Koh Samui: Pig Island Private Longtail Boat Tour

Swimming pigs meet clear snorkeling water in one trip. I love the chance to linger on Pig Island with the pigs for photos and calm beach time, and I love Koh Taen snorkeling in seriously clear Gulf water. The whole day feels personal, since it is a private group and you are not stuck to a crowd pace.

One thing to plan for: you will pay extra on top of the tour price, including a 50 Thai baht park fee per person, and you also need to be comfortable getting on and off a small boat and swimming.

Quick take

• Go early for pig time with fewer people, especially if you can start around 9 am.
• Private longtail boat freedom means you can often choose how long you stay at Pig Island.
• Ko Madsum is the longer water stop, with swimming and kayaking.
• Koh Taen is the snorkeling highlight, with clear water and lots of fish.
• Park fee and drinks are extra, so budget a bit beyond the headline price.

Why Pig Island and Koh Taen are a smart half-day combo

This tour works because it stacks two very different kinds of fun without wasting hours. First you get the oddball, memorable part: pigs that swim over and hang out on their own little island playground. Then you switch gears to the practical joy of snorkeling in clear water with gear included.

For me, the big win is balance. You are not doing all “one thing” for four hours. You get beach time, animal time, and a real underwater session at Koh Taen.

Thong Krut Pier to longtail boat: how the day starts

Your captain meets you at Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui. If you choose optional pickup, the driver can collect you anywhere on the island, but if you are staying up on the hill you will meet at a nearby hotel or set meeting point instead. Either way, you will get the exact pickup or meeting time by email, so do yourself a favor and recheck it.

Once you are lined up at the pier, you transfer to the boat and head out. There is a short pier walk and sightseeing time at the start, then you are on water for about 20 minutes before the first island stop. It is not a huge time commitment just to get moving, which matters when you only have about four hours total.

Also, this is set up as a private tour with a longtail boat, so you are not waiting around for other groups to arrive. You are ready, you go.

Pig Island: swimming pigs, photos, and how to dodge the crowd

This is the main event, and it is exactly what you think it is, with one twist. Pig Island is known for its resident pigs, including the story that they swam over from Koh Taen. That is why they feel so at home here, and why the island is basically an animal photo studio mixed with beach relaxing.

You get a stretch of time to meet the pigs and hang out on the island. Expect shady trees for a break, plus white sand and open sea if you want to cool off. You can feed and interact, and you will also see pigs swimming and hanging around close to shore, which is how you get those easy, fun photos.

One practical tip from real-life timing: if you can, aim for an early start. People have described getting there around 9 am and having a quieter stretch before bigger groups roll in. Even if you cannot control the exact clock, your private format often helps you spend more time doing the parts you care about.

Drawback to keep in mind: animal-time is the star, but you are also sharing space on a small island. If you are sensitive to crowds or want ultra-quiet moments the entire time, you might feel the energy shift as other groups arrive.

Ko Madsum stop: the longer playtime with swimming and kayaking

After Pig Island, you move on and the day gives you more active water time at Ko Madsum. Here, you get a photo stop and then about two hours that can include free time, swimming, and kayaking, plus sightseeing. The schedule is set to keep this as a longer, “do what you want” chunk rather than a quick, rushed stop.

This is a good place to slow down a little. If Pig Island was about meeting pigs and posing for selfies, Ko Madsum is more about comfort and movement. Want to swim and cool off? You can. Want to paddle around for a calmer perspective? That is part of the stop too.

The possible catch is personal preference. If you are hoping for a strict, guided snorkeling experience only, Ko Madsum may feel more flexible than you expected. The upside is you are not locked into a single activity the whole time.

Koh Taen snorkeling: what the clear water gives you

Then comes Koh Taen, and this is where snorkeling takes center stage. You get a photo stop, sightseeing time, and a set block of swimming and snorkeling, roughly 45 minutes. In plain terms, this is your chance to use the snorkeling gear included with the tour and focus on what is under the surface.

The water here is described as clear, and the payoff is plenty of marine life. This is also a decent option if you are newer to snorkeling. You are in a short, controlled time window, so you can try it without committing to a half-day underwater session.

How to make the most of your snorkeling time:

• Keep your focus on steady breathing so you do not burn out early.
• If you are camera-happy, choose one quick moment for photos, then spend the rest watching fish and coral.
• If conditions feel a bit off (wind, choppy water), it can make the session shorter, and that adjustment is part of real ocean travel.

Price, park fees, and what you actually get for $107

The headline price is $107 per group up to 2 for a private longtail boat tour lasting about 4 hours. That is not a budget price, but for island-hopping on a small boat plus included snorkeling gear, it can be strong value, especially if you hate crowds.

Here is what makes the price feel fair:

• Private transport on a longtail boat, not a shared speedboat shuffle
• Snorkeling mask and life jacket included
• Optional hotel pickup and drop-off, which saves time on Koh Samui
• Time built around both Pig Island and Koh Taen, rather than just one “main stop”

Now the extras you should budget:

• Park fee: 50 Thai baht per person
• Food and drinks are not included

There is a local bar on Pig Island where you can grab something if you get hungry or thirsty, so you are not stuck without options. But you should plan to pay from your own wallet for anything you eat and drink.

Practical logistics you will want to get right

This is a tour where timing matters more than you might think, mainly because you are meeting at Thong Krut Pier. You can be considered a no-show if you arrive more than 10 minutes late, or if the captain has already moved on from the meeting point. If you choose pickup, you should show up at the hotel lobby at least 10 minutes early.

You should also assume the pace is fluid because it is the ocean. On at least one occasion, people described adjusting plans when weather looked like it might turn, including shortening water time. That is normal. Your best move is to stay flexible and go with your captain’s call.

Finally, the experience is not suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant, have back problems, heart problems, or high blood pressure, this one is not meant for you. That is not about “comfort,” it is about the safest kind of activity match for your body.

Who should book this private Pig Island tour

I think this tour is a great fit if:

• You want a private group and a more relaxed pace than shared tours
• You care about both animals on land and snorkeling in clear water
• You like the idea of choosing how long you stay on Pig Island, instead of getting ushered along

It is also ideal if you will be traveling with one partner or a small group, since the pricing is per group up to 2. If you have a family, you would need to consider suitability and comfort with boats and water, but the tour data does not spell out a family-friendly age range.

If you are someone who hates the “photo line” feeling, the early arrival angle helps. Even better, the private setup can mean fewer bottlenecks while you are on the water.

Should you book this Pig Island longtail boat tour?

Yes, I would book it if your priority list includes Pig Island pigs plus a real snorkeling stop at Koh Taen, and you value getting a private longtail boat experience for your group. It is also a good decision if optional pickup helps you avoid Koh Samui time-sink stress.

Skip it or rethink it if you are not comfortable swimming, if you have any of the health conditions listed as not suitable, or if you want food and drinks included in the price. The tour is built around time on islands and in the sea, so it rewards people who are ready for water travel and a bit of weather flexibility.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

You meet your captain at Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui. The exact meeting time (and any pickup timing) is confirmed by the activity provider via email.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

It is included only if you select the pickup option. Pickup can be anywhere on Koh Samui, but if you stay on the hill, you will meet at a nearby hotel or meeting point instead.

What extra costs should I expect?

You should budget for a 50 Thai baht park fee per person. Food and drinks are not included.

What snorkeling gear is provided?

The tour includes a snorkeling mask and a life jacket.

How long is the tour and how long are the main stops?

The total duration is about 4 hours. You spend time around Thong Krut Pier at the start, then roughly two hours at Ko Madsum, about 45 minutes at Koh Taen for snorkeling and swimming, and then return to Koh Samui.

What happens if I am late to the meeting point?

You may be considered a no-show if you arrive more than 10 minutes late, or after the captain has moved on from the meeting point.