Snorkeling in Koh Samui: Koh Tan and Koh Madsum by Speedboat

The islands closest to Koh Samui stay uncrowded because most tours skip them.

A speedboat snorkeling tour from Koh Samui to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, two nearby islands in the Gulf of Thailand, with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and Thai lunch included. The reefs here are less trafficked than the popular dive sites, and Koh Madsum has become known for its semi-wild pigs that roam the beach alongside snorkelers. A minimum of 10 people is required for the tour to run.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling and beach day at islands

• Pick up from hotel
• Travel to Koh Tan island
• Snorkel at Koh Tan coral reef
• Travel to Koh Madsum island
• Snorkel and kayak at Koh Madsum
• Relax on Koh Madsum beach
• Enjoy freshly prepared Thai lunch
• Return to hotel

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Koh Samui hotel — the operator covers Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam, Bophut and other central areas — and a speedboat ride out to Koh Tan, roughly 15 kilometers offshore. Koh Tan holds the best coral reef in the area, and you'll spend time in the water with a snorkeling mask and life jacket provided. The reef here draws fewer boats than the heavily visited sites, so the water stays clearer and the fish less skittish.

After Koh Tan, the boat moves to Koh Madsum, an island that recently gained attention for its population of semi-wild pigs that wander the beach. You can snorkel the clear water around the island, walk the white sand, kayak along the shore, or simply sit and watch the pigs move through the sand. A freshly prepared Thai lunch and soft drinks arrive on the beach, so you eat where you are rather than heading back to a restaurant.

The whole outing runs 6 to 7 hours from pickup to drop-off. The tour includes accident insurance and suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with heart or bone conditions. Children from age 4 onward can join; those under 4 travel free but won't snorkel. If your hotel sits outside the main pickup zones — Nathon, Taling Ngam or the Lipanoi area — there's an extra transfer charge of 700 baht per person each way.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Koh Samui areas.
• snorkeling mask and life jacket.
• freshly prepared Thai set menu lunch with soft drinks and fresh fruit.
• accident insurance.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Oh-Hoo

Is this one for you?The 6- to 7-hour timeframe means you're back by mid-afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free — ideal if you want snorkeling without sacrificing beach time or evening plans. Book this one if uncrowded reefs and a quieter island experience matter more to you than the famous, heavily visited dive sites.

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Top questions

What's the coral reef like at Koh Tan compared to the main snorkeling spots near Koh Samui?

Koh Tan holds the best coral reef in the area and stays less crowded than the heavily trafficked dive sites, so the water clarity and fish behavior tend to be better for snorkeling.

Can I actually see the pigs on Koh Madsum, or is that just a gimmick?

Koh Madsum, rebranded as Pig Island, welcomes daily visitors with semi-wild pigs that roam the beach. You can beach comb among them, snorkel, or kayak, so the pigs are genuinely part of the island experience rather than a marketing angle.

What's included in the Thai lunch, and where do we eat?

The tour includes a freshly prepared Thai set menu lunch, soft drinks (water and cola), and fresh fruit, all served on the beach at Koh Madsum so you eat where you are.

Does the speedboat tour require a minimum group size to operate?

Yes, there is a minimum of 10 people required to run the tour. If the operator needs to cancel due to low bookings, they'll offer you a different date, an alternative tour, or a full refund.

What happens if my hotel isn't in the main pickup areas?

The tour covers central Koh Samui zones like Lamai, Chaweng, Bangpor, Maenam and Bophut. If you're staying in Nathon, Taling Ngam, Pagka or the Lipanoi area, there's an extra transfer charge of 700 baht per person for each leg of the journey.

Is this tour safe for children, and what age can they start snorkeling?

Children from age 4 onward can join the tour and snorkel with provided equipment. Children under 4 travel free but won't use snorkeling gear. The tour suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with heart, bone or spinal conditions.