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

Koh Madsum and Koh Tan make a useful half-day escape from Koh Samui, especially if you want snorkeling and beach time without hiring a private boat. The speedboat ride from Thong Krut takes about 15 minutes, and the plan combines reef time at Koh Tan with several hours for swimming, kayaking, lunch, and relaxing on Koh Madsum.

I like the simple all-in-one setup: hotel transfer, boat, mask, life jacket, kayak, Thai lunch, soft drinks, and fruit are bundled into the price. I also like the generous stay on Koh Madsum, since you are not rushed through lunch and beach time. The main caution is transport: hotel pickups can take longer than expected, and poor weather or weak group numbers can change or cancel the trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Koh Madsum gets the longest stop: Plan on about three hours for lunch, kayaking, swimming, and beach time.
• Koh Tan provides the snorkel stop: You are given roughly 40 to 60 minutes in the water, depending on the day’s timing.
• Pickup covers much of Koh Samui: Transfers are offered from Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and nearby areas.
• The group can reach 30 people: This is a shared excursion, not a quiet private-island outing.
• A 50-baht admission fee is extra: Bring Thai cash for the required island charge.
• The tour suits active beach days: You can snorkel, kayak, swim, or simply use a sunbed and eat lunch.

Why this island pairing works from Koh Samui

This trip reaches two islands that sit off Koh Samui’s southern end, giving you a quick change from the island’s hotels and main beaches. The short speedboat run from Thong Krut is important: you spend less time at sea than on many full-day island tours and more time on shore.

Koh Tan is the better stop if your main goal is seeing fish and coral. Koh Madsum is more relaxed, with white sand, beach time, kayaking, swimming, and lunch. The two stops balance each other well. One gives you a short burst of water activity, while the other gives you room to slow down.

Koh Madsum is also widely known as Pig Island. That name explains part of the island’s appeal, but it also tells you what to expect. The pigs can draw a crowd, especially when people feed them. If you want a quiet, untouched beach, this may feel more commercial and lively than the word unspoiled suggests.

The best way to think about the outing is as a convenient shared island day, not a remote expedition. You will see attractive beaches and reef, but you will also share them with other day visitors.

The morning begins with hotel pickup

Pickup is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., with the boat departure listed at 9:00. The exact timing depends on your hotel and the transfer route. Covered areas include Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and the Butterfly Garden area.

That broad pickup zone is useful if you do not want to arrange your own taxi to the pier. It also creates the tour’s main logistical risk. A shared minibus may collect people from several parts of Samui before reaching Thong Krut Beach. One particularly poor experience involved a long wait followed by a lengthy vehicle transfer to another departure point.

I would allow extra time in the morning and keep the day free of tight plans afterward. The scheduled program is five to six hours, but road delays can affect the real finish time. If you are staying in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai, an extra transfer charge of 700 baht per person each way applies.

Thong Krut Beach is the launch point

The boat leaves from Thong Krut Beach, a practical departure point on Koh Samui’s south coast. From there, the speedboat ride to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes. That short crossing is one of the strongest features of the trip. You get the feel of an island outing without spending most of the morning on the boat.

A speedboat can make the crossing quick, but it may also feel lively if the sea is choppy. Anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare accordingly. The tour includes life jackets, and accident insurance is part of the package.

The shared boat can hold up to 30 people. That size is manageable, but it affects the mood. You may need to wait while the group boards, gets equipment, or moves between activities. If you prefer flexible departure times and long, quiet swims, a private charter will suit you better.

Koh Tan is the short, active stop

The Koh Tan portion is built around snorkeling, with kayaking also listed among the activities. The schedule places this stop in the morning, with roughly an hour allocated to it. In practice, the water time may be closer to 40 minutes once the boat arrives and everyone receives instructions and equipment.

The snorkeling can be rewarding. Fish are visible, and the coral has been described as a strong point of the outing. The white sandy areas under the water add brightness, although conditions can change with weather, tide, and water clarity.

You receive a mask and snorkel, plus a life jacket. The equipment removes the need to pack your own gear, though you may still prefer to bring a personal mask if you care about fit. The tour does not promise scuba equipment or a long guided reef session. Think of Koh Tan as a straightforward introduction to the local shallows.

Kayaking gives you another way to use the water. The schedule is not precise about how much kayak time each person receives, so you should treat it as an available activity rather than a timed private rental. If snorkeling is your priority, get ready promptly when the boat arrives instead of waiting until the end of the stop.

Koh Madsum offers the relaxed part of the day

After Koh Tan, the boat travels to Koh Madsum for the longer stop. The schedule allows about three hours here, which gives the trip a more relaxed rhythm. You can kayak, swim, stretch out on a sunbed, or stay on the beach and watch the activity around you.

The island’s white sand is the main visual reward. It is an easy place to take photographs, and the long stop means you are not forced to leave just as you settle in. Families may appreciate the choice of activities, while less active visitors can skip the water and simply rest.

The Pig Island nickname adds a memorable element, but the pigs are not a reason to expect solitude. They may be fed by visitors and can gather close to the public areas. That creates an amusing photo opportunity for some people and a messy, crowded feel for others. Use sensible distance and avoid treating the animals as part of a controlled wildlife encounter.

The island can also feel more like a popular day stop than an untouched beach. I would choose this tour for its easy combination of scenery and activities, not for a completely quiet beach experience.

Lunch gives the tour its practical value

Lunch is served on Koh Madsum at about 12:30 p.m. The package includes a fresh-cooked Thai meal, soft drinks such as water and cola, and fresh fruit. Having food arranged on the island saves you from carrying a full meal or returning to Samui hungry.

The meal has received some of the strongest praise connected with this outing. The crew also works hard to keep the day moving and provide food, equipment, and support. Exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu or a specialist dietary plan.

If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask the operator before booking. The supplied details do not promise vegetarian, vegan, halal, or allergy-friendly alternatives. A small personal snack may be sensible, especially for children or anyone who needs to eat at set times.

What the $50.15 price really covers

At $50.15 per person, the price is fair for a shared five to six-hour outing that includes hotel pickup in many parts of Samui. You are paying for the boat, transport, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, kayak, sunbed, lunch, drinks, fruit, and accident insurance.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several parts of the package. A guest who snorkels at Koh Tan, kayaks at Koh Madsum, eats lunch, and uses the transfer is getting a useful bundle. The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet beach, since the shared format and Pig Island crowds may not suit that goal.

Remember the 50-baht admission fee. It is not included in the advertised price. If you are staying outside the standard pickup areas, the extra 700-baht-per-person, per-way transfer charge can change the calculation quickly.

A private boat may cost more, but it could make sense for a larger family or group that wants control over timing. This shared tour is better for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want a simple booking at a predictable base price.

Timing problems are worth taking seriously

The planned schedule is compact:

• Hotel pickup: about 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.
• Speedboat from Thong Krut: around 9:00 a.m.
• Koh Tan: approximately 9:45 a.m., with snorkeling and kayaking
• Koh Madsum: from about 10:45 a.m., with beach time and activities
• Lunch: around 12:30 p.m.
• Return: within the five to six-hour tour window

The itinerary leaves little room for long delays. A late pickup, a change of pier, or rough water can reduce time at one of the islands. There has also been a case in which snorkeling was missed because of poor planning and weather. You cannot control sea conditions, but you can reduce frustration by treating the schedule as an outline rather than a guarantee.

The operator requires at least 10 people to run the tour. The maximum group size is 30. If the minimum is not reached, or if weather makes the trip unsafe, you should receive the option of another date, an alternative experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this Koh Samui outing

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several classic island activities in one morning and do not want to arrange transport yourself. It is especially practical for:

• Couples wanting a short island escape
• Families with children aged 4 to 11, who qualify for a child ticket
• First-time visitors who want snorkeling without a full-day boat program
• Visitors staying in the listed pickup areas
• People who like a mix of activity and downtime

You should think twice if you want a silent beach, a private boat, or a serious snorkeling session with lots of time in the water. The group size, possible transfer delays, Pig Island crowds, and short Koh Tan stop may disappoint you.

Pregnant people and anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases are not advised to join. The activity is also not recommended if you are arriving by cruise ship or large boat, since the timing and pickup arrangement may not work well.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is near public transportation. The tour requires good weather, so conditions can affect the departure or the time spent snorkeling.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refundable. Since this is a sea trip, I would avoid scheduling it on your final morning in Samui or before a fixed airport transfer.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want good value and simple logistics, with snorkeling, kayaking, lunch, and beach time wrapped into one shared outing. The strongest parts are the short boat transfer, the generous Koh Madsum stop, the included meal, and the helpful crew.

Skip it if your ideal day means a calm private boat, a quiet beach, or extended reef time. For most people, this is a convenient and reasonably priced introduction to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, but you should allow for group-tour delays and accept that Pig Island may feel more playful and crowded than remote.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., with the listed meeting start time at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the speedboat leave from?

The speedboat departs from Thong Krut Beach on Koh Samui.

How long is the boat ride to Koh Tan?

The speedboat ride from Thong Krut to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is included at no extra charge.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a Thai lunch, soft drinks, and fresh fruit.

Which Koh Samui areas offer hotel pickup?

Pickup is offered from Lamai, the Butterfly Garden area, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, Bangrak, and other listed areas.

Is there an additional admission fee?

Yes. A 50-baht-per-person admission fee is not included in the tour price.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. The child ticket applies to children aged 4 to 11.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.