Koh Tan and Koh Madsum Snorkeling Trip By Speedboat From Koh Samui

Koh Tan and Koh Madsum offer two very different island stops in one day. Koh Tan is the snorkeling stop, while Koh Madsum, or Pig Island, is mainly about soft sand, swimming, photos, and semi-wild pigs wandering along the shore.

I like the simple setup: hotel pickup, gear, lunch, and soft drinks are included, so you can leave Koh Samui without packing much. I also like the quick speedboat ride and the chance to see dolphins, although the snorkeling time and water clarity can vary.

The main caution is that this is not a full-day snorkeling expedition. Some people had only about 45 minutes in a crowded snorkeling area, and one account reported a group larger than expected. Choose it for a mixed beach day, not for hours in the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Koh Tan gets about two hours on the schedule, but actual snorkeling time may be shorter.
• Pig Island is the relaxed stop, with beach time, shallow water near the pier, and semi-wild pigs.
• Hotel transfers cover many Koh Samui areas, including Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam, Bangrak, and Cheongmon.
• Lunch, water, cola, fresh fruit, a mask, and a life jacket are included, though lunch quality may be uneven.
• The advertised group limit is 30 people, but one account described a boat carrying 40, so confirm the expected group size.
• A 50 THB admission fee is extra, with a further 700 THB per person, each way, for certain western and southern areas.

A two-island day from Koh Samui

This trip is built around convenience. You are collected from your hotel, taken to the port, put aboard a speedboat, and returned to your hotel after several hours at sea. The listed start time is 10am, and the total outing lasts about six to seven hours.

That timing makes the trip easy to fit into a Koh Samui holiday. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a distant pier, find a boat operator, or carry a separate lunch. For many people, that is worth a good share of the $60.34 price.

The boat ride also gives you open views across the Gulf of Thailand. The islands are close enough for a day trip, but the ride still feels like a proper break from the resort areas of Samui.

The tradeoff is control. You follow the boat’s timetable and share the experience with a group. If you want to linger in one cove, snorkel at your own pace, or leave early, this is not the right format.

Koh Tan: the main snorkeling stop

Koh Tan, also called Ko Taen or Tean Island, sits about 15 kilometers from the mainland and roughly five kilometers south of Koh Samui. It is part of the Samui archipelago, a group of about 60 islands.

The island’s main draw is its coral reef. The planned stop lasts two hours, and this is where the trip puts its snorkeling focus. You receive a mask and life jacket, then have time to swim, look for fish, and relax near the beach.

The setting is appealing because Koh Tan feels quieter than Koh Samui. The beach gives you a place to sit when you have had enough of the water, and the boat ride out adds a sense of distance without requiring a long voyage.

Keep your expectations sensible. Water conditions can change, and the reef may not look the same on every visit. One account described poor snorkeling with few fish, while another reported only around 45 minutes in a small, crowded area. Those details matter if snorkeling is your main reason for booking.

The published two-hour stop does not necessarily mean two full hours with your face in the water. Time can go toward anchoring, getting organized, walking between the boat and beach, and allowing the whole group to enter and leave safely. If you want a serious reef session, ask the operator how much time is normally spent snorkeling rather than simply accepting the total island-stop duration.

You should also bring your own mask if you care about a particular fit. The included equipment keeps the price down and removes a rental chore, but shared tour gear may not suit every face. A rash shirt, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry bag are practical additions, even though they are not included.

Koh Madsum, the easygoing Pig Island stop

Koh Madsum is now better known as Pig Island. Semi-wild pigs roam the shore, and they are the reason many people find this stop more memorable than the reef.

You can take photos, walk along the sand, sit by the water, or watch the pigs move around the island. The beach is the star here. The water is clear, but the area near the pier may be too shallow for proper swimming, so you may need to walk toward the opposite side of the island for deeper water.

This stop is scheduled for four hours, which gives the day a slower rhythm after the boat ride and snorkeling. It also explains why the tour suits people who want a mix of activities. You are not rushed from one reef to another. You have time to dry off, eat, explore the beach, and take pictures.

Koh Madsum is not best understood as a second snorkeling location. One account specifically noted that snorkeling was not offered there, and that swimming was limited near the landing area. The trip description allows for more swimming and snorkeling, but conditions and the exact beach area used can affect what is possible.

Treat the pigs with care. They are semi-wild animals, not a petting-zoo display. The information provided does not specify feeding rules, so follow the crew’s instructions and avoid assuming the animals are safe to approach closely.

Lunch and drinks: useful, but keep expectations modest

Thai lunch is included, along with water, cola, and fresh fruit. That is a real convenience. You do not need to carry a full meal onto the boat, and the fruit and drinks help after time in the sun.

The lunch arrangement may be less polished than the island stops. One account described a buffet at the main shore serving several tour groups, with food sitting in the heat. That does not mean every meal will be poor, but it is a fair warning to keep expectations at simple tour-lunch level rather than restaurant quality.

If you are particular about food, bring a small backup snack. Do not count on that as a replacement for the included meal, but it can help if you dislike the available dishes or need food at a different time. The supplied details confirm a Thai set menu in the inclusions, while the actual meal description suggests that some departures may use a shared buffet arrangement. It is sensible to ask the operator which format applies on your date.

Soft drinks and fresh fruit are included, but the information does not list special diets or vegetarian choices. If you need a particular meal, check before paying.

Speedboat travel and group size

A speedboat gets you between Koh Samui, Koh Tan, and Koh Madsum faster than a slower long-tail boat. That leaves more time for the islands, though the ride may feel lively in open water.

One person expected a long-tail boat but found a speedboat instead. The boat type matters because the ride, seating, shade, and motion are different. The supplied tour details clearly describe a speedboat, so book this only if you are comfortable with that style of transport.

The stated maximum is 30 people. One account reported 40 people aboard despite being told to expect 15. That is a significant difference. A larger group can mean more waiting when people board, less room to move, and a tighter snorkeling area. Since the published information gives a maximum of 30, I would confirm the expected number directly with Oh-Hoo before booking if group size is important to you.

The boat ride itself received strong praise for being quick and pleasant. Another account also described friendly staff and a fun guide team, although no guide names are provided. The crew appears to be an important part of the day, particularly when conditions change or the group needs organizing.

This activity is not recommended for people who are pregnant or who have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases. A speedboat and open-water conditions can be demanding, so take those restrictions seriously.

What the $60.34 price really covers

At $60.34 per person, the value comes from the bundle rather than from a long snorkeling session. The price includes hotel transfers in several Koh Samui areas, boat transport, a mask, life jacket, Thai lunch, soft drinks, fresh fruit, and accident insurance.

A separate 50 THB admission fee is not included. If you stay in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai, the listed extra transfer charge is 700 baht per person, each way. That can change the calculation quickly, especially for two people.

For someone staying in Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam, Bangpor, Cheongmon, or Bangrak, the included pickup is more useful. You avoid arranging a separate taxi to the departure point and can return to your hotel after the boat trip.

The price is reasonable for a mixed island outing with transport and food. It is less compelling if your only goal is snorkeling. In that case, a trip with longer reef time, smaller groups, or a clearer focus on underwater sites may give you better value, even if it costs more.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to people who want an uncomplicated island day. Families with children aged 4 to 11 can book child tickets, and most people can take part, provided they meet the health requirements.

It also suits people who want a little of everything: a boat ride, one reef stop, a sandy beach, lunch, photos, and the unusual sight of pigs by the sea. The two islands give the day enough variety that a disappointing reef does not necessarily ruin the whole outing.

Pig Island fans should be especially happy. The island was the most consistently praised part of the experience, with the pigs, beach, quick boat ride, and hotel service receiving the strongest approval.

I would hesitate to recommend it to serious snorkelers, people who dislike groups, or anyone expecting a quiet private boat. The snorkeling area may be crowded, the water may show little marine life, and the schedule leaves limited control over the day.

This activity is also not suitable for people arriving on a cruise ship or large boat. The schedule and transfer arrangement are designed for people staying on Koh Samui.

Practical details that can save you trouble

Pickup is offered from several Koh Samui areas, but not everywhere at no extra cost. Check your hotel location before booking, especially if you are staying on the west or southwest side of the island.

The tour requires at least 10 people to operate. If that minimum is not reached, the operator may offer another date, another experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can also cancel the trip, with the same basic choices.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, cash for the 50 THB admission fee, and a waterproof pouch for your phone. The tour supplies a mask and life jacket, but not every personal item you may want on a beach day.

Since the activity lasts six to seven hours, do not schedule an important afternoon appointment immediately afterward. Boat and road transfers can take longer than planned, especially when many people are being collected or returned.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not refunded, except when the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum number is not reached.

Should you book Koh Tan and Pig Island?

Book this trip if you want an easy, fairly priced day from Koh Samui with Pig Island as the main character and snorkeling as one part of the schedule. The included transfers, food, gear, and drinks remove much of the usual island-hopping fuss.

Think twice if you are booking for coral reefs alone. The snorkeling may be brief or crowded, and one account found very few fish. For the best match, treat Koh Tan as a bonus reef stop and Koh Madsum as the relaxed beach and pig encounter.

At $60.34, it is a sensible choice for a first island outing, a family day, or anyone who values convenience over a private or highly focused snorkeling trip. Confirm the pickup charge, lunch format, boat capacity, and expected snorkeling time before you pay. Those details will tell you if this is a good fit for your holiday.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Tan and Koh Madsum tour last?

The trip lasts approximately six to seven hours, including hotel pickup, boat travel, island stops, lunch, and return transfer.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from Lamai, Butterfly Garden, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, and Bangrak.

Is there an extra transfer charge?

Yes. A charge of 700 baht per person, each way, applies to pickup areas including Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, and Lipayai.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a Thai meal, soft drinks such as water and cola, and fresh fruit.

What is the extra admission fee?

A 50 THB admission fee per person is not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.