Koh Samui: Pig Island Private Longtail Boat Tour

Pig Island is Koh Samui’s wonderfully odd little sideshow: a white beach, shady trees, and friendly pigs that swim over from nearby Koh Taen. I like the private longtail boat, which lets you set the pace, and I like pairing the pig visit with snorkeling instead of spending the whole morning on one small island. The pigs are not a staged zoo display. They wander, paddle, and wait hopefully for snacks.

The main catch is timing. Pig Island can feel peaceful early in the morning, but crowds build quickly, with one visitor seeing roughly 80 people arrive later in the day. You will also pay a 50-baht-per-person park fee, and food and drinks are extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Two islands in four hours: Visit Koh Madsum, known as Pig Island, then snorkel and swim around Koh Taen.
• A genuinely private outing: The boat and schedule are for your group, with room to stay longer at a stop if conditions and timing allow.
• Go early for the pigs: Around 9 a.m. can mean quiet beach time before larger groups arrive.
• Simple, rustic island stops: Expect sand, trees, sea, and a local bar, not a polished resort facility.
• $107 for up to two people: This is a reasonable price if you value privacy, hotel transport, and flexible time.
• Bring cash and arrive early: The park fee is not included, and arriving more than 10 minutes late can mean missing the boat.

What the Pig Island trip is really like

This four-hour trip begins at Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui, unless you choose hotel pickup. The exact pickup or meeting time is confirmed by email, so check your messages before setting off.

From the pier, your captain takes you by traditional longtail boat toward Koh Madsum. The ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on sea conditions. A longtail boat gives you an open-air view and a classic Gulf of Thailand feel, but it is not a silent or especially smooth ride. If you have back problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, or are pregnant, this outing is not recommended.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable, and the captain can often respond to your wishes. Several people found it useful to ask for extra time at Koh Taen after snorkeling. That flexibility is not unlimited, since the whole trip lasts about four hours, but it makes the morning feel less rushed.

Hotel pickup is available anywhere on Koh Samui, with one limitation: if you stay high on a hillside, the operator may ask you to meet at a nearby hotel or another agreed point. You should be in the hotel lobby at least 10 minutes before pickup.

Koh Madsum, where the pigs own the beach

Koh Madsum is usually called Pig Island, and the name tells you exactly why people come. Pigs from Koh Taen made their way across the water and now spend their days around the beach. They are used to people and are known for being friendly, making this a fun stop for photos and close-up encounters.

You can walk on the beach, sit under the trees, swim, or simply watch the animals. The pigs are the main attraction, but the island itself is pleasant enough to justify the boat ride. Expect a low-key setting rather than a developed resort. A local bar sells food and drinks, but these are not included in the tour price.

The best practical advice is simple: arrive early. A morning departure around 9 a.m. can give you a quiet half hour with the pigs before other boats arrive. Later in the morning, the beach may become much busier. If your main goal is relaxed photographs, animal time, and an uncluttered beach, an early start matters more than almost anything else.

You should also treat the pigs as animals, not props. They may approach you, paddle in the water, or ignore you completely. Feeding and taking pictures are part of the experience, but keep your movements calm and give the animals room. The combination of pigs, sand, and warm sea water makes for memorable photos, although the island’s appeal depends heavily on how crowded it is.

Koh Madsum includes around two hours in the planned schedule. That is generous for a small island and gives you time to do more than rush from pig to pig. You may swim, kayak, snorkel, take photographs, or relax in the shade. The tour information includes kayaking as a possible activity, but equipment details are not specified, so ask your captain what is available on the day.

Why the private boat is worth considering

At $107 per group of up to two people, this is not the cheapest way to reach Pig Island. It can be good value for couples or two friends who would rather pay for privacy than share a boat with a larger group.

The price includes the private tour, longtail boat transport, a life jacket, and a snorkeling mask. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select that option. You still need to budget for the 50-baht park fee per person, plus any food or drinks.

I see the value in three areas. First, you avoid being locked into a large group schedule. Second, you can reach Koh Madsum early, before the main wave of visitors. Third, you have a second island and snorkeling stop built into the same short outing.

The private setup also helps if your interests differ from those of other people in your group. You might spend more time taking photos with the pigs, then ask for a longer swim at Koh Taen. One person may want to snorkel while another prefers to stay on the boat or beach. The captain can usually work with those preferences, within the limits of weather and the day’s timing.

For a solo visitor, the price is less attractive because it is priced by group rather than by seat. For two people, it makes more sense, especially if hotel pickup saves you a separate taxi ride to Thong Krut Pier.

Snorkeling at Koh Taen

After Koh Madsum, the longtail boat continues to Koh Taen. The scheduled visit is about 45 minutes, though the exact amount of time in the water can change with conditions and your chosen pace.

Koh Taen is the more traditional island excursion of the two. Here you put on the supplied mask, wear a life jacket if needed, and look around the clear water for coral and marine life. The snorkeling suits beginners as well as people who already feel comfortable in the sea.

The water is the main attraction, but conditions can vary. One outing ended early when a storm appeared to be moving in. That is a sensible decision on a small boat, even if it shortens your swim. Do not book this expecting a fixed number of minutes in the water regardless of wind, waves, or rain.

Some visitors found that the guide fed fish during the snorkeling stop, making it easier to see marine life. That can add excitement, but you should ask your captain what is planned rather than assume it will happen. The mask is provided, but you may prefer to bring your own if you need a particular fit.

If snorkeling is your top priority, tell the captain early. If Pig Island is your main goal, you can make that clear too. The private format gives you a better chance of shaping the balance between the two stops than a standard group excursion.

The boat ride and the return to Samui

The longtail ride is short enough to be comfortable for most people, with roughly 20 minutes each way between the pier and the island area. It is also part of the experience. You get open views across the Gulf of Thailand and a close feel for the traditional boat style used around the islands.

Bring sun protection, a hat that will not blow away, and a dry bag for phones. The tour includes life jackets, but it does not list towels, bottled water, meals, or waterproof storage. A light cover-up can be useful after snorkeling, especially if the wind picks up.

The return route takes you back to Thong Krut Pier. If you selected hotel transport, you are returned to your hotel or an arranged drop-off point. Without pickup, you meet at the pier and return there, which can be convenient if you have your own plans around southern Koh Samui.

The pier meeting process deserves attention. You must meet the captain at Thong Krut Pier at the confirmed time. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you may be treated as a no-show, especially if the boat has already left. Since one person had trouble finding the correct stand when arriving independently, hotel pickup removes some avoidable confusion.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This trip fits a couple or two friends who want a private half-day on the water rather than a full-day island cruise. It works especially well if you want a mix of unusual animal encounters, beach time, and simple snorkeling.

Families may enjoy the pigs and the short boat ride, but the operator specifically lists the experience as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back problems, heart problems, or high blood pressure. Parents should also be ready for a rustic beach stop rather than a fully serviced attraction.

Photographers will appreciate the early start and the chance to take pictures from the boat and beach. Swimmers and first-time snorkelers get an easy introduction to Koh Taen. People seeking a quiet, empty island all day should lower their expectations. The islands can become busy, particularly later in the morning.

This is also a good fit if you dislike rigid tours. You can ask to stay longer at a stop, adjust your swimming time, and choose whether to spend more of the morning with the pigs or in the water. The captain speaks English and Thai, though the level of detailed explanation may vary by guide.

Useful details before you reserve

The tour costs $107 per private group of up to two people and lasts four hours. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the scheduled start.

The 50-baht park fee per person is separate. Food and drinks are also separate, so bring Thai baht for the island bar and entrance fee. The boat provides a mask and life jacket, but you should bring swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, drinking water, and a phone pouch.

The provider may cancel in rare cases because of conditions or other operational problems. If that happens, you are offered another date, an alternative tour, or a full refund.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 199 ratings, which fits the experience well: the private boat, friendly guides, early arrival, and combination of two islands receive the strongest praise, while the main complaints concern crowding and occasional confusion at the pier. Those are manageable if you book pickup or arrive early and keep your schedule flexible.

Should you book the Pig Island private tour?

I would book it if you are two people and want the best chance of reaching Pig Island before the crowds. The combination of Koh Madsum and Koh Taen gives you more variety than a pig-only visit, and the private boat makes the $107 price easier to justify.

I would skip it if you want a polished resort-style day, a guaranteed long snorkeling session, or a completely empty beach. This is a simple island outing with friendly pigs, a local bar, open water, and weather-dependent timing.

For the best version of the experience, choose hotel pickup if you are unsure about the pier, request an early start, bring cash for the park fee and refreshments, and tell the captain how you want to divide your time. If those details suit you, this is a fun, unusual way to spend a morning off Koh Samui.

FAQ

How long does the Pig Island tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat rides, time at Koh Madsum, snorkeling at Koh Taen, and the return to Koh Samui.

How much does the private tour cost?

The price is $107 per private group of up to two people. The 50-baht park fee per person, food, and drinks are not included.

Is hotel pickup available on Koh Samui?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option. If you stay on a hillside, the provider may arrange pickup from a nearby hotel or meeting point.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes private longtail boat transport, a life jacket, and a snorkeling mask. Hotel transport is included only with the pickup option.

Where does the tour meet without hotel pickup?

You meet the captain at Thong Krut Pier. The exact meeting time and point are confirmed by email. Arriving more than 10 minutes late may result in being treated as a no-show.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, heart problems, or high blood pressure. The provider conducts the outing in English and Thai.