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

The pigs are only part of the story. This five-hour trip from Koh Samui combines a fast ride across the Gulf of Thailand with snorkeling at Koh Tan, beach time at Koh Madsum, kayaking, and an easy hotel transfer. I like the friendly guides and simple all-in-one format, and I like that lunch, water, soft drinks, equipment, and insurance are included. The main caution is the speedboat ride, which can feel rough in windy weather, especially for young children.

The package costs $47 per person, a fair price for transport, a guide, food, and two island stops. I would bring your own fins if you care about snorkeling, since the provided kit includes a mask, snorkel, and life jacket, but not fins. Also note that the schedule places lunch at Thong Krut Pier after the boat returns, while the general description places lunch on Pig Island, so check the day’s exact plan.

Key points to know before you book

• Pig Island is Koh Madsum: You can feed the friendly pigs, swim, walk along the beach, and use a kayak during the 75-minute stop.
• Koh Tan comes first: The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes time for photos, swimming, and views from the boat.
• Hotel pickup covers much of Koh Samui: Pickup is offered from Lamai, Chaweng, Bophut, Maenam, Bangrak, Cheongmon, Bangpor, and the Butterfly Garden area.
• The speedboat can be lively: Rough water may make the ride feel like a roller coaster, so children and anyone prone to motion sickness should take care.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You receive a Thai meal, water, a soft drink, snacks, and refreshments.
• Budget for the island fee: The 50 THB admission charge per person is not included, and remote areas may carry a 700 baht per person, per-way transfer surcharge.

A five-hour island outing from Koh Samui

This is a short, tightly timed trip rather than a slow island day. You leave your hotel in the morning, reach Thong Krut Pier for a safety briefing, then spend part of the day on the water and part of it on the islands.

I like this setup for a first visit to Koh Samui. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the pier, rent snorkeling gear, or find a restaurant after swimming. The tour handles the basic pieces, leaving you to focus on the sea, beach, pigs, and views.

The tradeoff is pace. Koh Tan gets about 45 minutes, while Koh Madsum gets about 75 minutes. That is enough for a taste of each place, but not enough for long snorkeling sessions or a quiet afternoon under a palm tree. If you want solitude and a flexible schedule, chartering a private boat may suit you better. At $47, though, this shared excursion offers a lot for the money.

Morning pickup and Thong Krut Pier

Pickup begins between 7:40 and 8:30 in the morning. The exact time is confirmed by email, so you should check your inbox before the tour and wait in your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early.

The service covers many of Koh Samui’s main resort areas, including Lamai, Chaweng, Bophut, Maenam, Bangrak, Cheongmon, Bangpor, and the Butterfly Garden area. If your hotel sits on a hill, you may need to walk or arrange transport to a nearby hotel or meeting point near the main road.

That detail matters. A hotel pickup does not always mean a vehicle climbs every small hillside road. Check where you must meet before breakfast, and do not cut the timing close. The vehicle may leave if you are more than 10 minutes late.

At Thong Krut Pier, you receive a safety briefing and meet the English or Thai-speaking guide. This 30-minute stop may sound long, but it gives the crew time to organize equipment, explain the boat routine, and get everyone ready. The pier is also where the day begins and ends, so it becomes your fixed point in an otherwise mobile morning.

The 30-minute speedboat ride

The journey from the pier to the islands takes about 30 minutes by speedboat. That is quick compared with a slower ferry, but speed comes with motion. On a calm day, the ride can be an enjoyable part of the trip, with open-water views and a brisk sense of movement.

In rough conditions, the ride is a different matter. One family found the boat especially hard on children when it hit the waves, describing the motion as similar to a roller coaster. If your child dislikes bumpy roads or boat movement, I would think carefully before booking.

The same advice applies to anyone with back problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, bone problems, or anyone over 70. Pregnant women are specifically advised not to join. The operator also lists a first aid kit and accident insurance, but those do not change the physical nature of a fast boat crossing.

Bring sun protection, secure loose belongings, and expect spray. The provided life jacket is useful both for safety and comfort, since the boat may move sharply across the water.

Koh Tan snorkeling in about 45 minutes

Koh Tan is the first island stop. The plan allows about 45 minutes for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and views from the boat. The guide leads the visit, and the crew supplies snorkeling equipment and life jackets.

The appeal here is the water. You may see fish and underwater scenery close to Koh Tan, and one confirmed booking described the fish as beautiful even though the weather was not ideal. Clear water is never guaranteed, however. Visibility can fall with wind, waves, or changing sea conditions.

You should also know what the equipment does not include. A recent booking found the mask and snorkel adequate but was disappointed that no fins were provided. Fins are not listed among the included equipment, so bring your own only if you already have a pair and can manage them with the tour’s arrangements.

Forty-five minutes passes quickly. You need time to listen to the safety instructions, enter the water, snorkel, return to the boat, and move on. Think of Koh Tan as a focused introduction rather than a full reef session. If seeing marine life is your main goal, choose a calm day when visibility is more likely to cooperate.

Even when the water is not perfect, the stop gives you a chance to cool off and see a different side of the Gulf. You are not spending the whole morning sitting on a beach.

Koh Madsum and the famous pigs

Koh Madsum, commonly called Pig Island, is the more unusual stop. You have about 75 minutes here, which is enough time to walk, swim, snorkel, kayak, and see the pigs.

The pigs are the island’s calling card, but the visit works best if you treat them as one part of the stop. You can feed the friendly animals, take photos, and watch them move around the beach. Their presence gives this small island a playful character you will not find at an ordinary snorkeling beach.

Follow the guide’s instructions when feeding them. Keep your fingers clear, move calmly, and allow other people space around the animals. The tour description presents them as accustomed to visitors, but they are still animals, not props.

The beach also gives you the day’s main chance to slow down. After the boat ride and snorkeling, you can swim in clear water or simply walk along the sand. Kayaking is included in the activity list, adding a gentle option for anyone who would rather stay above the water.

The limitation is time. Seventy-five minutes sounds generous, but it must cover the pig visit, beach time, possible kayaking, and any swimming or snorkeling. I would choose your priorities before you arrive. If you want photos with the pigs, do that early. If you want to kayak or swim, save time for those activities rather than lingering too long at the first photo stop.

Lunch, drinks, and the schedule detail to watch

Food is part of the package. You receive a Thai lunch, water, a soft drink, snacks, and refreshments. That is useful on a half-day boat outing, since you do not need to carry a full meal or search for food between stops.

The schedule provided for the tour places the lunch and a one-hour visit at Thong Krut Pier after the return boat ride. The broad description, however, says lunch is served on Pig Island. Since those details do not match, I would confirm the lunch location with the operator before departure.

Either way, the meal adds real value to the $47 price. Boat transport alone can make island outings costly, and here you also receive food, drinks, a guide, snorkeling gear, and hotel transport. The meal may not suit every dietary need, since no special menus are described, so ask the operator before booking if you have allergies or strict food requirements.

If lunch is served back at the pier, you may appreciate eating on solid ground after the boat ride. If it is served on Pig Island, the setting becomes part of the experience. The important point is to know which version applies on your date.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, this is a good-value group excursion for someone who wants a simple way to see Koh Tan and Koh Madsum. Hotel pickup and return remove the cost and effort of arranging transport to Thong Krut Pier. The boat, guide, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, accident insurance, and first aid kit are all included.

You still need to pay the 50 THB admission charge per person. That is a small extra, but include it in your budget. If you stay in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai, the transfer may cost an additional 700 baht per person, per way. This can change the value calculation for couples or families.

The price is strongest for families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and groups who prefer a ready-made day. It is less attractive if you already have a private boat, want a long snorkeling session, or dislike fixed schedules.

The overall rating of 4.2 from 120 bookings suggests a generally positive experience with some real limits. The strongest points are the convenient pickup, kind guides, good food, and smooth organization. The weaker points are weather-dependent visibility, the missing fins, and rough conditions on the speedboat.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the trip to you if you want several activities in one morning. You can snorkel, swim, kayak, meet the pigs, eat lunch, and return to your hotel without arranging each piece yourself.

It suits couples who want an easy island outing, families with children aged 4 to 10 who are comfortable on boats, and solo visitors who prefer joining an organized group. The child ticket applies to ages 4 through 10, but age alone does not tell you if a child will enjoy the ride. Water conditions matter just as much.

You should be more cautious if you suffer from motion sickness or back trouble. The operator does not recommend the trip for pregnant women, people with back, heart, bone, or high blood pressure problems, or anyone over 70. The speedboat is central to the experience, not just a short transfer.

The trip also suits you if you value convenience over independence. You get a guide, gear, food, and transport in one booking. If you want to choose exactly how long you stay in the water or leave the beach whenever you like, the fixed timing may feel restrictive.

Practical tips for a better day

Check your pickup email the night before and wait in the lobby early. If you are staying on a hill, confirm the meeting point rather than assuming the vehicle will collect you at your door.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. A small amount of cash is useful for the 50 THB admission fee and any personal purchases.

If snorkeling matters to you, bring fins only if the operator allows you to carry and use them. The included equipment does not list fins, and one booking specifically found this disappointing.

Keep breakfast light if you are sensitive to boat motion. Sit where the crew suggests, hold your belongings securely, and remember that the sea may be calm at the pier but rough farther out.

Finally, keep your schedule flexible. The operator may cancel in rare cases because of conditions and will offer another date, an alternative trip, or a full refund. That policy helps, but you should still avoid scheduling an important flight or ferry immediately afterward.

Should you book the Pig Island and Koh Tan tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, well-organized half-day from Koh Samui with hotel pickup, snorkeling, pigs, kayaking, lunch, and drinks. The kind guides, convenient transfers, and generous inclusions make it easy to recommend for most healthy adults and families comfortable with speedboats.

Skip it if you need a calm boat ride, long snorkeling time, fins included, or a private timetable. Check the lunch location and transfer surcharge before paying, and keep weather in mind. For a first taste of Koh Tan and Pig Island, this is a practical choice. Just treat the pigs as the highlight, not the whole show.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts about five hours, including hotel pickup, the pier visit, speedboat rides, island activities, and the return transfer.

Which areas include hotel pickup?

Pickup is available from hotels in Lamai, the Butterfly Garden area, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheongmon, and Bangrak. Pickup is also available across Koh Samui, although hilltop hotels may require you to meet at a nearby hotel or main-road meeting point.

What time does hotel pickup begin?

Pickup starts between 7:40 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The operator confirms your exact pickup time by email.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a Thai lunch, water, a soft drink, snacks, and refreshments. The supplied schedule places lunch at Thong Krut Pier after the return boat ride, while the general description places it on Pig Island, so confirm the location before departure.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included. Fins are not listed as included, and one booking specifically noted that only a mask and snorkel were provided.

What is not included in the price?

A 50 THB admission fee per person is not included. Pickup from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, or Lipayai may also require an extra 700 baht per person, per way.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children aged 4 to 10 can receive a child ticket. The speedboat may be uncomfortable for children when the sea is rough, so consider weather and your child’s comfort with boat motion before booking.