Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking)

Two islands, one busy day. This six-hour trip from Koh Samui packs beach time, kayaking, snorkeling, lunch, and a visit with the pigs of Koh Mudsum into one easy package. I like the mix of activities, and I like that hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, and insurance are included. The main caution is timing: hotel transfers and waiting at the pier can eat into your day.

I also like the speedboat ride to Koh Mudsum, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and the chance to choose your own pace once you arrive. You can swim, paddle, sit on the sand, or take photos with the pigs. But this is a group tour capped at 45 people, so you should not expect a quiet private-island outing.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Koh Mudsum is the main photo stop: The island is better known as Pig Island, with white sand, swimming, kayaking, and friendly little pigs.
• Koh Tan brings the snorkeling: You’ll look for fish and coral from the surface near the coast, with conditions changing according to weather.
• The speedboat saves travel time: The ride to Pig Island takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes from the pier.
• Lunch is served on the beach: You do not need to arrange your own midday meal, though the provided information does not specify the menu.
• Hotel pickup is included: Transfers add convenience, but collecting several people can make the schedule less precise.
• Bring sun protection and cash: Pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Koh Mudsum also charges a 50 baht admission fee per person.

What This Koh Samui Day Trip Actually Offers

This is a practical island-hopping outing rather than a quiet sailing day. You leave from Thong Krut Pier in southern Koh Samui, ride a speedboat to two nearby islands, and return to the same pier after about six hours.

The appeal is simple. You get several classic Koh Samui activities in one booking: snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, beach time, and animal photos. That makes the tour useful if you have limited time or prefer not to organize boats, transfers, equipment, and lunch separately.

At $50.46 per person, the price is reasonable for a group trip with round-trip hotel pickup, lunch, snorkeling gear, a kayak, a life jacket, and travel insurance included. You still pay the 50 baht Koh Mudsum admission fee, so include that small extra cost in your budget.

The tradeoff is flexibility. A group tour lets you keep the price down, but the boat cannot move on your schedule alone. Pickup times can stretch when several hotels are involved, and the group size may reach 45 people. If you want a calm beach day with no waiting, a private boat would likely suit you better.

Leaving Thong Krut Pier for Koh Mudsum

The tour begins at Thong Krut Pier, listed at 79, 1 in Koh Samui, Surat Thani. If you use hotel pickup, you will be collected before heading to the pier. The exact transfer time depends on your hotel and the other pickups, so keep your morning or early afternoon open rather than planning a tight connection afterward.

One scheduling example had pickup at 1:00 p.m. and departure from the pier around 2:45 p.m. That gap included the drive, collecting other people, checking in, and waiting for the boat. It may not happen every day, but it shows why you should treat the advertised six hours as an approximate duration.

Once the boat leaves, the ride to Koh Mudsum takes around 15 to 20 minutes. The fast boat is a real advantage here. You spend less time crossing open water and more time on the island, although the ride may feel lively if the sea is choppy.

Life jackets are included, and you should use one as instructed. The boat is shared, so follow the crew’s directions when boarding and moving around. The experience is designed for most people, but anyone concerned about speedboat travel should consider the group-boat format before booking.

Koh Mudsum, the Island Known as Pig Island

Koh Mudsum is the emotional highlight for many people because of its pigs. The island offers a memorable contrast: white sand, shallow beach activities, and small pigs wandering near the visitor area. You can take photos, watch the animals, or simply enjoy the novelty of seeing pigs on a tropical island.

I like that you are not forced into one activity. You can swim, kayak along the beach, relax on the sand, or spend time with the pigs. That makes Koh Mudsum work for mixed groups. One person can paddle while another sits in the shade, and children or enthusiastic photographers can focus on the animals.

The pigs are also the reason to keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular attraction, not a private animal encounter. You may find other groups around the beach, and the animals may not pose exactly when you want them to. Bring patience, keep a respectful distance, and follow any instructions from the local staff.

The island admission fee is 50 baht per person and is not included in the tour price. It is a small amount, but you should have Thai currency ready. The supplied details do not state whether card payment is available, so cash is the safer choice.

The beach is the pleasant part of the stop, but conditions can vary. The sand may be at its best under good weather, while wind, rain, or high water can change the feel of the visit. Do not judge the whole outing by the pig photos alone. The point is the combination of beach time, animals, and easy water activities.

Lunch on the Beach at Koh Mudsum

Lunch is served at a beach restaurant on Koh Mudsum. This is a useful inclusion because island food can be inconvenient to arrange independently, and the meal gives you a proper break between activities.

The menu is not specified, so do not book this tour expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement. If you have strict food needs, confirm them before departure. Otherwise, think of lunch as a practical refueling stop rather than a major culinary event.

Eating on the beach also helps the day feel less rushed. You can cool down after kayaking or swimming, dry off, and reset before heading toward Koh Tan. Bring your own water if you prefer a particular drink, since the included meal details are limited.

Snorkeling Around Koh Tan’s Coast

The second stop is Koh Tan, where the focus shifts from pigs and beach photos to marine life. You’ll snorkel near the coast and look for fish and coral from the surface. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or flotation gear.

The description points to plentiful coral that provides shelter for aquatic animals. You may see fish with your bare eyes from the surface, but the quality of the experience depends heavily on sea conditions and water clarity. One account described the water near Koh Tan as murky, which is an important warning for anyone booking mainly for underwater views.

I would treat the snorkeling as a pleasant part of a mixed island day, not as a specialist reef excursion. If you want guaranteed clear water or a longer period in the sea, conditions may disappoint. The schedule allows roughly 45 minutes to nearly an hour for snorkeling in one reported outing, though the exact time can change.

The order of the islands is flexible. The boat may visit Koh Tan first if weather conditions make that the better choice. This is sensible from a safety and comfort point of view, but it means the day may not follow the advertised sequence. Pack your gear so you can reach your swimsuit, towel, and sun cream easily at the start.

Kayaking, Swimming, and Beach Time

Kayaking is included, not an optional extra. You can paddle along the beach at Koh Mudsum, giving you a simple way to see the shoreline from the water. The activity is likely to appeal most if you want something active without committing to a full day of demanding exercise.

Swimming is also part of the island stop. The tour does not promise a specific water depth or swimming area, so conditions matter. Use the life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer, and listen to the crew before entering the water.

The best feature here is choice. You are not locked into snorkeling for the whole day. I like tours that let you balance activity with rest, especially when the sun is strong. You can paddle for a while, take photos with the pigs, then spend the remaining time on the sand.

The Group Size and Waiting-Time Question

The maximum group size is 45 people. That is not a small boat experience, and you should picture a shared day with a full mix of couples, families, and other groups. The size helps keep the $50.46 price manageable, but it can also mean more time getting everyone organized.

The biggest practical concern is waiting at the pier. One reported outing involved roughly two hours before boarding, following hotel pickup and check-in. The operator explained that the pickup had begun at 1:00 p.m., the drive to the pier took about an hour, and collecting additional people added time before the boat left around 2:45 p.m.

That does not prove every departure will run the same way. It does show why you should avoid scheduling another activity immediately afterward. The tour ends back at the meeting point, and the return transfer to your hotel will take additional time if hotel pickup is part of your booking.

The speedboat itself is quick, but the full experience is not just boat time. Build in patience during the land-based parts of the schedule.

What the Price Includes, and What It Does Not

For $50.46 per person, the package covers:

• Round-trip hotel pickup
• Speedboat transportation
• Lunch
• Snorkeling equipment
• Kayaking
• Life jacket
• Travel insurance

The 50 baht entrance charge at Koh Mudsum is extra. The tour also does not list personal drinks, towels, or sun protection as included, so bring your own basics.

The value is strongest if you need hotel transport and equipment. Booking a separate transfer to Thong Krut Pier, renting snorkeling gear, arranging a kayak, buying lunch, and finding a boat could cost more and require much more planning.

The value is weaker if you are already near the pier, have your own equipment, or want control over the schedule. In that case, the group format may feel less appealing than hiring a private boat, though the private option would likely cost more.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

This outing suits you if you want several classic Koh Samui activities in one affordable half-day package. It is especially useful for first-time visitors, families, couples, and anyone who prefers a guide to handle transport and equipment.

It also suits mixed groups. A strong swimmer can snorkel, a casual paddler can kayak, and someone who prefers a quiet break can stay on the beach. The pig encounter gives the day a playful focus beyond the usual sand-and-sea routine.

You may want to skip it if your main goal is peaceful island solitude, a long uninterrupted snorkeling session, or a tightly controlled schedule. The group can be large, the pier wait can be lengthy, and snorkeling visibility is not guaranteed.

Most people can take part, but the tour is not recommended for cruise ship passengers. The timing and hotel transfer structure make it a poor fit for anyone who must return to a ship by a strict deadline.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Day

Bring a towel, sun cream, sunglasses, and a hat. You will spend time on an exposed beach, and the combination of water, sand, and strong sun can catch you quickly.

Keep 50 baht per person ready for Koh Mudsum. Wear swim clothing under your regular clothes if possible, because swimming and kayaking begin after arrival and changing facilities are not described.

Do not pack your schedule too tightly. The tour is advertised at approximately six hours, but pickup, check-in, group coordination, weather, and the ride back to your hotel can extend the total day.

The route may change. Koh Tan can come first when weather conditions require it, and the program may change without advance notice. That is normal for a sea excursion, but it is worth knowing before you set expectations.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Pig Island and Koh Tan Tour?

Book it if you want good variety for a moderate price. The package removes much of the planning, gets you to Pig Island quickly, includes lunch and gear, and gives you two very different island stops in one day.

Skip it if you need privacy, exact timing, or top-quality snorkeling conditions. The 45-person maximum and possible pier wait are real compromises, and Koh Tan’s water may not be clear on every departure.

My practical verdict: this is a sensible choice for a first Koh Samui island day, as long as you see it as a flexible group outing rather than a polished private cruise. Go for the pigs, beach, kayak, and easy logistics. Treat the snorkeling as a bonus, and leave plenty of space in your schedule afterward.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Thong Krut Pier, 79, 1, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Thong Krut Pier.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel pickup is included.

How long is the speedboat ride to Koh Mudsum?

The ride from the pier to Koh Mudsum takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Tan and Koh Mudsum, also known as Pig Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a beach restaurant is included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is included in the tour.

Is there an extra entrance fee?

Yes. Koh Mudsum charges an admission fee of 50 baht per person, which is not included.

Can the order of the stops change?

Yes. The tour may visit Koh Tan first depending on weather conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sun cream, sunglasses, and a hat.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 45 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.