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

Pigs, beaches, and clear water make this five-hour trip an easy way to see more of Koh Samui. You ride a speedboat to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and a close look at the island’s friendly pigs. I especially like the included hotel pickup and the generous Thai meal. The main thing to consider is the boat ride, which can hit hard on choppy water.

I also like the compact schedule. You get a taste of several island activities without giving up an entire day. Just keep your expectations sensible: snorkeling visibility depends on weather, and fins are not included, so the underwater portion may feel basic rather than spectacular.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island is Koh Madsum: You can feed friendly pigs, walk along the beach, swim, snorkel, and use a kayak during the 75-minute stop.
• Koh Tan comes first: The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes time for photos, swimming, and views from the boat.
• Hotel pickup covers much of Koh Samui: Pickup is offered from areas including Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam, Bangrak, and Cheongmon.
• The speedboat ride can be rough: A Swiss passenger found the boat uncomfortable for children when waves were high, so families should watch the forecast.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You receive Thai food, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments, though the detailed schedule places lunch at Thong Krut Pier after returning.
• Budget for the extra fee: Admission costs 50 Thai baht per person, and some distant areas require a 700-baht-per-person, one-way transfer surcharge.

Why this five-hour trip works

Koh Samui has plenty of beach time, but getting onto the Gulf of Thailand gives you a different view of the island. From the speedboat, the coast becomes a backdrop rather than your whole holiday. You get open water, small-island beaches, and two stops with different personalities.

Koh Tan is the more nature-focused part of the trip. Koh Madsum is the playful stop, with pigs that have made the island famous. That contrast keeps the tour moving. You are not spending all five hours doing the same activity.

The tour is also practical for a short stay. If you have only a few days in Koh Samui, a half-day outing can fit around other plans. You receive transfers, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, food, and drinks for $47 per person. That is a fair package price, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange transport to Thong Krut Pier and rent water gear separately.

Still, this is not a private island charter. The schedule is tight, and the speedboat may carry several people at once. You should book it for convenience and variety, not for a slow, quiet day at sea.

Getting from your hotel to Thong Krut Pier

Pickup begins between 7:40 and 8:30 a.m., with the exact time confirmed by email. I would check that message carefully and wait in your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early. The vehicle collects people from several parts of the island, so the morning transfer may not feel perfectly exact.

Pickup is available in Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and near the Butterfly Garden. If your hotel sits up a hill, you may need to meet the vehicle at a nearby hotel or meeting point. This matters more than it sounds. Koh Samui’s hills and narrow roads can make a hotel entrance difficult for a shared transfer.

The tour begins at Thong Krut Pier with a safety briefing and a guided introduction lasting about 30 minutes. This gives you time to get fitted with a life jacket and snorkeling equipment before boarding. The 50-baht admission fee is not included, so keep some Thai cash ready.

A useful point about the included gear: the equipment covers a mask, snorkel, and life jacket, but fins are not provided. If you are comfortable snorkeling without fins, that may not bother you. If fins are important to your balance or swimming style, bring your own if possible.

The 30-minute speedboat ride to Koh Tan

The first boat ride takes about 30 minutes. A speedboat makes the outer islands reachable in a short time, but it also creates the tour’s biggest comfort issue. In calm conditions, the ride can be exciting and scenic. In rough conditions, the boat may pound over the waves.

One French passenger still enjoyed the trip despite poor weather, but another found the boat ride too rough for children when the sea was choppy. That is useful advice for families with young children. A life jacket is supplied, but safety equipment does not make a rough ride comfortable.

If you have back problems, heart problems, or are pregnant, this activity is not recommended. The same warning applies to people over 70 and people with bone conditions. This is a small speedboat outing, not a calm ferry crossing.

The ride itself is part of the sightseeing. You get views across the Gulf and a sense of how close these islands are to Koh Samui. I would treat the boat as transportation with a scenic bonus, not as a luxury cruise.

Koh Tan: 45 minutes in the water

Koh Tan is the first island stop, with about 45 minutes for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and guided sightseeing. The short visit means you should decide quickly how to use it. If seeing fish is your priority, head for the water rather than spending too long on the beach.

The snorkeling can be rewarding. One French passenger saw attractive fish even when the weather was not favorable. At the same time, visibility is not guaranteed. Another passenger was disappointed by the snorkeling site because the water was not clear and fins were unavailable.

That mixed result is normal for a sea tour. Weather, current, and water conditions can change the experience from one morning to the next. You may see colorful fish and underwater features, or you may find the water less clear than the promotional photos suggest.

I like that Koh Tan includes more than a single photo stop. You can swim, use the mask and snorkel, and look around from the boat. But 45 minutes passes quickly, especially if the guide has to organize a group. Wear swimwear under your clothes and have your towel ready so you do not lose time getting changed.

Koh Madsum, the island known for pigs

The second stop lasts about 75 minutes at Koh Madsum, commonly called Pig Island. This is the most distinctive part of the outing. You can walk along the beach, feed the pigs, swim, snorkel, kayak, and take photos.

The pigs are not a zoo exhibit in the usual sense. They are the reason the island has become famous, and the chance to see them close up gives the stop its comic charm. You may find them wandering near the beach, waiting for food, or simply enjoying the island life better than most of us do.

Follow the guide’s instructions when feeding them. Keep food low and move calmly, especially if children are nearby. The animals are friendly according to the tour description, but they are still animals with strong appetites.

The beach also gives you a chance to slow down after the first boat ride. If you do not care much about pigs, you can use the time for swimming, a short kayak outing, or a walk. The combination is what makes Koh Madsum worth the stop. It is not only a photo opportunity.

The island setting is attractive, but you should not expect hours of solitude. Pig Island is a popular side trip from Koh Samui, and the main appeal is the unusual mix of animals and beach activities. The 75-minute visit gives you enough time for a few activities, but not for a long, unhurried beach day.

Lunch, drinks, and the return to Koh Samui

The package includes a Thai lunch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments. One of the strongest parts of the food offering is its quantity and flavor. A French passenger described the meal as both generous and very good, which is exactly what you want after swimming and riding a speedboat.

There is one detail worth clarifying before you book. The main description presents lunch as an island meal, but the detailed schedule places the one-hour lunch and walk at Thong Krut Pier after the return from Koh Madsum. If eating on the island matters to you, confirm the current lunch location with the operator.

The second speedboat ride takes about 30 minutes. It returns you to Thong Krut Pier, where lunch, sightseeing, and a walk are scheduled before the final return to your hotel. The whole experience lasts about five hours, though shared transfers can affect the exact time you reach your accommodation.

The included meal adds real value. You do not need to search for food between stops, and you can keep your day moving. Just remember that the $47 price does not cover the 50-baht admission charge.

What the price really includes

At $47 per person, this is a reasonably priced package for a half-day from Koh Samui. The most useful inclusion is hotel transport. Reaching Thong Krut Pier on your own would add taxi planning and cost, especially if you are staying away from the southern part of the island.

You also receive:

• An English- and Thai-speaking guide
• Speedboat transportation
• Snorkeling equipment
• A life jacket
• Thai lunch
• Water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments
• Accident insurance and a first aid kit
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in covered areas

That list makes the trip easier for first-time visitors. You can book one activity rather than arrange a boat, gear, food, and local transport separately.

The price is less attractive if you stay in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai. Those areas require an extra transfer charge of 700 baht per person, each way. For a couple, that surcharge can add a substantial amount to the base price, so compare the total cost before booking.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those policies help if your weather plans are uncertain, though the sea conditions remain the bigger factor in deciding whether the day will be comfortable.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who enjoy a busy half-day. You get animals, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, food, and sightseeing in one package.

It is particularly useful if you do not have a car or prefer not to negotiate local transport. The pickup covers many popular hotel zones, and the operator handles the pier transfer.

Families should think carefully about the sea conditions. The boat can be rough when waves are high, and the 75-minute Pig Island stop may feel better suited to children who are comfortable around water and animals. Children aged 4 to 10 use a child ticket, but the activity is not recommended for pregnant people or those with serious back, heart, bone, or blood-pressure concerns.

You should also be happy with a group schedule. The guide needs to move everyone between the boat, snorkeling area, beach, kayak, and meal. This is not the right pick if you want to choose your own departure time or spend most of the day in one quiet cove.

Practical tips for a better morning

Wear swimwear beneath light clothing. With only 45 minutes at Koh Tan and 75 minutes at Koh Madsum, changing clothes can take away much of your water time.

Bring sun protection and a dry bag for valuables. The provided information confirms snorkeling gear and life jackets, but it does not promise storage for phones, cameras, or wallets.

Keep a little cash for the 50-baht admission fee. Also check your pickup email the night before and confirm whether your hotel is on a main road or requires a nearby meeting point.

If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare before boarding. The speedboat ride lasts 30 minutes each way, and the boat may bounce sharply in rough water. The tour is not recommended for people with back problems, heart problems, or pregnancy.

Set modest expectations for snorkeling. The water may be clear, but conditions vary. You may see good fish even on a cloudy day, yet you should not book this solely for a major reef experience. The real strength is the mix of sea time, beach time, pigs, food, and simple logistics.

Should you book the Pig Island and Koh Tan trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, organized introduction to two small islands near Koh Samui. The friendly pigs, included food, hotel pickup, and short schedule make this a good choice for a first island excursion. The 4.2 rating from 120 bookings suggests a generally positive experience, with the guide service and meal receiving especially warm praise.

Skip it if you dislike fast boats, need a quiet day, or expect guaranteed clear water and fins for snorkeling. Families should check the forecast before committing, since rough waves can make the ride unpleasant for children.

For most people, the value is strongest when you want variety and convenience. Just add the admission fee to your budget, check the transfer surcharge for remote hotel areas, and confirm where lunch will be served. With those details clear, this is a cheerful half-day outing with enough genuine island time to make the speedboat ride worthwhile.

FAQ

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

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

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Tan for snorkeling and swimming, followed by Koh Madsum, also known as Pig Island, for pigs, beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in areas including Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and near the Butterfly Garden. Hilltop hotels may require a nearby meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Thai lunch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments are included. The detailed schedule places lunch at Thong Krut Pier after returning from Koh Madsum, so confirm the current lunch location if this matters to you.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included. Fins are not provided.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children aged 4 to 10 use a child ticket. The boat may be rough in high waves, so the activity may not suit young children during choppy conditions. Pregnant people and people with back, heart, bone, or high blood-pressure conditions are not recommended to join.