About this tour
When Lily from our team tried this private longtail boat tour out of Ko Samui, we were after something quieter than the speedboat crowds — and that's exactly what we got. The tour hits Koh Tan and Koh Madsum (Pig Island) over 4–5 hours, with your own captain steering a traditional wooden longtail at a pace that suits your group. Koh Tan's got decent snorkelling and a boardwalk through mangrove forest; Koh Madsum is the headline act — you get in the water with the island's famous resident pigs. It's a solid half-day escape if you're after something more intimate than the standard tour-boat circuit.
Highlights
- Your own boat and captain — no herding strangers around
- Koh Tan's mangrove boardwalk good for photos and bird spotting
- Decent snorkelling on coral reef without the crowds
- Swimming with Koh Madsum's pigs (yes, really, and it works)
- Flexible pace — you linger where it interests you
- Turquoise water and white sand, legitimately pretty
- Life jackets and snorkel gear provided
What to expect
The boat collects you from your resort (or a agreed pickup point) and heads east into clear water. Koh Tan comes first — you'll anchor and have time to snorkel the reef. Fish life is decent but not extraordinary; the real draw is the quiet. Then you walk the wooden boardwalk through mangroves, which is genuinely peaceful and good for spotting herons and kingfishers. Most of the tour's charm sits here — it feels removed from the Samui tourist treadmill.
Koh Madsum is the finale. The pigs are real, friendly, and slightly ridiculous in the best way; swimming alongside them is genuinely silly fun. Your captain will have seen it all before and handle the logistics smoothly. The whole day moves at your tempo, which beats the hurry-up-and-shuffle vibe of big group tours. Water's warm, boat's stable, and you'll likely come back with a grin.
What travellers say
- Private boat beats crowded speedboat tours hands down
- Mangrove boardwalk walk genuinely peaceful and scenic
- Snorkelling without queues or tour-group noise
- Swimming with pigs is cheesy but actually fun
- Captain tailors pace to your group's interests
- Turquoise water and white sand, legitimately beautiful
- Koh Madsum entrance fee not included — budget extra
- Snorkelling quality decent but not coral-spectacular
- No towel provided; bring your own or plan ahead
- Early starts required; not a sleep-in option
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Private boat means no schedule anxiety or fighting for snorkel space. The mangrove walk is a genuine highlight — peaceful and photogenic. If you're after a morning or afternoon escape without the resort-to-monument grind, this delivers. Works for mixed fitness levels as long as you're happy in water and okay with some light walking.
Koh Madsum entrance fee isn't included — budget extra. No towel provided, so bring your own or dry off slowly. Early starts mean you'll chase the best light and fewest crowds, but it's not a lie-in tour. Not suitable if you have back problems, are pregnant, or have heart concerns. Can get hot on the boat; bring hat and sunscreen. Snorkelling's decent but not world-class — if you're a coral-obsessed diver, manage expectations.
4–5 hours total. Water, life jacket, and snorkel mask included. Lunch and kayaking available as add-ons. Private transfer from your resort optional — public transport nearby if you want to save. Peak season (Nov–Feb) books up; book ahead.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.