About this tour
When Lily from our team tried this private speedboat tour, we headed out from Samui to explore Koh Madsum and Koh Tan—two quieter islands that don't cop the tourist crush of the mainland beaches. The four to five hour jaunt packs snorkelling, swimming, and island hopping into a personalized outing that suits couples and small groups after something more low-key. You're on your own boat, which means the pace and stops are yours to call.
Highlights
- Pilot your own pace across turquoise shallows between islands
- Snorkel live coral gardens without the tour-group jostling
- Pristine beach stretches—genuinely quiet compared to Chaweng
- Life jackets and snorkel gear sorted; just show up
- Island-hop flexibility—linger where it feels right
- Small-group intimacy means the skipper reads your vibe
- Pig Island's sun-baked shores deliver the postcard shot
What to expect
Expect a relaxed morning or afternoon of island-hopping with plenty of water time. Lily's crew picked them up, geared everyone with snorkelling kit and life jackets, then headed to the quieter islands. The water clarity varies by tide and season, but when conditions are on, the reef life around Koh Tan is vibrant—parrotfish, small rays, and decent coral coverage. You'll get proper swim and snorkel time at each stop, plus space to just float and decompress.
The speedboat keeps things brisk between spots, so there's no tedious cruising. Pacing feels unhurried once you're anchored. One heads-up: the boat ride itself can be bumpy if the gulf's choppy, and the sun exposure is full-on—no shade between islands. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and reapply often.
What travellers say
- Skip mainland chaos—genuinely fewer tourists out here
- Private boat means zero schedule pressure or crowds
- Reef snorkelling is decent; parrotfish and rays visible
- All snorkel gear and safety kit bundled in
- Skipper steers you to calm water and good coral
- Rough seas make it choppy and uncomfortable for many
- Full sun exposure with nowhere to hide during cruise
- Lunch not included; limited food options on islands
- Not suitable for spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor heart health
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This tour strips away the cattle-pen feel of bigger group boats. You control the itinerary within reason, the skipper knows the reefs, and snorkelling kit is included. Families and couples get genuine quiet-island time. Gear up and jump in when you fancy it—no queuing.
Lunch isn't included, so pack snacks or eat before departure. The boat ride's rough in choppy seas, which rules it out for anyone with spinal issues, poor cardiovascular fitness, or pregnancy. Water shoes help on rocky entries. Peak season (November–February) books fast. The speedboat is open-air, so sun exposure is relentless and sea spray soaks you—expect to be damp all trip.
Bring a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and cash for any beach vendors. Group size stays small (your party), and you'll need separate transport to the pier. Infants in prams are technically okay but impractical on a speedboat.
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.