Koh Samui: Pig Island & Koh Tan Speedboat Tour with Lunch

Pig Island is the odd little star of this five-hour trip. You’ll trade Koh Samui’s resorts for a short speedboat ride, then meet friendly pigs wandering near the beach. I especially like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to combine animal encounters, snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking in one half-day outing.

The Thai lunch and drinks add good value at $47 per person, and the guides provide a safety briefing before you leave Thong Krut Pier. The main caution is the sea: one child found the speedboat rough in choppy water, and another report noted limited snorkeling visibility and no fins supplied.

Key points to know before you book

• Pig Island is Ko Madsum: You can feed the pigs, swim, walk, snorkel, and kayak during the 75-minute stop.
• Koh Tan comes first: The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes, with clear water and fish, though visibility depends on weather.
• The ride can be bumpy: The speedboat takes about 30 minutes each way, and children may find rough seas uncomfortable.
• Pickup covers much of Koh Samui: Hotel transfers are available from areas including Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam, Bangrak, and Cheongmon.
• Budget for an extra fee: Admission costs 50 THB per person, and distant areas such as Nathon and Taling Ngam cost an extra 700 baht per person each way.
• Lunch details need checking: The general description places lunch on Pig Island, while the timed plan lists lunch at Thong Krut Pier after returning.

Leaving Koh Samui from Thong Krut Pier

Your morning begins with hotel pickup, generally between 7:40 and 8:30 a.m. The exact time is sent by email, so check your inbox and be in the hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early. If your hotel sits up a hill, you may need to meet the vehicle at a nearby hotel or meeting point.

That small bit of planning matters. The vehicle may not wait more than 10 minutes, and a late arrival can count as a no-show. Pickup is available from many parts of Koh Samui, including Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and the Butterfly Garden area.

At Thong Krut Pier, allow about 30 minutes for the visit, guide introduction, and safety briefing. This is where you receive the basic instructions for the boat, life jacket, and snorkeling equipment. An English or Thai speaking guide leads the trip, and the operator provides accident insurance and a first aid kit.

The pier is the practical starting point rather than a destination in its own right. I like that the safety talk comes before the boat ride, especially when sea conditions can change. If you have back, heart, bone, or blood pressure problems, this is not a sensible outing. Pregnant people and anyone over 70 are also advised not to join.

The 30-minute speedboat ride to Koh Tan

The first crossing takes about 30 minutes. On a calm day, this gives you open-water views and a quick sense of distance from Koh Samui. On a rough day, it becomes part of the workout.

A speedboat is efficient, but it is not a soft ride. One account specifically described the boat hitting the waves like a roller coaster, with children finding that uncomfortable. If your family includes young children, ask about the forecast and sea conditions before setting out. The tour is advertised as suitable for families, but family-friendly does not mean smooth in all weather.

You will be expected to wear a life jacket when appropriate, and the operator supplies snorkeling gear. One report said fins were not provided, only a mask and snorkel, so do not assume a full set of swim equipment. If fins matter to you, ask the operator before departure.

Koh Tan snorkeling for about 45 minutes

Koh Tan is the first proper stop. You get roughly 45 minutes for a photo stop, swimming, snorkeling, and views around the island. The appeal here is simple: warm Gulf water, a short boat ride from Koh Samui, and a chance to see fish without committing to a full-day marine excursion.

Under good conditions, the water can be clear enough for enjoyable snorkeling. One visitor saw attractive fish even when the weather was not ideal. That is encouraging, but you should keep expectations sensible. Another account described poor visibility at the snorkeling site, and water clarity can change with wind, rain, and waves.

The limited time also shapes the experience. Forty-five minutes is enough for a first look and a swim, but not for a slow, serious snorkeling session. I would treat Koh Tan as a pleasant introduction rather than the main reason to book the trip. The main attraction comes later at Pig Island.

If you are not a confident swimmer, the supplied life jacket makes the stop more manageable, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions. The tour includes swimming and snorkeling, not a private lesson. Bring a calm attitude about conditions, since the sea decides how much you see.

Pig Island and its friendly residents

The boat then heads to Ko Madsum, better known as Pig Island. You have about 75 minutes here, making this the longest stop of the day. That is enough time to walk, meet the pigs, feed them, swim, snorkel, kayak, and sit on the beach without racing from one activity to another.

The pigs are the unusual draw. You are not visiting a zoo or watching animals from behind a barrier. The appeal is the chance to see friendly pigs around a beach setting and feed them under the guide’s direction. Keep food handling sensible and follow whatever instructions you receive. The animals are the focus, but they are still animals, not photo props guaranteed to behave on command.

For many people, this will be the most memorable part of the outing. The scene has a light, playful quality that works well for families and couples. Solo visitors can also enjoy it, although the experience is more about shared island activities than quiet solitude.

Ko Madsum also gives you time away from the boat. You can swim in the clear water, walk along the beach, or try kayaking. If you prefer not to get wet, simply enjoying the shore and watching the pigs is a reasonable use of the stop.

There is a practical catch: 75 minutes passes quickly. Feeding pigs, taking photos, swimming, and kayaking can easily fill the entire stop. Decide what matters most before you arrive. I would meet the pigs first, then choose one water activity rather than trying to do everything.

Lunch, drinks, and an itinerary detail worth checking

The tour includes a Thai lunch, drinking water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments. A filling meal is a real advantage on a fast-moving boat trip, especially when the schedule includes swimming and snorkeling. One strong account specifically praised the meal as generous and very good.

The supplied details are not fully consistent about where lunch happens. The general description places lunch on Pig Island, while the timed plan lists one hour at Thong Krut Pier after the return boat ride, including lunch, sightseeing, and a walk. Before paying, confirm the lunch location with the operator.

That distinction affects the feel of the trip. Lunch on Ko Madsum would mean eating in an island setting. Lunch at Thong Krut Pier would make the island stop more active and leave the meal for the return portion. Neither option is automatically better, but you should know what you are buying.

The return transfer from Pig Island to Koh Samui takes about 30 minutes. After lunch and the pier visit, your vehicle takes you back to your hotel. The full advertised duration is five hours, so this is a compact outing rather than a full-day island cruise.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, the price is reasonable if you want several services bundled together. You are paying for hotel pickup and drop-off within the listed areas, the speedboat, an English or Thai speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, lunch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and basic accident coverage.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to arrange a taxi to a pier, rent a boat, find food, and organize water gear separately. The hotel transfer removes much of the morning hassle. It also makes the tour attractive for first-time visitors who do not want to negotiate transport around Koh Samui.

There are two extra costs to remember. Admission is 50 THB per person. If you stay in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai, the extra transfer charge is 700 baht per person each way. That can change the total significantly, especially for a couple or family.

The price does not guarantee perfect snorkeling. Weather and water visibility remain outside the operator’s control. If your main goal is excellent reef viewing, you may want a longer, snorkeling-focused trip. If you want a mix of pigs, beaches, swimming, food, and a boat ride, the bundle makes more sense.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing

I would recommend this tour to families with children who are comfortable on boats, couples wanting an easy island escape, and solo visitors who like a social, activity-filled morning. The combination of animals and water activities gives different people something to enjoy.

It also suits anyone with limited time in Koh Samui. Five hours is short enough to leave part of your day free, yet long enough to see two islands and have lunch. The included transfers are especially useful if you are not staying near Thong Krut Pier.

I would hesitate if you have back trouble, heart problems, bone conditions, high blood pressure, or a pregnancy. The operator also lists the tour as unsuitable for people over 70. The boat ride and the need to board, swim, and move between activities make those restrictions worth taking seriously.

Young children can join with a child ticket for ages 4 to 10, but the sea condition warning matters. A calm forecast may make the trip pleasant. Choppy water may turn the speedboat into the least enjoyable part of the day.

Practical preparation for a better day

Wear swim clothing under your regular clothes and bring something dry for the ride home. The tour includes water equipment, but the supplied information does not mention towels, so bring your own if your hotel does not provide one.

Check your email for the exact pickup time, and wait in the lobby early. If your accommodation is on a hill, confirm the meeting point rather than assuming the vehicle will come to the door.

Ask about fins if you want them. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but one account specifically found that only a mask and snorkel were provided. That detail can matter if you are used to swimming with fins or expect to cover more water.

Keep your plans flexible around weather. The operator can cancel in rare cases and offers another date, an alternative tour, or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some breathing room when your schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Pig Island tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced mix of island fun, a quirky pig encounter, a short snorkeling stop, and included transport. The hotel pickup, generous meal, drinks, and simple half-day schedule make it easy to fit into a Koh Samui holiday.

Do not book it solely for serious snorkeling, especially if clear visibility and fins are essential to you. Also think twice if you dislike rough boat rides or plan to bring a child who gets seasick.

For most suitable participants, the strongest reason to choose this trip is variety. You get Koh Tan, Ko Madsum, pigs, beach time, kayaking, swimming, lunch, and transfers without spending a full day at sea. Confirm the lunch location and snorkeling gear first, then check the forecast. If both answers suit you, $47 is a fair price for a busy but enjoyable island morning.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts about five hours, including hotel pickup, the speedboat rides, island visits, lunch, and the return transfer.

Where does the tour pick up passengers?

Pickup is available from hotels in areas including Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and the Butterfly Garden area. Hilltop hotels may require you to meet at a nearby hotel or meeting point.

What time does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup begins between 7:40 and 8:30 a.m. The operator confirms your exact time by email. You should be in the hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included. One account noted that fins were not provided, so confirm this with the operator if fins are important to you.

What activities are available on Pig Island?

At Ko Madsum, also called Pig Island, you can feed the friendly pigs, walk, swim, snorkel, kayak, and relax on the beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Thai lunch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments are included. The supplied details differ on whether lunch is served on Pig Island or at Thong Krut Pier, so confirm the location before booking.

Who should not join this tour?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant people, people with back, heart, bone, or high blood pressure problems, and people over 70. Children ages 4 to 10 can receive a child ticket, but rough seas may make the boat ride uncomfortable for younger children.