Reviewed · LONGTAIL BOAT TRIPS

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour

★ 5.0 · 54 reviews From $391 Operated by Paradise Travel and Tours · Bookable on Viator
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Pigs, coral, and a polished longtail boat. This four-hour Koh Samui outing combines the playful oddity of Koh Mat Sum, better known as Pig Island, with a quieter stop around Koh Taen. I especially like the private format for up to six people and the generous onboard service, including fresh fruit, drinks, towels, and premium snorkeling gear. The crew also appears to make the day personal, with guides such as Ko, Kin, Kint, King, Cole, and Oo praised for friendly help and local insight.

The main drawback is cost. At $391.06 per group, this makes much more sense for four to six people than for a couple. You should also budget the separate THB50 admission fee for Koh Mad Sum per person, and remember that lunch and return transport are not included in the listed price.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour - Key Points to Know Before You Go

  • Private longtail for up to six: You avoid a crowded 15 to 30 person boat and can shape the outing around your group.
  • Pig Island is the lively stop: You get about 75 minutes to see, feed, and give water to the island’s friendly pigs.
  • Koh Taen gets the most time: Two hours are set aside for swimming and snorkeling around coral and tropical fish.
  • Service is a major part of the value: Fruit, soft drinks, water, towels, premium snorkeling equipment, and a guide are provided.
  • Start at Thong Krut Pier: The southern Koh Samui departure point is scenic and practical for reaching both islands.
  • Extra costs are limited but worth noting: Koh Mad Sum charges THB50 per person, while lunch and return transfers cost extra if arranged.

Why This Private Koh Samui Tour Works

Koh Samui has no shortage of boat trips. The appeal here is not simply reaching two nearby islands. It is the combination of a traditional longtail boat, a small private group, and enough time to enjoy the water without feeling rushed from one photo stop to the next.

The boat is described as a luxury longtail, with a comfortable setup that several people found attractive for photographs. That matters because a longtail boat gives you an open-air ride and a closer feel for the sea than a large covered excursion boat. You can sit back, watch the southern coast slide past, and enjoy the ride as part of the outing rather than treating transport as an inconvenience.

A private boat also changes the mood. You are not sharing the day with a busload of strangers, and your group can choose how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, or simply sitting on the beach. The crew can offer as much or as little local information as you want, which is useful if some people in your party want facts while others would rather enjoy the quiet.

The rating is 4.9 from 54 ratings, with 98 percent recommending the experience. Those numbers fit the strongest pattern in the feedback: warm crew service, plentiful food and drinks, a comfortable boat, and a flexible private setup.

Leaving From Thong Krut Pier

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour - Leaving From Thong Krut Pier

The outing begins at Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui’s southern coast. You check in with the team there before boarding the boat, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

The listed price does not include a return hotel transfer, but one can be arranged. This is an important detail if you are staying away from the southern coast. Ask about the transfer when booking instead of assuming it comes with the package.

The first and last parts of the tour are boat rides, with about 10 minutes listed at the departure point and roughly 30 minutes for the return to Thong Krut. The ride back may offer sunset views, depending on your start time and the weather. Since the total outing lasts about four hours, this is a manageable half-day plan that leaves room for dinner or another Koh Samui activity.

The boat ride itself is part of the charm, but conditions at sea can change. One account describes poor weather during the first hour, yet the group still enjoyed the trip. That is encouraging, but it also tells you to keep expectations flexible. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions make the trip unsuitable.

Meeting the Pigs on Koh Mat Sum

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour - Meeting the Pigs on Koh Mat Sum

Koh Mat Sum, also called Koh Mad Som or Pig Island, is the tour’s most unusual stop. The island sits off the southern side of Koh Samui and is small enough to explore without needing a full day.

You have about 75 minutes here. That gives you time to see the pigs, offer them food and water, walk around, and spend time on the beach. The pigs are the obvious stars, but the setting matters too. You get a break from the boat and a chance to enjoy a simple tropical island rather than another resort property.

The crew’s local knowledge can make this stop better than a quick animal photo opportunity. Ko, in particular, was praised for recognizing individual pigs and knowing which ones liked being petted and which ones were better left alone. That kind of practical guidance is useful around animals. It helps you interact respectfully and keeps the experience from becoming chaotic.

Food is another strong point here and throughout the trip. The crew serves a fruit platter, with fresh fruit cut onboard, plus soft drinks and water. Some groups described the amount of food as surprisingly generous. Towels are also supplied for drying off after swimming, a small comfort that saves you from carrying a wet beach towel back to your hotel.

There are two points to keep in mind. First, Koh Mad Sum charges THB50 per person, and that fee is not included. Second, Pig Island can be the busiest and most playful part of the day, so it may not suit someone who wants a quiet, untouched beach at every stop. If you prefer peace to pigs, you can spend less time near the animals and ask the crew about enjoying the beach instead.

Two Hours Around Koh Taen

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour - Two Hours Around Koh Taen

Koh Taen receives the longest part of the itinerary, about two hours. That is a sensible choice because the water activities need time, especially if your group includes people who want to swim while others prefer to remain on the boat.

The water around Koh Taen is described as clear, with coral reefs and many types of tropical fish. Premium snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets. A guide is also on board to help with the outing and provide local information.

You should read the snorkeling portion as a flexible opportunity rather than a guaranteed underwater spectacle. Sea conditions affect visibility, and the quality of the experience can vary with weather. The tour does, however, give you a useful amount of time in the area instead of allowing only a quick swim before moving on.

If you do not want to snorkel, the itinerary still has value. One family chose to skip the snorkeling and spent time on a private beach, swimming and enjoying the setting with few distractions. That flexibility is one of the best reasons to choose a private tour. You do not have to follow the same pace as every other person on a large group boat.

The water stop is also a good fit for mixed-age groups. Most people can participate, and life jackets are provided. Two young teens joined one family’s outing, and the private setup gave the group room to adjust the day to everyone’s comfort.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour - What the Crew Adds to the Day

The service is one of the clearest strengths of this experience. The crew is described as friendly, accommodating, and engaged without forcing a constant stream of commentary.

Names that appear in the feedback include Ko, Cole, Kin, Kint, King, and Oo. King was praised for taking excellent photographs, while Oo helped as a guide in the water. These details suggest a team that does more than operate the boat and point out the next stop. They help with equipment, share local facts, assist around the pigs, and make the day easier for families and couples.

The private format also means you can ask for the right amount of conversation. If you want to know about the islands, pigs, or snorkeling area, the guides can explain. If you prefer a quiet ride with fruit and a cold drink, you can have that too.

The included supplies are generous for a four-hour trip:

  • Fresh fruit platter
  • Soft drinks and water
  • Premium snorkeling equipment
  • Life jackets
  • Towels
  • First aid kit
  • Insurance
  • Guide service

Lunch is not included. For a half-day tour, the fruit and drinks may be enough, but you should plan your own meal before or after the outing. Do not assume the fruit platter replaces lunch.

Is $391.06 Good Value?

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour - Is $391.06 Good Value?

The cost is $391.06 per group of up to six people. Divided six ways, that comes to about $65 per person before the Koh Mad Sum admission fee. For four people, it is about $98 per person, and for two people, about $196 per person.

That calculation tells you who gets the best value. A full group of six receives a private boat, crew service, snorkeling equipment, drinks, fruit, and four hours on the water at a reasonable per-person rate. For a couple, the same price becomes a luxury splurge rather than a budget excursion.

Compared with a standard boat carrying 15 to 30 people, the extra money buys privacy and control. You can spend more time at the beach, skip snorkeling, stay near the pigs, or simply enjoy the boat without negotiating space with strangers. If that freedom matters to you, the price is easier to justify.

The package also avoids several small add-on costs. Water, soft drinks, fruit, life jackets, a first aid kit, insurance, and snorkeling equipment are included. Still, you need to add the THB50 admission charge per person, lunch, and any arranged return transfer to your total.

Who Should Book This Longtail Tour?

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour - Who Should Book This Longtail Tour?

I would choose this tour for a family, a group of friends, or two or three couples traveling together. Six people sharing the cost is the sweet spot, especially if everyone likes a mix of animal encounters, swimming, and easy sightseeing.

It is also a good fit for people who dislike standard group excursions. You get a more personal boat ride and a crew that can adapt the day. Families with young teens may appreciate the ability to slow down or skip an activity without making the rest of the boat wait.

Couples can enjoy it too, but they should decide if a private luxury boat is worth the higher per-person price. If your priority is the lowest possible fare, a shared excursion will likely make more sense. If privacy, service, and a photo-friendly boat matter more, this outing has a stronger case.

You should also be comfortable with a weather-dependent plan. The operator offers a new date or full refund if poor weather forces cancellation, but sea conditions can still affect your comfort and snorkeling visibility on a day that goes ahead.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. That said, you should contact the provider with any specific mobility or medical concerns, since the supplied details do not explain boarding arrangements or facilities on the islands.

Booking, Timing, and Cancellation Details

Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour - Booking, Timing, and Cancellation Details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity begins and ends at the Thong Krut meeting point unless you arrange a return transfer. The tour lasts approximately four hours, with about 75 minutes on Koh Mat Sum and two hours around Koh Taen.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Weather and minimum-group requirements can also cause a cancellation, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should You Book the Pig Island and Koh Taen Tour?

Book it if you can fill at least four seats and want a private half-day on the water rather than a basic island shuttle. The best parts are the flexible pace, attentive crew, fresh fruit and drinks, and the unusual combination of Pig Island and Koh Taen.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The price is harder to defend with fewer people, and the separate island admission, lunch, and transfer costs add a little more.

For families and small groups, this is a strong Koh Samui choice. You get a playful stop with the pigs, a proper amount of time for swimming and snorkeling, and a comfortable boat ride that feels personal from start to finish.

FAQ

How long is the Private Pig Island and Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The schedule includes about 75 minutes on Koh Mat Sum, two hours around Koh Taen, and the return boat ride to Thong Krut.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is in Koh Samui, at Thong Krut Pier on the southern coast. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of six people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Return transport is not included in the listed price, but it can be arranged separately.

What is included in the tour price?

The package includes a fruit platter, soft drinks, water, premium snorkeling equipment, life jackets, a first aid kit, insurance, and a guide.

Is the Koh Mad Sum admission fee included?

No. Koh Mad Sum charges THB50 per person, which you pay separately. Lunch is also not included.

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