Pig Island Private Longtail Boat Trip From Koh Samui

Pigs on a tropical beach make a memorable half-day. This private longtail boat trip from Koh Samui takes you to Koh Madsum, now better known as Pig Island, where friendly wild boars wander near the sand and shallow water. I like the private boat, since your group can set its own pace, and I like the chance to combine Pig Island with snorkeling and a short stop at nearby Koh Tan.

The price of $123.34 per group, advertised for up to five people, can be good value if you fill the boat. Hotel transfer, bottled water, life jackets, and snorkeling masks are included. The main concern is that Pig Island can feel crowded, dirty, and smelly, while the quality of guiding and snorkeling may vary.

Key points to know before you book

• Private longtail boat: Your group travels together rather than joining a large shared boat, with more control over when you leave the island.
• Pig Island’s wild boars: The animals are the main attraction, but keep your hands and food away from them because they may bite.
• Koh Tan stop: Snorkeling is included, though water conditions and equipment quality can affect how much you see.
• Four-hour schedule: This is a compact outing, not a full-day island cruise, so each stop receives limited time.
• Extra 50 baht park fee: You pay this fee per person when arriving at the beach, in addition to food and drinks.
• Crowds and cleanliness: The island is photogenic, but the small beach can become packed and litter can reduce the pleasure of the visit.

Why Koh Madsum became Pig Island

Koh Madsum is a small island near Koh Samui that gained fame for its free-roaming wild boars. The name Pig Island now fits the public image better than the old Thai name, although the pigs are only one part of the setting.

You get a white sandy beach, clear and usually calm water, jungle-covered areas, and mangrove forest. The island is not a major cultural site or a place filled with sights. Its appeal is simple: arrive by traditional longtail boat, watch the pigs wander around, swim, take photos, and enjoy a short break from Koh Samui.

That simplicity is both the charm and the limitation. If you want an unusual family outing with a memorable animal encounter, Pig Island delivers something different from the usual beach stop. If you expect a spotless, quiet island with untouched nature, you may leave disappointed.

I would treat this as a playful coastal excursion rather than a serious wildlife tour. The pigs are accustomed to people and gather around visitors, so the encounter feels close and easy. It is entertaining, but not wild in the strict sense.

Setting off from Thong Krut Pier

The listed meeting point is Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui. Hotel pickup is available as an option, and the boat returns to the meeting point at the end of the outing. The total trip lasts about four hours.

Thong Krut is a useful departure point for the southern side of Koh Samui. From here, the longtail boat heads across the sea toward the nearby islands. The traditional Thai boat is part of the fun. You feel the engine, hear the water, and get an open view rather than the sealed comfort of a large ferry.

The ride can be exciting, but you should expect a basic boat rather than a luxury cruise. Longtail boats offer limited shelter, and the ride may feel bumpy if the sea is not calm. A life jacket is provided, and you should use it, especially during the faster stretches between islands.

Pickup communication deserves care. A pickup time was changed earlier on the day for at least one booking, leaving the group scrambling during breakfast. I recommend checking the final pickup time carefully and keeping your phone available before departure. If you arrange your own transport, allow enough time to reach Thong Krut Pier.

The trip is private, but the boat capacity needs clarification before booking. The price is shown for a group of up to five, while the tour description also refers to groups of up to eight. Ask the operator, Oh-Hoo, which group limit applies to your chosen departure and price.

Koh Tan: snorkeling before the pigs

The first island stop listed is Koh Tan, a quieter island near Koh Samui and Koh Madsum. The purpose of this stop is mainly snorkeling and marine scenery.

Masks and life jackets are included, so you do not need to bring your own basic equipment. Bottled drinking water is also supplied. The surrounding reef can offer a pleasant look at shallow coastal life, particularly when the sea is calm and visibility is good.

I would keep expectations sensible. Snorkeling quality is not guaranteed. Some outings have produced an enjoyable swim, while other conditions have made the snorkeling feel poor. Water clarity, weather, current, and the condition of the supplied mask all matter. The boat crew may also vary in how much time they give you in the water.

This stop is valuable because it breaks up the Pig Island visit. Children in particular may enjoy the water more than the animals. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, though, this trip is a gamble rather than a specialist reef excursion.

Koh Tan also offers the possibility of more quiet exploration, trekking, and wildlife watching in the area. The supplied schedule does not promise an extended island walk, so do not assume you will have time for all of those activities. The four-hour format keeps the visit fairly brisk.

Meeting the pigs on Koh Madsum

Pig Island is the centerpiece. As the boat approaches, you see a low tropical island with a white beach and wooded interior. The pigs roam around freely near the shore, creating the amusing sight that made the island famous.

The animals are often the highlight for families. You can watch them walk along the beach, rest in the shade, and approach people. Puppies may also be present, adding another crowd-pleasing touch. The private boat can be a real advantage here: arriving early may help you reach the beach before the busiest period, and your group can decide when it has had enough.

Do not treat the pigs like tame pets. One important practical warning is that they can bite. Keep fingers away from mouths, avoid teasing them, and follow the crew’s instructions about feeding or touching them. The supplied information does not say that food for the pigs is included, so do not assume you should feed them.

The island’s condition can vary. Some visitors find the beach dirty and notice strong smells from the animals. On a small island, a large crowd of people and pigs quickly changes the atmosphere. You may pay a 50 baht per person park fee on arrival, described as supporting beach cleaning, but that does not guarantee a perfectly clean shore.

This is where the private format helps, but it does not create a private island. Your boat may be private, yet other boats still bring their own groups. If you want the best chance of a calmer visit, an early departure is worth requesting. The operator cannot promise an empty beach, but timing can make a real difference.

Swimming is another reason to enjoy the stop. The water is described as clear and calm, and the sandy beach makes getting in easy. Still, your time may be shared among photos, pigs, swimming, and a short look around the island.

Thong Krut Beach and the final return

Thong Krut Beach appears as the final stop before returning to the pier. The itinerary does not describe a long beach program here, so think of it as part of the coastal route and return rather than a separate major attraction.

You may have time to enjoy the shore, settle back into the boat, or take in views toward Koh Samui. The southern coast provides a more relaxed finish than a hard rush straight back to the hotel.

Food and drinks are not included. A local beach bar on Pig Island serves refreshments that you can purchase yourself. This gives you a simple option for a snack or drink, but bring cash if needed, since no payment details are provided. The park fee is also extra, at 50 baht per person.

The short schedule means you should not expect a full restaurant meal, long kayaking session, and extended snorkeling on the same outing. Kayaking, birdwatching, and the possibility of seeing monitor lizards are mentioned as activities in the area, but they are not clearly included in this four-hour package. Ask before booking if one of these is important to you.

What the private price really buys you

At $123.34 per group, this trip offers its best value to a small family or group of friends. Five people sharing the advertised price pay roughly $25 each before the park fee and personal purchases. That is a reasonable rate for a private boat, especially when hotel transfer is included.

For only one or two people, the value is weaker. You still receive the private experience, but the cost per person rises quickly. A shared trip may be cheaper if you care more about price than privacy.

The private arrangement has practical value beyond comfort. You can avoid waiting for strangers, keep your group together, and potentially leave Pig Island when the beach becomes too crowded. You may also have more flexibility around swimming and snorkeling, although the actual schedule remains subject to the boat crew, weather, and sea conditions.

The package includes accident insurance, a life jacket, a snorkeling mask, bottled water, and hotel transfer as an option. Food, drinks, and the 50 baht per person park fee are extra. Since the tour is only about four hours, you are paying for a focused island outing rather than a long cruise with many included services.

The guide and crew can shape the day

The quality of the human side of this excursion is less predictable than the scenery. Some groups have found the guide too disconnected from the adventure, offering little explanation about the islands or the animals. That matters because Pig Island is easy to see on your own, so a guide should add context and practical help.

At minimum, you should expect clear instructions about where to go, when to return, how to behave around the pigs, and how long you have for snorkeling. One group only learned that pigs may bite from another boat’s guide. That is a basic safety point the crew should explain before you approach the animals.

There have also been complaints about a captain appearing tired and about snorkeling that felt unproductive. I would not treat these reports as proof that every departure will be poor, but they are a reason to watch the crew’s condition and speak up if the boat or service feels unsafe.

The provider, Oh-Hoo, has responded to service concerns and apologized for communication problems. Still, practical preparation helps. Confirm pickup time, group size, meeting point, and the planned order of stops before you leave your hotel.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I think this tour suits families with children, couples who want a quirky photo stop, and small groups that value privacy. The boat ride, easy beach access, swimming, and unusual animals create a varied outing without committing an entire day.

It also works well for people who have already seen Koh Samui’s main beaches and want a different half-day activity. The wild boars give the trip a clear identity. You will remember this more easily than a generic beach transfer.

You may want another tour if your priority is excellent snorkeling, quiet nature, or polished guiding. Pig Island can become crowded, and the small beach may smell strongly. The snorkeling is not consistently praised, and the guide may provide little commentary.

The activity is not recommended for people who are pregnant or who have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases. It is also not suitable for people arriving by cruise ship or large boat. Most other participants can take part, and the departure point is near public transportation.

Timing, weather, and cancellation advice

This experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Thailand.

Because sea conditions affect both comfort and snorkeling, I would avoid placing this trip on the final morning of your Koh Samui stay. A weather change or transport problem could upset your plans. Give yourself another day if possible.

Should you book the Pig Island trip?

Book it if you want a short, private boat outing with a funny and unusual main attraction. The best version of this trip is a small group that leaves early, enjoys the longtail ride, spends a reasonable amount of time with the pigs, and treats snorkeling as a bonus rather than the central event.

Think twice if dirty beaches, animal smells, crowds, or uneven service will spoil your day. The pigs are appealing, but the island is not a pristine nature reserve. Confirm the group limit, pickup time, park fee, and snorkeling plan before paying.

For a family or group of five, the price is fair. For a couple, it is more of a splurge. I would book this as a lighthearted Koh Samui side trip, not as your main marine adventure.

FAQ

How long does the Pig Island private boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours, including the boat journey and stops at Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, and Thong Krut Beach.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed meeting point is Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Hotel pickup and transfer are available as an option.

What is included in the price?

The package includes accident insurance, a life jacket, a snorkeling mask, and drinking water. Hotel transfer is included when that option is selected.

Are food, drinks, and the park fee included?

No. Food and drinks are purchased separately, including refreshments from the local beach bar. A 50 baht park fee per person is also extra.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price is listed for a private group of up to five people, while the description also refers to groups of up to eight. Confirm the applicable capacity and price with the provider before booking.

Is the trip suitable for everyone?

Most people can participate, but the activity is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or has high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases. It is also not recommended for people arriving by cruise ship or large boat.