Samui: Pig Island Private Luxury Longtail Boat Tour

Pig Island is the star here: Koh Madsum’s friendly swimming pigs are a funny, memorable stop, but the island itself is also lovely. Afterward, you head toward Tan or Rap Island for snorkeling, swimming, and time on the sand.

I like the privacy of a boat reserved for up to six people, and I like that the crew supplies snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, fruit, snacks, life jackets, and hotel pickup. The main catch is the price: $511 per group is good value for six, but expensive for one or two people. Seasickness and mobility limits also matter.

Key points at a glance

• Koh Madsum, or Pig Island: Meet pigs that swim near shore, then enjoy the island’s soft beaches and clear water.
• Tan or Rap Island: Spend the second part of the trip snorkeling, swimming, or resting on a quieter beach.
• Private boat for up to six: Your group gets a more relaxed ride than a large shared excursion.
• Four-hour schedule: This is a compact half-day outing, useful when you want island time without giving up the rest of your day.
• Useful inclusions: Hotel pickup, crew, snorkeling equipment, drinking water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, snacks, life jackets, and travel insurance are included.
• Know the limits: Island admission, food and snacks bought on the islands, and optional island activities cost extra.

Why the pigs are only part of the appeal

The swimming pigs make this tour easy to remember. On Koh Madsum, you can meet the pigs at the shore and watch them paddle through shallow water. It is playful and a little odd in the best possible way, especially for families and anyone who likes an unusual photo opportunity.

Still, I would not book this trip only for the animals. The island has its own appeal, with clear water and beaches that give you room to slow down. The pig stop works best as one piece of a short island outing rather than the whole reason to leave Samui.

The tour begins with hotel pickup and a ride aboard a traditional longtail boat fitted out for a more comfortable private trip. You get the familiar Thai boat shape and open-air views, along with a crew focused on your small group. That combination gives the ride more character than a standard speedboat transfer.

A four-hour trip moves at a useful pace. You have enough time for two island areas, but this is not an all-day cruise with long stretches for exploration. If you want a full beach day, several snorkel sites, or a slow lunch on the water, you should look for a longer excursion.

The longtail boat ride from Samui

The boat is part of the experience, not just transportation. A longtail lets you take in the coast as you move between Samui and the nearby islands, with an open view of the Gulf of Thailand. The trip is scenic, and the traditional design gives the outing a distinctly local feel.

You also get the comfort of a private group. With room for up to six people, the boat suits a family, two couples, or a small circle of friends. You are not tied to the rhythm of a large party, though the exact pace and stop length will still depend on the tour plan and sea conditions.

Hotel pickup is included, which makes the morning or afternoon easier to manage. You do not need to arrange your own transfer to the departure point. Bring cash, though, since island costs and personal purchases are not covered.

The crew speaks Thai and English. The tour also includes travel insurance, life jackets, drinking water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, and snacks. These are practical touches. You can spend more time in the water and less time worrying about basic supplies.

Koh Madsum and its swimming pigs

Koh Madsum is commonly called Pig Island, and the name tells you exactly what makes the stop different. Friendly pigs gather near the shore, where you can see them swimming and moving along the beach. They are not a wild-animal encounter in a remote setting. This is a light, managed attraction with a strong novelty factor.

I like that the island offers more than a quick animal photo. The beach and water make it worth visiting even after the first laugh fades. You can look for a good view, walk along the sand, or cool off in the sea, depending on the time available and the conditions on the day.

Use common sense around the pigs. Keep food and personal items secure, give the animals space, and follow the crew’s directions. The supplied information does not promise a set feeding session or a particular number of pigs, so you should treat the encounter as a chance to see them near the beach rather than a guaranteed animal performance.

The island may charge an admission fee. That cost is not included, and the amount is not specified here. Set aside some cash so a small extra charge does not catch you by surprise.

Snorkeling near Tan or Rap Island

After Koh Madsum, the boat continues to Tan or Rap Island. The exact choice is not fixed in the details provided, so your stop may depend on the day’s plan and conditions. Both are presented as places for clear water, beach time, and a quieter break from Samui.

Snorkeling is a major part of this leg. Equipment is included, along with a life jacket, so you do not need to rent basic gear separately. You can swim above coral areas and look for tropical fish in the shallow sea. The water is described as clear, but visibility can change with weather, tide, and boat traffic.

One recent afternoon included snorkeling off Koh Tan, with a fair amount of fish and acceptable visibility. That is a useful expectation to carry: you may see plenty of marine life, but this is not a specialist reef expedition with guaranteed perfect visibility. Conditions decide how good the underwater view will be.

If you are a confident swimmer, you may prefer to spend more time in the water. If you are less sure, use the life jacket and stay close to the boat or the crew’s suggested area. The itinerary also works for people who would rather sit on the beach while others snorkel.

The islands’ appeal is their simplicity. You are not being sent from one attraction to another all day. There is time for a swim, a look beneath the surface, or a rest on the sand. That makes the private format particularly useful for mixed groups, since not everyone needs to do the same activity.

Beach time, snacks, and what costs extra

The tour includes seasonal fruit, snacks, drinking water, and soft drinks. That is enough to keep a short outing comfortable, but it is not a promise of a full meal. Food and snacks purchased on the islands are not included.

You should eat before departure or plan to bring enough cash for anything you want to buy at a stop. The tour also excludes activities on the islands, so do not assume every optional attraction is covered by the booking price. Island admission may also be charged separately.

Bring beachwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a change of clothes. A change of clothes is especially handy after snorkeling, since a wet swimsuit can become uncomfortable during the ride back. Comfortable shoes are also recommended, although you will likely spend much of the outing near the water.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That rule is straightforward, but it is worth knowing if you were imagining a party boat. This trip is better suited to swimming, sightseeing, and relaxed conversation than loud onboard entertainment.

Is $511 good value for your group?

The price is $511 for a private group of up to six people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $85 per person before any island admission, food, or optional activity costs. For six people who value privacy, hotel pickup, and included gear, that is a reasonable way to spend a half-day.

For two people, the same price works out to about $256 per person. That is a much harder sell, especially if you are mainly interested in seeing the pigs and taking a short swim. Couples should compare this with shared boat trips before booking.

The value comes from more than the boat itself. You are paying for a private group, a crew, hotel pickup, a traditional longtail boat, snorkeling equipment, refreshments, life jackets, and travel insurance. You also avoid being placed with a large crowd, which can matter when you want a calmer beach stop or need flexibility within your group.

The four-hour length helps keep the cost in perspective. This is not a full-day charter. It is a focused outing that fits neatly into a Samui holiday, leaving you time for another meal, beach visit, or evening plan.

Use the reserve-now-and-pay-later option if your schedule is still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the available start times before booking, since the tour runs for four hours and the exact departure options are not listed here.

Who will enjoy this private outing

I would recommend this tour most strongly to small groups that want a private boat without planning a complicated charter. Families with children old enough for the activity, friends sharing the cost, and couples who place a high value on privacy are the best match.

It also suits people who want a little of everything: a funny animal encounter, a scenic boat ride, snorkeling, swimming, and beach time. You do not need to be a serious snorkeler to enjoy it, since the islands also offer space to sit and relax.

The tour is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back or heart problems. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness or anyone over 70. Those limits are important on an open-water trip with boat movement and transfers between shore and sea.

If you know you get seasick, think carefully before choosing a longtail boat outing. The trip is only four hours, but even a short ride can be uncomfortable. A private booking does not change the motion of the water.

Practical tips for a better four hours

Pack lightly. You need beachwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable shoes, and dry clothes. Keep your phone and other valuables protected around the water, and bring cash for island admission, food, or activities not covered by the tour.

Do not count on the included snacks as lunch. Eat beforehand, especially if you are traveling with children or anyone who gets hungry quickly. The supplied drinks and fruit are useful, but they are meant to support a short trip rather than replace a full meal.

Plan your photos around both stops. Pig Island gives you the memorable animal pictures, while Tan or Rap Island may offer cleaner beach scenes and better water views. The crew can also help with photos. During one reported outing, the guide took many pictures for the group, so it is reasonable to ask for help if your hands are busy with snorkeling gear.

Keep your expectations flexible. The exact island choice, water clarity, and amount of marine life can change. One outing near Koh Tan had plenty of fish and decent visibility, which is encouraging, but no reef trip can promise identical conditions every day.

Should you book the Pig Island longtail tour?

Book it if you have a group of four to six, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining Pig Island with snorkeling and a beach stop. The friendly pigs are a fun hook, but the real strength is the mix of experiences packed into four hours. The crew, supplies, hotel pickup, and photo help add useful comfort.

Think twice if you are a couple watching every baht, dislike boat motion, or want a long, serious snorkeling session. The cost is much easier to justify when shared, and the trip has age, health, and mobility restrictions that should not be brushed aside.

For the right group, this is a neat half-day escape from Samui: traditional boat, clear water, coral snorkeling, soft sand, and an unusual stop with swimming pigs. Just budget for extras and accept that the sea, visibility, and island choice are part of the day’s variables.

FAQ

How long is the Pig Island private boat tour?

The tour lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private group?

The price covers a private group of up to six people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup is included in the tour.

What equipment and refreshments are provided?

The tour provides snorkeling gear, life jackets, drinking water, soft drinks, seasonal fruit, and snacks.

Are island admission fees included?

No. An island admission fee may apply and is not included. Food, snacks bought on the islands, and island activities are also extra.

What languages does the crew speak?

The tour is available with a live guide in Thai and English.

Who should not book this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, or people over 70.