About this tour
When Ben from our BugBitten team ran this island hop out of Koh Samui, it ticked a fair few boxes for a half-day escape. You're ferried to a pair of quieter islands — Koh Tean for snorkelling and swimming, and Koh Madsum, where a mob of semi-tame pigs loiter on the beach waiting for photos. The whole thing runs 6–7 hours door-to-door with hotel pickup included. It's pitched as less-crowded than the usual Samui island circuit, which counts for something in a region that can feel rammed. Small group size keeps it manageable, and snorkel gear, lunch, and boat fees are bundled in.
Highlights
- Pig Island's friendly-but-wild pigs make for genuinely odd, selfie-worthy moments
- Koh Tean's snorkelling in shallow, clear water with minimal crowds
- Private-group access means no jostling for beach space or boat real estate
- Lunch included; no hunting for overpriced beachside cafés
- Hotel pickup saves the trek to a mainland departure point
- Guides speak English clearly and actually engage with the group
- Islands feel refreshingly absent of the mass-tourism grind
What to expect
You'll get picked up from your Samui hotel mid-morning and head to a speedboat. The ride to Koh Tean takes maybe 30–45 minutes depending on sea state — sit forward if you're motion-sensitive. Once there, you've got genuine free time: snorkel the reefs (gear supplied), swim in the shallows, or just sit under a beach umbrella. The water's warm and clear enough to spot small fish and coral without fuss. Lunch — a simple but decent spread — happens on the sand.
After a couple of hours, you boat across to Koh Madsum. The pigs are the main event; they're accustomed to tourists but still wild, so don't expect them to perform tricks. The beach itself is small and peaceful. A couple of hours of pottering around, more snorkelling if you're keen, and you're back on the boat by mid-afternoon. The return ride is rougher if wind's picked up by then.
What travellers say
- Quiet islands with genuine escape from Samui's main tourist zones
- Snorkelling gear and lunch included; minimal hidden costs
- Pigs are unexpectedly charming and genuinely photo-worthy
- Hotel pickup saves logistics; no early taxi hunt
- Small groups mean actual attention from guides, not cattle-herding
- Boat ride rough in choppy seas; not for motion-sensitive travellers
- Not suitable for pregnant or spinal-injury travellers
- Lunch is basic; don't expect anything fancy
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you're tired of Samui's packed beaches and want a half-day island fix without the commute to Phangan or Tao, this delivers. The pigs are genuinely funny, the snorkelling is straightforward (no need for advanced skills), and the lack of crowds is real — you'll see maybe 20–30 tourists total instead of hundreds. Suits solo travellers, couples, or small family groups equally.
The boat ride can be choppy if the sea's rough; not ideal if you're prone to seasickness or have back problems. Pregnant travellers should skip it. The pigs, while mostly docile, are unpredictable — keep distance if you're uncomfortable around animals. The "exclusive island" claim is slightly overstated; you're the only tour group there that day, but it's not private. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard; you'll burn fast. The included lunch is basic — fine, not gourmet. Peak season (Nov–Feb) books out weeks ahead. Group size usually 8–15 people.
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.