The tour in a nutshell
Koh Madsum, everyone calls it Pig Island, is a white-sand beach off the south coast of Koh Samui, where a family of free-roaming pigs wanders down to the water as if they owned the place. They do, more or less. It is silly, it is charming, and it produces the photos your friends will actually comment on.
Next door, Koh Tan has shallow reef areas that make for gentle, easy snorkeling, in water you can stand up in. Lunch is a buffet served on Koh Tan with the beach in front of you, and there is free time to swim, float and do very little.
The trick of this particular trip is the route: it leaves from the quiet south of Koh Samui, so you spend far less time on the boat than on the northern departures - which is exactly what you want with kids, or if open sea isn’t your thing.
Highlights
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The famous pigsFree-roaming on the sand, entirely used to visitors.
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Easy snorkelingShallow reef at Koh Tan, ideal for beginners and children.
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A short crossingDeparture from the south coast: minimal time at sea.
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Buffet lunch on the beachServed on Koh Tan, with seasonal fruit and free time after.
Itinerary
- Pick-upCollected at your hotel, the road transfer to the southern pier takes 40 to 50 minutes depending on where you stay
- At the pierBoarding the speedboat on the south coast of Koh Samui
- Koh MadsumThe pigs’ beach: swimming, photos and time on the sand
- Koh TanLight snorkeling over the shallow reef - mask, snorkel and life jacket provided
- LunchBuffet lunch on Koh Tan, facing the water, with free time to relax
- ReturnSpeedboat back to the pier, then drop-off at your hotel
The trip lasts around 5 hours door to door, transfers and waiting time included. Snorkeling conditions and visibility vary with the weather and the tide, and the crew adjusts the order of the stops accordingly.
✅ What’s included
- Round-trip hotel transfers (on the options that include them)
- Speedboat crossings
- English-speaking guide
- Snorkeling gear and life jacket
- Buffet lunch on Koh Tan
- Seasonal fruit
- Unlimited drinking water
- Basic travel insurance
❌ Not included
- Pig Island entrance fee: ฿50 per person, paid on site
- Towel and reef-safe sunscreen
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses & souvenirs
- Tips (optional, appreciated)
The binding list of inclusions is the one shown on the GetYourGuide booking page, it is updated by the operator and always takes precedence over this summary. Vegetarian meals are available on request: mention it when booking.
What to bring
- Swimwear, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen
- A little cash for the ฿50 island fee and anything you buy on the beach
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable clothes and shoes for the road transfer
- Camera - a dry bag is handy on the speedboat
💡 Good to know
🐾 The pigs: they roam free and are not performing for anyone. We watch them, we photograph them, we don’t handle them, and nothing on this trip involves ridden or caged animals.
📅 Departures: daily, morning or afternoon, weather permitting. Bookings close 3 hours before departure, so a same-day booking is often still possible.
🚐 Pick-up: the drive from your hotel to the southern pier takes 40 to 50 minutes, be ready in the lobby 10 to 15 minutes before your pick-up time. Your exact time is sent by WhatsApp or email after booking. Cheaper options without transfer exist if you’d rather drive yourself.
🌦️ Weather policy: the trip runs normally in light rain and typical tropical weather. In severe or unsafe conditions the operator adjusts the itinerary or reschedules, and tells you as early as possible.
🏊 Non-swimmers: welcome. Life jackets are provided, the water at Koh Tan is shallow and the crew stays close by. Children taller than 120 cm pay the adult fare.
🤰 Restrictions: for safety reasons the tour is not open to pregnant travellers or to people with reduced mobility.
🗣️ Language: the tour is guided in English. Our own team answers you in French on WhatsApp, before and after booking.
Book this tour
Pick your date below: availability, prices and payment are handled by GetYourGuide, our booking partner. The tour is operated by Happy Samui, a GetYourGuide Certified Partner. Instant confirmation, mobile voucher, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.
In pictures
Frequently asked questions
Can we touch or feed the pigs?
We watch them respectfully and let them approach on their own terms. They live freely on the beach and are perfectly used to visitors. Note that landing on Pig Island carries a small entrance fee of ฿50 per person, paid on site, bring a little cash.
Is this tour good for young children?
It is the most family-friendly sea trip on the island. The boat leaves from the quiet south coast, so the crossing is short and sheltered rather than open sea, the water at Koh Tan is shallow, and life jackets are on board for everyone. Children taller than 120 cm are charged the adult fare.
How long does the trip last?
Around 5 hours door to door, including transfers. The road transfer from your hotel to the southern pier alone takes 40 to 50 minutes depending on where you stay, so be ready in the lobby 10 to 15 minutes before your pick-up time.
Is there a vegetarian option for lunch?
Yes. Vegetarian meals are available on request, mention any dietary requirements when you book so the operator can arrange it.
How do I book, and can I cancel?
Booking is handled by GetYourGuide, our booking partner: choose your date, get instant confirmation and a mobile voucher, and cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Bookings close 3 hours before departure.
Will I be picked up at my hotel?
Round-trip hotel transfers are included on the standard options, and the exact time is sent to you by WhatsApp or email after booking. There are also cheaper morning and afternoon options without transfer, if you’d rather make your own way to the pier.
📖 From the blog: The best snorkeling around Koh Samui · Koh Samui with kids
