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

Pig Island is exactly as unusual as it sounds. This five-hour trip from Koh Samui combines friendly pigs, clear-water snorkeling, and beach time with the ease of hotel pickup, gear, lunch, and a guide. I like the simple mix: Koh Tan gives you a chance to see fish and underwater scenery, while Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, supplies the memorable oddball moment.

I also like the included transfers and food, especially at $47 per person. You do not need to arrange your own ride to Thong Krut Pier or rent a mask and snorkel separately. The main consideration is the speedboat ride. In rough water, the trip can be bumpy, and one family found the ride uncomfortable for children when the boat hit the waves.

The tour earns a solid 4.2 out of 5 from 120 ratings. The strongest points are the kind guides, convenient pickup, and generous Thai meal. Snorkeling conditions can be less dependable, and fins are not supplied, so this is best viewed as a relaxed island outing with snorkeling rather than a serious reef excursion.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island is Koh Madsum: You can feed the friendly pigs, walk the beach, swim, and use a kayak.
• Koh Tan comes first: The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes, with time for photos, swimming, and fish spotting.
• The ride can be rough: A 30-minute speedboat trip each way is exciting in calm water but may feel like a roller coaster in waves.
• Lunch is included: The tour provides Thai food, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments.
• Hotel pickup covers much of Koh Samui: Pickup is offered from areas including Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam, Bangrak, and Cheongmon.
• Budget for the entrance fee: The 50-baht-per-person admission charge is not included.

From your hotel to Thong Krut Pier

Your morning begins with hotel pickup, generally between 7:40 and 8:30 a.m. The operator sends the exact time by email, so check your inbox before the outing. I would be in the hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early, since a late arrival can be treated as a no-show once the vehicle has left.

Pickup is available from hotels in Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and near the Butterfly Garden. The information also says pickup is available throughout Koh Samui, but hotels in more remote areas may carry an extra charge. Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, and Lipayai have a listed surcharge of 700 baht per person each way.

If your hotel sits up a steep hill, you may need to walk or arrange a short transfer to a nearby hotel or meeting point on the main road. That sounds like a small detail, but it matters when you are carrying a beach bag and trying to make an early departure.

At Thong Krut Pier, expect about 30 minutes for a visit, safety briefing, and tour introduction. This is the point to listen carefully. Speedboats are quick and fun, but the open Gulf of Thailand can turn a smooth ride into a hard one. The safety briefing is not filler, particularly if you are bringing children or have not spent much time on a speedboat.

The 30-minute speedboat ride across the Gulf

The ride from Thong Krut to the islands takes about 30 minutes. On a calm morning, this is one of the pleasures of the trip. You get open views across the Gulf of Thailand and reach islands that would take much longer to visit by slower boat.

The tradeoff is comfort. A recent rating praised the outing but warned that children may find the speedboat unpleasant in rough seas. The boat can land hard on the waves, so this is not the best choice for anyone with back problems, and it is not recommended for people with heart conditions, high blood pressure, bone problems, or pregnancy.

I would also avoid assuming that a speedboat is automatically gentle because the trip is short. Thirty minutes over choppy water can feel long. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask the operator in advance what preparation is suitable, though no special medication or seating arrangement is promised in the tour details.

Koh Tan: 45 minutes of snorkeling and sea views

Koh Tan is the first island stop. The schedule allows about 45 minutes for a guided visit, photos, swimming, snorkeling, and views from the boat. That gives you a compact introduction to the water rather than a long, slow snorkeling session.

The appeal here is the chance to see fish and underwater scenery without arranging a separate boat charter. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are supplied. A first-aid kit and accident insurance are also included, which add useful peace of mind for a water activity.

Keep your expectations sensible. Water clarity depends on weather and sea conditions. One rating praised the fish but noted that visibility was poor on a less favorable day. You may see colorful marine life, but nobody can promise perfect water on every departure.

Fins are not included. That is worth knowing before you book. You receive a mask and snorkel, but not a full set of swim gear. If you are comfortable swimming without fins, this may not bother you. If you rely on fins for comfort or control, ask the operator whether you may bring or rent your own.

The 45-minute stop passes quickly. You will want to take photos, get into the water, and look around, so do not expect the unhurried pace of a dedicated snorkeling charter. Still, it works well for anyone who wants a taste of the sea along with beach time and the Pig Island visit.

Koh Madsum, the island with pigs

Koh Madsum is the star of the outing, and its nickname, Pig Island, gives away the main attraction. The pigs are accustomed to people and you get the chance to feed them in a natural island setting. This is the moment that makes the trip different from a standard beach-and-snorkel excursion.

The scheduled stop lasts about 75 minutes. That is enough time to walk, take photographs, swim, snorkel, and use a kayak, though you will need to divide your time. If feeding the pigs is your priority, do that early rather than spending the full stop at the water.

The pigs are friendly, but they are still animals. Follow the guide’s instructions and take care with food around small children. The tour description specifically presents feeding as an opportunity, not a guarantee that every pig will gather around you at every moment.

The beach gives you a place to slow down after the boat ride. You can swim in clear water or simply sit and enjoy the view. Kayaking adds another gentle option for people who want to be active without another long snorkeling session.

This is also where the tour can feel a little crowded or rushed, depending on the number of people on your departure. The schedule is tight, and the same 75 minutes must cover the pigs, beach, water, and kayak. I would choose one main goal and treat the rest as a bonus.

Lunch, with an important location detail

Food is one of the tour’s better values. Thai lunch, drinking water, soft drinks, snacks, and other refreshments are included, and one rating described the meal as plentiful and very good. That matters on a morning spent in the sun and on the water.

There is a small point to clarify when reading the published details. The overview describes lunch on Pig Island, while the timed schedule places lunch at Thong Krut Pier after the boat returns. Since those descriptions do not match perfectly, confirm the lunch location with Oh-Hoo before departure if the setting matters to you.

Either way, you should not need to search for a restaurant during the five-hour outing. That keeps the day moving and protects your time on the islands. The food is presented as Thai fare and fresh local flavors, but the exact menu is not specified, so do not book expecting a particular dish.

The schedule allows one hour at Thong Krut Pier for lunch, sightseeing, and a walk before the final return to Koh Samui. If you enjoy local food and a short look around the pier area, this adds variety. If your main goal is maximum beach time, the return-to-pier meal means less time on Koh Madsum.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, the price is reasonable for a half-day outing that includes transportation on land and sea. You are paying for hotel pickup, the speedboat, an English or Thai-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, drinks, snacks, accident insurance, and basic first aid.

The value is strongest if you are staying outside the immediate pier area or do not want to negotiate a private boat. A separate taxi, boat hire, food, and equipment rental could quickly make a self-planned day less convenient. Here, the main pieces are handled in one booking.

The price is not fully all-inclusive. You need to pay a 50-baht admission fee per person. Remote parts of Koh Samui also carry the listed 700-baht-per-person, per-way transfer charge. Check your hotel’s location before assuming the advertised price is the final total.

The tour also saves planning time. You do not need to decide which pier to use, find a boat, bring snorkeling gear, or arrange lunch. That convenience is valuable for a short stay on Koh Samui, especially if you want one easy morning outside the resort area.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip to families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and small groups who want several easy activities in one morning. The pigs give children a clear focus, while adults can spend more time swimming, snorkeling, or sitting on the beach.

It suits people who like variety more than depth. You get a speedboat ride, a snorkeling stop, a distinctive animal encounter, kayaking, swimming, and food, but no single activity lasts long enough to become a full specialist experience.

This is less suitable for anyone seeking a long snorkeling session, calm transport, or a quiet, secluded beach day. Sea conditions can reduce visibility, the boat may hit waves hard, and the 45-minute Koh Tan stop is fairly brief.

The age guidance lists child tickets for ages 4 to 10. Anyone pregnant, over 70, or dealing with back, heart, bone, or high blood pressure concerns should not join. Those limits are sensible for a fast boat and open-water activity.

Practical ways to make the five hours better

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a dry bag for your phone and valuables. The supplied information confirms masks, snorkels, and life jackets, but not towels, fins, or personal storage.

Plan around the weather. The outing can still be enjoyable when conditions are not perfect, but snorkeling visibility may suffer. If your main reason for booking is underwater viewing, keep your expectations flexible.

Check your email for the pickup time and meet in the lobby early. If your hotel is on a hill, confirm the meeting point rather than waiting at the room or upper driveway.

At Koh Madsum, decide whether you care most about feeding pigs, kayaking, swimming, or photographs. You can try all four, but 75 minutes is not a lot of time once you have walked from the boat and listened to instructions.

Finally, remember the 50-baht admission fee and ask about the lunch location. Those two small checks prevent the only real surprises in an otherwise straightforward package.

Should you book the Pig Island tour?

Book it if you want an easy, good-value half-day from Koh Samui with a memorable animal encounter and several simple activities. The included hotel transfer, food, equipment, and guide make $47 a fair price, and the friendly guides add to the appeal.

Skip it if rough water worries you, if you need fins and extended snorkeling time, or if you have a medical condition listed in the safety guidance. For most suitable participants, this is a cheerful island sampler, not a polished luxury cruise or expert snorkeling trip. The pigs are the headline, Koh Tan adds the sea time, and the included lunch keeps the morning pleasantly simple.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Samui Pig Island tour last?

The tour lasts about five hours, including hotel pickup, the pier visit, boat rides, island stops, lunch, and the return transfer.

What islands does the tour visit?

The speedboat visits Koh Tan for snorkeling and Koh Madsum, also called Pig Island, for pigs, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and beach time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from many Koh Samui areas, including Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and the Butterfly Garden area. Hill hotels may require a nearby meeting point.

What time does hotel pickup happen?

Pickup generally starts between 7:40 and 8:30 a.m. The exact time is sent by email, and you should meet the driver in your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment and life jackets. Fins are not provided according to the available tour details.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Thai lunch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments are included. The published information gives conflicting descriptions of the lunch location, so confirm whether it will be served on Koh Madsum or at Thong Krut Pier.

Who should not join the tour?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant women, people with back, heart, bone, or high blood pressure problems, and people over 70. Children between ages 4 and 10 use child tickets.