Private Speedboat Koh Tan & Pig Island Snorkeling from Samui

Koh Tan and Pig Island make a good half-day escape from Koh Samui, especially when you want your own boat instead of sharing space with a large group. The private speedboat carries only your party, up to five people, and the route includes a quieter island, snorkeling time, and a beach stop at Koh Madsum.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that equipment, drinking water, insurance, and a Thai lunch are included. I also like the short boat ride from Thong Krut, which keeps more of your six-hour day on the islands. The main catch is simple: snorkeling conditions can change, and recent rain has left the water poor on some outings.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to five: You pay $423.76 per group, not per person, so the value improves sharply with four or five people.
• Koh Tan feels quieter: This boat-access-only island is less visited than the better-known beaches around Samui.
• Pig Island costs extra: Admission to Koh Madsum is THB50 per person.
• Four hours on the water: The full experience lasts about six hours, including hotel transfers and time at the pier.
• Lunch and snorkeling gear are included: You only need to budget for optional kayaking and the island entrance fee.
• Rain affects visibility: A private boat cannot control sea conditions or water clarity after bad weather.

Why this private Samui boat trip works

The appeal here is not a secret route. The speedboat still goes to the same well-known stops used by shared excursions. What you are buying is time and control.

You do not wait for strangers at several hotels. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the pier, rent masks and life jackets, or work out which fishing village serves the islands. Your driver collects you, takes you to Thong Krut Beach, and the boat crew handles the sea portion.

That matters in Koh Samui, where a short island trip can become a long day of small arrangements. Pickup is offered, and the advertised start time is 9:00 a.m. The boat itself is private for your group, with up to five people included in the listed price.

The private setup is best for a family, a couple who wants room to relax, or a group of friends splitting the cost. You may be able to settle into your own pace more easily than on a shared boat, though the destinations and general route remain fairly fixed.

The operator is Backpacker Samui Travel. Communication has been handled well when plans became awkward, including one pickup affected by a local festival and parade. In that case, the driver located the passengers and escorted them to the van. That kind of practical help matters more than polished sales language when roads are blocked.

From your hotel to Thong Krut Beach

The day begins with round-trip private transport between your hotel and the pier at Thong Krut Beach on Samui’s south coast. Thong Krut is the usual departure point for Koh Tan because the island sits just offshore from the village.

This arrangement removes one of the less pleasant parts of an independent island outing. You do not have to negotiate a local ride, find the departure point, or work out where to leave your hotel transfer. You should still be ready at the stated 9:00 a.m. start time, since the boat schedule and sea conditions shape the rest of the day.

At the pier, you board the private speedboat. The boat portion is listed at four hours, while the entire experience lasts roughly six hours. That leaves time for the transfer, boarding, stops, lunch, and the return ride to your hotel.

The operator supplies a life jacket and snorkeling equipment. An ice box and drinking water are also provided. Since lunch is included, the practical packing list is short: swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and any personal items you need for several hours outdoors.

Koh Tan, a quiet first island stop

Koh Tan, also written as Ko Taen or Koh Taen, is the more low-key stop. It is accessible only by boat, and the standard approach is from Thong Krut, facing the island across the water.

The planned visit lasts about 50 minutes. That is enough for a short snorkeling session or a quick look around, but it is not an all-day island visit. You should think of Koh Tan as one part of a wider outing rather than a place where you will settle in for hours.

Its quieter character is the main reason to include it. Koh Tan receives fewer tourists than many Samui beach stops, so the visit can feel less programmed. The private boat helps you avoid sharing the ride with a large group, but it does not turn the island into a private reserve. Other boats may still use the same area.

Water quality is the biggest variable here. One outing had poor water clarity at Koh Tan, and another account linked mediocre snorkeling to recent rain. That is useful context before you book. This is a sea trip, not an aquarium. A private boat can get you to the site efficiently, but it cannot guarantee clear water, calm waves, or excellent visibility on a particular morning.

If snorkeling is your main goal, ask about sea conditions before departure if possible. Keep your expectations flexible. On a clear day, the water activity may be the highlight. After rain, Koh Tan may be better appreciated as a short island stop combined with the beach time at Koh Madsum.

Koh Madsum, the Pig Island stop

The second island is Koh Madsum, also spelled Koh Matsum and widely called Pig Island. It is a small island in the Samui Archipelago, only a few minutes by boat from Koh Tan and the south coast of Samui.

The scheduled stop lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it the longer island visit. You have time for beach exploring and a more relaxed break after the snorkeling stop. The island is known for its pigs, which are the reason for the Pig Island nickname and the main curiosity for many people booking this trip.

Admission is not included. The extra charge is THB50 per person, so a group of five should allow THB250 for the island entrance. That is a small addition, but it is worth knowing before you leave Samui with only the tour price in mind.

Kayaking is also optional rather than included. You can request a kayak for THB350 per kayak. If your group wants a simple beach visit, you can skip that cost. If you want another activity after the boat ride and snorkeling, kayaking gives you a way to use the stop without changing the main tour plan.

The Pig Island stop is likely to be more social and familiar than Koh Tan. That is not a flaw, but it changes the mood of the day. Koh Tan offers the quieter island setting, while Koh Madsum supplies the recognizable beach break and the novelty of seeing pigs on an island.

Snorkeling equipment, lunch, and what is covered

The package includes snorkeling equipment and life jackets, so you do not need to rent basic gear separately. It also includes drinking water and an ice box, useful in the heat and during the boat ride.

A Thai set lunch is part of the package. The meal is served during the island portion of the day, with the available details placing lunch on Koh Tan. This is a practical inclusion because it keeps you from having to arrange food while moving between stops. The meal has been particularly well received, and it adds real value to a six-hour outing.

Insurance is included as well. That does not remove the need to follow the crew’s instructions or use the life jacket properly, but it is one less item to arrange independently.

The package does not include the THB50 admission fee for Pig Island or the optional THB350 kayak. Those are the only listed extras. If you are comparing this with a cheaper shared trip, check whether that alternative also includes hotel transport, gear, water, lunch, and a private boat. A low headline price may not cover the same set of services.

Is $423.76 good value for five people?

The price is $423.76 per group of up to five. At full capacity, that works out to about $84.75 per person before the Pig Island admission fee and any kayak rental.

That is not the cheapest way to visit Koh Tan and Koh Madsum. A shared boat may cost less per person. The value comes from the private vehicle and private speedboat, rather than from a longer route or extra island stops.

For five people, the price is easier to justify. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, four hours of private boat time, snorkeling gear, life jackets, water, an ice box, insurance, and lunch. For two people, the same total price becomes much harder to defend unless privacy and convenience matter more to you than saving money.

The private boat also saves you from waiting for other passengers. That advantage is real, though it should not be overstated. The boat still follows the normal Koh Tan and Pig Island route, so you are not paying for a completely different set of destinations. You are paying to share the day only with your own group and to reduce the small delays that come with group travel.

I would consider the tour strongest for a full group of friends or family. If you have only one or two people, compare the total cost with a shared tour before booking. If you dislike group boats, the premium may feel worthwhile even with fewer passengers.

How the pace feels over six hours

The experience is planned as a relaxed half-day, not a rushed island-hopping marathon. Hotel pickup takes you to Thong Krut, the boat spends about four hours on the water, and the remaining time covers the two island visits and transfers.

Koh Tan receives about 50 minutes. Koh Madsum receives about 90 minutes. That balance gives you a short snorkeling and island look at the first stop, then more time for the beach and Pig Island at the second.

The pace also depends on the conditions that day. A calm sea should make the speedboat ride easier, while recent rain can affect visibility and the enjoyment of snorkeling. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

The crew has been praised for safe boat handling and good organization. Helpful captains and crew make a difference on a private trip because you have more direct contact with them throughout the day. Still, you should tell the operator in advance if someone in your group has concerns about boats, swimming, or motion.

Who should book this experience?

I would point this tour toward:

• Families who want hotel pickup and an uncomplicated day
• Small groups that can divide the private price
• Couples who prefer not to share a speedboat
• Visitors who want both snorkeling and a beach stop
• People who value a Thai lunch and included equipment
• Anyone interested in seeing a quieter island as well as the popular Pig Island

It is less suitable if your only goal is exceptional snorkeling. Water clarity can be poor after rain, and the trip cannot promise ideal conditions. It is also not the best fit for a solo visitor or a pair on a tight budget, since the group price is fixed.

The tour suits you better if you care about convenience, privacy, and a simple plan. It suits you less if you want an unusual route, long snorkeling sessions, or a major saving over shared transport.

Practical booking advice for Koh Tan and Pig Island

The experience starts at 9:00 a.m., with pickup offered from your hotel and return transfer to the pier and then back to your hotel. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is private, with only your group participating.

Bring a small amount of cash for the THB50 Pig Island entrance fee. If you want to kayak, add THB350 per kayak. Lunch and drinking water are already included, so you do not need to plan around buying a meal during the trip.

The cancellation terms are friendly if your plans change early. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a new date or a full refund.

Because sea conditions matter, I would avoid scheduling this as your only possible snorkeling day if your holiday is short. A little flexibility gives you a better chance of enjoying clear water and a calmer ride.

Should you book this private speedboat tour?

Book it if you have four or five people and want an easy, private day from Koh Samui. The combination of hotel transport, a private speedboat, included gear, water, lunch, and two different island stops is sensible and well organized.

The strongest parts are the smooth pickup, capable boat crew, relaxed timing, and the chance to see Koh Tan without arranging a boat yourself. The main weaknesses are the fixed route, extra Pig Island fee, and uncertain snorkeling visibility after rain.

My advice is to treat snorkeling as one part of the day, not the only reason to go. If you want a quiet island visit, a Thai lunch, beach time at Pig Island, and the comfort of traveling with your own group, this is a solid choice. If clear underwater views are non-negotiable, check the forecast and recent sea conditions before paying.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Tan and Pig Island tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including hotel transfers, the boat trip, island stops, and the return journey.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private transport between your hotel and the pier is included both ways.

How many people can join the private tour?

The listed price covers a private group of up to five people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai set menu lunch is included in the tour price.

Are there any extra fees?

Pig Island admission costs THB50 per person. Kayaking is optional and can be requested for THB350 per kayak.