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

Koh Madsum’s swimming pigs are the headline act, but this four-hour catamaran trip gives you more than a quick photo stop. You’ll combine a boat ride across the Gulf of Thailand with snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, an onboard slide, and a cooked meal.

I like the spacious catamaran, with seating on the front, middle, and upper decks, plus an air-conditioned room and proper toilets. I also like the way the schedule gives you real time at the islands instead of rushing ashore for ten minutes. The main drawback is that snorkeling conditions can be poor, and the tour is not suitable for people with several medical conditions or those over 60.

Key points to know before booking

• Pig Island gives you about an hour to an hour and a half for photos, feeding the pigs, beach time, and a short walk.
• Koh Tan is the active stop, with snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and a large inflatable slide.
• The catamaran has unusually good facilities, including soft seating, sunbeds, an air-conditioned cabin, and two toilets.
• Food is more substantial than simple boat snacks, with cooked dishes, rice, Thai food, and fresh fruit served onboard.
• Hotel pickup is included, but the transfer and waiting time can make the four-hour outing longer from start to finish.
• Snorkeling depends heavily on the day, and one outing had very few fish despite pleasant water conditions.

A fast boat ride with plenty to do

At $70 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, but it covers much of what you would otherwise need to arrange separately. You get round-trip transport to Ocean King Samui Pier, the catamaran, crew, guide, insurance, life jacket, snorkeling equipment, food, fruit, water, and soft drinks.

I see the value most clearly for families and mixed groups. One person can swim while another takes the slide, and someone else can sit in the shade with a drink. That flexibility matters more than a long list of included features, especially when children and adults do not all want the same thing.

The boat is also a large part of the appeal. You are not simply using it as transport. You can sit on sofas, bean bags, chairs, or sunbeds, and the upper deck gives you a good place to feel the speed and watch the coast recede. The air-conditioned room is useful if the sun becomes too strong, while the toilets save you from waiting for the next island stop.

The boat ride itself is speedy, so you reach the island stops without spending most of the day in transit. Still, sea conditions can affect the ride. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit in a central area, keep your eyes on the horizon, and bring whatever remedy you normally use.

Pickup from Koh Samui and the pier

Pickup is offered around Koh Samui, including Mae Nam, Bophut, Bangrak, Choeng Mon, Nathon, Chaweng, Chaweng Noi, Lamai, and Hua Thanon. The exact time depends on your hotel area. Morning departures generally collect people between 7:45 and 8:30, while afternoon pickup windows begin around noon and may run as late as 2:00.

The listed area times place Mae Nam, Bophut, Bangrak, and Choeng Mon around noon to 12:15, followed by Nathon, Chaweng, and Chaweng Noi around 12:15 to 12:30. Lamai and Hua Thanon are generally around 12:45 to 1:00. Your final confirmation arrives by email, so check it rather than relying on a general schedule.

The transfer is a useful inclusion. A minibus has been described as comfortable, with reclining seats, and one pickup took about 30 minutes from Chaweng. The less polished part is the possibility of waiting at the pier before boarding. On one outing, the wait was nearly an hour, with no refreshment offered during that period.

That is worth knowing if you are booking this as a tightly timed afternoon activity. Allow extra time beyond the stated four hours for hotel collection, traffic, pier procedures, and the return drive.

Koh Tan: snorkeling, swimming, and water sports

Koh Tan, also called Coral Island, is usually the first main activity stop. You receive snorkeling equipment and a life jacket, then have time in the water near the island. The setting is attractive, with clear water and coral areas that can offer colorful fish and other marine life.

I would keep expectations realistic. Snorkeling is nature-dependent, not a guaranteed aquarium visit. On one trip, the water activities were enjoyable but there were no fish to see at the snorkeling point. Weather, visibility, tides, and the exact stopping place all matter.

This part of the trip works well because snorkeling is only one option. You can swim, use a paddleboard, take the inflatable slide from the catamaran, or try kayaking. Paddleboarding was included on at least some departures, while kayaking was listed at 300 baht in one experience, so confirm the current charge before you go.

The slide is a major hit for families and playful adults. It turns the boat into a floating activity platform rather than a simple ride. You climb up, shoot into the sea, and then return to the boat using the ladder. A life jacket is available, but you still need to be comfortable entering open water.

The stop generally lasts about an hour to an hour and a half, giving you enough time to try several activities without treating each one as a rushed photo opportunity. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, use that time early. Once the slide and paddleboards are in use, it is easy to spend the whole stop playing above the water.

Koh Madsum and the pigs of Pig Island

Koh Madsum is better known as Pig Island, and the pigs are exactly what you come to see. They roam near the beach and enter the shallow water, where you can feed and pet them under the crew’s direction. They are friendly and make an easy subject for holiday photos.

The island also gives you a break from the activity schedule. You can walk along the shoreline, sit on the sand, enjoy the views, or spend time taking pictures. The beach has been described as especially attractive, and the pigs add a funny, slightly surreal touch to a standard island stop.

Expect other people to want the same pictures. The wait to get ashore and back onto the boat can take some time, particularly when several groups arrive together. That does not ruin the stop, but it means you should treat the pig encounter as a shared activity rather than a private animal meeting.

Use only the food provided or approved by the crew, and follow their instructions around the animals. The pigs are accustomed to visitors, but they are still animals, not photo props. Keep children close and avoid crowding them.

The stop usually lasts about an hour, though some schedules provide closer to 90 minutes. That is enough for the pigs, beach, and a short walk. It is not enough for a long, quiet island day, so book this tour for a lively sampler rather than a secluded beach escape.

Lunch, fruit, drinks, and the boat facilities

The included meal adds real value to the $70 price. Food has included fried chicken, fried rice, plain rice, noodles, Thai dishes, and fresh fruit, along with drinking water and soft drinks. The meal is served onboard and has been described as filling and surprisingly good.

Vegetarian food is available, but the choices may be more limited than the meat dishes. If you do not eat meat, tell the operator when booking and confirm what can be provided. Do not assume that a broad buffet will include many vegetarian options.

Fresh seasonal fruit is a welcome addition after time in the sun. Bring cash for personal expenses, including possible kayaking charges and any other purchases on the islands. Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, sandals, a camera, and comfortable beach clothes belong in your day bag.

The catamaran’s facilities make a noticeable difference. You can move between sun and shade, sit upright or stretch out, and use a toilet without waiting for landfall. Good hygiene and clean facilities were specifically appreciated, which matters on a half-day boat outing.

The meal timing may vary with the day’s operation. The supplied details list lunch and dinner as included, while the daytime schedule and recent departures describe lunch. Think of this as a cooked meal during the trip, not a restaurant-style service at a fixed hour.

How the schedule feels in practice

The advertised duration is four hours, but the whole outing can take longer once pickup and drop-off are included. The water portion follows a simple pattern: transfer to the pier, catamaran ride, Koh Tan activities, Koh Madsum, food and drinks, then the return to Koh Samui.

That compact schedule is useful if you want to see both islands without giving up a full day. You can fit it around other Koh Samui plans more easily than a full-day cruise, though you should not schedule an important dinner or airport transfer too close to the stated return time.

The order of the stops may change. Traffic, wind, waves, and weather can affect the route and timing. The crew may adjust the schedule for safety, and that is the right priority on open water.

The team includes a captain, crew, and English-speaking guide. Their role is practical as well as informative: helping with equipment, supervising water activities, serving food, and keeping the group moving. The crew has been praised for being friendly, funny, helpful, and professional without making the outing feel stiff.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples who want a playful boat day, and groups with mixed interests. The children can enjoy the slide and pigs, while adults have seating, drinks, a meal, and a chance to swim or snorkel.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a broad sample of the area. In four hours, you get two islands, a boat ride, a beach, animals, water sports, and food. You will not explore either island in depth, but you will get a good sense of what appeals to you.

This is less suitable if your priority is serious snorkeling. The reef stop can be attractive, but marine life is not guaranteed. It is also not ideal if you dislike group activities, waiting for other people, or sharing a popular beach and animal encounter.

The listed restrictions are important. The trip is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people over 60, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Insurance does not cover breathing difficulties, children aged 0 to 3, or people aged 75 and over. The operator may decline a pregnant passenger, and the schedule can change in poor weather.

Is $70 good value?

For a four-hour boat activity, $70 is fair if you plan to use the included features. The price becomes more attractive when you count hotel transfers, equipment, a cooked meal, fruit, drinks, insurance, and the catamaran’s facilities.

You are paying for convenience as much as scenery. Arranging a private boat, transport to the pier, snorkeling gear, food, and island visits separately could cost more and require far more planning. The trade-off is a shared schedule and less control over how long you stay at each stop.

I would call it particularly good value for a family, since several activities are included and the boat provides space to spread out. Solo visitors may find the cost reasonable for the convenience, but a private charter would offer more freedom if you have a larger budget.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the final booking terms and your pickup email carefully, since the precise start time depends on your location.

Final verdict: book it if you want variety

Book this tour if you want a lively half-day with Pig Island, swimming, food, and water sports rather than a quiet beach excursion. The spacious catamaran, helpful crew, meal, and onboard slide give it more substance than a basic island transfer.

Skip it if you need guaranteed marine life, dislike group schedules, or have a medical condition covered by the restrictions. For everyone else, $70 buys a convenient and cheerful introduction to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, with enough free time to choose your own pace once the boat stops.

FAQ

How long is the Koh Tan and Koh Madsum tour?

The water activity lasts four hours. Hotel pickup, the drive to the pier, waiting time, and the return transfer can make the total outing longer.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes a cooked meal, seasonal fruit, drinking water, and soft drinks. Food may include fried chicken, rice, noodles, and Thai dishes. Vegetarian choices may be limited, so confirm your needs when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. Snorkeling conditions can vary, and fish sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I kayak or paddleboard?

Paddleboarding is available on the boat, and kayaking is offered at the Koh Tan stop. A kayaking charge of 300 baht was listed for one outing, so check the current fee before departure.

Who should not take this tour?

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