Koh Madsum and Koh Tan Snorkeling Trip By Speedboat From Koh Samui

Koh Madsum and Koh Tan make a good half-day escape from Koh Samui, especially if you want snorkeling, kayaking, and beach time without arranging a private boat. The speedboat ride from Thong Krut takes about 15 minutes, so you spend more time on the islands than in transit at sea.

I like the simple package: equipment, lunch, drinks, fruit, hotel transfers, and accident insurance are included. I also like the balance between active and easygoing time, with snorkeling at Koh Tan followed by several hours for kayaking, swimming, or resting on Koh Madsum.

The main caution is that the day depends heavily on transport planning and weather. Some bookings have involved long vehicle transfers or changes in the departure point, and snorkeling may be shortened or canceled when conditions turn poor. A 50-baht island admission fee is also payable separately.

Key points to know before booking

• Koh Madsum is the relaxed stop: You get around three hours for lunch, kayaking, swimming, beach time, and the island’s well-known pigs.
• Koh Tan provides the main snorkeling: About 40 minutes in the water can be enough for a short reef session, but it is not a full-day snorkeling expedition.
• Pickup covers much of Koh Samui: Transfers are offered from Lamai, Chaweng, Bophut, Maenam, Bangpor, Bangrak, Cheong Mon, and nearby areas.
• The group can reach 30 people: This keeps the price low but means the outing is not a private or intimate boat trip.
• Budget for 50 baht extra: The island admission charge is not included in the advertised price.
• Remote pickup costs more: Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, and Lipayai require an extra 700 baht per person each way.

A quick boat ride from Thong Krut

The outing begins with hotel pickup between about 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. Your vehicle takes you to Thong Krut Beach, on Koh Samui’s southern coast, where the speedboat leaves for Koh Tan.

This transfer is included from many of the island’s main resort zones. That matters because Thong Krut is not close to every hotel area, and a taxi to the pier could add cost and hassle. If you are staying in one of the listed pickup areas, the included ride gives this trip a clear advantage over arranging the boat yourself.

The advertised boat ride from Thong Krut to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes. That short crossing is useful if you dislike long open-water journeys or are traveling with children. It also leaves more of the morning for actual island time.

Allow some flexibility in your schedule. Pickup routes can take time, and the operator may adjust the departure point or order of stops. One particularly poor experience involved a long wait followed by a minibus transfer to another pier. That does not appear to be the planned norm, but it is a reason to confirm the pickup time and pier before setting out.

Koh Tan for a short reef session

Koh Tan is the first major stop. The plan is to spend about an hour in the area, with roughly 40 minutes commonly allotted for snorkeling. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are supplied, so you do not need to bring specialist equipment.

The snorkeling is the strongest reason to choose this particular route. The water can offer plenty of fish and visible coral, with the pale seabed making the reef easier to see in good conditions. At the same time, keep your expectations sensible. This is a compact excursion, not a long marine safari with several reef sites.

Forty minutes is a reasonable amount of time for a first look at the reef. You can swim, watch the fish, and return to the boat without spending the whole morning in the water. If you are an experienced snorkeler hoping for several hours of exploration, the schedule will feel brief.

The quality of the water depends on weather, tide, visibility, and sea conditions. The operator requires good weather, and the snorkeling portion can be changed or dropped if conditions are unsafe. Bring a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag if you have one. The supplied gear covers the basics, but it does not replace your own prescription mask or camera protection.

Koh Madsum, beach time, and the pigs

After Koh Tan, the boat heads to Koh Madsum, also called Pig Island. The planned visit lasts around three hours, making this the main stop rather than a quick photo call.

Koh Madsum’s appeal is easy to understand. You can sit on the white sand, swim, use a kayak, or simply enjoy a slower pace after the boat ride and snorkeling. Sunbeds are included, which is useful if you want a proper place to rest rather than spending the whole stop on a towel.

The island is also known for its pigs. The animals are part of the attraction, but they change the mood of the beach. Feeding brings them close to visitors, and the area can feel more like a busy tourist stop than an untouched island. Pigs also create obvious cleanliness issues around the water and sand.

I would treat the pigs as an extra feature, not the main reason to book. If you want a quiet, pristine beach with no interruptions, this stop may disappoint. If you are amused by the unusual sight of pigs on a tropical island, it adds a memorable, slightly comic element to the day.

The number of pigs has changed over time. One account described about 10 animals, but you should not assume a particular number on your visit. The island itself is the more dependable part of the experience: beach, water, shade, lunch, and a few hours away from Samui.

Lunch gives the half-day structure

Lunch is served on Koh Madsum, with soft drinks such as water and cola, plus fresh fruit. The meal is cooked as part of the excursion and helps make the price more useful than a boat trip that leaves you to buy everything separately.

The food has received some of the warmest praise connected with this tour. A well-prepared Thai meal matters here because you are spending several hours on a small island, where food choices may be limited or priced for day visitors. You can eat without cutting into your beach time to search for a restaurant.

The exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before departure. The supplied information does not promise vegetarian, vegan, halal, or allergy-specific meals.

Lunch is scheduled around 12:30, although the order can shift with sea conditions and the pace of the group. That is one reason the total trip is described as roughly five to six hours rather than a tightly timed five-hour program.

Kayaking is included, but the schedule is flexible

Kayaks are included, and Koh Madsum is the main place to use them. You can paddle for a while, then return to swimming or resting. This is a useful addition because it gives you something to do on the beach beyond taking photos.

The itinerary also refers to kayaking around Koh Tan, though the main stop for kayaking appears to be Koh Madsum. The precise timing is not fixed in the supplied schedule, so ask the crew where and when the kayaks will be available once you arrive.

Kayaking is best understood as a light activity, not a guided coastal tour. No detailed route or instruction program is described. Life jackets are supplied, and the crew can direct you to the launch area, but you should not expect a dedicated kayaking guide or a long paddle around the island.

What the $50.15 price really includes

At about $50.15 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to combine transport and several activities. You are paying for hotel pickup in selected areas, the speedboat, snorkeling gear, life jacket, kayak, sunbed, lunch, soft drinks, fruit, and accident insurance.

Arranging those pieces separately would take more time and could cost more, especially if you need a taxi to Thong Krut. The package also removes the need to negotiate with boatmen at the pier. That convenience is the core value of the tour.

The price is less attractive if you are staying far from the included pickup zones. Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, and Lipayai carry an extra 700 baht per person each way. That surcharge can quickly make a private arrangement or another departure point worth comparing.

Add the 50-baht admission fee to your budget. It is small, but the advertised price is not the final cost. You should also bring money for anything not included, although the supplied information does not list extra activities or purchases.

The group can hold up to 30 people. That is a reasonable size for a budget speedboat trip, but it affects the feel of the day. Boarding, distributing equipment, entering the water, and serving lunch all take longer with a full boat. If you want control over the timing, a private charter will suit you better.

How the day suits different kinds of visitors

This trip suits you if you want a straightforward island sampler from Koh Samui. It works well for couples, families with children aged 4 to 11, and anyone who wants some snorkeling without committing to a full-day boat tour.

Most people can take part, but the operator does not recommend the activity for people who are pregnant or who have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases. The trip involves a vehicle transfer, speedboat travel, swimming, and getting in and out of the water, so consider those demands honestly.

Children need to be old enough to follow boat and water instructions. A child ticket applies from ages 4 through 11. The information does not give a separate infant policy, so contact the provider if you are traveling with a child younger than four.

This outing is not recommended if you are arriving by cruise ship or large boat. The morning pickup schedule and five to six hour duration leave too little control for a cruise departure time, even if the ship is in port for the day.

What to expect from the service

The operator is Oh-Hoo. The crew’s role is practical: transfer you to the pier, supply safety gear, organize the boat stops, provide lunch, and help with the water activities.

The most praised parts of the experience are the friendly assistance, the meal, and the reef session. Good crew support matters on a trip like this because the day moves between vehicle, boat, beach, snorkeling, and kayaking. Clear instructions and quick help with equipment make the schedule easier to enjoy.

The weaker experiences center on planning. Long waits, a long minibus ride, and a missed snorkeling stop can turn a short island trip into a tiring day. Weather is not under the operator’s control, but delays and unclear pier arrangements are still worth watching.

I would confirm three things before departure: your pickup time, the exact pier, and whether the trip is running as planned. That small check can prevent a great deal of confusion on the morning of the tour.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum of 10 participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Inside that 24-hour window, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. These cutoffs use local Koh Samui time.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, a towel, and a waterproof way to carry essentials. The tour supplies the mask, snorkel, life jacket, kayak, and sunbed, but the information does not state that towels or lockers are provided.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is provided at booking. The tour is also near public transportation, though the included hotel transfer is more useful for most people than arranging a separate ride to Thong Krut.

Should you book this Koh Samui island trip?

Book it if you want a convenient, fairly priced morning combining two islands, a short snorkeling session, kayaking, lunch, and beach time. The included transfer and meal make the $50.15 cost sensible for many visitors, and the reef, friendly crew, and relaxed Koh Madsum stop are the strongest reasons to go.

Think twice if you want quiet beaches, a private boat, a long snorkeling session, or exact control over the timetable. The pigs can make Koh Madsum feel crowded and messy, and the tour’s transport planning has not always been smooth.

For most people, the best approach is to book with realistic expectations: this is a social island day with several activities, not a remote-island expedition. Confirm your pickup and pier, allow the schedule to move with the sea, and carry the extra 50-baht admission fee.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Madsum and Koh Tan trip last?

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours, including hotel pickup, the pier transfer, speedboat travel, snorkeling, beach time, kayaking, and lunch.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am, with hotel pickup scheduled between about 8:30 and 9:00 am.

Where does the speedboat leave from?

The speedboat departs from Thong Krut Beach on Koh Samui’s southern coast.

How long is the speedboat ride to Koh Tan?

The speedboat ride from Thong Krut to Koh Tan takes about 15 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and life jacket are included.

How long do you spend snorkeling?

The schedule allows about one hour at Koh Tan, with approximately 40 minutes commonly allotted for snorkeling.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, soft drinks such as water and cola, and fresh fruit are included.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaks are included, with kayaking planned around the island stops, particularly Koh Madsum.

How much is the island admission fee?

A separate admission fee of 50 baht per person is payable.

Does hotel pickup cover every area of Koh Samui?

No. Included pickup covers areas including Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut, Cheong Mon, Bangrak, and the Butterfly Garden. Pickup from Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka, Lipanoi, and Lipayai costs an additional 700 baht per person each way.