Koh Samui: Private Speedboat to Pig Island with Snorkeling

Pig Island is Koh Samui’s cheerful oddball outing: you ride a private speedboat to a white-sand beach where pigs wander about, then stop at Koh Tan for snorkeling. It is a simple mix of beach time, animal fun, and sea views.

I like the privacy and the flexible feel. Your group has the boat to itself, and the crew can give personal attention rather than running a large group through a fixed routine. I also like that hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, drinking water, seasonal fruit, crew, and insurance are included.

The main drawback is price. At $573 for up to eight people, this makes the most sense for a full group. You will also pay 50 Baht per adult to enter Pig Island, and food is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight: The price works best when shared among family or friends.
• Pig Island is Koh Madsum: Expect beach chairs, umbrellas, small shops, photo spots, and pigs roaming the sand.
• Koh Tan adds the water time: Snorkel among fish and corals in clear water after your beach visit.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included: This removes the need to arrange your own ride to the pier.
• Personal service is part of the appeal: The English-speaking guide and boat crew can focus on your group.
• Pack light: Bring swimwear, sunscreen, flip-flops, and a towel. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Why this private Koh Samui trip feels different

Many island excursions are built around moving a large crowd from one stop to the next. This one is designed for a smaller private group, with a speedboat reserved for up to eight people. That changes the mood at once. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and the day can feel more like a family outing or a private charter than a standard excursion.

The price is $573 per group, not per person. For two people, that is a costly day on the water. For eight people, the cost works out to about $72 per person before the Pig Island admission fee. For a family, a group of friends, or several couples traveling together, that shared cost gives the trip a stronger value.

I would choose this option mainly for the privacy. The private boat is the core feature, not a small extra. You get your own space on the ride, a guide focused on your party, and a more relaxed way to handle the beach and snorkeling stops.

The activity suits people who want a light, easy day rather than a demanding marine expedition. You get scenery, swimming, snorkeling, animal encounters, and time to sit under an umbrella. The schedule is described as flexible, which is useful if your group has children, mixed interests, or simply prefers not to hurry.

Leaving Koh Samui by private speedboat

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel or accommodation. From there, you go to the pier, where the staff welcomes you and your guide explains the trip before departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you do not need to arrange separate transport to the marina.

That detail matters more than it may seem. Island trips often begin early, and finding the right pier can add stress when you are unfamiliar with Koh Samui. Having the operator handle the transfer keeps the morning simple.

At the pier, you receive a life jacket and meet the boat crew. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, so you can ask questions and get help with the plan. Thai is also available as a tour language.

You should bring only what you need for the day. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack a small beach bag with your towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, and swimwear. Drinking water and seasonal fruit are supplied, which covers a few basic needs during the outing.

The speedboat is a useful match for this route because it gets you away from Koh Samui and onto the islands without making the boat ride the whole event. Still, a speedboat is an open-water experience, not a quiet ferry ride. If you are sensitive to sun, wind, or motion, use the sunscreen and keep your expectations practical.

Koh Madsum, the beach known as Pig Island

The first main stop is Koh Madsum, often called Pig Island. The appeal is clear and a little unusual: pigs walk around the beach while you relax near the water. You can play with them, take photos, and enjoy a setting that feels more playful than a standard beach stop.

The island has white sand, beach seating, and umbrellas. That gives you a place to sit rather than forcing you to spend the whole visit standing in the sun. The beach is the main stage here, so this stop works best when you are happy with unhurried time beside the water.

Small shops sell snacks and drinks, but those purchases are not included. Food is also excluded from the tour price. I would carry only permitted small personal items and plan to buy anything extra on the island if needed.

Pig Island has an entry fee of 50 Baht for adults. Children enter free. This is a small charge compared with the private boat cost, but it is worth keeping cash ready so the admission does not catch you by surprise.

The pigs are the main attraction, yet you should keep the visit in perspective. This is not a wildlife tour with a long educational program. It is a friendly beach stop where pigs wander among people, and the fun comes from the novelty, photos, and relaxed setting.

The island also offers open views for photographs. If you enjoy taking pictures, this is a good place to bring a phone or small camera, provided you protect it from water and sun. The combination of white sand, sea, and pigs gives you more varied pictures than a normal beach break.

I would give yourself time simply to sit. The schedule is flexible, and that is one of the better features of a private trip. You can take photos, spend time with the pigs, or enjoy the view without treating every minute as a race to the next stop.

What the Pig Island stop does well, and where it falls short

The strongest part is its easy mix of activities. One person can relax beneath an umbrella while another takes pictures or watches the pigs. That makes the stop workable for groups with different energy levels.

It also gives you an experience that is distinct from a regular snorkeling trip. The pigs make Koh Madsum memorable, especially for children and anyone who likes unusual local attractions. The beach setting keeps the visit pleasant even if you are not especially interested in animals.

The limitation is that the island may not satisfy you if you want a quiet, untouched beach. The pigs and the visitor facilities are the point of the stop. You will find seating, umbrellas, and shops, but this is a casual attraction rather than a remote beach escape.

I would also avoid planning the entire day around the pigs. Treat them as one part of a broader outing. The private ride, beach time, views, and Koh Tan snorkeling give the trip more substance than the animal encounter alone.

Snorkeling at Koh Tan

After Koh Madsum, the boat continues to Koh Tan for snorkeling. The tour provides masks and life jackets, so you do not need to rent the basic equipment yourself. The guide and boat crew are there to help with the outing, while the included drinking water and seasonal fruit make the transfer between stops easier.

The water at Koh Tan is described as clear, with colorful fish and corals to see. That makes this the more active portion of the day. At Pig Island, you can settle into beach time. At Koh Tan, you get into the water and look below the surface.

You should still keep expectations sensible. Water clarity and marine life can change with conditions, and no snorkeling trip can promise a particular number of fish. The tour presents Koh Tan as a place to see abundant marine life, but the quality of your view will depend on the day.

The stop works well for beginners who want a straightforward introduction to snorkeling, as well as confident swimmers who simply want time in the water. Since the tour is private, you can ask the guide for help with the gear or spend more time watching the fish and corals at your own pace, within the day’s schedule.

If you are not a strong swimmer, the life jacket is an important inclusion. Follow the crew’s instructions and stay within the area they consider safe. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and pregnant women should not book it.

Koh Tan also balances the Pig Island stop nicely. One location is social and playful, while the other centers on the sea. Together, they prevent the day from feeling like a single-purpose beach visit.

How the staff can shape your day

The guide and boat crew are a major part of the private format. They do more than handle the boat and equipment. They can focus on your group, explain the plan, and help make the transitions from pier to beach to snorkeling easier.

The service can also be adapted to your group’s needs. One booking had a problem that the team helped resolve, and the operator added extra time. The staff also arranged transportation to and from a villa outside the normal pickup route. That suggests useful flexibility, though you should confirm any special transfer request before booking rather than assume it is automatic.

Another group had the crew play favorite music and take photos during the trip. Those touches are not listed as guaranteed inclusions, so I would not book solely on the expectation of custom music or photography. Still, they show how the private setup can feel personal when the crew responds to your group.

The strongest praise for the service centers on attention from pickup through drop-off. That matters on a boat day, when small problems with transfers, equipment, or timing can affect the whole experience. A responsive team helps keep the outing pleasant.

Is $573 a fair price for up to eight?

The honest answer depends on group size. If you are alone or traveling as a couple, the price is high for a beach and snorkeling trip. If you fill the boat with eight people, the math becomes much more reasonable.

At full capacity, you are paying for privacy, transportation, an English-speaking guide, boat crew, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, water, seasonal fruit, travel insurance, and hotel transfers. You are also buying control over the day rather than joining a fixed shared boat.

The 50 Baht adult admission to Pig Island is separate, and children enter free. Food is also separate, although snacks and drinks can be bought from shops on Koh Madsum.

I see this as a value purchase for convenience and group privacy, not a bargain excursion. If your main goal is the lowest possible price, a shared boat may suit you better. If your group values personal space, flexible timing, and help with transport, the private rate is easier to justify.

Who should book this Koh Samui boat trip?

I would recommend it for families, groups of friends, and couples traveling with several companions. Children are likely to enjoy the pigs, beach, and simple snorkeling format, while adults can appreciate not having strangers on the boat.

It also suits people who want a photo-friendly outing. Koh Madsum offers beach views and pigs, while the boat ride and Koh Tan add sea scenery. The crew may also help with photos, based on the service offered during one trip, but this should be treated as a possible courtesy rather than a formal feature.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, want a very quiet beach, or prefer a tightly scheduled cultural tour. This outing focuses on the coast, animals, swimming, and leisure. It does not promise a long list of historical or cultural stops.

Because large bags are not allowed, it is best for a day when you can travel light. Bring the listed essentials, use the hotel transfer, and leave bulky luggage at your accommodation.

Should you book the private Pig Island trip?

Book it if you can share the $573 cost with a group and want a relaxed private day that combines Koh Madsum’s pigs and beach with Koh Tan snorkeling. The included transfers, equipment, water, fruit, guide, crew, and insurance reduce the number of details you must arrange yourself.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, watching every baht, or mainly want an untouched beach. The private price is the key trade-off, and Pig Island itself has a 50 Baht adult entry fee with food sold separately.

For the right group, this is a cheerful, easy-to-manage Koh Samui outing. Its best qualities are privacy, flexible service, and a good change of pace between beach fun and time in the water.

FAQ

How much does the private Pig Island trip cost?

The price is $573 for a private group of up to eight people. Pig Island admission costs an additional 50 Baht per adult, while children enter free.

What is included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, travel insurance, a tour guide, boat crew, life jacket, snorkeling mask, drinking water, and seasonal fruit are included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included. Snacks and drinks can be purchased from shops on Koh Madsum.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup from and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, and swimwear. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

What languages are available?

The tour is available in Thai and English.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, keeping your plans flexible.