Koh Tan + Pig Island (Speedboat)
Half-day to the famous pigs and Koh Tan snorkel cove. Morning or afternoon slot.
Koh Madsum, known as Pig Island, is twenty minutes south of Bophut by speedboat. The pigs are the photo opportunity that's launched a thousand Instagram reels — happy, free-roaming, unbothered by tourists. The half-day pairs them with Koh Tan, the larger and quieter island next door, where the snorkelling is and where the boat moors for an hour while you swim, kayak, and have a light meal at the pier.
Pig Island sounds like a gimmick and partly is — but the pigs are real, free-roaming, and there's no entrance circus. Koh Madsum is a small private island whose owners decided to keep a herd of pigs that wander the beach. They're cleaned and looked after; their living is the visitors who come, take photos, and leave them peacefully. The whole stop is about 30–45 minutes.
Koh Tan is the bigger story. It's a five-minute hop further south — about 5km of coastline, a small village of fishing families, and a couple of snorkel coves where the water clears up around 4m visibility. The boat anchors here for the longest stretch of the day; the kayak rental is included, and you can paddle out to the channel between Tan and Madsum where there's a small reef.
Lunch is light — fried rice, noodles, a local Thai sweet, soft drinks. It's served at a small restaurant at the pier when you return, not on the boat. If you want a real lunch, save your appetite for after the trip.
The afternoon slot is the underrated choice. The pigs are still there (just sleepier), the heat has gone out of the day, and the sunset cruise back lands you at the pier around 7pm with the light over Pig Island gone properly orange. Dinner at Lamai/Bophut after — perfect.
Best time of year: any month except October–November when seas can be rougher. The trip runs almost daily; book 24h ahead in high season.
- Price
- ฿1,200 / adult · ฿1,000 / kid (4–11)
- Duration
- Half day, ~5 hours
- Departs
- Bang Kao pier — 08:30 morning slot, 13:00 afternoon
- Returns
- Same pier, 13:30 (morning) or 19:30 (afternoon)
- Capacity
- Joint speedboat (up to 30 guests)
- Captain / operator
- Joint speedboat operator with Legitour-vetted crew
What's included, what's not
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Light meal at the pier
- Bottled water, soft drinks
- Snorkel mask, fins, life jacket
- Kayak rental at Koh Tan
- English-speaking guide
- Insurance
Not included
- Koh Madsum (Pig Island) landing fee — ฿50 / adult
- Photo with the pigs — ฿20 if you want the staff to organise it
- Alcoholic drinks
Sample itinerary
Pay on the day · cash or transfer · no card or deposit required
Book Koh Tan + Pig Island (Speedboat) on WhatsAppQuestions guests ask
Morning or afternoon slot?
Morning is calmer water and the pigs are most active early. Afternoon ends with a sunset over Pig Island, which is a different kind of magic. We'll book the slot you ask for — both work.
Are the pigs friendly?
Yes, they're habituated to people. They'll come right up. Don't bring food unless the boat staff approve it; the wrong snack makes them sick.
Is the snorkel any good?
It's decent, not legendary. Visibility 4–8m on a normal day, soft coral, lots of small fish. If you want the headline snorkel of Koh Samui, Ang Thong or Koh Tao are better.
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