Ko Samui: Private Longtail Boat Tour to Koh Madsum & Koh Tan

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is the star of this half-day trip. Friendly pigs wander along the sand, while Koh Tan offers clear water, coral reefs, and a quieter setting for snorkeling. I like the privacy of having your own longtail boat and the generous two-hour stops at each island. I also like that the captain can keep the outing at your pace instead of moving a large group by the clock.

The main drawback is that this is not a fully guided excursion. A tour guide is not included, and the beach fee, lunch, and kayaking cost extra. Facilities on Koh Madsum are basic, including a toilet that may disappoint, so bring sensible expectations along with your swimwear.

Key Points at a Glance

• Pig Island gives you close-up time with friendly pigs, plus food and drinks for purchase.
• Koh Tan is the better stop for snorkeling, especially away from the shoreline and around the rocks.
• Your private longtail boat offers flexibility, with no large group to hold you back.
• The outing lasts four to five hours, including roughly two hours at each island.
• Lunch and kayaking are optional extras, not part of the $57 base price.
• Hotel pickup is optional, and mountain villa pickup is limited to the main road.

Why This Private Boat Trip Works

This is a simple island outing with two very different stops. Koh Madsum supplies the novelty and easy beach fun. Koh Tan is where you go for water time, snorkeling, and a more natural island setting.

At $57 per person, the price is reasonable if you value a private boat and are traveling with family or friends. The real value depends on your group size and what you add. A private boat costs more than joining a shared excursion, but you are not waiting for strangers, and you can spend your time more freely.

The experience runs four to five hours. That is long enough to reach both islands without giving up an entire day on Ko Samui. It is also short enough to fit around other plans, though you should allow extra time if pickup or drop-off arrangements are involved.

You will be on the water for about 30 minutes at the start, about 30 minutes between the islands, and roughly 40 minutes on the return. The boat ride is part of the pleasure, but the longtail is an open, exposed boat. Sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof bag are not optional luxuries here.

Setting Out From Ko Samui

Your exact starting point depends on the option you book. Hotel pickup and drop-off may be included, but they are not automatic with every choice. If you are staying in a villa high on the mountain, pickup reaches only the main road, so confirm where you need to meet the vehicle.

Plan to arrive 20 minutes before departure. This is especially important if you are arranging your own way to the meeting point. The final drop-off options listed are Kohtantour&transport, Ko Samui, and Koh Samui, so check the precise return location before booking if your hotel is not using the pickup option.

The longtail boat carries a private group. That gives you room to settle in and avoids the slow procession that can come with a large shared boat. The captain is responsible for the boat, but no formal tour guide is included. You should expect transportation and island time rather than a running commentary about local history or marine life.

Bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and a life jacket are included. You should still bring more water if you need it, along with snacks. The boat ride is exposed to sun and spray, and there is no reason to count on buying everything you want once you leave Ko Samui.

Koh Tan: Two Hours for Water and Snorkeling

Koh Tan is scheduled first, with about two hours to enjoy the island and its water. This is the part of the trip to prioritize if snorkeling matters most to you.

The water is described as clear, with coral reefs and fish around the rocks. A useful practical tip is to move away from the shore when snorkeling. The fish are found among the rocks farther out, rather than right at the edge of the beach. Stay within the safe area, wear the provided life jacket if needed, and follow the captain’s instructions.

You may find the water conditions change during the day. The tour promises snorkeling equipment, not a guaranteed marine-life display, so think of this as a chance to explore rather than a controlled aquarium visit. Do not touch marine life, coral, or plants. That protects the setting and keeps you from being scratched or stung.

Koh Tan also gives you a chance to slow down. You can swim, sit in the sun, and enjoy the island views without rushing immediately into another activity. Two hours is a useful amount of time here: enough for a water session and a break, but not so long that you feel stranded if conditions are less than perfect.

If you are prone to seasickness, this may not be the right outing. The boat rides are short by island-hopping standards, but a longtail boat still moves with the water. Take your own precautions before departure if you know you are sensitive.

Koh Madsum and the Pig Island Visit

The second stop is Koh Madsum, also called Pig Island, with about two hours on shore. This is the more playful and unusual part of the trip. Pigs roam around the beach area, and they are known for being friendly.

A particularly useful detail is the refillable water bottle handed out on arrival. Keep it. The pigs like drinking from it, and using it can become one of the memorable small moments of the visit. Do not assume the pigs are toys, though. Treat them calmly, give them space, and follow local instructions.

Koh Madsum has food and drinks available if you need them. The optional Thai lunch is not included in the base price, so ask about the lunch arrangement before you set out. Kayaking is also optional and costs extra. This makes the stop flexible, but it also means your final price can rise beyond the advertised $57.

The beach is the main attraction here. You can swim, sit in the sun, watch the pigs, and take photos. The island is not presented as a place for extensive sightseeing or cultural touring. Its appeal is immediate and lighthearted: sand, sea, pigs, and a break from Ko Samui.

Keep expectations realistic about facilities. The toilet has been described as poor, and island services are basic. Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a waterproof bag for your phone and other belongings. A waterproof bag is especially useful when you are moving between the boat, beach, and water.

The Return Boat Ride and Flexible Timing

After Koh Madsum, the return boat ride takes about 40 minutes. The private format is most useful here. You are not tied to a large group’s pace, and the day can feel less like a conveyor belt of stops.

The boat captain is not named in the available information, but the service includes a private captain-led trip rather than a guide-led sightseeing program. If you want detailed explanations, ask when booking whether someone can provide them. The stated inclusions do not promise a guide.

You should also clarify whether hotel transfer is included in your selected option. The activity offers pickup as an add-on choice, and mountain villa pickup is only from the main road. These details matter because a low advertised price can become less attractive if you need separate transport to the pier and back.

What the $57 Price Really Covers

The base rate includes the private longtail boat, bottled water, snorkeling gear, and a life jacket. Depending on the selected option, hotel pickup and drop-off may also be included.

The following are not included:

• Thai lunch
• Kayaking
• Hotel transfer, if not selected
• Tour guide
• Koh Madsum beach fee of THB 50 per person

For a solo visitor, $57 may feel high compared with a shared boat. For a couple or small group, the price is easier to justify because the boat is private and the time is not built around strangers. I would compare the total cost, not just the headline figure. Add transport, the beach fee, lunch, and kayaking if you plan to use them.

The private format is especially valuable if you want to leave Koh Tan after snorkeling rather than sit through a long group stop. It also suits people who want a quiet boat ride and do not enjoy crowd management. If your main goal is the lowest possible price, a shared outing may make more sense.

What to Bring for a Comfortable Day

Start with swimwear under comfortable beach clothing. You should also pack a towel and a dry change of clothes for the ride back. Apply sunscreen before leaving Ko Samui, then bring it with you for another application.

A hat is useful during both the boat rides and island stops. Pack snacks, even though food and drinks are available on Koh Madsum, because you may prefer to eat on your own schedule.

Use a waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, camera, and room key. Longtail boats are open to spray, and you may also be carrying wet gear between the beach and the boat.

A sensible packing list is:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Snacks
• Camera
• Waterproof bag

Respect the no-littering rule. Do not touch marine life, plants, or coral, and listen to the captain’s safety instructions. These are small actions, but they matter in a shallow island environment visited by many boat groups.

Who Should Book This Trip

I would recommend this tour to couples, families, and small groups who want a private outing without spending a full day at sea. It suits people who want a mix of snorkeling and easy beach time, rather than a serious, specialist snorkeling trip.

It is also a good fit if Pig Island is high on your Ko Samui wish list. The pigs make Koh Madsum different from a standard beach stop, and the refillable water bottle is a handy, memorable touch.

You may want another option if you dislike basic facilities, cannot manage an open-boat ride, or need a fully guided experience. The outing is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness.

The boat access, beach conditions, and snorkeling all require some physical comfort around water. The activity information does not describe special accessibility arrangements, so ask before booking if you have any specific mobility needs.

Smart Booking and Timing Advice

Check the start time when you book, since availability changes by date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful when your Ko Samui schedule depends on weather or other island plans.

I would book the private option if your group wants control over the day. Make sure you confirm the pickup point, the transfer cost, and whether lunch or kayaking is included in your chosen package.

Plan to arrive 20 minutes early. Wear beach clothes from the start, keep valuables protected, and do not fill the day with a tight appointment immediately afterward. The stated duration is four to five hours, but pickup and drop-off can affect the overall time.

Should You Book the Koh Madsum and Koh Tan Tour?

Book it if you want Pig Island plus snorkeling in one manageable half-day, and you place a real value on having a private longtail boat. The two-hour stops are generous, the route is straightforward, and the mix of pigs, beaches, coral, and open-water views gives the outing more variety than a single-island trip.

Think twice if you want a polished resort-style experience, a dedicated guide, or first-rate facilities. The beach fee and optional extras also mean the final bill can exceed the starting price.

For most small groups, I see this as a good-value Ko Samui outing when booked with realistic expectations. Go for the private pace, the friendly pigs, and the chance to snorkel around Koh Tan. Skip the tour if rough water, basic toilets, or extra costs will spoil the day for you.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Madsum and Koh Tan tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours, including boat travel and island visits.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $57 per person. Extra costs may apply for transfers, lunch, kayaking, and the Koh Madsum beach fee.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The activity is offered for a private group on a private longtail boat.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a private longtail boat, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and a life jacket. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup is available with the appropriate option. If you stay in a mountain villa, pickup is provided from the main road only.

Is a tour guide included?

No. A tour guide is not included in the stated inclusions.

Are lunch and kayaking included?

No. Thai lunch and kayaking are optional extras.

Is there an additional beach fee?

Yes. Koh Madsum charges a beach fee of THB 50 per person.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness.