Pig Island (Koh Mudsum) and Koh Tan Tour with Meal from Koh Samui

The main draw here is simple and unusual: you can spend the same half-day snorkeling off Koh Tan and then walking among friendly pigs on Koh Madsum, often called Pig Island. I like the easy mix of sea time and land time, and I like that hotel pickup, a meal, and snorkeling gear are included. The weak spot is the snorkeling stop, where sea grass and limited fish can make the water less exciting than expected.

I also like the generous three-hour stay on Madsum Island. You have time to swim, feed the pigs, visit the viewpoint, kayak, eat, and sit on the beach instead of rushing from one photo stop to the next. Still, the boat and island can feel busy, and this is a shared trip for up to 45 people.

Five things to know before you book

• The pigs are the star attraction: Friendly pigs and young piglets roam around Madsum Island, and feed is available to buy.
• Koh Tan is a short snorkeling stop: You get about 45 minutes in the water, but visibility and fish life can vary.
• Three hours on Madsum gives you options: Swim, relax, walk to the viewpoint, kayak, meet the pigs, or enjoy your included meal.
• The price covers useful basics: At about $51.88 per person, you get round-trip hotel transfer, an English-speaking guide, a meal, and snorkeling equipment.
• Bring more than swimwear: Pack a towel, spare clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, and cash for the 50 THB island fee and island purchases.
• The trip depends on the weather: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, but cancellation by you must be made at least 24 hours ahead.

Why Pig Island makes this trip different

Many island trips near Koh Samui follow the usual pattern: boat ride, snorkeling, beach, boat ride home. This one adds a memorable oddity. On Koh Madsum, pigs wander near the beach and around the island, giving the stop a playful feel that is quite different from a standard sand-and-sea excursion.

You can interact with the pigs and buy feed on the island. Keep your belongings close. The pigs have a habit of helping themselves to unattended bags, which is funny until your snacks or personal items disappear.

The animals are not the only reason to spend time on Madsum. The stop is long enough to create your own pace. You can swim in the sea, sit on the beach, walk up to the viewpoint, or try kayaking. If you want a little activity, use the time outdoors. If the heat catches up with you, lunch or dinner and a quiet spell by the water make good use of the slower hours.

The setting is beautiful, but this is not a remote wilderness outing. The island gets busy, particularly when several boats arrive. I would book it for a lighthearted day near Koh Samui, not for solitude.

Leaving Koh Samui by hotel transfer

The tour begins with pickup from your Koh Samui hotel. That removes one of the more annoying parts of a boat excursion: arranging your own way to the pier. Pickup details are supplied after payment, so check them carefully rather than assuming the vehicle will reach your hotel entrance.

Hotels on steep hills or unpaved roads may require you to meet at the nearest accessible point. That is a normal practical limit for island transfers, but it matters if you have luggage, mobility concerns, or a hotel far up a hillside.

The trip lasts about six hours, with a choice of morning or afternoon departure. The timing changes the feel of the day. A morning start gives you a traditional island outing and ends earlier. An afternoon option may offer pleasant late-day light, and one rating specifically noted that sunset can be pretty when conditions are good. The exact mood depends on the weather and schedule.

A maximum group size of 45 people means this is not a private boat. Expect a social excursion with a guide, shared transport, and a boat that may feel full. The upside is a lower price and a simple booking process. The downside is less flexibility at each stop.

Koh Tan: pretty water, but modest snorkeling

Koh Tan is the first main stop, with about 45 minutes set aside for snorkeling. Equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. A guide accompanies the trip, and the stop is designed for a quick look at coral and tropical fish.

I would keep expectations sensible. Snorkeling conditions change with weather, tides, water clarity, and the chosen anchorage. Some people find the area enjoyable but note that sea grass can cover much of the bottom and that fish may be scarce. Others still enjoy the water even when visibility is not perfect.

That makes Koh Tan a pleasant extra rather than the sole reason to book. If your priority is excellent reef viewing, this tour gives you only 45 minutes and does not promise a particular site with guaranteed clear water. If you simply want time in the sea before the more unusual Madsum stop, it fits the bill.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen and apply it before entering the water. A towel and spare clothes are also useful, since the day combines swimming with a boat ride and time on the beach. The tour provides equipment, but the supplied details do not specify whether sizes or prescription options are available, so bring personal gear if you rely on something specific.

Koh Madsum: pigs, beach time, and a long island stop

Koh Madsum is where the tour earns its nickname. Friendly pigs move around the island, including young piglets that are easy to spot and stroke. Feed is available for purchase, making it easier to interact with them.

The pigs are used to people, but they are still animals. Keep food and bags secure, follow the guide’s instructions, and avoid treating them like tame household pets. A little care keeps the encounter fun for you and safe for the pigs.

You have about three hours here, which is the right amount of time for a stop with several choices. You do not need to spend the whole visit with the animals. Swim in the sea, relax on the beach, walk to the viewpoint, or try kayaking. You can also take your included meal during the stop.

The viewpoint adds a small walking option for anyone who wants more than a beach chair. The supplied details do not state how difficult the walk is, so bring sensible footwear if you plan to go up. Heat can make even a short climb feel harder, especially after swimming.

Madsum is also where you pay the 50 THB island fee per person. This charge is not included in the tour price, so keep Thai currency with you. Cash may also be useful for pig feed or other purchases on the island.

Lunch or dinner keeps the day simple

A meal is included, with lunch on the morning schedule or dinner on the afternoon schedule. That is a real convenience. You do not need to arrange food during a six-hour outing, and the meal gives you a natural break from swimming and walking.

The supplied information does not give a menu or describe dietary arrangements. If you have special food needs, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the included meal can be changed.

The meal also helps the tour feel like a complete half-day outing instead of a short boat transfer with two brief stops. You pay once for transport, guide service, equipment, and food, then budget separately for only the small island fee and optional purchases.

Is $51.88 good value?

At roughly $51.88 per person, the tour offers solid value for a six-hour trip. Hotel pickup and return transfer can save both time and taxi costs. Add the boat trip, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, and lunch or dinner, and the package covers the basics most people want from a short island day.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Koh Samui and want an easy outing without planning transport, food, and gear separately. It is also a good fit for anyone who likes variety. You get snorkeling, a beach, animals, a viewpoint, and kayaking in one compact trip.

The value is less clear if your only goal is top-quality snorkeling. Koh Tan is brief, and water clarity may be disappointing. It is also not the right choice if you want a private boat, a quiet beach, or a highly customized schedule. A group of up to 45 people keeps the cost reasonable but limits personal space.

The 50 THB island fee is small, but remember that it is payable on site. Bring extra cash for feed and personal purchases too.

Who will enjoy this six-hour outing?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want an easy taste of the nearby islands. The pigs give children and casual sightseers a clear highlight, while adults can use the long Madsum stop for swimming, food, and a slow walk.

It also suits people who prefer a half-day rather than a full-day cruise. The trip is long enough to feel worthwhile but short enough to leave part of your Koh Samui day free.

The activity is not available for children under one year old or people over 70. Most other participants can take part, but anyone with mobility limits should consider the boat transfer, beach conditions, possible walking to the viewpoint, and the need to meet at an accessible pickup point if the hotel sits on a steep or rough road.

For a group outing, the maximum of 45 people is worth noting. You may share the boat and island time with a fairly large crowd. That is a tradeoff for the included transport and moderate price.

What to pack and how to avoid small annoyances

Pack a towel, dry clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, and cash. Those four items cover the most obvious needs of a wet island day and the required 50 THB fee.

Keep your bag zipped and close when you are near the pigs. Do not leave snacks or loose belongings on the beach. The animals are part of the fun, but they are also opportunistic around unattended bags.

Wear something that makes swimming easy and consider footwear suited to sand and a possible walk. The details do not specify changing facilities, so spare clothes are particularly useful for the return journey.

Check the pickup message after booking. If the tour is reserved within two hours of departure, confirmation may arrive later, subject to availability. For a normal booking, confirmation is expected at the time of purchase.

Weather, cancellation, and timing

This tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is helpful for a boat-based activity, since rough seas or poor visibility can affect both comfort and safety.

If you need to cancel yourself, do it at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted.

I would avoid placing this trip on the final morning of a Koh Samui stay. Boat schedules can be affected by weather, and an extra cushion is wise if you have a flight or ferry connection.

Should you book the Pig Island and Koh Tan tour?

Book it if you want a cheerful, varied half-day with easy hotel pickup, a meal, and a genuinely unusual animal encounter. The three hours on Koh Madsum are the strongest part, since you can meet the pigs without giving up swimming, kayaking, beach time, or the viewpoint.

Think twice if clear snorkeling is your main goal or if you dislike shared group trips. Koh Tan can be pleasant but may have sea grass and few fish, and a group of up to 45 people will not feel private.

For most visitors who want a simple island outing near Koh Samui, the $51.88 price is fair. Bring cash, protect your bag from curious pigs, and treat the snorkeling as one part of the day rather than its whole purpose.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately six hours, including hotel pickup, the Koh Tan snorkeling stop, time on Koh Madsum, and the return transfer.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Koh Samui?

Yes. Round-trip transfer to your Koh Samui hotel is included. Hotels on hills or unpaved roads may use a nearby accessible meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

How long is the snorkeling stop at Koh Tan?

The snorkeling stop at Koh Tan lasts about 45 minutes.

How much time do you get on Koh Madsum?

You get approximately three hours on Madsum Island for the pigs, beach time, swimming, kayaking, the viewpoint, and your meal.

Is food included?

Yes. Lunch is included with the morning tour, and dinner is included with the afternoon tour.

Is there an extra fee on Pig Island?

Yes. You must pay a 50 THB entry fee per person on site.

What should you bring?

Bring a towel, spare clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, and cash for the island fee and purchases.

Can young children join the tour?

Children under one year old cannot join this activity. Most other participants can take part.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.