Koh Samui: Pig Island & Koh Tan Speedboat Tour with Lunch

Pig Island’s friendly pigs are the star here. You can feed them on the beach, then swim, snorkel, or kayak before heading back across the Gulf of Thailand. It is an easy way to add a little oddball fun to a Koh Samui beach holiday.

I like the included hotel transfer, which saves you from arranging a taxi to the pier, and the mix of animals, sea time, and lunch. The main caution is the speedboat: in rough water, it can hit the waves hard, and one child-focused comment found the ride uncomfortable.

Key things to know

• Pig Island is Koh Madsum, a small stop where you can feed friendly pigs beside the beach.
• Koh Tan comes first, with about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and sea views.
• Kayaking is included at Pig Island, along with swimming and more snorkeling.
• The speedboat ride takes about 30 minutes each way, so expect some bouncing if the sea is choppy.
• The $47 price includes plenty, including hotel pickup, guide, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and accident insurance.
• Fins are not supplied, so pack your own if you prefer more efficient snorkeling.

Why Pig Island makes this five-hour trip different

Most short boat trips around Koh Samui sell you beaches and snorkeling. This one adds pigs. On Koh Madsum, also called Pig Island, friendly animals wander near the shore, giving the outing a playful turn that works especially well for families and anyone who wants more than another standard beach stop.

You get time to feed the pigs, walk along the sand, swim in clear water, and use a kayak. You will not spend the whole visit in the water, so the stop has a relaxed pace. I like that balance. One person can snorkel while another stays on the beach, and children have something to watch even if they are not keen on sea activities.

The tour costs $47 per person. For five hours, that is a fair package price if you will use the transfer, equipment, food, and boat service. A separate taxi to the pier, a private boat, lunch, snorkeling gear, and drinks could quickly add up. It is not the cheapest way to reach the islands, but the convenience helps justify the cost.

The trade-off is that this is a compact excursion, not a full-day island cruise. You get roughly 45 minutes at Koh Tan and 75 minutes at Koh Madsum, with about an hour at Thong Krut Pier for lunch, sightseeing, and a walk. If you want long, quiet beach time, look for a slower trip.

Leaving Koh Samui from Thong Krut Pier

Your day begins with hotel pickup, generally between 7:40 and 8:30 in the morning. The exact time depends on your location, and the operator confirms it by email. Meet in your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early. The vehicle collects people near the main road, so if your hotel sits on a hill, you may need to walk or arrange a meeting point at a nearby hotel.

The boat departure point is Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui. Before boarding, you receive a safety briefing lasting about 30 minutes. This is useful because the speedboat ride is not just a short taxi across calm water. You need to know where to sit, how to use the life jacket, and what to expect when the boat meets a swell.

The transfer zones cover Lamai, Butterfly Garden, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, and Bangrak. Pickup from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai costs an extra 700 baht per person each way. Check this before booking, since the added transfer charge can change the value for people staying on the west or southwest side of Koh Samui.

The 30-minute speedboat ride to Koh Tan

The ride to Koh Tan takes about 30 minutes. That gives you a quick look at the Gulf of Thailand and the coast of Koh Samui, but it also accounts for a large part of a five-hour tour. Sea conditions matter here.

In calm water, the speedboat ride can feel exciting and efficient. In rougher conditions, it can be a hard, jolting trip. A child-focused comment specifically warned that the boat can hit waves like a roller coaster. I would think twice before bringing a very young child who dislikes motion, and I would avoid this tour if you are pregnant, have back trouble, heart problems, high blood pressure, or bone problems.

The tour is also not recommended for people over 70. That rule is worth taking seriously because getting in and out of a speedboat, handling its movement, and stepping ashore may be tiring even when the ride is short.

Koh Tan: 45 minutes for snorkeling and sea views

Koh Tan is the first island stop. You have about 45 minutes for a guided visit, photos, swimming, and snorkeling. The short stay means you should decide quickly how to use it.

If seeing fish is your priority, put on the mask and snorkel soon after arriving. The water can be clear, but visibility is not guaranteed. One person found the snorkeling site disappointing because visibility was limited. That may be down to weather and sea conditions, but it is wise to treat snorkeling as a possible bonus rather than the sole reason to book.

The tour provides masks, snorkels, and life jackets. Fins are not included, which is a useful detail for confident swimmers. Without fins, you may work harder to move against a current, so bring your own pair if you have them and if the operator allows their use.

The guide speaks English and Thai and helps organize the stop. You may see fish and underwater scenery, but this is not a specialist reef expedition. The value is the combination of a short swim, island views, and a chance to see Koh Tan without arranging a private boat.

Koh Madsum, where the pigs take over

After Koh Tan, the speedboat continues to Koh Madsum. This is the main character of the trip. You have approximately 75 minutes for walking, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, photos, and time with the pigs.

The pigs are accustomed to people and can be fed. Follow the guide’s instructions and keep your hands and food controlled, since eager animals can move quickly. The appeal is not a wildlife safari. It is a close, unusual beach encounter in a pretty island setting.

I would plan your time rather than trying to do everything. Feed the pigs early if that is your main reason for coming. Then walk the beach, swim, or take a kayak. If the water is calm and you enjoy snorkeling, you can use the remaining time in the sea. If conditions are not ideal, the beach and pigs still give you something to do.

The stop works well for mixed groups. Parents can watch children meet the pigs, couples can swim and take photos, and solo visitors can split their time between the sand and water. It is also a good choice if you want a light activity rather than hours of demanding swimming.

Still, do not expect a private island. The attraction is well known, and the stop is structured around a limited time window. The experience is best approached as a fun, unusual visit, not as a silent castaway beach.

Lunch, drinks, and the timing of the return

The tour includes a Thai lunch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments. A meal after swimming is a real advantage. You do not need to carry a full picnic, and the food gives the trip a proper middle or end point rather than leaving you hungry after the boat ride.

The food has been a strong part of the experience for many people, with one direct assessment calling the meal generous and very good. That is encouraging, though the supplied details do not specify the exact menu. Expect local Thai flavors rather than a fixed Western meal.

There is a small point to clarify before you book. The general tour description places lunch with the Pig Island visit, while the timed schedule places one hour at Thong Krut Pier after the return boat ride, including lunch, sightseeing, and a walk. Ask the operator where lunch will be served on your date if that detail matters to you. Either way, the meal is included.

After lunch and the pier stop, you return to Koh Samui. The stated schedule includes another 30-minute speedboat ride before arrival. Hotel transfer then takes you back to your pickup area, making the day simple from door to door.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47, this is good value for an organized half-day outing if your hotel is within the standard pickup area. The price includes several costs that are easy to overlook:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in listed Koh Samui areas
• English or Thai-speaking guide
• Speedboat transportation
• Thai lunch
• Water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jacket
• Accident insurance and a first aid kit

There is also a 50 baht admission fee per person that is not included. That is a small extra, but budget for it. The 700 baht per person each way transfer charge is more significant for people staying in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai.

The package suits you if you value ease. You make one booking, get collected, receive the equipment, and follow a set plan. The downside is less control over timing and stops than you would have on a private boat.

Who should book this Koh Samui boat trip?

I would recommend it to families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and small groups who want a short island outing with several kinds of activity. The pigs give children a memorable reason to get off the boat, while snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming keep the stop from feeling like a single-photo visit.

It also suits first-time visitors to Koh Samui who do not want to figure out pier transport or rent a private boat. The guide, gear, meals, and return transfer remove much of the day-to-day planning.

I would be more cautious if you are sensitive to motion, have mobility or medical concerns, or need a very gentle sea trip. The boat can be rough in bad conditions, and the snorkeling may be less impressive when visibility is poor. You should also avoid it if you are pregnant, have back, heart, high blood pressure, or bone problems, or are over 70.

For the best chance of enjoying it, wear swim clothes under light clothing, bring sun protection, and keep your morning flexible. I would also carry a waterproof phone pouch and your own fins if snorkeling comfort matters to you. Those items are not listed as included.

Booking details worth checking before you pay

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The operator may change the date, offer another tour, or provide a full refund if weather or another rare issue forces cancellation.

Children aged 4 to 10 use the child ticket. The provided information does not give a younger-child policy, so ask before booking for a child under four.

Read the pickup email carefully. Missing the vehicle by more than 10 minutes can count as a no-show, and hill hotels may not receive a direct lobby pickup. This is a small detail, but it can make the difference between a relaxed start and a rushed taxi ride.

Should you book Pig Island and Koh Tan?

Book this tour if you want a fun, varied half-day rather than a serious snorkeling expedition. The pigs are genuinely different from the usual Koh Samui boat stops, and the package includes enough extras to make $47 reasonable. The hotel pickup and meal are especially useful if you prefer not to arrange each part yourself.

Skip it if your top priority is long, uncrowded beach time, perfect underwater visibility, or a smooth ride for a motion-sensitive child. For most suitable visitors, though, the mix of Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, pigs, kayaking, lunch, and simple transport makes this a cheerful and practical way to spend five hours.

FAQ

How long is the Koh Tan and Pig Island tour?

The tour lasts five hours. The schedule includes hotel pickup, a safety briefing, two 30-minute speedboat rides, time at Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, lunch, and the return transfer.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $47 per person. A 50 baht admission fee is not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Lamai, Butterfly Garden, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, and Bangrak. Pickup is near the main road, and hill hotels may require you to meet at a nearby hotel or meeting point.

Is there an extra pickup charge?

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

What activities are available at Koh Tan?

The Koh Tan stop includes a guided visit, photos, swimming, snorkeling, and scenic views. The stop lasts about 45 minutes.

What can I do on Pig Island?

At Koh Madsum, also called Pig Island, you can feed the pigs, walk, swim, snorkel, kayak, and enjoy the beach and sea views. The scheduled visit lasts about 75 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Thai lunch, water, soft drinks, snacks, and refreshments are included. The timed schedule places lunch during the one-hour Thong Krut Pier stop after the boat returns, so confirm the exact meal location with the operator.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included. Fins are not provided.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, or bone diseases. It is also not suitable for people over 70, and rough water may make the speedboat uncomfortable for some children.