Koh Samui: Koh Tan and Koh Madsum Half-Day Tour by Catamaran

Pig Island is only part of the story. This four-hour catamaran trip combines a fast ride across the Gulf of Thailand with snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, a boat slide, lunch, and time on Koh Madsum. At $70 per person, it offers a lot for one half-day, especially if you want several activities without arranging separate boat trips.

I like the comfortable catamaran, which has indoor air-conditioned seating, sofas, bean bags, sunbeds, and surprisingly good toilets. I also like the cheerful crew, plentiful bottled water, fresh fruit, and cooked meal served during the outing. The main consideration is that this is an active boat day, not a quiet island escape. Pickup coordination can take time, the sea conditions affect the schedule, and the snorkeling may be less impressive than the marketing suggests.

Five things to know before you book

• Koh Madsum brings the famous pigs: You can feed and pet friendly pigs near the beach, then spend time swimming or walking along the sand.
• The boat is part of the attraction: Seating is spread across the front, middle, and upper areas, with an indoor room, toilets, and an inflatable slide.
• Water time is generous: Expect time for snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and sliding from the boat, with kayaking costing extra according to one account.
• Lunch is better than expected: The meal can include fried chicken, fried rice, noodles, Thai dishes, vegetarian food, and fresh fruit, though vegetarian choices may be limited.
• Pickup is included: Transfers cover Koh Samui hotel areas such as Mae Nam, Bophut, Bangrak, Chaweng, Choeng Mon, Nathon, and Lamai.
• The tour is not for everyone: Pregnancy, back or heart problems, certain medical conditions, and the stated age limit of over 60 can rule out participation.

Leaving Koh Samui by power catamaran

Your day begins with pickup from Koh Samui and a transfer to Ocean King Samui pier. Listed pickup windows vary by area. Mae Nam, Bophut, Bangrak, and Choeng Mon are generally served around noon for the afternoon trip, while Nathon, Chaweng, and Chaweng Noi follow around 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. Lamai and Hua Thanon are listed around 12:45 to 1 p.m.

The wider tour information also refers to a morning departure between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m. Confirm your exact time by email before the day of the trip. Pickup can be smooth and punctual, but you may reach the pier well before boarding while the operator gathers people from different parts of the island. One useful lesson is to bring your own small drink for the waiting period, even though water and soft drinks are provided once you are onboard.

The road transfer has received praise for its comfort. The minibus may have reclining seats, and the trip from Chaweng to the pier can take about 30 minutes. Traffic and hotel location will affect this, so do not plan a tight appointment immediately after the tour.

Once aboard, the catamaran gives you more room than a basic longtail or crowded speedboat. You can sit at the front for the breeze, choose the central seating area, relax on a bean bag or sunbed, or retreat to the air-conditioned room. This flexibility matters in strong sun. The boat also has two onboard toilets, according to detailed feedback, which is a real comfort on a four-hour outing.

The vessel is described as speedy, but the ride is not only about getting from point A to point B. The open deck gives you clear sea views and a good setting for photographs. Keep your camera secure, especially when the boat is moving quickly or when you are wet from the water activities.

Koh Tan: coral, swimming, and water sports

Koh Tan, also called Coral Island, is the main water stop. The planned visit is about one hour, though the exact order may change. Some schedules place Koh Tan first, while the activity may also begin with Koh Madsum and finish with water sports near Koh Tan. Weather, sea conditions, and boat operations can affect the sequence.

The advertised attraction is snorkeling over coral and among tropical fish. You receive snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, so you do not need to arrange your own gear. The crew is present to help with safety and explain the area in English and Thai.

Set your expectations sensibly. The water can be clear and pleasant, with coral formations and fish, but marine life is not guaranteed at every stop. One family reported seeing no fish during the snorkeling session, while still enjoying swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and the slide. Snorkeling here is best treated as one part of the water stop, not the sole reason to book the trip.

The activity platform is where the tour becomes especially lively. Depending on the day, you can swim beside the boat, use a paddleboard, ride the inflatable slide, or take a kayak. Paddleboarding may be included, while kayaking has been reported as an extra charge of 300 baht. Bring cash for this and for other personal expenses.

The slide is a major hit with families and adults who still enjoy behaving like children on holiday. It is put up beside the catamaran, giving you a quick, splashy way to enter the sea. If you prefer calmer pursuits, you can simply sit on deck, swim, or watch the action.

The crew earns much of the praise here. They help guests get organized, keep the mood relaxed, and work hard to make several activities fit into a short stop. That is valuable when you have only an hour or so and want to try more than one thing.

Koh Madsum and its famously friendly pigs

Koh Madsum, often called Pig Island, is the tour’s most unusual stop. The island is known for pigs that wander near the beach and enter the shallows. You can feed and pet them, take photos, or watch them paddle around the water.

The pigs are the star, but they are not the whole visit. You can also relax on the sandy beach, stroll beside the water, and enjoy views across the Gulf. The stop is usually around an hour, although some accounts describe roughly 90 minutes. That extra time makes a difference because you may need to wait briefly to get ashore and later return to the boat.

Bring your camera, but keep your belongings protected from water and mud. The pigs are friendly, yet this is an animal encounter rather than a formal wildlife presentation. Follow the crew’s instructions about feeding and touching them, and wash your hands afterward if facilities are available.

The island can feel busy when several boats arrive. That is the tradeoff for visiting one of Koh Samui’s popular photo stops. You are unlikely to have the beach entirely to yourself, but the unusual setting and close-up animal encounters make it memorable.

If you are traveling with children, Pig Island gives the outing a clear focus. Younger visitors may not care much about coral identification, but they will likely remember standing in shallow water beside a pig. Adults get time for photos and a short beach break, too.

Food, drinks, and onboard comfort

Food is included, and this is one of the tour’s better values. The meal may include fried chicken, fried rice, noodles, Thai dishes, and fresh fruit. Vegetarian food is available, but the range may be narrower than the standard selection. If you have strict dietary needs, confirm them ahead of time rather than relying on the buffet to cover every requirement.

Fresh seasonal fruit is served, along with drinking water and soft drinks. The fruit has been particularly well received, and bottled water is available throughout the outing. Snacks are also part of the listed inclusions, with local snacks associated with the Koh Madsum stop.

The meal helps justify the price. At $70, you are not paying only for transport to two islands. The package includes hotel transfer, catamaran travel, crew, guide, insurance, equipment, food, drinks, and several activities. A separate boat trip, meal, and transfer could quickly approach the same total.

Still, keep in mind that the national park fee is not included. Personal purchases, such as kayaking or food for the pigs if sold separately, are also your responsibility. Carry cash, since the tour specifically advises it.

The boat’s seating makes this easier than a basic excursion. You can choose sun or shade, sit near the action, or take a break in the air-conditioned area. The toilets are another useful feature, particularly for families and anyone who dislikes being on open water for several hours without facilities.

What the four hours feel like

This is a tightly packed half-day. You have the hotel transfer, pier wait, boat ride, island time, water sports, meal, and return journey all within roughly four hours on the activity schedule. The advantage is efficiency. You can see Koh Tan and Koh Madsum without giving up an entire day.

The drawback is that the itinerary can feel busy. If you want long, unhurried snorkeling sessions or a full afternoon lying on an empty beach, this is not the right format. You will need to choose how to use each stop.

The order may also vary. One version places the coral and water activities first, followed by Koh Madsum. Detailed accounts describe Pig Island first and the water sports stop later, with lunch served onboard. The provider notes that traffic and weather can change the schedule, so think of the plan as a flexible outline rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

The crew’s organization helps keep things moving. English and Thai support is provided, and the captain, guide, and crew handle the equipment and safety instructions. The overall tone appears friendly and informal, but remember that you are still taking part in activities around open water. Listen carefully before swimming, boarding a kayak, or using the slide.

Who will get the most from this trip

This tour suits families, couples, and active first-time visitors to Koh Samui who want variety. You can combine animals, beach time, snorkeling, swimming, a meal, and a fast boat ride in one booking.

It also works well if you have limited time on the island. A four-hour outing leaves room for other plans later in the day, though you should allow for transfer delays and changing pickup times.

The trip is less suitable if you have back or heart problems, a pre-existing medical condition, or difficulty with boat transfers and water activities. The information lists pregnant women, people over 60, and children aged 0 to 3 as unsuitable. Insurance exclusions also mention breathing difficulties and people aged 75 or older. Because the age and insurance rules are not identical, ask the operator to confirm your eligibility before paying.

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes, and bring sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, and cash. A waterproof pouch is sensible for phones and money, though it is not listed as an included item. The tropical sun can be strong even when the boat is moving, so reapply sunscreen after swimming.

Is $70 good value?

For a half-day island tour, $70 is a fair price if you plan to use the included features. The strongest value comes from the combination of return transfer, a comfortable catamaran, lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, insurance, and crew support.

Families may find it especially useful because the boat supplies several forms of entertainment. Children can swim and use the slide, while adults can sit in the shade, paddleboard, snorkel, or visit Pig Island. You are not dependent on one activity being perfect.

The value is weaker for a serious snorkeler. If your top priority is coral quality and abundant fish, conditions may disappoint. The tour’s real appeal is variety, comfort, and the memorable pig encounter.

Should you book the Koh Tan and Koh Madsum tour?

Book it if you want an easy, activity-filled introduction to two popular islands, especially if you are traveling with children or have only half a day. The catamaran, onboard facilities, meal, friendly crew, and inflatable slide give it more substance than a simple island transfer.

Skip it if you want solitude, a long snorkeling session, or a slow beach day. Also check the medical, age, and insurance rules carefully, and confirm your pickup time by email. For most eligible visitors who want fun, photos, swimming, food, and a little island wildlife in one outing, the $70 price is reasonable.

FAQ

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

The activity lasts about four hours. Pickup and transfer time from your hotel are part of the wider day, and the exact schedule can change with traffic and weather.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfer to Ocean King Samui pier is included from listed Koh Samui areas, including Mae Nam, Bophut, Bangrak, Choeng Mon, Nathon, Chaweng, Chaweng Noi, Lamai, and Hua Thanon.

What activities are available at Koh Tan?

The tour includes snorkeling and may include swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and an inflatable boat slide. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided. Kayaking may cost an additional 300 baht.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes lunch, seasonal fruit, drinking water, soft drinks, and snacks. Vegetarian choices may be available, but the selection can be limited.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The national park fee is not included, and personal expenses are separate.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with pre-existing medical conditions, people over 60, and children aged 0 to 3. Insurance also excludes some people with breathing difficulties and those aged 75 or over.