Pig Feeding, Kayaking, Snorkeling Trip at Pig Island By Speedboat From Koh Samui

Cute pigs, clear water, and a fast boat make this an unusual Samui day.

I like two things right away: the speedboat connects Koh Samui with Pig Island without complicated planning, and the tour bundles kayaking, snorkeling gear, lunch, fruit, soft drinks, and a sunbed into one price. You also get a rare chance to feed pigs on a small tropical island, which gives the outing a fun story beyond the usual beach stop.

The main caution is time management. Waiting can take up a large part of the day, especially during pickup and at the pier, and the pig population may be much smaller than you expect. This is best viewed as a mixed island day with pigs, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch, not as a guaranteed pig-swimming spectacle.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island may have only a few pigs: Some recent visits found one or two animals rather than a large group on the beach.
• Koh Tan provides the snorkeling stop: Plan on roughly one hour in the water, with masks and life jackets supplied.
• Koh Madsum is the main beach stop: You get around three hours for pig feeding, kayaking, swimming, relaxing, and lunch.
• Lunch receives some of the strongest praise: The meal can include green curry, vegetables, rice, fruit, and other Thai dishes, though serving temperatures may vary.
• Pickup coverage is wide: Transfers are offered from several Koh Samui areas, but distant locations require an extra 700 baht per person each way.
• Build in patience: The stated tour length is six to seven hours, but late pickups, pier waits, and group transfers can affect how much time you spend enjoying the islands.

What the $57.92 price really covers

At $57.92 per person, this is priced as an easy, all-in-one island excursion rather than a bare boat transfer. Your cost includes hotel transfer from selected areas, the round-trip speedboat, kayaking, a sunbed, lunch or dinner, soft drinks, fresh fruit, a life jacket, a snorkeling mask, and accident insurance.

That package can be good value if you want several activities in one day. Booking a boat, arranging transport, hiring a kayak, buying lunch, and finding snorkeling equipment separately would take more time and could cost more. Here, you can pack lightly and let the operator handle the main pieces.

There are still a few extra costs to note. Pig Island charges an admission fee of 50 baht per person. If you are staying in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai, the extra transfer charge is 700 baht per person each way. That can change the value calculation quickly, especially for a couple or family.

The advertised group limit is 30 people. That is not a private outing, but it is smaller than some large boat excursions. In practice, the atmosphere can still feel crowded at the pier and on Koh Madsum, since several tour groups may arrive around the same time.

Starting from Koh Samui at 8:30 a.m.

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m., with the stated meeting point at Jumpow Kitchen in Taling Ngam. Hotel pickup is available from Lamai, Butterfly Garden, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Choeng Mon, and Bangrak.

The broad pickup area is useful, but it also creates the risk of a long collection route. Some people have experienced a late pickup or confusion about where to meet the boat. One practical step helps: confirm the pickup time and exact location with the operator before the morning of departure, even if your booking already shows a time.

The transfer process may involve being dropped at the pier and waiting for the speedboat or for other pickups to finish. Allow more patience than the simple 8:30 a.m. start suggests. A few accounts describe waits of 30 minutes to an hour before boarding, which can make the six to seven-hour schedule feel less generous.

The road transfer also deserves attention. One account described a driver’s fast and uncomfortable driving. That does not mean every transfer is handled the same way, but it is fair to remember that the land portion is shared transport, not a private car with a flexible schedule.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. It is not recommended if you are arriving by cruise ship or large boat, since the pickup timing and return schedule are not designed around port arrivals.

The speedboat ride to Koh Tan

The speedboat is one of the more popular parts of the outing. The trip to the islands gives you a quick connection from Samui and avoids the slower feel of a large ferry. Several strong accounts praise the boat ride and the helpful crew.

You should expect a lively ride, particularly if the sea is rough. This is a proper sea excursion, not a calm harbor cruise. Life jackets are supplied, and you should use one as directed. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you feel most stable and bring any medication you normally use.

Weather matters here. The operator can cancel the trip in poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund. That is helpful, but you should still pay attention to the forecast and ask what will happen if the weather looks unsafe. One particularly serious account described thunder, lightning, and heavy rain during a trip, so poor conditions are not a minor detail.

Koh Tan snorkeling, roughly one hour in the water

Koh Tan is the first listed island stop, with about one hour set aside for snorkeling. A mask and life jacket are included. The stop gives the day a useful balance: you are not spending the entire excursion on the pig beach.

The quality of the snorkeling can vary with weather, water conditions, and the exact spot selected. Some people found clear water and plenty of fish. Another description praised tiger fish and the underwater life, while another found a dead reef and only a modest selection of fish and sea cucumbers.

That difference is important. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, you may want a dedicated snorkeling trip instead. Here, it is one part of a broader program. Still, an hour in the water is enough to make the stop worthwhile when visibility is good, especially for families and casual snorkelers who want a simple, supervised introduction.

The snorkeling mask and life jacket are provided, but the supplied information does not mention fins. If you normally use fins, ask before departure rather than assuming they are included. The same goes for any personal equipment you prefer.

Pig Island and the search for the pigs

Koh Madsum, often called Pig Island, is the centerpiece. The story is part of its appeal: the island became known for pigs that swam through the sea to reach it. The reality today may be less dramatic than the name suggests.

Pig numbers have changed. Several accounts describe seeing only one or two pigs, with some animals kept farther back from the water rather than splashing in the sea. You might find the pigs on or near the beach, but you should not expect a whole herd waiting in the shallows.

That does not make the stop worthless. Feeding a pig, taking a few pictures, and seeing how the animals behave can be a memorable novelty. It is simply better to treat the pigs as one small feature of the island rather than the whole attraction.

You get about three hours at Koh Madsum. That is enough time to look for the pigs, swim, kayak, rest on a sunbed, and eat lunch. The beach itself receives good marks for its white sand and pleasant setting. The drawback is crowding. At busy times, the beach may contain roughly 150 to 200 people, which takes some of the quiet out of the scene.

The island’s upkeep may also be uneven. One account noted plastic caps, cigarette ends, and general litter. Conditions can change from day to day, but you should set your expectations accordingly. This is a popular day-trip beach, not an untouched island.

Kayaking, swimming, and beach time

Kayaking is included, which gives you something active to do after seeing the pigs. The equipment and life jacket are supplied, and you can use the time at Koh Madsum for kayaking, swimming, or simply relaxing.

I like this flexibility. Not everyone in a group wants the same activity, and the three-hour stop lets one person kayak while another rests under the sun. If you have children, check that they are comfortable in the water and follow the crew’s safety instructions.

The activity list says kayak and sunbed are included, but it does not give a precise kayaking duration or explain whether kayaks are shared. At a busy beach, you may need to wait your turn. This is another reason not to judge the tour only by its pig-feeding promise. The beach time helps fill out the day when the animals are not visible.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry bag for valuables. Food and drinks are supplied, but personal water-resistant storage is not listed. Pack light, as the tour already provides the main water equipment.

Lunch on Koh Madsum

Lunch is a real strength of the package. The meal can include green curry, fried chicken, stir-fried vegetables, rice, pineapple, watermelon, and other Thai dishes. Soft drinks such as water and cola are included as well.

One especially positive account described a generous spread of tom yum, tom kha, vegetables, rice, pineapple, and watermelon. That is a better meal than the small boxed fried-rice lunch often found on boat trips.

Expect some variation. Another account found the food good but cold, and the included meal may differ depending on the day’s program. If you have strict dietary needs, ask the operator before booking, since the provided details do not promise vegetarian, vegan, halal, or allergy-specific meals.

Lunch is served during the Koh Madsum portion, so you can combine food with a break from the water. Fresh fruit and soft drinks are useful additions in the heat, especially since the schedule is long and active.

The biggest issue: waiting around

The most consistent weakness is not the island itself. It is the organization around the island.

Late hotel pickup, unclear meeting instructions, waiting at the pier, and shuttle delays can chip away at your usable beach time. One account described reaching the meeting point and then needing phone and WhatsApp contact before following a scooter to the actual boat departure point. Another described waiting about an hour after being dropped at the dock.

You should not assume that an 8:30 a.m. start means you will be on the water at 8:30. Ask these questions before the day begins:

• Where exactly will the driver collect you?
• What is the driver’s name or vehicle information?
• Which pier will you use?
• How long should you expect to wait before boarding?
• Is the 50-baht island fee payable in cash?

Clear answers will not remove every delay, but they can prevent a stressful start. The crew itself is often described as kind, helpful, and willing to assist with photos. The problem appears to be the overall flow rather than a lack of effort from the people leading the island activities.

Who will enjoy this day most?

This tour suits you if you want variety. You can ride a speedboat, snorkel, feed pigs, kayak, swim, eat lunch, and return to Samui in half a day. Families with children aged 4 to 11 can book child tickets, though parents should consider each child’s comfort with boats and open water.

It also works well for first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to nearby islands without arranging each piece themselves. The included equipment and food make packing and planning simple.

You may want another excursion if you need quiet beaches, precise timing, or serious snorkeling. It is also a poor fit for anyone pregnant or with high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases, as the operator does not recommend the activity for those conditions.

Most importantly, book it for the combination of activities, not a guaranteed encounter with many pigs. That small adjustment in expectation can make the day feel far more satisfying.

Should you book the Pig Island speedboat tour?

I would book this tour if you are staying in a covered Koh Samui area, like the idea of a packed island day, and accept that the pigs may be few. The strongest parts are the fast boat, friendly activity crew, attractive white-sand beach, useful mix of snorkeling and kayaking, and generous Thai lunch.

I would hesitate if your schedule is tight or if delays will spoil your holiday mood. The extra 50-baht admission fee is minor, but a 700-baht each-way transfer surcharge from some areas is not. Check the weather, confirm pickup details, and bring patience for the pier.

At $57.92, the package offers fair value when the boat, meal, fruit, drinks, kayak, snorkeling mask, sunbed, transfers, and insurance all work as planned. It is a cheerful, slightly unpredictable beach outing, not a polished private charter. Book it for a fun day at sea with a quirky animal stop, and you are more likely to come home pleased.

FAQ

How long does the Pig Island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six to seven hours, including transfers from Koh Samui and the return to the meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour start and end?

The listed meeting point is Jumpow Kitchen, CXC4+76H, 4170, Taling Ngam, Koh Samui. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfer is included from Lamai, Butterfly Garden, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Choeng Mon, and Bangrak.

Is there an extra transfer fee?

Yes. Pickup from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai costs an additional 700 baht per person each way.

What activities are included?

You can snorkel at Koh Tan and kayak, swim, relax, and feed pigs at Koh Madsum. Kayaks, a snorkeling mask, a life jacket, and a sunbed are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch or dinner, soft drinks including water and cola, and fresh fruit are included.

Is there an admission fee for Pig Island?

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

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Child tickets apply to children aged 4 to 11. The operator does not recommend the activity for people who are pregnant or have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases.