PRIVATE KOH SAMUI TOURS – SECRET ISLANDS BOAT TRIP

Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island, is the star here. You reach it by private boat from southern Koh Samui, then share the beach with woolly pigs and piglets wandering along the sand. The trip also includes snorkeling, a beachside Thai lunch, and a walk through Koh Tan’s mangroves.

I like the flexible start time, which lets you aim for a quieter visit to Pig Island. I also like the small private setup: your minibus, boat arrangements, guide, and schedule are not mixed with a large group. The main consideration is that six hours goes quickly, especially if you spend extra time with the pigs and leave less time for Koh Tan.

Key points at a glance

• Pig Island comes first, with white sand, free-roaming pigs, and no regular town or electricity.
• Your timing is flexible, so an early start can help you reach Koh Madsum before the busiest period.
• Snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and island entry are included in the price.
• A private minibus and private group make hotel pickup and the boat connection simple.
• Koh Tan offers mangrove paths, beach time, swimming, and a slower finish to the day.
• Guide quality matters, and guides such as Ped, Cindy, Lars, Boy, and Lass have helped make the trip personal and informative.

Why Pig Island makes this boat trip different

Many boat trips around Koh Samui focus on scenic beaches and snorkeling. This one adds a quirky stop that is hard to confuse with anything else: Koh Madsum, where woolly pigs wander across a white sandy beach.

The island is uninhabited in the usual sense. There is no town, electricity, or running water, though a small bar serves visitors. The pigs are the main attraction, and you may see piglets as well as larger animals resting near the shoreline.

I would make this your first priority on the day. The morning visit can feel calmer, and one visitor specifically recommended starting early to enjoy Pig Island with fewer people around. Since you control the start time, this is one of the few parts of the trip you can shape to suit your preferences.

Bring a camera, but keep your expectations sensible. The pigs are a fun sight, not a wildlife safari. You are visiting a small beach where animals wander among people, so the appeal comes from the unusual setting and the simple pleasure of watching them, not from a long list of activities.

Private pickup from Koh Samui to Thong Krut

Your day begins with pickup at your accommodation in Koh Samui. The air-conditioned minibus transfer to Thong Krut, a fishing village in the south of the island, takes about 30 minutes.

The private transfer is useful for two reasons. First, you do not have to arrange your own way to the pier. Second, no other passengers are added during the outward journey, so the start of the day stays private and direct.

Thong Krut is a fitting departure point. It is a small fishing village rather than one of Koh Samui’s busier beach areas, and the boat ride from here to the southern islands takes about 25 to 30 minutes. You get a clear change of pace once the minibus gives way to the open water.

The return transfer follows the same general pattern. After the boat reaches Thong Krut, an air-conditioned minibus takes you back to the accommodation you provided. Hotel pickup and return are included, along with accident insurance and a mobile ticket.

Koh Madsum and the woolly beach residents

The boat reaches Koh Madsum first. You have time for photos, swimming, free time, and a look around the island. The beach is the kind of place where the setting does most of the work: pale sand, open water, and very little built development.

The pigs are the memorable detail. They may walk along the beach or settle near the water, and the presence of piglets can make an early visit especially entertaining. You can enjoy the sight without needing a long guided explanation.

This stop also has limits. Koh Madsum is small, and there is not a full range of facilities. The island has a small bar, but no running water or electricity in the normal sense. Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a change of clothes so you can enjoy the beach without worrying about wet clothing later.

Your guide may help with photos, explain the area, or simply give you room to enjoy it. Guides named in recent feedback include Cindy, Ped, Lars, Boy, and Lass. Ped was praised for joining the snorkeling and pointing out things underwater, while Lars helped make an early Pig Island visit especially useful.

Snorkeling near Koh Tan

From Koh Madsum, the boat continues to snorkeling waters near Koh Tan. The equipment is provided at no extra charge, so you do not need to bring your own mask or snorkel.

The description of the water is encouraging: calm conditions and clear views are expected, with the possibility of seeing less common sea life. Still, sea conditions can vary, and snorkeling is naturally weather-dependent. Treat the equipment as a practical inclusion rather than a promise of a particular underwater sight.

You can swim and snorkel during this part of the trip, while your guide may offer help in the water. That personal attention can matter if you are not a confident snorkeler or want help spotting small sea creatures.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask yourself how much time you want to give it. The day also includes Pig Island, lunch, and Koh Tan’s mangroves. Since the total duration is six hours, a long stop at one location will reduce time at another.

A Thai lunch beside the Gulf of Thailand

Lunch is served at a small local restaurant by a white sandy beach. The setting is one of the strongest parts of the day: you eat with views across the Gulf of Thailand rather than inside a resort or shopping area.

A traditional regional meal is included, along with soft drinks. The food is described as suitable for different tastes and not overly spicy, which helps if you enjoy Thai food but prefer a gentler level of heat.

The meal gives the day a needed pause. Boat rides, sun, swimming, and walking can tire you faster than expected, so a proper sit-down meal is more useful than a quick snack. One recent visitor particularly enjoyed both the food and the waterside location.

The exact dishes are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a fixed menu or a particular specialty. The important point is that lunch is included, freshly prepared, and served at a local beach restaurant. Your own extra expenses are not included, so bring money if you want anything beyond the supplied meal and drinks.

Walking through Koh Tan’s mangroves

After lunch, Koh Tan gives the trip a quieter and more natural finish. You can walk along paved paths through one of Thailand’s distinctive mangrove forests, relax on the beach, swim, or take photographs.

Signposts and information boards explain local plants and animals. This adds something useful to the stop. You are not simply being dropped on a beach with no context, and you can learn about the mangrove environment at your own pace.

The paved paths should make the walk easier than an unmarked trail, but this is still an outdoor island visit. Wear sensible beachwear and bring sunscreen, a hat, and rain gear. Conditions in the tropics can change, and the recommended packing list reflects that.

Koh Tan is also where you may need to manage your time carefully. One private party chose to spend much longer on Pig Island, leaving little time to explore Koh Tan beyond lunch. That is not a flaw in the tour, but it shows why the flexible schedule is useful and why you should tell your guide what matters most.

What the private format is worth

The price is $290 per group of up to two people. Look at it as a private day rate rather than a per-person ticket. For two people, that works out to $145 each before considering what is included.

The package covers hotel pickup and return, the minibus, a private group, a guide, the boat itinerary, lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, accident insurance, and the entrance fee for Koh Madsum. You are also free to choose the start time within the available schedule.

That makes the price easier to judge. You are paying not only for boat transport, but also for privacy and control. You do not have to spend the day waiting for a large group, and you can decide whether Pig Island, snorkeling, or Koh Tan gets the most attention.

It is less compelling if you are alone and mainly want the cheapest possible way to reach the islands. The price is designed for up to two people, so a couple or two friends will get the clearest value. A larger private group would need to confirm the applicable pricing before booking, since the stated rate covers up to two.

The guides make the difference

A private island trip can feel basic if the guide only handles transport. Here, the guide is part of the value. The listed language is English, and named guides include Cindy, Ped, Lars, Boy, and Lass.

Cindy helped create a relaxed day through conversation about Koh Samui and the nearby islands. Ped was able to explain local details in clear English and assist during snorkeling. Lars was praised for his friendly manner, island information, and care throughout the day.

Boy and Lass also received strong praise for their explanations and personal approach. One guide even made a small souvenir from a palm leaf, a simple gesture that added a local touch to the experience.

Guide assignments can change, so you cannot choose one of these individuals based on the available information. What you can expect is an English-speaking guide leading a private group and helping with the day’s timing, island visits, and snorkeling.

Timing, comfort, and who should book

The full experience lasts six hours, including the minibus ride, two boat crossings, island time, snorkeling, lunch, and the return to Koh Samui. That is enough for a rounded day without turning it into an exhausting full-day expedition.

I would recommend an early start. It gives you the best chance of enjoying Koh Madsum before it becomes busier, and it leaves more room for Koh Tan if you want to walk through the mangroves.

The tour is a good match for:

• Couples who want a private day without paying for a large private charter
• Friends who value flexible timing
• First-time visitors who want hotel pickup and a planned route
• People who enjoy beach time, light snorkeling, and unusual island sights
• Families with older children, provided everyone is comfortable with boat travel and swimming

It is not suitable for pregnant women, cruise ship guests, or babies under one year old. The experience also includes sun, water, boat movement, and walking, so pack for an outdoor day rather than a formal sightseeing tour.

Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, beachwear, a change of clothes, a camera, and rain gear. Booking must be made by 9 p.m. the previous day to reserve seats for the following day. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible.

Final verdict: a strong private choice for two

I would book this tour if you want Koh Samui’s southern islands without the feel of a large group outing. Pig Island gives the day its unusual hook, while snorkeling, lunch, and Koh Tan add enough variety to make the six hours feel worthwhile.

The biggest strength is control. You can start early, spend longer with the pigs, give more time to snorkeling, or make sure the mangrove walk does not get rushed. The private minibus and return transfer remove much of the usual transport hassle.

The main caution is simple: do not expect unlimited time at every stop. If Pig Island becomes the highlight, Koh Tan may receive only a short visit. For two people who value privacy, a helpful English-speaking guide, included meals and equipment, and a flexible day on the water, the $290 group price offers solid value.

FAQ

How long does the Secret Islands boat trip last?

The activity lasts six hours, including hotel transfers, the boat rides, island visits, snorkeling, lunch, and the return to Koh Samui.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Madsum, also called Pig Island, and Koh Tan. Snorkeling takes place in the waters near Koh Tan.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is operated as a private group, and the price covers a group of up to two people.

Can I choose the starting time?

Yes. The private format allows you to schedule the start time, subject to availability. An early start is recommended for a quieter visit to Koh Madsum.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return to your accommodation in Koh Samui are included in an air-conditioned minibus.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional lunch at a local restaurant by the beach is included, along with soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included at no extra charge.

Who cannot join this activity?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, cruise ship guests, or babies under one year old.