Ko Samui: Pig Island Snorkeling and Koh Tan Speedboat Tour

Pig Island is exactly as playful as it sounds. This half-day speedboat trip pairs Koh Tan snorkeling with the white beach and free-roaming pigs of Koh Madsum, also called Koh Mudsum. I like the generous two-and-a-half hours on the island, and I like that hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, kayaking, equipment, and the return ride are bundled into the $51 price.

The main caution is that snorkeling quality depends heavily on the sea. The reef can be lovely in calm, clear water, but cloudy conditions are common enough that you should book this for the pigs and island time first, with snorkeling as a welcome extra.

Quick take: what makes this trip worth your time

• Piglets on a white beach: Koh Madsum is home to woolly pigs that wander freely near the sand, along with friendly dogs.
• A true half-day outing: At 270 minutes, you get an island escape without giving up your entire day in Koh Samui.
• Snorkeling at Koh Tan: The first stop offers about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and photos near a relatively intact coral reef.
• Useful inclusions: Hotel transfer, speedboat, guide, life jackets, snorkel gear, kayak use, lunch or dinner, soft drinks, and accident insurance are covered.
• Afternoon light can be special: The later departure may leave you on Pig Island near sunset, a quieter and prettier time according to several recent experiences.
• Budget-friendly, with one extra fee: The $51 rate is competitive, but you must pay a 50 baht Koh Mudsum entrance fee separately.

A half-day island trip with a very clear main attraction

This is not a serious marine expedition disguised as a sightseeing tour. It is a cheerful island outing built around one wonderfully odd sight: pigs wandering on a tropical beach.

The tour operates from Bang Khao, a small fishing village in southern Koh Samui. From there, a speedboat takes you first to Koh Tan, then across to Koh Madsum. The boat ride from Bang Khao to Koh Tan takes about 20 minutes in normal sea conditions, followed by a short crossing to Pig Island.

I like this arrangement because the stops have different purposes. Koh Tan gives you water time. Koh Madsum gives you sand, animals, food, kayaking, and a chance to slow down. You are not expected to spend the whole day squeezing several similar beaches into one rushed schedule.

The tour is priced at $51 per person. For Koh Samui, that is good value when you count the air-conditioned minibus, speedboat, guide, snorkeling equipment, kayak, lunch or dinner, soft drinks, life jackets, and return transfer. The only required extra listed is the 50 baht entrance fee for Koh Mudsum.

One small price wrinkle deserves attention. One person was asked for the 50 baht fee on arrival and felt it had not been made clear during booking. Bring the cash and treat it as a separate island charge, so there are no surprises.

Hotel pickup across Koh Samui

The morning service generally collects people between 8:30 and 9:30 am. The afternoon service runs roughly from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Your final pickup time depends on your accommodation, and the operator sends that detail through the GetYourGuide message center.

You should wait at the general car park or the specified pickup point, not necessarily outside your room or reception desk. If your accommodation sits on a steep or inaccessible road, pickup may be moved to a nearby spot. In that case, you are responsible for reaching the alternative location.

The minibus is air-conditioned, which matters in Koh Samui’s heat. The ride is comfortable, but it can take longer than the boat schedule suggests because the driver collects other people around the island. One person picked up near Fisherman’s Village reported a 75 to 80 minute road journey each way, though the van itself was comfortable.

That is the tradeoff with a shared hotel transfer. You save money and avoid arranging a taxi, but you may spend time waiting for other pickups. Some groups reached the pier early and waited at a beach bar before the boat departed. This was not a serious problem for most people, but it is worth knowing if you dislike unplanned waiting.

Cruise ship passengers should not book this version. A separate cruise ship tour is offered under a different name, and the timing and pickup arrangements are not designed for this hotel-based program.

Koh Tan: one hour in the water

The boat reaches Koh Tan after about 20 minutes under normal conditions. The itinerary allows roughly one hour for snorkeling, swimming, photos, and free time.

Koh Tan is the more nature-focused stop. The area is described as having an intact coral reef, and the crew provides snorkeling equipment at no additional charge. Life jackets are kept on board for every participant, which is reassuring when the boat is moving between islands or when you prefer extra flotation in the water.

The quality of the stop will depend on weather, tide, visibility, and sea conditions. On a calm day, you might see fish close to the boat and enjoy a lively swim. Several people found the snorkeling fun, while others found the water cloudy and the underwater view ordinary. That is normal for a short island excursion, but it means you should not book this expecting a major reef destination.

The supplied mask and snorkel are practical rather than luxurious. One person found the equipment good but suggested that some masks needed defogging. Bring your own mask if you already have one you trust, though the included equipment is perfectly useful for most casual swimmers.

Some departures allow a jump from the boat into the water, but this should never be assumed as the main activity. The crew may adjust the program according to sea and weather conditions.

My advice is simple: enjoy Koh Tan for what it offers that day. If the water is clear, make the most of the fish and reef. If it is murky, swim, take photos, and save your enthusiasm for the pigs.

Koh Madsum, the beach where pigs roam free

After Koh Tan, the boat makes the short crossing to Koh Madsum, commonly written as Koh Mudsum. This is the heart of the excursion.

The island has no running water or electricity and little conventional development. That gives it a stripped-back feel, though you should not mistake it for a completely untouched place. There is an organized beach area, food service, drinks, kayaks, visitors, animals, and an entrance fee.

The pigs are the reason most people remember this stop. You may see large pigs, smaller pigs, and piglets wandering over the pale sand. They are accustomed to people and may come close, especially when food or water is around. Friendly dogs also live on the island and are often part of the scene.

You can walk along the beach, take photos, swim, relax in the shade, or use a kayak if conditions allow. Kayaking may take place at Koh Tan instead if the sea conditions make it more suitable there. The operator gives you a long break, about two and a half hours, so this is not a quick photo stop followed by an immediate departure.

That generous island time is one of the tour’s strongest points. You can see the animals without being pushed through a five-minute photo line, then still have time to sit down and enjoy the setting. Families, animal lovers, and anyone who wants a relaxed outing will appreciate this pace.

Please treat the pigs with care. Do not hand them plastic bottles, and use the bins for cigarette ends and other rubbish. The island’s charm depends on keeping the sand clean and the animals safe. You may find fewer bins than ideal, so hold onto your waste until you find one.

There is also a viewpoint somewhere inland, but directions are not always clear. One person spent 20 to 30 minutes looking for it and found rubbish in the jungle instead. Unless a guide points you toward the correct path, I would put your time into the beach, pigs, and water rather than wandering off in search of a view.

Lunch, drinks, and the afternoon schedule

Lunch or dinner is served at a local restaurant on the island, right by the beach. The exact meal is described as traditional Thai food, though individual experiences of the food varied.

Many people found it tasty, filling, and well portioned. Vegetarian meals were provided for a larger group, and extra food was available when needed. Others found the buffet-style meal plain, bland, or less polished than expected. One person singled out stale chips and chicken nuggets, while another thought the food was simply fine rather than memorable.

That is a fair way to think about it. You are paying for a convenient beach meal during an organized boat trip, not a carefully prepared restaurant tasting. The food does its job, and the setting helps. Water and soft drinks are included, and drinks sold on the island were described as reasonably priced.

Morning departures return to Koh Samui around 2:15 pm, with hotel drop-off around 2:30 pm. Afternoon departures return around 6:30 pm and usually reach accommodations around 6:45 pm, though traffic and group transfers can change those times.

The afternoon option has a special advantage. If the schedule and weather cooperate, you may stay on Koh Madsum into the softer evening light. One afternoon group enjoyed being among the last people on the island and watching the sunset. That makes the later tour attractive for couples and photographers, though you should remember that it finishes after dark.

The speedboat and group size

The transfer uses a speedboat, with the crossing from Koh Madsum back to Koh Samui taking about 15 minutes. The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and safety-conscious, with life jackets available for everyone.

One person enthusiastically noted a powerful boat with four Honda V8 engines. That gives you an idea of the boat’s character: this is a fast ride, not a quiet long-tail boat cruise. If you enjoy a lively crossing, it adds fun. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the movement feels gentler, follow the crew’s instructions, and consider bringing your usual remedy.

The tour is advertised as a middle-sized group. Actual group size can vary by departure. One account described a boat carrying about 60 people, while another group of 10 found the transport comfortable. The practical point is that this is a shared excursion, not a private island trip.

The crew generally keeps the day moving with clear instructions about meeting times and activities. Several people praised the guides for being friendly, organized, attentive, and funny. One guide referred to as Mr 11 was especially well received, and a younger guide was praised for keeping the day smooth and explaining what was happening.

Still, group travel has its rough edges. You may wait while people board, gather equipment, or return from the beach. The operation appears organized, but it is not built around personal flexibility.

Who should book this Koh Samui tour?

I would recommend it most strongly if you want:

• A family-friendly boat outing with animals, swimming, and plenty of open time.
• A simple way to visit Koh Tan and Koh Madsum without arranging transport yourself.
• A half-day activity rather than a full-day island-hopping marathon.
• A budget package where lunch, equipment, kayak use, and hotel transfer are already included.
• A relaxed beach stop with unusual photo opportunities.
• An afternoon experience with the possibility of sunset light.

You may want another tour if your top priority is outstanding snorkeling. Koh Tan can be enjoyable, but visibility is not guaranteed and several people found the underwater portion modest.

This is also not ideal for pregnant women, babies under one year, or cruise ship passengers. The speedboat, road transfers, and island landing make the tour less suitable for anyone who needs a very gentle or highly flexible schedule.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. You will have time in the water and on the beach, and the sun can be strong even when the breeze from the boat feels cool.

Keep your booking message handy. The final pickup time arrives through the message center, and the driver expects you at the general parking area. If your road is steep or difficult for a minibus, check for an alternative pickup map.

Carry 50 baht per person for the Koh Mudsum entrance fee. It is a small amount, but having it ready avoids an awkward stop.

Use a waterproof phone pouch if you want photos in the water. The pigs make excellent subjects, but protect your phone when boarding the speedboat and moving between the islands.

If you choose the afternoon departure, remember that the return and hotel drop-off are later. The reward may be softer light and a quieter beach, but the timing will not suit an evening reservation elsewhere.

Should you book the Pig Island tour?

Yes, if the pigs and beach are your main goal. At $51, this is a strong-value way to combine Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, a speedboat ride, lunch, kayaking, snorkeling, and hotel transport in one compact outing.

Book it with realistic expectations. The snorkeling may be clear and rewarding, or it may be cloudy and brief. The meal is convenient rather than gourmet. The boat may carry a sizeable shared group, and hotel pickup can take time.

But the central experience is hard to argue with: a beautiful beach, curious pigs, friendly guides, a tasty enough meal, and several hours to enjoy the island without being rushed. For a first visit to Koh Samui, I would choose this tour for its odd, memorable charm, not for perfect reef conditions.

FAQ

How long does the Pig Island tour last?

The tour duration is 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours. Morning departures generally return to hotels around 2:30 pm, while afternoon departures return around 6:45 pm.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Tan for snorkeling and swimming, then Koh Madsum, also called Koh Mudsum or Pig Island, for beach time, kayaking, lunch, and animal viewing.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport by air-conditioned minibus are included for hotel accommodations. The final time is sent through the booking message center, and pickup is normally from the general car park.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. The morning program includes lunch, while the afternoon program is described as including dinner. Soft drinks and water are also included.

Is there an extra entrance fee?

Yes. The Koh Mudsum entrance fee is 50 baht per person and is not included in the tour price.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

No. This tour is not suitable for cruise ship passengers. A separate cruise ship tour should be used instead.