Best Island Trips from Koh Samui: Pig Island, Koh Tan & More

2. Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park

Compare Ang Thong snorkeling and kayaking from Samui. Review the departure, inclusions and conditions for your date.

Best for: dramatic island scenery

Ang Thong is the big scenic day trip from Koh Samui.

The marine park is an archipelago of dozens of islands west of Koh Samui, with limestone cliffs, small beaches, lagoons, viewpoints and kayaking routes.

The experience feels much larger in scale than Pig Island.

A typical tour may include:

• boat journey from Koh Samui;
• kayaking;
• beach stops;
• viewpoint hike;
• lagoon viewpoint;
• lunch;
• swimming;
• limited snorkeling on some itineraries.

The exact route changes by operator and weather.

Why choose Ang Thong?

Choose Ang Thong if you:

• want impressive scenery;
• enjoy kayaking;
• like viewpoint hikes;
• are happy with a full-day excursion;
• want a more adventurous day than Pig Island;
• care more about landscapes than pigs or easy reef snorkeling.

Important seasonal point

Mu Ko Ang Thong has a seasonal tourism closure. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s published 2024 schedule ran from 1 November to 15 December; confirm the current year’s dates with the park or operator before booking November or December. See the official published schedule.

That closure matters when planning a Koh Samui trip in late autumn.

Outside the closure period, tours can still be affected by wind and sea conditions.

What is the downside?

It is a longer day.

If you dislike long boat journeys or are travelling with very young children, Pig Island + Koh Tan is easier.

Ang Thong also should not be chosen purely for snorkeling. The major attraction is the archipelago itself.

3. Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan

Compare Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan from Samui. Review the departure, inclusions and conditions for your date.

Best for: snorkeling

If snorkeling is the main reason you want to leave Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan are usually more appropriate than Pig Island.

Koh Tao is one of Thailand’s best-known diving destinations, while Koh Nang Yuan is famous for its connected sandbars and viewpoint.

Tours from Koh Samui normally involve a much longer day than Pig Island.

Expect:

• early start;
• fast-boat transfer;
• several snorkeling stops on many itineraries;
• Koh Tao;
• Koh Nang Yuan on many tours;
• lunch;
• return to Koh Samui later in the day.

Why choose Koh Tao?

Choose Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan if you:

• care strongly about snorkeling;
• are comfortable on boats;
• do not mind an early start;
• want a full-day marine excursion;
• are willing to travel farther for the underwater experience.

Why choose Pig Island instead?

Pig Island + Koh Tan is better if:

• you only want some snorkeling;
• you have young children;
• you want a shorter boat journey;
• you want to keep half the day free;
• you prefer a relaxed outing.

This is one of the clearest decisions in Koh Samui trip planning.

Koh Tan is about convenience. Koh Tao is about making snorkeling the main event.

4. Koh Phangan

For a daytime visit, Feel Travel’s private Koh Phangan itinerary describes a Samui departure and beach stops. Confirm return transport and the exact route directly.

Best for: beaches and a more independent-feeling day

Koh Phangan is much larger than Koh Madsum or Koh Tan.

It is a destination in its own right, with beaches, villages, jungle and the famous Full Moon Party.

As a day trip, it works differently from the classic Pig Island or Ang Thong excursion.

Some visitors simply take a ferry and explore independently.

Others book private boat trips that focus on quieter beaches and bays around the island.

Why choose Koh Phangan?

Choose Koh Phangan if you:

• want to visit another substantial Thai island;
• prefer beaches to structured sightseeing;
• want a private boat experience;
• already have enough time on Koh Samui;
• are interested in a specific beach or area of Koh Phangan.

Why it is less straightforward

There is no single “standard Koh Phangan day trip” in the same way there is a standard Pig Island + Koh Tan route.

The island is large enough that the quality of the day depends heavily on the itinerary.

If your goal is simply “I want one boat trip from Koh Samui,” Pig Island or Ang Thong is usually easier to understand and compare.

5. Private island hopping around southern Koh Samui

Start with a private longtail to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum and agree any itinerary changes before paying.

Best for: families and groups who want flexibility

One of the most underrated options is simply hiring a private boat from southern Koh Samui.

Private longtail and speedboat trips can include combinations of:

• Koh Tan;
• Koh Madsum;
• snorkeling;
• beach stops;
• lunch;
• sunset;
• extra time on the water.

The exact possibilities depend on the operator and sea conditions.

Why choose private?

A private boat is useful if you:

• are travelling as a family;
• have several people splitting the price;
• want to leave earlier or later;
• dislike large tour groups;
• want more snorkeling time;
• want less time at Pig Island;
• prefer a slower pace.

Private does not mean the islands themselves are private.

You may still arrive at the same beach as other tours.

What you are paying for is control over the boat and schedule.

Pig Island vs Ang Thong

These are probably the two easiest trips to compare because they appeal to different types of traveller.

Choose Pig Island if:

• you want a half-day trip;
• you have children;
• you want a short crossing;
• you want pigs + snorkeling;
• you prefer something simple;
• you do not want to lose a full holiday day.

Choose Ang Thong if:

• you want dramatic scenery;
• you enjoy kayaking;
• you want viewpoints and lagoons;
• you are happy with a full day;
• you do not mind a longer journey.

Which is better?

Neither is universally better.

Pig Island is easier.

Ang Thong is more dramatic.

If you have enough time, they are different enough to do both.

Pig Island vs Koh Tao

This comparison comes down to snorkeling.

Choose Pig Island + Koh Tan if:

• snorkeling is one part of the day;
• you want an easy trip;
• you want beach time;
• you want the pigs;
• you prefer a half-day excursion.

Choose Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan if:

• snorkeling is the main reason you are going;
• you want a dedicated marine day;
• you are comfortable with a longer boat journey;
• you do not mind returning late.

Koh Tan gives you a useful reef stop.

Koh Tao is the more serious snorkeling excursion.

Pig Island vs Koh Phangan

Choose Pig Island if you want a structured excursion.

Choose Koh Phangan if you want a bigger island to explore.

Pig Island is compact and purpose-built around a few hours of activities.

Koh Phangan can fill several days, so seeing it in one day is inevitably selective.

For first-time visitors to Koh Samui, Pig Island is easier to fit into a normal itinerary.

Ang Thong vs Koh Tao

This is the classic scenery vs snorkeling decision.

Ang Thong

Best for:

• limestone islands;
• viewpoints;
• kayaking;
• landscapes;
• photography.

Koh Tao

Best for:

• snorkeling;
• diving;
• marine-focused day trips;
• underwater time.

If you mostly want to stay above the water, choose Ang Thong.

If you mostly want to be in the water, choose Koh Tao.

Which island trip is best for families?

For most families, Pig Island + Koh Tan is the easiest recommendation.

The reasons are practical:

• short boat crossing;
• half-day options;
• pigs give children an obvious highlight;
• snorkeling adds another activity;
• less time sitting on a boat;
• easy private-charter option.

Ang Thong can also work well with older children who enjoy kayaking and hiking.

Koh Tao is better for children who are already confident in the water and comfortable with a long travel day.

Which island trip is best for couples?

Couples have more freedom because they are less constrained by children, nap schedules or large-group logistics.

Good choices include:

Pig Island private longtail

Best for a relaxed, photogenic half-day.

Ang Thong

Best for an active day with scenery and kayaking.

Koh Tao

Best if both of you enjoy snorkeling.

Private Koh Phangan trip

Best if budget is less important and you want a more personalised beach day.

Which island trip is best for older travellers?

This depends more on mobility than age.

Pig Island + Koh Tan is generally easier because of the short journey, but longtail boats can involve awkward boarding.

Ang Thong may involve steep steps or viewpoint hikes.

Koh Tao usually involves the longest day and more time on fast boats.

Before booking, ask:

• how you board the boat;
• whether you must step through water;
• whether there is a toilet;
• how much walking is involved;
• whether hotel pickup is door-to-door;
• how many times you transfer between boat and shore.

The “easiest” tour on paper may not be easiest for someone with limited mobility.

Which trip is best if you only have three days on Koh Samui?

Choose Pig Island + Koh Tan.

A half-day tour lets you experience a boat trip without sacrificing an entire day.

You can still spend the afternoon or evening:

• at the beach;
• in Fisherman’s Village;
• at your hotel;
• exploring southern Koh Samui;
• watching the sunset.

Ang Thong and Koh Tao make more sense when you have at least four or five days and can comfortably dedicate a full day to the excursion.

Which trip is best if you have a full week?

With a week on Koh Samui, you do not necessarily need to choose only one.

A good combination is:

1. Pig Island + Koh Tan for an easy half-day;
2. Ang Thong for scenery and kayaking;
3. optional Koh Tao if snorkeling is a priority.

These trips are different enough that they do not feel repetitive.

Which island trip has the shortest boat ride?

Pig Island and Koh Tan.

They sit just off southern Koh Samui and can be reached quickly from the south coast.

This makes them the obvious choice if:

• you get seasick;
• you dislike fast boats;
• you have young children;
• you want to minimise transfer time.

Remember that your road transfer from Chaweng or Bophut to the southern departure area may actually take longer than the boat crossing itself.

Which island trip is best for snorkeling?

If we separate convenience from overall snorkeling focus:

Best easy snorkeling:

Koh Tan

Best snorkeling-focused day trip:

Koh Tan works well for beginners and anyone who wants snorkeling as part of a mixed trip.

Koh Tao makes more sense if the underwater experience is the main reason for booking.

Which island trip is best for beaches?

This depends on what you want from a beach.

Pig Island

Best for novelty and photos.

Koh Phangan

Best for exploring a larger variety of beaches.

Koh Nang Yuan

Best for the iconic sandbar setting.

Ang Thong

Best for beaches surrounded by dramatic limestone scenery.

There is no need to chase a generic “best beach” label.

Choose the trip based on the rest of the day.

Which island trip is best in bad weather?

No boat trip is a good choice in genuinely unsafe sea conditions.

But shorter routes give operators more flexibility.

Pig Island and Koh Tan are close to Koh Samui, so you are not committing to the same long open-water transfer required for Koh Tao.

That does not mean Pig Island tours operate regardless of conditions.

Captains can cancel or modify any route if the sea is unsafe.

If the forecast is unstable, choose flexible cancellation terms and put your island trip early in your stay.

When is the best time for island hopping from Koh Samui?

For Pig Island and Koh Tan, the most dependable weather is generally from late January through April, although trips operate through much of the year.

Koh Samui’s wettest period usually comes later than Phuket’s, so June, July and August can still be very workable.

October becomes more unsettled, while November brings the greatest weather risk.

Ang Thong has an additional planning constraint: the park’s published 2024 closure ran from 1 November to 15 December. Confirm the current year’s closure before booking.

Weather can still affect departures outside that closure.

Morning or full-day island trip?

This is partly a lifestyle choice.

Choose a half-day trip if:

• you want flexibility;
• you have children;
• you dislike long tours;
• your hotel is expensive and you actually want to enjoy it;
• you only need one boat experience.

Choose a full-day trip if:

• the destination itself is a major priority;
• you enjoy being on the water;
• you want multiple stops;
• you do not mind a long day;
• you are visiting Koh Tao or Ang Thong.

A full-day tour is not automatically better value just because it lasts longer.

Sometimes a compact itinerary is exactly what you need.

Longtail boat vs speedboat vs larger tour boat

Longtail boat

Best for:

• Pig Island;
• Koh Tan;
• private trips;
• atmosphere;
• smaller groups.

Speedboat

Best for:

• covering distance quickly;
• Koh Tao;
• shared tours;
• travellers who prioritise speed.

Larger tour boat

Best for:

• Ang Thong;
• travellers who prefer more deck space;
• slower cruising;
• those who dislike very small boats.

The exact boat varies by operator.

Never assume a destination uses only one type.

Shared tour or private boat?

Shared tours

Best for:

• couples;
• solo travellers;
• lower budgets;
• people who want everything organised.

Private tours

Best for:

• families;
• groups;
• flexible schedules;
• special occasions;
• people who dislike crowded boats.

For four, five or six people, always compare the private charter price against the combined cost of shared tickets.

The difference may be smaller than expected.

What should you check before booking?

Before choosing any Koh Samui island trip, check:

1. Exact destination
2. Boat type
3. Shared or private
4. Tour duration
5. Hotel pickup zone
6. Lunch
7. Snorkeling equipment
8. National park or island fees
9. Maximum group size
10. Cancellation policy
11. Weather policy
12. Physical demands

These details tell you much more than phrases such as “premium island adventure.”

A simple decision guide

Still undecided?

Use this.

“I only want half a day.”

Choose Pig Island + Koh Tan.

“I have small children.”

Choose Pig Island + Koh Tan.

“I want the most impressive scenery.”

Choose Ang Thong Marine Park.

“I mainly want to snorkel.”

Choose Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan.

“I hate long boat rides.”

Choose Pig Island + Koh Tan.

“I want kayaking and viewpoints.”

Choose Ang Thong.

“I want a private traditional Thai boat.”

Choose Pig Island + Koh Tan by longtail.

“I want to explore beaches rather than follow a fixed tour.”

Consider Koh Phangan.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best island to visit from Koh Samui?

It depends on your goal. Pig Island and Koh Tan are best for a short, easy trip; Ang Thong is best for dramatic scenery; Koh Tao is best for a snorkeling-focused day.

What islands can you visit from Koh Samui?

Popular options include Koh Madsum, Koh Tan, Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Phangan and the islands of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park.

What is the closest island trip from Koh Samui?

Koh Tan and Koh Madsum are among the easiest island trips because they lie just off the south coast.

Is Pig Island worth visiting?

Yes, especially when combined with Koh Tan. The two-island format gives you both the unusual Pig Island beach experience and a snorkeling stop.

Is Koh Tan worth visiting?

Yes if you want convenient snorkeling close to Koh Samui. It works particularly well as part of a Pig Island tour.

Is Ang Thong better than Pig Island?

They serve different travellers. Ang Thong is a full-day scenery and kayaking trip. Pig Island + Koh Tan is a shorter, easier beach-and-snorkeling excursion.

Is Koh Tao better than Pig Island?

Choose Koh Tao if snorkeling is your main priority. Choose Pig Island if you want a shorter, more varied half-day excursion.

Can you visit Koh Phangan as a day trip from Koh Samui?

Yes. You can travel by ferry or arrange certain private boat itineraries, although Koh Phangan is large enough to merit a longer stay.

Which island trip is best for children?

Pig Island + Koh Tan is usually the easiest because of the short crossing, half-day options and variety of activities.

Which Koh Samui island tour has the least boat time?

Pig Island and Koh Tan are among the shortest because they sit close to the southern coast of Koh Samui.

Can you do Pig Island and Ang Thong on the same day?

Not sensibly. They are different excursions in different directions and should be done on separate days.

Can you do Pig Island and Koh Tao together?

Not on a normal tour. They are separate routes. Pig Island is south of Koh Samui, while Koh Tao is much farther north.

When is Ang Thong closed?

The published 2024 closure ran from 1 November to 15 December. Do not assume access resumes on 1 December; confirm the current year’s dates with the park or operator.

Do island tours run all year from Koh Samui?

Many do, but weather, sea conditions and seasonal park closures can affect availability.

Choosing your trip

There is no single best island trip from Koh Samui because the major excursions are designed for different kinds of day.

If you want easy, close and varied, choose Pig Island + Koh Tan.

If you want limestone scenery, viewpoints and kayaking, choose Ang Thong.

If you want a full day built around snorkeling, choose Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan.

And if you are travelling with a family or small group and value flexibility, compare a private longtail to Pig Island and Koh Tan before automatically booking a shared tour.

For most first-time visitors, Pig Island + Koh Tan is still the easiest entry point into Koh Samui island hopping: short journey, reef snorkeling, beach time and one of Thailand’s most unusual island stops all in the same trip.

Compare our current Pig Island and Koh Tan tours from Koh Samui to see shared, private, longtail and speedboat options.

Continue planning

Koh Madsum visitor guide · seasonal planning guide · Koh Samui snorkeling comparison · Koh Tan island guide · compare boat formats