Ko Samui: Pig Island Snorkeling and Koh Tan Speedboat Tour

Pig Island is the star here, and it earns the billing. On Koh Madsum, a short boat ride from Koh Tan, woolly pigs wander across the sand while you swim, kayak, or simply watch them nose around the beach. I especially like the long island visit and the fact that lunch, drinks, gear, and transport are bundled into the price.

I also like the practical half-day format. You get a proper island outing without giving up a full day on Koh Samui, and the air-conditioned minibus makes hotel pickup easy. The main caution is that snorkeling can be ordinary, especially after rough weather or when the water turns cloudy. This is best booked for the pigs and the beach, with snorkeling as a pleasant extra.

Key points at a glance

• Koh Madsum is the main event: Spend about two and a half hours around Pig Island, with time for photos, swimming, kayaking, and a relaxed beach break.
• Koh Tan offers the water stop: Snorkel for roughly one hour over a coral reef, though visibility depends on sea conditions.
• The $51 price covers plenty: Hotel pickup, speedboat transport, a guide, lunch or dinner, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaking, and return transfer are included.
• Allow for the extra fee: Koh Madsum charges a 50 baht entrance fee, paid separately.
• Morning and afternoon departures are available: The afternoon trip may return around sunset, giving the beach a softer, quieter feel.
• Expect a shared tour: Pickup is by minibus, and the boat may feel fairly full even though the tour is described as middle-sized.

Why Pig Island is worth the boat ride

Koh Madsum has no running water or electricity, and its simple setting is part of the appeal. The beach is white, the water frames the island nicely, and the pigs provide the unusual touch that turns a standard island trip into something you will remember.

The pigs are free to wander, so you may see adults rooting through the sand or piglets padding around near the beach. Friendly dogs are also present. You can watch, take pictures, offer water when appropriate, or simply let the animals carry on with their island routine.

I like that the tour leaves plenty of time here. Many island excursions rush you through a photo stop, but this one allows roughly two and a half hours on Koh Madsum. That gives you time to walk, kayak, swim, eat, and sit down without treating every minute like a race.

There is a practical environmental point to keep in mind. Cigarette ends and discarded plastic bottles have been seen in the sand, and visitors have sometimes left bottles after giving water to the pigs. Bring a take-back attitude: keep your rubbish with you until you find a bin, and do not feed the animals anything unless the local staff permits it.

The minibus ride from your hotel

The day begins with pickup at your accommodation, normally between 8:30 and 9:30 in the morning, or between 1:00 and 2:00 in the afternoon. The exact time depends on your location, so check the follow-up message sent through the booking service and wait at the general car park.

The air-conditioned minibus collects people from several hotels before heading to Bang Khao, a fishing village in southern Koh Samui. If you are staying near Fisherman’s Village or in the north of the island, the road portion can be long. One reported journey took around 75 to 80 minutes each way, including the pickup route.

That ride is comfortable, but it affects the value of the half-day schedule. Your advertised 270 minutes covers the activity itself, while hotel collection and drop-off can add a fair amount of time. If you dislike long transfers, check your accommodation’s location before booking.

Road access can also matter. If a minibus cannot reach a steep or narrow accommodation road, you may be given an alternative pickup point with a map link. That is not a serious problem, but you need to reach that point yourself.

Boarding at Bang Khao

At the harbor, you show your ticket at the counter inside the beach restaurant. Pickup groups are gathered here before the speedboat leaves, and this may create a waiting period.

Several schedules have included an early arrival at the pier followed by a wait of around 45 minutes before departure. Use the pause to visit the toilet, apply sunscreen, and collect anything you want on the boat. The tour is organized around shared transfers, so arriving early does not always mean the boat leaves at once.

The speedboat is described as clean and large, with safety equipment on board. One boat was reported to have four Honda V8 engines, which gives you an idea of the power available for the crossing. Boats and passenger loads can vary, though, and a full boat may feel less intimate than the phrase middle-sized group suggests.

Life jackets are provided on board for every participant. Wear practical clothing and secure loose items, since a speedboat crossing can be lively when the Gulf of Thailand is choppy.

Koh Tan snorkeling, about one hour

The first island stop is Koh Tan, reached in about 20 minutes under normal sea conditions. The boat anchors near the island, where you receive snorkeling equipment and have around an hour for snorkeling, swimming, and photos.

Koh Tan is chosen for its coral reef and calmer water. In good conditions, you can see fish and other sea life close to the boat. Some people have found fish only inches away, while others have found the water too cloudy for a strong snorkeling session.

That variation is important. Water clarity depends on weather and sea conditions, so you should not book this trip expecting a major reef expedition. The underwater stop is a nice way to cool off and see some marine life, but Koh Madsum is the reason most people choose this particular outing.

The snorkeling equipment is included, though a few masks may need defogging. If snorkeling matters greatly to you, bring your own mask if you have one, or ask the crew to check the fit before entering the water. Guides may also allow swimming or jumping from the boat, depending on the conditions and the crew’s instructions.

The schedule can change if weather or traffic affects the boat. That flexibility is sensible in the Gulf, but it means the advertised order and exact water time are not guaranteed.

Koh Madsum, the relaxed centerpiece

After Koh Tan, the speedboat makes the short crossing to Koh Madsum, commonly called Pig Island. Here you get the long break that gives the trip its easy pace.

You can walk along the white sand, take pictures with the pigs nearby, swim, or rest under the tropical sun. Kayaking is included, though it may take place at Koh Tan instead if sea conditions make that a better choice.

The island is not a developed resort. There is no running water or electricity, and the simple facilities are part of the experience. Do not expect polished attractions or a long list of organized activities. You come here for the setting, the animals, and a few unhurried hours by the sea.

The viewpoint deserves a small warning. One person spent 20 to 30 minutes looking for it and found litter in the jungle instead. I would not make the viewpoint a major goal unless your guide clearly explains where it is. The beach, pigs, and water are the reliable highlights.

Lunch on the sand

Lunch or dinner is served at a local restaurant on the island, with the meal timed around your stay at Koh Madsum. The menu is described as traditional Thai food, and water or soft drinks are included.

Food quality appears to be adequate to good rather than a reason to book the trip. Many people find the meal tasty and filling, and vegetarian portions can be arranged. Others find the food plain, with buffet-style items such as chicken, chips, or nuggets losing some freshness when prepared for a large group.

You are welcome to eat while watching the pigs move around the beach, which is the memorable part of the meal. If you have dietary needs, tell the operator in advance rather than assuming the standard spread will suit you.

The 50 baht Koh Madsum entrance fee is not included. This is a small charge, but it is easy to miss when comparing the advertised price, so carry cash and include it in your budget.

The trip back to Koh Samui

The morning program normally leaves the island around 2:15 pm and returns to the Bang Khao pier around 2:30 pm. The afternoon program leaves around 6:30 pm and reaches the pier around 6:45 pm.

The afternoon schedule can be especially appealing if you like a slower beach visit. It may place you on Koh Madsum later in the day, when the light is softer and sunset is possible. The trade-off is a later return and less flexibility afterward.

The crossing back takes about 15 minutes under normal conditions. Keep watching the water, since sea creatures are sometimes spotted along the route. Once back at Bang Khao, you return to the minibus for hotel drop-offs.

The final drive can take time because the minibus drops people at several accommodations. For an afternoon trip, plan your evening around the stated return window rather than booking a fixed dinner reservation immediately afterward.

What the $51 price really buys you

At $51 per person, this is a strong package if you need hotel transport. The price includes the minibus, speedboat, guide, accident insurance, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, kayak use, food, soft drinks, and the return journey. Booking each piece separately would likely involve more planning and extra transfers.

The value is strongest for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a simple island day with one unusual feature. You pay for convenience as much as for the boat ride. The crew handles the route, equipment, meal, and timing while you focus on the beach.

The price is less compelling if you are already staying near Bang Khao and can arrange a private boat cheaply. It is also not the best choice for a serious snorkeler who wants long time over excellent coral. Here, the animal encounter and relaxed beach stop carry most of the value.

The operator advertises a lower price than other companies, but prices can change. The separate 50 baht entrance fee remains the key extra cost listed for this tour.

Who should book this half-day tour

I would choose this trip if you want:

• A straightforward outing from a Koh Samui hotel
• A chance to see and photograph free-roaming pigs
• Some snorkeling without making reefs the main purpose
• A beach break with kayaking and swimming
• A family-friendly schedule that does not take an entire day
• Lunch, drinks, equipment, and transport included in one booking

I would think twice if you want a quiet private boat, a small luxury group, or exceptional underwater visibility. The boat may be full, the pier can involve waiting, and the snorkeling is strongly tied to the weather.

Pregnant women, babies under one year, and cruise ship passengers are not suitable for this option. Cruise ship passengers should search for the separate cruise ship tour instead.

Timing, weather, and simple packing advice

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, a hat, and cash for the 50 baht island fee and personal purchases. A dry bag is useful for phones and wallets during the speedboat ride, though it is not listed as part of the package.

The morning option gives you more of the day afterward. The afternoon option may offer a gentler end to the visit and a chance of sunset on Pig Island. Pick based on your wider Samui plans, not just the departure time.

Weather controls the quality of both the crossing and the snorkeling. The program may be adjusted for weather or traffic, and murky water is possible. I would treat the reef stop as a bonus and the island as the dependable centerpiece.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 1,673 ratings, which fits the experience described here: well organized, friendly, and good value, with a few predictable limits around crowds, food, waiting, and water clarity.

Should you book Koh Tan and Pig Island?

Book it if the idea of sitting on a white beach while pigs wander nearby sounds better than spending a full day at sea. The tour gives you enough time on Koh Madsum to relax properly, adds a worthwhile Koh Tan swim and snorkeling stop, and removes most of the transport hassle.

Skip it if you are chasing outstanding coral, total privacy, or a highly polished island resort experience. At $51, plus the 50 baht entrance fee, this is a practical and cheerful Samui outing built around an unusual animal encounter. Go for Pig Island first, snorkeling second, and you will have the right expectations.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. Hotel pickup, the minibus route, and drop-off 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 1:00 and 2:00 pm. Your final time depends on your accommodation and is sent after booking.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are available on the speedboat for each participant.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes lunch on the morning program or dinner on the afternoon program, along with soft drinks. Vegetarian food can be provided.

Is the Koh Madsum entrance fee included?

No. The listed entrance fee is 50 baht per person and must be paid separately.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

No. This option is not suitable for cruise ship passengers. A separate cruise ship tour is available for that type of arrival.