Private Pig Island & Koh Taen Luxury Longtail Tour

Pig Island is the star here, but the best part may be having a private longtail boat for your own group. You can feed and water the island’s pigs, swim from a quiet beach, then head to Koh Taen for reef snorkeling without being tied to a large party boat’s schedule.

I like the generous onboard care: fresh fruit cut on the boat, soft drinks, water, towels, and good snorkeling equipment. I also like the crew’s personal touch. Guides such as Ko, King, Kint, Kin, Cole, and Oo are praised for remembering the pigs, explaining which animals enjoy attention, and taking photos for guests.

The main consideration is price. At $391.06 per group of up to six, this makes sense for a family or group that will use the private boat, but it is a large spend for one or two people. The Koh Mad Sum admission charge and any return transfer are extra, and the trip depends on suitable weather.

Key points at a glance

• Pig Island comes first: Spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes meeting pigs, giving them water, swimming, or relaxing on the sand.
• Koh Taen gets the most time: Two hours are set aside for snorkeling among coral and tropical fish.
• Private means flexible: Only your group joins the activity, so you can skip snorkeling or adjust the pace.
• The boat service is a major perk: Expect fruit, water, soft drinks, towels, life jackets, and premium snorkeling gear.
• Thong Krut keeps the setting local: The trip starts and ends at this pier on Koh Samui’s southern coast.
• Budget for extras: Koh Mad Sum charges THB 50 per person, and return transport can be arranged but is not included.

Why this private boat trip feels different

Many island trips around Koh Samui are built for large groups and fixed routines. This one is designed for a maximum of six people, which changes the mood at once. You are not sharing the boat with 20 or 30 strangers, and the crew can pay attention to your group’s needs.

That matters most for families. A group with young teens can spend longer in the water, take a break when needed, or choose a beach stop instead of snorkeling. A couple can enjoy more quiet space, though the price becomes harder to justify when split between only two people.

The boat is a traditional longtail fitted out for comfort and photographs. It is not a private yacht, so you should expect the open-air feel and engine noise that come with a longtail boat. Still, the service adds a more polished touch than a basic local boat ride, with towels, drinks, fruit, safety equipment, and a crew of up to three mentioned in the trip feedback.

The four-hour length is well judged. You get two major island stops without giving up an entire day in the sun. The schedule also leaves enough room for the crew to adapt if your group wants more swimming and less snorkeling.

Starting at Thong Krut Pier

Your outing begins at Thong Krut on Koh Samui’s southern coast. You check in with the team, receive your safety equipment, and board the longtail boat for the short trip toward the islands.

The starting point is useful because it places you near the southern island route rather than sending you across Koh Samui first. If you are staying elsewhere on the island, confirm transport carefully. Pickup is offered in the tour details, but return transfer is listed as something that can be arranged rather than something included in the price.

That small distinction matters. Ask in advance about the cost and coverage of transport from your hotel or villa. One family had comfortable round-trip transport from a villa, while another party praised the pre-trip communication by WhatsApp and hotel pickup. Those details suggest the operator can help, but you should have the arrangement confirmed before the day begins.

Thong Krut is also a practical place to begin a sea trip because the route focuses on Koh Samui’s southern islands. Once aboard, the crew supplies life jackets and explains the day’s plan. The boat ride itself gives you open views of the coast and surrounding water, with a chance of catching late-day color on the ride back if your start time runs into the afternoon.

Meeting the pigs on Koh Mat Sum

Koh Mat Sum, also called Koh Mad Som or Pig Island, is the first proper stop. You have about 1 hour and 15 minutes here, enough time to see the pigs, walk along the beach, give them water, and spend time in the sea.

The pigs are not a side note. They are the reason many people book this trip, and the guides add useful context. Ko is praised for knowing individual pigs and explaining which ones like to be petted and which ones are best left alone. That kind of advice helps you enjoy the encounter without treating the animals like props.

Bring a calm approach. Let the pigs come to you, follow the guide’s instructions, and keep your attention on the animals’ behavior. The most enjoyable part is often not the first photograph, but watching how the pigs move around the beach and react to food and water.

You can also use this stop for ordinary island pleasures. Swim, sit on the sand, or simply enjoy the view. One family chose to skip snorkeling later and spent time on a quiet private beach instead. That flexibility is important because Pig Island does not need to be rushed if your group prefers beach time.

There is an admission fee of THB 50 per person for Koh Mad Sum. It is not included in the tour price, so add it to your budget. The stop can also be popular, and the beach setting is less secluded than the private boat itself. Your group may have the boat to yourselves, but that does not mean the island belongs only to you.

Snorkeling around Koh Taen

Koh Taen receives roughly two hours, making it the main water activity of the trip. The plan is to swim among coral and look for tropical fish in the surrounding clear water.

The operator supplies premium snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a guide. Oo is specifically praised as a guide in the water, while other crew members help guests at their own pace. That support is valuable if some people in your group are confident swimmers and others are not.

You should not read the word luxury as a promise of a private reef. Sea conditions, visibility, and marine life can change. The trip information describes clear water and coral reefs with many types of tropical fish, but nature does not work to a fixed timetable. If weather turns poor, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund.

The schedule is flexible enough for different interests. Strong swimmers can spend more time looking below the surface, while less confident swimmers can stay close to the boat or choose to relax. Several parties found the crew willing to provide as much or as little local information as they wanted, which is a useful balance on a private outing.

Snorkeling is also optional in practice. If your group would rather swim, rest, or use a beach, say so. One group skipped the snorkeling and still had a satisfying day through swimming and quiet beach time. That choice makes this a better fit for mixed-age families than a trip built around nonstop time in the water.

Food, drinks, towels, and small comforts

The included refreshments are more generous than the bare minimum. You receive water and soft drinks, plus a fruit platter. One especially appreciated detail is fresh fruit cut onboard, and one group described the amount of food as surprisingly plentiful.

Do not confuse this with a lunch cruise. Lunch is not included, so plan around the four-hour schedule or ask the operator what food options are practical for your timing. The fruit works well as a light snack between swimming and snorkeling, but it is not a full meal.

Towels are supplied for use after the water activities. That saves space in your day bag and makes the return boat ride more comfortable. Life jackets and a first aid kit are also carried onboard, with insurance included according to the tour details.

These touches help explain the luxury label more than the boat itself. You are paying for a private setup, attentive crew, equipment, refreshments, and a less crowded rhythm. If you only want transport to Pig Island, a cheaper shared boat may be enough. If you value service and ease, the extras carry real weight.

What the $391.06 group price really means

The listed price is $391.06 for up to six people, not per person. Split six ways, that is about $65 per person before the Koh Mad Sum fee and any transfer costs. Split between four people, it is about $98 each. For two people, it is about $196 each, which is a much tougher calculation.

For a family of four to six, the price can compare well with separate private arrangements, especially when you count the boat, crew, equipment, drinks, fruit, towels, and insurance. You also gain control over the day. There is no need to match a large group’s preferred swim time.

I would book it for a family, two couples, or a small group that wants a special half-day on the water. I would think twice as a solo visitor or couple unless privacy is a major part of the holiday budget.

The strong 4.9 rating from 54 ratings and 98 percent recommendation give the experience a good record, but they do not remove the basic value question. The trip is worth more when you use the private format, spend time in both the water and on the beach, and appreciate attentive service.

The crew and the personal service

The crew is one of the clearest strengths. Different parties were looked after by guides named Ko, Cole, Kin, Kint, King, and Oo. The names vary by booking, so you should not assume one particular guide will be assigned, but the repeated pattern is clear: personal service is central to the experience.

King is praised for taking excellent photographs, which can be useful if you want more than quick phone snaps. Ko is noted for identifying individual pigs and explaining their habits. Oo is mentioned as a water guide, helping with the snorkeling side of the day.

The staff also appear comfortable adjusting their level of conversation. You can ask for local information, or simply enjoy the ride and water with less narration. That is a good fit for a private trip because you are not locked into a full-time commentary program.

Communication before the outing is another practical plus. WhatsApp contact and arranged hotel pickup have been particularly helpful for some bookings. Still, ask for your meeting time, pickup details, transfer cost, and weather plan in writing.

Timing, weather, and practical limits

The schedule is approximately four hours:

• Thong Krut check-in and boarding: about 10 minutes
• Koh Mat Sum: about 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Koh Taen snorkeling and swimming: about 2 hours
• Return to Thong Krut: about 30 minutes

These times are estimates, not a promise that every minute will be followed exactly. Sea conditions and your group’s choices can affect the pace.

Weather is the biggest outside factor. The activity requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. If you have only one possible day for the outing, keep that risk in mind.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. The operator may also cancel if the minimum number of participants is not met, offering another date, another activity, or a refund.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The details do not provide specific information about boat access, toilets, or facilities on the islands, so contact Paradise Travel and Tours if anyone in your group has mobility needs or requires special arrangements.

Who should book this Koh Samui outing

This trip suits you best if you want a private half-day at sea rather than a cheap point-to-point island transfer. It is especially practical for families with children or teens, small friend groups, and couples who place a high value on privacy.

It also works for mixed groups. Confident swimmers can enjoy the Koh Taen reef, while others can spend time on the beach or remain aboard. Pig Island gives the day an easy, playful focus, while Koh Taen adds a more active water stop.

You may want another option if you dislike animals approaching you, do not enjoy open-air boat rides, or need a full meal included. The tour is also less appealing financially for only one or two people.

Should you book it?

Book this private Pig Island and Koh Taen tour if you can fill most of the six seats and want service, flexibility, and a carefully supported day on the water. The pigs provide the memorable hook, but the private boat, flexible beach time, fruit, towels, and attentive crew make the experience more than a quick photo stop.

Before paying, confirm your hotel transfer, start time, weather backup, and lunch plans. Also allow THB 50 per person for Koh Mad Sum. If those details fit your plans, this is a polished and personal way to explore Koh Samui’s southern islands without spending a full day on a crowded boat.

FAQ

How long is the Pig Island and Koh Taen tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including the return to Thong Krut Pier.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of six people.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui’s southern coast and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but return transfer is listed as something that can be arranged rather than included. Confirm the transport details and any cost before booking.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a fruit platter, water, soft drinks, life jackets, a first aid kit, insurance, premium snorkeling equipment, and a guide.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is there an extra fee for Pig Island?

Yes. Koh Mad Sum charges an admission fee of THB 50 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.