Ko Samui: Pig Island Snorkeling and Koh Tan Speedboat Tour

Pig Island is the star here. On Koh Madsum, woolly pigs wander across a white beach while you swim, kayak, eat Thai food, or simply watch the Gulf of Thailand roll by. I like the generous island time and the fact that lunch, drinks, equipment, and hotel transport are included. I also like that the tour keeps to a half-day format, so you still have most of the day for Koh Samui.

The tradeoff is that snorkeling can be ordinary when the water is cloudy, and the transfer may take longer than the boat trip itself. The advertised middle-sized group can also feel fairly full, with one booking reporting around 60 people on the speedboat. Add the separate 50 baht Koh Madsum entrance fee to your budget.

Quick take: what makes this outing worth considering

• Piglets on Koh Madsum: The pigs are the main event, and you get plenty of time to watch, photograph, and gently interact with them.
• Two very different island stops: Koh Tan offers swimming and snorkeling, while Koh Madsum is for beach time, kayaking, lunch, and animal encounters.
• A useful half-day length: The 270-minute activity gives you a proper island visit without taking up a full day.
• Simple all-in pricing: Hotel pickup, a Thai meal, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaking, life jackets, and return transport are included.
• Afternoon trips have a special appeal: Depending on timing, you may stay on Pig Island into the softer late-day light and possibly see sunset.
• Snorkeling depends heavily on conditions: Clear water can make the stop enjoyable, but murky water reduces it to a short swim with a few fish.

The basic shape of the day

This is a shared speedboat outing from southern Koh Samui, operated by Koh Samui Advisor Co., Ltd. The morning pickup generally falls between 8:30 and 9:30 am, while the afternoon pickup is usually between 1 and 2 pm.

Your air-conditioned minibus collects you from the general parking area of your accommodation, not always directly outside your room or villa. The operator sends the final pickup time through the GetYourGuide message system, so check it carefully. If your accommodation sits up a steep or narrow road, you may be directed to a nearby meeting point.

The drive leads to Bang Khao, a small fishing area in southern Koh Samui. Since the minibus collects several groups, the road portion can be surprisingly long. One pickup from near Fisherman’s Village took roughly 75 to 80 minutes each way, although the van was comfortable and air-conditioned.

At the pier, you may wait while the boat is prepared or while other people arrive. Some departures have involved a wait of about 45 minutes at a beach bar or pier. That is not a major problem if you know about it, but it does make the total door-to-door outing longer than the 270-minute activity label suggests.

Koh Tan: one hour of water time

The first boat ride to Koh Tan takes about 20 minutes in normal sea conditions. This is a pleasant opening run across the Gulf, but the speedboat can be lively, especially when the sea is choppy. Life jackets are available for everyone on board.

The boat anchors near Koh Tan, where the water is known for coral and marine life. You receive snorkeling equipment and have around an hour for snorkeling, swimming, and taking photographs from the boat. On a clear day, you may see fish close to the surface and coral below.

This stop deserves realistic expectations. Snorkeling quality changes with weather, tides, visibility, and recent sea conditions. Several people have found the water cloudy or the marine life less impressive than expected. Others enjoyed the fish and the chance to jump into the sea. I would treat Koh Tan as a pleasant water stop, not as the main reason to book this trip.

Bring patience with the equipment. One report noted that the masks could have used better defogging, so checking your mask before entering the water is sensible. If you are a serious snorkeler, you may prefer to bring your own mask, though the supplied equipment is included.

The schedule can also change. Wind, waves, traffic, and local conditions may alter the order or length of the stops. That flexibility matters in the Gulf, where a perfect snorkeling spot on one day can be less inviting on another.

Koh Madsum, the beach with pigs

After Koh Tan, the boat makes the short crossing to Koh Madsum, usually called Pig Island. This is where the tour becomes unusual rather than simply another island cruise.

Koh Madsum has no regular running water or electricity, according to the tour information. Its appeal is the simple setting: pale sand, sea views, a few facilities, and free-roaming pigs. The animals include large pigs and piglets, and friendly dogs are also present around the beach.

You may watch the pigs, take pictures, swim, walk along the sand, or relax with a drink. The tour allows up to two and a half hours here, which is a generous amount of time. That suits people who want a slow beach visit, families with children, and anyone who would rather not rush from one photo stop to the next.

The pigs are generally the highlight. They are accustomed to people and may wander close to the water or through the beach area. You should still treat them as animals, not props. Keep plastic bottles and rubbish away from them, and follow local instructions about feeding and touching. Cigarette ends in the sand are an especially poor fit for this fragile beach setting.

There is a viewpoint on the island, but directions may not be clear. One person spent 20 to 30 minutes looking for it and found a dirty jungle path instead. Unless the guide gives you clear directions, your time is probably better spent near the beach, where the pigs and main views are located.

Lunch on the sand

Lunch is served at a local beach restaurant and is included in the price. Depending on the departure, the meal may be described as lunch or dinner. Soft drinks and water are also included, and one group reported receiving plenty of water throughout the outing.

The food is traditional Thai in style, though the quality is not identical every day. Some meals have been called tasty and filling, while others were judged basic, bland, or similar to standard group buffet food. One group found the meal good and appreciated that vegetarian diners were catered for.

That is a fair way to view it: this is practical tour food served in a memorable location, not a special restaurant meal. You are eating beside the beach, with pigs wandering nearby and the sea in view. That setting adds plenty to a simple plate of food.

Check the bill or ask your guide about drinks and any extras before ordering at the island restaurant. The included meal and soft drinks are clear, but anything beyond that counts as your own expense.

Kayaking and free time

Kayaking is included, although the exact location can change with sea conditions. It may be offered at Koh Tan or Koh Madsum. The kayaking is one more activity in the package, rather than a long guided paddle.

This suits you if you want a gentle way to see the shore or take a break from snorkeling. It may disappoint if you expect an extended kayaking route or a quiet solo experience. The beach can attract several tour groups, and the shared boats mean this is not a private island outing.

The generous free time is one of the better features of the schedule. You can choose your own pace instead of being pushed through a chain of five-minute photo stops. Swim if the sea is calm, kayak if equipment is available, or sit under the beach shade and watch the pigs.

The boat, group size, and comfort

The speedboat is described as clean and well maintained, and one booking specifically praised a boat powered by four Honda V8 engines. That suggests a fast ride, but speed does not always mean comfort. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the crew advises and consider bringing your usual remedy.

The operator describes the outing as a middle-sized group tour. In practice, the group size may vary by departure. One account described roughly 60 people on a large, comfortable boat, while other outings felt less crowded.

That difference is important. You are buying a shared excursion at a low price, not a private charter. The larger boat can feel reassuring in open water, but it also means more people getting equipment, boarding, eating, and moving around the island at the same time.

The guides are repeatedly praised for clear instructions, good organization, and a friendly manner. A host identified as Mr 11 received a particularly warm mention. Another young guide was described as funny, attentive, and good at explaining the schedule. Since staffing changes by departure, I would not book for one named guide, but you can expect English-language guidance and practical instructions.

Is the $51 price good value?

At $51 per person, this is a strong package if you want several holiday costs handled at once. The price includes return hotel transport, the speedboat, an English-speaking guide, accident insurance, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, kayaking, a meal, soft drinks, and return transport.

You would pay separately for a boat trip, transport to the southern pier, food, equipment rental, and possibly kayaking if arranging those pieces on your own. The convenience alone matters on Koh Samui, where reaching the southern piers from northern beaches can take time.

The extra 50 baht entrance fee for Koh Madsum is small, but it should be expected. A few people were surprised when it was requested after arrival. Keep small Thai notes ready, and consider the published $51 price as not quite the final total.

The cheapest possible local booking may sometimes beat the online rate, but that comes with less certainty about transport, cancellation terms, and advance planning. Online booking allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later. For a short holiday, that flexibility can be worth a modest price difference.

Morning or afternoon departure?

The morning option gives you a conventional island day, with an early pickup and return around 2:30 pm. It leaves time afterward for dinner, shopping, or another Koh Samui activity.

The afternoon option generally returns around 6:45 pm. Its appeal is the softer late-day light, and one afternoon group enjoyed being among the last people on the island and watching the sunset. The exact sunset experience depends on the season, weather, and operating schedule, so treat it as a possibility rather than a promise.

Morning departures are better if you want a full evening back at your hotel. Afternoon trips suit you if you prefer a slower start or like the idea of ending at the beach in late light. Both options involve pickup windows, shared transport, and possible waiting time.

Who should book this Pig Island tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a light, social island outing with a memorable animal encounter. It works particularly well for families, couples, first-time visitors to Koh Samui, and anyone who wants to combine a little snorkeling with plenty of beach time.

It is also a good match for people who value convenience. Hotel pickup, equipment, food, and the return journey are all arranged, so you do not have to negotiate separate transport or boat tickets.

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is serious snorkeling. Koh Tan can be enjoyable, but visibility is not guaranteed, and the snorkeling section lasts about an hour. You may also prefer a private or smaller boat if crowds bother you.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women, babies under one year old, or cruise ship passengers. Cruise passengers need a separate cruise-focused Pig Island tour, since this departure is designed for hotel pickup on Koh Samui.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

• Check the final pickup message, then wait at your accommodation’s general parking area.
• Allow extra time for the minibus, especially if you are staying far from Bang Khao.
• Carry cash for the 50 baht Koh Madsum entrance fee and personal purchases.
• Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and waterproof protection for your phone.
• Test the snorkeling mask before entering the water and ask for help if it fogs.
• Keep plastic, cigarette ends, and food packaging away from the pigs and beach.
• If you want a quieter feel and late-day light, consider the afternoon departure.
• If you want your evening free, choose the morning departure.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want the famous Koh Samui Pig Island experience with transport, lunch, kayaking, and snorkeling bundled into one affordable half-day. The pigs, long beach stay, friendly guides, and simple logistics are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you expect pristine snorkeling, a small private group, or a carefully planned nature tour. For most people, the best way to judge this outing is to think of it as a Pig Island beach visit with snorkeling added, not as a specialist reef trip. At $51, with the 50 baht entrance fee added, that is a fair deal.

FAQ

How long does the Pig Island and Koh Tan tour last?

The stated duration is 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. Pickup and drop-off windows can make the full time away from your accommodation longer.

What time does hotel pickup take place?

Morning pickup is generally between 8:30 and 9:30 am. Afternoon pickup is generally between 1 and 2 pm. Your final pickup time depends on your accommodation and is sent through the booking message system.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport by air-conditioned minibus are included for hotel guests. You are normally collected from the general parking area of your accommodation.

What happens if the minibus cannot reach my accommodation?

If the road is too steep or inaccessible, the operator may assign a nearby alternative pickup point. You would need to reach that location yourself, and a map link is sent after booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. Snorkeling takes place near Koh Tan and lasts about one hour, although conditions can affect visibility.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai lunch or dinner, depending on the departure, is included. Soft drinks and water are also included.

Is the Koh Madsum entrance fee included?

No. You need to pay a separate 50 baht entrance fee for Koh Madsum. Personal expenses are also not included.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

No. This tour is not suitable for cruise ship passengers. Cruise ship visitors should select the separate cruise ship version of the Pig Island tour.