossing takes around 30 minutes. A speedboat gets you between the islands far faster than a slow excursion boat, leaving more time for swimming and the beach.

The tradeoff is comfort. A speedboat can slap down hard on waves, especially at the front of the boat. One family found the ride too rough for children when the sea was choppy. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the movement feels least severe, follow the guide’s instructions, and bring any medication you normally use.

The boat ride also makes weather important. A calm morning can give you a pleasant, quick run across the Gulf. Wind and swell can change the feel of the whole outing. Pregnant people, anyone with back or heart problems, and people with high blood pressure or bone conditions are advised not to join. The tour is also not suitable for people over 70.

Snorkeling for 45 minutes at Koh Tan

Koh Tan is the first island stop, with about 45 minutes set aside for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and views from the water. This is the trip’s main chance to see fish and underwater scenery.

A mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included. Fins are not. That detail matters. You can still snorkel without them, but swimming is less efficient, and people who rely on fins may find the equipment basic.

Water clarity is not guaranteed. A recent outing had little visibility despite the sightseeing and boat ride being well organized. Another outing found beautiful fish even though the weather was not ideal. Expect conditions to depend on wind, rain, tide, and recent weather rather than treating the snorkeling as a fixed-quality reef visit.

The 45-minute stop is enough for a look around, but it is not a long marine-life session. If snorkeling is your main goal in Koh Samui, you may want a dedicated snorkeling trip with more water time and better equipment. If you want a short swim followed by a distinctive beach stop, Koh Tan fits the day well.

I would bring a rash guard, sun protection, and a waterproof way to carry essentials. The tour includes water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments, but the supplied information does not promise towels, fins, or underwater cameras.

Meeting the pigs on Koh Madsum

Koh Madsum, widely called Pig Island, gets about 75 minutes on the schedule. This is where the outing becomes different from a standard island cruise.

You can walk along the beach, feed the pigs, swim, snorkel, kayak, or simply sit by the water. The pigs are the obvious attraction, but the short list of activities gives you room to choose your own pace. Families can focus on the animals and shallow-water fun. Couples may prefer a beach walk and photographs. Solo visitors can join the social energy around the pigs or take a quieter break.

The pigs are described as friendly and living in their natural island setting. Still, treat them as animals, not props. Follow the guide’s feeding instructions, keep food under control, and give the animals space if they are crowded around people.

The island stop is also your best chance to slow down. After the boat and snorkeling, 75 minutes feels more relaxed than the first water stop. You can swim without making the whole visit about fish, or try kayaking if conditions allow.

Do not expect a large resort-style beach experience. The attraction here is the combination of animals, sand, and easy water activities. If you dislike animal encounters or want a quiet, empty beach, this may be the least appealing part of the trip.

Lunch and the return to Koh Samui

There is a small scheduling point worth checking before you book. The tour description presents lunch as part of the island experience, but the detailed timing places lunch at Thong Krut Pier after the return speedboat ride. The itinerary allows about one hour at the pier for lunch, sightseeing, and a walk.

That means you should not count on eating a full meal during the Koh Madsum stop. Bring your appetite along, and use the included snacks and refreshments earlier in the day if needed. The meal is Thai food, with water and a soft drink included. One food-focused review found the meal generous and very good, which helps the $47 price feel more reasonable.

After lunch, the transfer service returns you to your hotel. The total activity lasts about five hours, so this is a morning-to-early-afternoon plan rather than a full-day expedition.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, this tour offers solid convenience. You are paying for hotel transport, a guide, two boat crossings, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, lunch, drinks, snacks, and basic safety support. Booking each part separately would take more time and could easily cost more once transfers and food are added.

The value is strongest if you are staying within the included pickup areas and want a short, organized outing. It is also useful for a first visit to Koh Samui, when you may prefer a ready-made route rather than negotiating boats and island visits yourself.

The value is weaker if you already have your own transport, fins, and boat arrangements, or if you want a serious snorkeling day. The snorkeling stop is brief, visibility may be poor, and there is an extra 50 THB admission fee. People staying in the far western and southern areas should also add the possible 700-baht-per-person, per-way transfer charge before comparing prices.

The included cancellation policy is practical: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather window is uncertain.

Who will enjoy this Koh Samui outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want three things in one morning: an easy boat trip, a quick snorkel, and the novelty of Pig Island. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and groups who want a mixture of activity and free time.

Children aged 4 to 10 have a child ticket. Still, age alone does not tell you if the trip will suit your family. The boat can hit waves hard, and the ride may be uncomfortable for young children when the sea is rough. Ask yourself how your child handles fast boats before booking.

This is also a good match for people who appreciate included logistics. Hotel pickup removes the need to find the pier, and the guide handles the day’s basic flow. The English and Thai language support is useful, especially during the safety briefing and water activities.

I would look elsewhere if you are pregnant, have back or heart problems, high blood pressure, or bone conditions. The tour is not recommended for people over 70, and the operator may cancel or change the trip if conditions make it unsafe.

Practical tips for a better day

Check your email for the exact pickup time and be in the lobby early. A driver may leave after waiting more than 10 minutes, and hilltop hotels may not receive direct pickup.

Pack light. You need swimwear, sun protection, a change of clothes, and perhaps a dry bag. The provided details do not include towels or fins, so bring your own towel and snorkel fins if you prefer to use them.

Expect the sea to set the tone. Clear water can make Koh Tan worthwhile, while poor visibility reduces the snorkeling value. Rough water can also change a fun speedboat ride into a tiring one. If the forecast looks unsettled, check the operator’s policy and keep the 24-hour cancellation window in mind.

Use the island time wisely. Pig Island gives you several choices, but 75 minutes passes quickly once you feed the pigs, take photographs, swim, and walk the beach. If you want to kayak, do that early rather than waiting until the end.

Finally, keep your expectations in proportion. This is a compact island sampler, not a remote-island expedition or specialist reef trip. Its strength is variety and ease.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if the idea of feeding pigs on Koh Madsum makes you smile and you want a simple half-day from Koh Samui. The combination of hotel pickup, a 30-minute boat ride, Koh Tan snorkeling, Pig Island, kayaking, Thai lunch, and return transport is good value at $47, especially for first-time visitors.

Skip it if your priority is long snorkeling time, supplied fins, calm water, or a quiet and highly controlled boat ride. The trip depends heavily on conditions, and the speedboat can be rough. Also confirm where lunch will be served, since the timing places it at Thong Krut Pier after the island visits.

For most active visitors who want an easy, memorable side trip, I would book it on a calm-weather morning. Go for the pigs and the variety first. Treat the snorkeling as a welcome extra, not the sole reason to come.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Samui Pig Island tour last?

The tour lasts about five hours, including hotel pickup, the pier briefing, boat rides, island visits, lunch, and the return transfer.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Tan for snorkeling and Koh Madsum, commonly called Pig Island, for pigs, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and beach time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from hotels in areas such as Lamai, Chaweng, Bophut, Maenam, Bangpor, Bangrak, Cheongmon, and the Butterfly Garden area. Hill hotels may require a nearby meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Thai lunch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments are included. The detailed schedule places lunch at Thong Krut Pier after returning from the islands.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

A snorkeling mask, snorkel, and life jacket are provided. Fins are not included.

Who should not join this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with high blood pressure or bone conditions, or people over 70. Children aged 4 to 10 can use a child ticket, but rough seas may make the speedboat uncomfortable for young children.