Pig Island (Koh Madsum) and Koh Tan are the two most-visited islands from Samui because they are close, easy, and genuinely kid-friendly. This guide is the honest version: which boat to book, how much time to spend at each, the difference between group and private options, and every worry a traveller might have before booking their first near-Samui day trip.
The short version so you can stop researching
- Best for families with kids under 10: Pig Island VIP Longtail at ฿1,400 — slow traditional boat, max 8 passengers, 4 hours.
- Best group value (speedboat): Pig Island Speedboat at ฿1,350 — 6 hours, more sites covered.
- Sunset option: Sunset Pig Island Tour at ฿1,200 — 4-hour evening trip with dinner.
- Private charter (groups 5+): Private Longtail at ฿5,640 per boat — cheaper per person than group tours for 5+ people.
- Group discount (10+ people): Group Speedboat — ask us for a custom quote.
What Pig Island and Koh Tan actually are
Koh Madsum — "Pig Island"
A small island about 4 km south of Samui, accessed by longtail or speedboat from south Koh Samui pier. The north beach is where the famous pigs live — a herd of about 15-20 domesticated pigs descended from animals released by fishermen years ago. The pigs have been there long enough that they are calm around tourists, walk freely on the beach, and swim in the shallow water. Taking photos of the pigs is the main draw. Koh Madsum also has a moderate snorkel reef on its southern side (better than Koh Tan's) that is only accessible on private tours.
Koh Tan
A slightly larger island just west of Koh Madsum, also accessed from south Koh Samui pier. The west-side sandbar has the best beginner snorkel spot in the Samui near-islands — 1-3m water depth, sheltered from waves, clownfish and sergeant majors in the shallow coral heads. Koh Tan also has a small beach for relaxing, and a couple of longtail restaurants where you can eat fresh seafood cooked on the beach.
Together, these two islands form the core "half-day day trip" experience from Samui. Every near-Samui tour we run covers both, though the order and time at each varies.
Longtail vs Speedboat — which boat to book
Longtail — ₿1,400, 4 hours, max 8 passengers
The traditional wooden Thai boat with the long drive shaft engine. Slower (15-20 km/h cruise), much more stable, lower to the water, no vibration. Small group (maximum 8 passengers, usually 4-6). The longtail ride itself is part of the experience — you feel the sea rather than fight it. This is our recommended choice for families with young kids, first-time boat travellers, and anyone prone to seasickness.
Route: the south side of Koh Samui → Koh Tan (snorkel stop) → Koh Madsum (pig beach) → the south side of Koh Samui. 4 hours total including pickup. Lunch is included (simple Thai meal on board or at Koh Tan beach).
Speedboat — ₿1,350, 6 hours, 15-20 passengers
Modern fiberglass speedboat with outboard engines. Faster (35-40 km/h), more range, can cover additional sites in the same day. Larger group (maximum 20 passengers, usually 12-15). Bounces more on waves. Route: the south side of Koh Samui → Koh Tan (snorkel) → Koh Madsum (pigs) → optional second snorkel at the south reef or at Koh Tao area → lunch on beach → return. 6 hours total. Lunch is buffet style on the beach.
Which one for which traveller
- Family with kids 4-8: longtail. Stability and small group win.
- Family with teenagers: speedboat. Speed is part of the fun at that age.
- Couples on tight budget: speedboat — better value per hour.
- Solo travellers: Either works. has more social atmosphere is more personal.
- Groups of 5+: Private longtail at ฿5,640 per boat — cheaper per person than any group tour.
- People prone to seasickness: longtail. Stable, slow, calm.
"What if my kid is afraid of the pigs?"
Real concern. The pigs are large (some are 50-80 kg) and they come right up to people looking for food. For a 4-year-old this can be intimidating. The captains know this and will help nervous kids stay at a safe distance while still seeing the pigs. You can also stay on the boat or sit on a towel away from the feeding area if your kid is really not up for direct interaction.
Also note: we no longer encourage feeding the pigs. Mass tourist feeding has made them overweight and occasionally food-aggressive. We recommend taking photos from a few metres away. If the captain offers fruit for kids to feed, that is fine — but it is not the core of the visit.
"Is the snorkel actually good?" — the honest assessment
Koh Tan: good for beginners and kids. 5-8m visibility, 1-3m depth, calm water, safe. You will see clownfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, sergeant majors, small rays on the sand. Not world-class but absolutely pleasant and rewarding for first-time snorkelers.
Koh Madsum south reef: moderately better coral than Koh Tan. 2-4m depth, slightly more variety. Accessible only on private charters because standard group tours only visit the north pig beach.
If you are an experienced snorkeler looking for a dramatic reef: these sites will disappoint you. Book the Koh Tao day trip instead. If you are a first-time snorkeler or travelling with kids: these sites are perfect for you.
"How long should I plan for?"
Half day (longtail, 4 hours) is enough for: one snorkel stop, the pig beach, a beach break, and a simple lunch. You return in the afternoon in time for rest before dinner.
Full day (speedboat, 6 hours) adds: a second snorkel stop, more beach time at Koh Madsum, a longer buffet lunch, sometimes a stop at Five Islands on the west coast depending on weather. Better value per hour but also more tiring, especially with kids.
Sunset half day (4 hours evening): picks you up at 14:30, ends around 18:30 with the sunset. Less snorkel time, more golden-hour boat time. Romantic option for couples.
"Hidden fees or surprises?"
No. The price you see is the price you pay. Included: pickup and drop-off anywhere on Samui, boat and crew, snorkel gear sized for everyone, life jackets in every size, bottled water and fresh fruit, lunch (type depends on tour), English-speaking guide. Not included: alcohol on board (beer and soft drinks sold separately), tips (optional).
"What do we need to bring?"
- Swimwear under clothes for the morning
- Hat with chin strap (wind on speedboats will take a loose hat immediately)
- Reef-safe sunscreen applied before pickup
- Dry change of clothes in a zip bag
- Waterproof phone case or dry bag for electronics
- Towel
- Small cash (20/50/100 THB notes) for extras
- Motion sickness tablet if prone (we carry spares on board at 40 THB)
"Is it family friendly?" — full breakdown
Yes. We have been running family-specific versions of this tour for 6 years. Safety equipment includes children's life jackets in multiple sizes (2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-11), first-aid on every boat, and captains trained in emergency response. Every boat does a head count at each stop (sign-in/out list). The water at Koh Tan is sheltered and shallow — a non-swimming 4-year-old in a life jacket is safe on the sandbar.
What we DO NOT recommend for kids: the 6-hour speedboat full day for kids under 6 (they get tired and cranky). Solution: book the 4-hour longtail instead.
Weather — exact thresholds, no judgement calls on the day
We cancel water-based tours automatically when the wave forecast exceeds 1.2 metres, wind crosses 25 knots, or there is lightning within 30 km of Koh Samui. The decision is made by 06:00 using the Thai Meteorological Department forecast. You get notified by chat. Full refund or free reschedule. Land-based tours (ATV, temple, cooking class, Muay Thai) are rarely affected by weather except for lightning warnings. December through April is the most reliable period; monsoon October-November has higher cancellation rates.
Who we are — killing the "is this a scam" worry
Tour In Koh Samui is the retail brand of Southeast Asia Tour Provider Co. Ltd., a Thai-registered company operating under TAT Tourism License 44/00448. we book through vetted local operators — verified local operators we have worked with for years handle the captains and guides. When you book direct with us the price goes to the crew, not to a Viator or GetYourGuide platform taking 20-25% margin.
How to book
Chat with us at tourinkohsamui.com with (1) your dates, (2) hotel on Samui, (3) group size and ages, (4) any specific interests. We reply within 2 hours during the day with 2-3 specific options that fit, a clean price with child or group discounts already applied, and confirmation of availability. No card details needed to check availability. Full refund up to 48 hours before departure.
You can also browse all our tours on our collection page.
Seasonality — which months are best
Koh Samui has two distinct seasons. The dry season runs November through April — calm seas, reliable sunshine, minimal rain, and the most dependable tour conditions. This is peak booking time and prices can rise slightly around Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year (late January to early February). The shoulder months of March, April, and November tend to offer the sweet spot of good weather with fewer crowds.
The rainy season is mid-October through early December, when the north-east monsoon hits the Gulf of Thailand. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, wave heights increase, and we see more tour cancellations (typically 4-6 days per month). If you are booking during monsoon, have flexible dates and expect at least one weather-based reschedule. May through September is in between — warmer, humid, afternoon rain possible but mornings usually clear. Visibility underwater is best from March through May.
Hotel pickup logistics and timings
Every tour we run includes hotel pickup from anywhere on Koh Samui. We use air-conditioned minivans with seat belts, and the drivers carry extra bottled water for guests. The night before your tour, you receive a chat confirmation with the driver's name van plate, and exact pickup time.
Pickup times vary based on your hotel location and the pier used for the tour. Chaweng and Lamai hotels get picked up earliest because they are furthest from the south-coast piers — morning tours typically start collection around 07:30. Bophut, Maenam, and Choeng Mon are 30-45 minutes closer. Hotels in the south-side areas like the south side of Koh Samui, Taling Ngam, or Laem Sor are only 10-15 minutes from most piers. Afternoon and sunset tours adjust proportionally — usually 14:30 to 16:00 pickup depending on departure time and pier.
Combining this tour with other activities
Most guests do not book just one tour during a Samui trip. Pairing tours well gives you variety and maximises your time. Our most-requested combinations:
- Morning boat + afternoon temple: Snorkel or sunset tour in the morning, then a half-day cultural safari in the afternoon. Works well because the boat tour ends around midday and the temple tour is shorter and easier.
- Morning temple + afternoon boat: Start with a Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem stop, then head to the south side of Koh Samui for a half-day longtail. Best for travellers who want cultural depth before the water.
- Full day cultural immersion: Thai cooking class in the morning (09:00-13:00), temple visit in the afternoon, Muay Thai stadium in the evening. The "deep Thailand" day.
- Adventure + relaxation: ATV or buggy tour in the morning, sunset boat tour in the evening. Opposite pace, best of both.
- Family two-day combo: Day 1 — elephant sanctuary half day + afternoon beach. Day 2 — Pig Island longtail. Gentle pacing for kids.
If you send us your dates and group composition, we will suggest 2-4 tour combinations that fit your interests, budget, and pacing preferences. We do not upsell — if your budget says one tour is the right answer, we tell you that.
Why our prices are what they are — and where you can save
Tour prices in Koh Samui vary wildly, often by 50% or more between operators running similar routes. The differences are not random. Cheaper operators typically skip one or more of these: proper children's life jackets in every size, first-aid equipment, licensed insurance, English-speaking captains, fuel buffer for route flexibility, or the park entry fees (which then get charged at the pier as a "surprise"). Our quoted prices include all of these.
If you want to save money without compromising safety, the best levers are: (1) book direct with us rather than through Viator, GetYourGuide, or Klook — the platforms take 20-25% margin that goes to them, not the operator; (2) book in shoulder season (March-April or October-November) when demand is lower; (3) look at group discounts for parties of 10+ which can cut the per-person cost by 20-30%; (4) consider private charter if you are 5 or more people — per-person prices on a private longtail often match or beat group tours.
What guests tell us after — the recurring comments
After six years of running these tours we have heard the same things over and over. The feedback patterns are useful for setting expectations before you book:
- "It was easier than I thought" — a significant percentage of first-time travellers arrive expecting the activities to be harder or scarier than they actually are. The longtails are more stable than people expect, the snorkel sites are more forgiving, the kayaks are easier to paddle.
- "The small group size made the difference" — guests who book our small-group options (max 8 passengers on longtails) frequently mention it versus previous trips they did on 50-passenger cattle boats elsewhere in Thailand.
- "We wish we had booked longer" — about a third of guests finish their tour wishing they had booked a full day instead of a half day, or a private charter instead of a group.
- "The honest weather cancellation policy was a relief" — people who have had bad experiences with operators forcing them onto the boat in marginal conditions specifically thank us for the "we cancel for safety" approach.
- "The kids loved it more than we did" — family groups consistently report that kids enjoyed the day more than parents expected. The animals, the boats, the water — the kid experience is almost always better than anxious parents imagine.
Common mistakes first-time travellers make — and how to avoid them
- Booking the cheapest tour on arrival from a concierge. Hotel concierges are paid commissions, so they push specific operators. Often these are 50-passenger cattle boats with fixed itineraries. Research ahead and book direct before you arrive.
- Skipping motion sickness medication. Even travellers who say "I don't usually get seasick" can struggle on a 2-hour speedboat ride. Take a tablet 60 minutes before pickup as insurance.
- Bringing too much stuff on the boat. You do not need a beach bag for a 4-hour boat tour. You need sunscreen, hat, water, phone, and cash. Everything else stays in the van.
- Wearing flip-flops on boats. Wet flip-flops are dangerous on fiberglass decks. Bring sandals with straps or proper water shoes.
- Not drinking enough water. Sun, salt, wind, and exercise all dehydrate you faster than you realise. Water is free and unlimited on the boats — use it.
- Booking only one day on the water. Koh Samui is worth at least two boat days. Book a relaxed half-day first to get your sea legs, then a full day trip after.
Related travel guides for Koh Samui
Our complete library of Koh Samui travel guides covers every kind of trip — browse the full list on our Explore Koh Samui guides index, or jump directly to one of the guides below:
- Sunset Cruises in Koh Samui
- Temple & Cultural Tour Guide
- Family Tours in Koh Samui
- Snorkeling & Diving in Koh Samui
- Private Tours & Boat Charters
- Island Hopping Koh Samui
- Kayaking in Koh Samui
- Best Tours in Koh Samui 2026
👉 Back to all Koh Samui travel guides
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA / CC BY).
Written by the TourInKohSamui.com Research Team
Local Koh Samui tour experts — 9 years operating in Koh Samui and 16 years in tourism across Europe, the Americas and Asia. We run and check these tours ourselves, every week.
Operated by Southeast Asia Co., Ltd. · TAT Tourism Licence 44/00448 · Company Reg. 0845567018501 · 4.9★ verified reviews · info@tourinkohsamui.com
