Koh Samui: Pig Island & Koh Tan Snorkeling by Speed boat

Pig Island is exactly as advertised. This half-day trip combines a short speedboat ride, friendly pigs, clear-water swimming, and a simple island lunch. I like the short crossings and the unusually warm guides, including Joe, Sun, Cola, and Coke Zero. The main catch is the long hotel transfer from northern Samui and snorkeling visibility that can change with the weather.

For $52, you get hotel pickup, boat transport, snorkeling gear, water, fruit, insurance, and a buffet lunch. Add the 50-baht Pig Island entrance fee. I also like the relaxed pace: roughly an hour with the pigs, 45 to 60 minutes in the water, and another hour for food and free time on Koh Tan.

The tour earns a strong 4.5 out of 5 from more than 4,000 ratings. That makes sense. The staff and organization are its strongest points, while the snorkeling is pleasant rather than guaranteed to be spectacular.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island is the clear star: You can swim, take photos, feed the pigs, and watch piglets wander along the beach.
• The speedboat rides are short: From the southern pier, Koh Madsum and Koh Tan are close, leaving more time for the islands.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: You may see small colorful fish, starfish, or even a turtle, but full-moon tides and poor weather can make the water cloudy.
• The lunch is better than expected: The buffet includes Thai-style dishes, fruit, and plenty of food, though the selection is not huge.
• Hotel location affects the day: A ride from Chaweng or northern Samui to the southern pier can take 40 to 60 minutes each way.
• Bring practical beach gear: Water shoes, sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, and a hat will make the trip easier.

Why this southern-island trip works so well

Koh Samui offers many boat trips, but not all are equally easy. Some involve long rides across open water before you reach the first stop. This one begins at a private pier in the south of the island, close to Koh Madsum and Koh Tan.

That location is the tour’s smart design choice. You may spend more time in the minivan getting to the pier, but the sea portion is shorter and generally gentler. If you are prone to seasickness, that trade-off matters.

The tour is sold as four hours, not counting hotel transfers. In practice, you should allow much of a morning or afternoon. Pickup from the Chaweng area can make the total outing about six to six and a half hours, while northern Samui can take roughly an hour each way by road.

I would not book this as a quick activity between tightly scheduled plans. I would book it as a comfortable island outing with three main rewards: pigs, snorkeling, and lunch.

The operation also sounds well staffed. Guides help with equipment, watch the swimmers, share information about the pigs, and take photos. Several guides are praised for keeping the mood light without making the trip feel chaotic. Names that come up often include Sun, Joe, Cola, and Coke Zero.

The hotel pickup and ride to the private pier

Pickup is included from a very large list of Samui hotels and resorts. Your exact time is confirmed by WhatsApp or email, and you are asked to wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

The air-conditioned minivan is a useful touch in Samui’s heat. It also removes the headache of arranging a taxi to the pier. The drive itself is not scenic sightseeing in the usual sense, but it carries you from the busy resort areas toward the quieter southern coast.

The downside is simple: location matters. From Chaweng, the ride can take around 40 to 50 minutes. From the north end of the island, it may be close to an hour. If you stay at a resort near the southern part of Samui, you have a clear advantage.

At the pier, the process includes checking in and boarding the speedboat. You may also be offered sea shoes, snacks, or drinks for purchase. The tour supplies unlimited drinking water, but you should still bring a reusable bottle if you prefer having water close at hand.

Koh Madsum, where the pigs earn their keep

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is the main reason many people book this tour. It is a small island stop built around a wonderfully odd sight: pigs roaming a tropical beach.

The pigs are approachable and used to visitors. You can watch them walk along the sand, take pictures, swim, or simply sit back and enjoy the view. Small piglets are sometimes present, adding another layer of charm to an already unusual stop.

You can buy food for the pigs for about 50 baht. Feed them carefully and follow the guide’s instructions. The animals may look cute and calm, but they are still animals competing for snacks.

There is also a small bar selling cold drinks, fruit, and snacks. That is useful, since the island entrance fee does not include every small purchase. Bring cash for the 50-baht entry charge and any food or drinks you want.

The scheduled time is about one hour, although the actual stop can be closer to 45 minutes on some departures. That is enough time for photos, a look at the pigs, and a swim, but it can feel short if Pig Island is your main goal.

The beach may also get crowded. If you want the best photos, listen carefully when the guide gives the meeting time and head back before the final rush. You do not need to spend the entire hour feeding pigs. A few minutes with the animals, followed by swimming and pictures, gives you a fuller experience.

Pig Island is not a major cultural site or a place for a long walk. Its appeal is direct and simple. You see pigs on a beach in southern Thailand, and that is not something you encounter every day.

Snorkeling near Koh Tan

The snorkeling stop is usually close to Pig Island, with only a short ride between the two locations. That keeps the trip comfortable and gives you more time for the actual activity.

The water can be calm and clear, with small fish and coral visible below the boat. Some outings have included sightings of a large starfish or a turtle. You can also choose to stay on the boat or relax rather than snorkel, which helps if you are not confident in the water.

The important warning is visibility. It is not consistent. Full-moon conditions, seasonal weather, wind, and ordinary changes in the sea can make the water cloudy. On some days, you may see plenty of fish. On others, only a few small fish types appear.

That means you should think of snorkeling as a pleasant extra, not the sole reason to book. If you want a serious reef experience with guaranteed visibility, this may leave you disappointed. If you want a gentle swim and the chance to see marine life, it fits well.

The tour provides masks, snorkels, and life jackets. Mask sizing can be an issue, especially for smaller faces, so check your fit before leaving the boat. Water shoes are a smart addition because coral can be present in the swimming area and near the shore.

Expect around 45 minutes to an hour in the water. Some people will return to the boat early, particularly if the visibility is weak. You can use that time to dry off, enjoy the sea views, or take pictures from the boat.

Koh Tan lunch and a quieter island hour

After snorkeling, the boat continues to Koh Tan for lunch and free time. This stop gives the trip a welcome change of pace. Pig Island is lively and playful, while Koh Tan provides a place to sit, eat, walk, and look out over the water.

The buffet is included in the price. Typical dishes mentioned include rice, vegetables, spring rolls, and crispy or fried chicken, followed by seasonal fruit. The selection is not enormous, but the food is frequently described as fresh, tasty, and surprisingly satisfying for an island buffet.

If you see spring rolls, take them early. Popular items may go quickly. Bottled drinking water is also supplied, and additional water is available during the trip.

You get about an hour at Koh Tan for lunch and sightseeing. Toilet facilities are available at the lunch stop, another small but valuable detail on a short boat excursion. You can take a short walk, enjoy the sea view, or simply sit in the shade and let the salt water dry.

One limitation is that the shoreline is not guaranteed to be spotless. Some areas may have litter, which can take the shine off an otherwise peaceful stop. This is worth keeping in mind if you expect an untouched island setting.

Still, Koh Tan works well as the final stop. You have already had the excitement of the speedboat and Pig Island. A meal and an unhurried hour keep the tour from feeling like a series of rushed photo stops.

What the $52 price really includes

At $52 per person, the tour offers good value if you want transport and planning handled for you. The price includes round-trip hotel transfers, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, travel insurance, drinking water, seasonal fruit, and lunch.

You should add the 50-baht-per-person entrance fee for Pig Island. Small purchases such as pig food, snacks, drinks, and possible sea shoes are extra.

The value improves for people staying far from the pier, since a private taxi to the departure point would add cost and effort. The included minivan also makes this easier for families and couples who do not want to negotiate transport.

The price is less attractive if you are already staying near the southern pier and only want a short boat ride. In that case, you may be paying for transfers you do not need. The private group option may also suit cruise passengers or anyone with limited time, though the exact private pricing is not provided here.

Lunch is a meaningful part of the value. It is not a luxury meal, but it saves you from buying food on your own and gives the day a proper break. The friendly guides add value too. They help with photos, equipment, timing, and basic information, which makes the outing feel more managed than a simple boat transfer.

Timing, comfort, and who should book

This is a good match for you if you want a relaxed half-day on the water without a long open-sea crossing. Families, couples, first-time visitors to Samui, and people who want a light activity between beach days should all find the format appealing.

It also suits mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel, while others can stay on the boat or enjoy the beach. The pigs give children an obvious focus, while the lunch and scenery make the outing enjoyable for adults.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and getting on and off a speedboat may be awkward. Pregnant women are not permitted to participate, and insurance does not apply in that situation.

This is also not the best choice if you need a strict four-hour schedule. The advertised activity duration does not include the road transfers, check-in, and possible delays. Plan generously, especially from Chaweng, Bophut, or the northern resorts.

Bring:

• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Sunglasses
• A towel and comfortable clothing
• Comfortable shoes or water shoes
• Cash for the Pig Island fee and optional purchases
• A dry bag or waterproof pouch for phones

The guides often take photos, but protect your own phone before boarding the boat. Salt water and wet hands are a bad combination.

Final verdict: should you book the Pig Island tour?

I would book this tour if your priority is an easy, well-organized island outing with a memorable main stop. Pig Island is genuinely unusual, and the short speedboat routes make the experience more comfortable than many longer Samui excursions.

I would not book it solely for world-class snorkeling. The water may be clear, but it may also be cloudy, and the marine life can be modest. Treat the snorkeling as a bonus, then the pigs, lunch, friendly staff, and scenery carry the day.

At $52 plus the small entrance fee, it is a solid choice for convenience and variety. Book it if you can spare most of a morning or afternoon, especially if you appreciate helpful guides such as Sun, Joe, Cola, and Coke Zero. Skip it only if your schedule is tight, you dislike boat transfers, or you want a serious reef-focused trip rather than a cheerful island sampler.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Samui Pig Island tour last?

The listed activity lasts four hours, but hotel transfers are additional. From Chaweng, the full outing can take about six to six and a half hours, and pickup from northern Samui may take close to an hour each way.

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs $52 per person. You also need to pay a 50-baht-per-person entrance fee for Pig Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transfers are included from a large selection of Samui hotels and resorts. Your exact pickup time is confirmed by WhatsApp or email.

How long is the drive to the pier?

The drive from your hotel to the southern pier takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes, depending on your location. Hotels in northern Koh Samui may take longer.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes hotel transfers, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, travel insurance, unlimited drinking water, buffet lunch, and seasonal fruit.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served on Koh Tan. Food can include rice, vegetables, spring rolls, fried chicken, and fruit.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided. You may want to bring water shoes because coral can be present in the snorkeling area.

Can children join the tour?

Children can join, but children taller than 120 centimeters should be booked at the adult price.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. Pregnant women are not permitted to participate, and insurance coverage does not apply in that situation.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.