Koh Taen Coral Reef & Pig Island Boat Trip with Lunch Koh Samui

Thong Krut Pier and Samui's South Coast

Thong Krut is a small fishing village on the south-west tip of Koh Samui, far from the busy beaches of Chaweng and Lamai. Its wooden pier is the jumping-off point for the islands that lie just offshore, and colourful local boats line the shore beside seafood stalls and a little Buddhist shrine. After hotel pickup, you arrive here for a 15-minute safety briefing and to collect your snorkelling gear before boarding.

From the pier you can already see the green outlines of Koh Taen and Koh Madsum, only 25 minutes away by boat. This side of Samui is sheltered from the north-east winds, which helps keep the water calm for much of the year. How to get to Pig Island from Koh Samui is a frequent question: there is no regular ferry, so an organised trip from Thong Krut with boat, guide and transfers is the simplest way to go.

Koh Madsum, Pig Island

Koh Madsum, often spelled Koh Mat Sum, is a small island of powdery white sand, coconut palms and turquoise shallows just south of Samui. It is best known as Pig Island because a group of pigs lives freely on the island and strolls along the beach, sometimes even trotting into the shallow water to cool off. Watching them nose around the sand and rest in the shade of the palms is a highlight for children and adults alike.

You spend about 80 minutes on Koh Madsum, with time to walk the beach, swim in the calm, clear sea and take photos. Remember that the pigs are wild animals: watch them calmly, keep a respectful distance and do not chase them. Golf carts on the island are very limited, so plan to explore on foot. Is Pig Island worth visiting? For a light, fun and very photogenic stop with beautiful water, most visitors say yes.

Koh Taen Coral Reef

Koh Taen, also written Koh Tan, is the larger of the two islands and has a small community of fishing families. A fringing coral reef runs off its shore in shallow water, making it one of the easiest places around Koh Samui for a first snorkel. With your mask and fins you can see hard and soft corals, giant clams and sea urchins, along with shoals of sergeant majors, parrotfish, butterflyfish and wrasse darting between the coral heads and the sandy patches.

Our guide points out the best area and keeps an eye on swimmers, and the calmest spots are close to the beach. Please do not stand on or touch the coral, and use reef-safe sun cream to protect it. Visibility is best on calm, sunny days, especially from March to September. Koh Taen snorkelling is the heart of this trip, and you have about two hours on the island in total.

Lunch and Beach Time on Koh Taen

Between swims, lunch is served on Koh Taen, an easy island meal enjoyed in the shade near the beach. Afterwards there is free time to relax on the sand, swim again, or wander a little along the shoreline, where the island's quiet village life, coconut groves and calm water show a very different side of Samui's region from the busy resorts.

The beaches of Koh Taen are clean and peaceful, with very few visitors outside the small tour groups, so you can find your own patch of sand. Bring a towel, a hat and plenty of sun protection, as shade is limited along the water's edge. In the mid-afternoon the boat takes about 30 minutes back to Thong Krut Pier, where our driver is waiting to take you to your hotel.

Best Time for Island Trips from Koh Samui

Koh Samui has a different weather pattern from most of Thailand. The driest and calmest months are usually from January to September, with clear water and gentle seas that suit snorkelling. From October to December the north-east monsoon brings heavier rain and stronger winds, and boat trips may be shortened or changed when the sea is rough. Even then, the southern islands are often more sheltered than the northern ones.

Mornings tend to be calmer than afternoons, which is why this trip starts early. If sea conditions are not safe, the itinerary may be adjusted or the trip rescheduled, and we keep you informed on WhatsApp. People prone to seasickness should take a tablet before boarding. With warm water all year and short boat rides, this is a family-friendly way to see the islands off Samui's south coast.