About this tour
When Jake from our team took this private speedboat out from Samui, we had six hours hitting two low-key islands south of the main tourist drag. Koh Tan and Koh Mudsum offer proper tropical scenery — white sand, clear water, quiet vibes — and the headline act is Pig Island, where semi-wild pigs roam the beach. The boat does the legwork between spots, you snorkel where the reef's decent, and lunch lands at a local Thai spot. It's a tidy half-day escape if you want beach time without the chaos of Patong or Kata.
Highlights
- Private speedboat means no cattle-boat crowds or fixed schedules
- Koh Tan's reef holds decent coral and small reef fish
- Pig Island's feral pigs are genuinely unpredictable and odd to watch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included — no pier scramble
- Thai lunch breaks the day nicely without tourist markup
- Clear water and calm anchorages on both islands
- Life jackets and snorkelling gear provided upfront
What to expect
Jake boarded at the pier with the gear already sorted — life jacket, snorkel set, and cooler stocked. The 4-hour speedboat ride splits between two islands: first stop is Koh Tan, where you anchor and the snorkelling is straightforward. The reef here is patchy but populated enough; small schools of parrotfish and wrasse show up regularly. Mid-morning, you head to Koh Mudsum to see the famous pigs. They're genuinely wild — some laze in the shade, others wade. The vibe is surreal rather than Instagram-ready. Lunch happens at a basic Thai restaurant on the island: simple set menu, nothing fancy, but filling. The return leg is chilled; you're back before late afternoon.
What struck Jake most was how mellow it all feels. No rush, no herding. The snorkelling isn't world-class — don't expect Similan-level clarity or fish density — but it's solid for a half-day trip. The pigs are the real draw, and they're worth seeing once. Water temperature is warm year-round, and the islands genuinely feel quieter than Samui's main beaches.
What travellers say
- Private boat avoids crowds and keeps pace flexible
- Snorkelling gear and lunch included — fewer hidden costs
- Pig Island's wild animals deliver genuine oddness
- Hotel pickup removes commute to the pier
- Koh Tan reef is quiet and decent for half-day diving
- Sheltered anchorages mean stable snorkelling conditions
- Snorkelling quality is decent but not exceptional for the price
- Speedboat can be rough if the sea's choppy or swell's running
- Pig Island entry fee charged separately on top of tour cost
- Early start and fixed schedule suit morning larks only
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 want a managed half-day away from Samui town without a full island-hop marathon, this lands well. Small private groups mean flexibility and no queuing nonsense. Snorkelling gear, transport, and lunch all included takes friction out. Good for swimmers and moderate snorkellers who aren't after pristine coral or rare fish.
The pigs can be unpredictable — don't treat them like Instagram props. Stay back, watch, don't feed or touch. Early start (typically 8–9am departure) catches the morning. The snorkelling is decent but not spectacular; don't expect Andaman-standard visibility. Boat movement can feel rough if the sea's up. Pig Island entrance fee isn't included, adding cost. Not suitable if you're pregnant, have spinal issues, or poor cardiovascular health — speedboat chop is real. Infants must sit on laps. If you're keen on kayaking, that's an extra 350 Baht per boat and not automatic.
reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof bag for your phone, a light layer for the breeze, and your sense of humour.
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.