Pig Island and Koh Tan: Snorkelling by Speedboat from Koh Samui
Updated October 24, 2026 · 4 min read
Pig Island and Koh Tan make sense as a shorter alternative to Koh Tao: beach time, animals and snorkelling fit into about half a day. The 4.5-hour speedboat tour starts at €36.19 and advertises Koh Madsum, Koh Tan, kayaking, snorkelling and lunch.
Two islands, two different reasons
Koh Madsum, widely marketed as Pig Island, is primarily the beach and photo stop. The pigs are domestic animals, not a wildlife sighting. Give them space, follow the local handler’s rules and do not invent your own feeding plan. Koh Tan is the water-focused stop, but visibility and the exact snorkel site depend on weather and sea conditions.
The published duration is useful for travellers who do not want the 10-hour Koh Tao day. It still includes check-in, transfers and boat movement, so 4.5 hours does not mean continuous swimming. Confirm pickup, lunch, kayak use and any island fee on the current booking page.
Speedboat trade-offs
A speedboat shortens the crossings but can be noisy, wet and bumpy. Ask the operator about suitability before booking if you have back trouble, are pregnant, travel with a very young child or cannot climb from boat to shore easily. Non-swimmers should confirm life jackets and how snorkel supervision works; equipment does not replace swimming ability.
What to bring
Use footwear that tolerates wet landings, carry sun protection and keep electronics in a dry bag. Do not touch coral or stand on it. If sea conditions remove the snorkel stop, the beach visit alone may feel poor value, so read the cancellation and itinerary-change terms.
Our recommendation
The Pig Island and Koh Tan speedboat tour suits first-time visitors wanting variety without losing a full day. Choose Koh Tao instead when snorkelling quality matters more than a short schedule and the pig stop.
