Pig Island Tour Prices

How much is a shared Pig Island tour?

Shared tours are usually the cheapest option for one or two travellers. On the listings above:

• the cheapest listing on this site, the Pig Island & Koh Tan Snorkeling by Teak Cruise, starts at $26 per person (4.7/5 from 44 reviews, a newer listing);
• budget shared longtails start at $28 per person;
• shared speedboats with lunch start at $42 per person;
• fuller days with a viewpoint, an elephant sanctuary and lunch run around $52 per person.

The price depends on what is included. A very cheap shared ticket can still be good value, but check whether it includes hotel pickup, the Koh Tan snorkelling stop, lunch, the Pig Island entrance fee and snorkelling gear.

How much is a private Pig Island longtail?

Private longtails often cost less than people expect. The private longtail with snorkel starts at $101 per boat for up to two people, for about four hours, with the captain, snorkel masks, life jackets and drinking water. It has no hotel transfer and leaves out the island fee. The $137 private longtail adds hotel pickup as an option.

The key point is that private charters are priced per boat. You are not paying the full price again for each passenger, as you would with shared seats. Both charters quote their base price for two and price extra passengers at checkout without publishing that supplement, so enter your whole group to see the real total. That per-boat pricing can make a private charter competitive for families and small groups.

How much is a private speedboat?

Private speedboats cost more. The Half-Day Private Speedboat Trip to Pig Island starts at $380 per boat for up to seven people, with a private hotel transfer, snorkelling gear and soft drinks. That is close to four times the base price of the cheapest private longtail, though it seats more people. Its rating rests on only 9 reviews, so read them before booking.

The extra cost makes more sense when your group is large, speed matters, you want more stops or a newer boat, or you are extending the route. For the simple Koh Tan and Pig Island loop, a private longtail is often enough. Our private boat tours guide compares the boat types, including catamarans and yachts.

Why are some tours so much cheaper?

Usually because the format differs. A cheaper Pig Island tour may have a larger group, a simpler boat, a shorter day, fewer inclusions, fixed timing, less beach time or less snorkelling time.

That does not make it worse. If all you want is a straightforward Pig Island and Koh Tan trip, a simple shared boat can be excellent value.

Why are some tours more expensive?

Pricier tours may give you a smaller group, a private charter, a better boat, lunch, drinks, kayaks, paddleboards, a private hotel transfer, a longer day, sunset or an extra island stop.

The question to ask is whether you are paying for something you want. A seven-hour tour is poor value for you if you only want four hours on the water.

Is Pig Island entrance included?

Not always. Koh Madsum charges 50 baht per person to land, collected in cash on the beach. The $101 private longtail and the $42 shared speedboat both leave it out, while the $28 budget longtail and the shared catamaran include it.

This is why comparing only the visible price can mislead you. Before booking, check whether anything is payable in cash on arrival, and bring small notes.

What does the cheapest tour usually include?

Budget shared tours can include a surprising amount. Depending on the operator, you may get the boat, Koh Madsum, Koh Tan, snorkelling gear, a guide, hotel transfers and a life jacket. The $28 budget longtail includes all of those plus the island fee.

Lunch may or may not be included; on the $28 trip you buy it on the island. The island fee may or may not be included either. Never assume.

Is a VIP longtail worth more than a basic speedboat?

That depends on what you value. A premium shared tour costs a little more than a basic shared speedboat: the $52 viewpoint, elephant and lunch day costs $10 more per person than the $42 speedboat.

The extra money buys a fuller day with a viewpoint and an elephant sanctuary visit, a slower pace and a sit-down lunch. The basic speedboat can still suit you better if you want an efficient half-day, care less about the boat or are on a tighter budget.

Treat labels such as “VIP” with caution: on Koh Samui they do not refer to a standard product, so check what the listing includes.

How much does private cost per person?

Per person, private looks quite different. The $101 private longtail covers two people, which works out at about $51 each. Above two, the supplement only shows at checkout.

The private speedboat publishes a single price for up to seven, so the arithmetic is simple at $380 per boat:

Two people

$190 each.

Four people

$95 each.

Five people

$76 each.

Six people

About $63 each.

Seven people

About $54 each.

That calculation shows why families and groups should always check private prices. The boat may still carry passenger limits, supplements, the island fee or transfer charges, but the logic holds: a per-boat price falls per head as the group grows.

Private vs shared price example

Imagine four people are travelling.

Shared speedboat

$42 × 4 = $168, with hotel transfers and lunch.

Budget shared longtail

$28 × 4 = $112, with hotel transfers and the island fee.

Private longtail

$101 base for two, plus the extra-passenger price shown at checkout, plus a taxi to the pier.

Private speedboat

$380, with a private hotel transfer.

On the published prices, four people still pay less on shared seats. The private longtail comes close only if its supplement for two more passengers is small, so a family of four should price it at checkout before booking shared.

What about two people?

For two people:

Shared speedboat

$42 × 2 = $84

Budget shared longtail

$28 × 2 = $56

Private longtail

$101, before a taxi to the pier.

Shared is cheaper. The private boat still appeals if you value privacy, flexible timing, your own boat and a slower pace, and for $17 more than two speedboat seats it is closer than many couples expect.

What about six people?

For six people:

Shared speedboat

$42 × 6 = $252

Budget shared longtail

$28 × 6 = $168

Private speedboat

$380, about $63 each, with a private hotel transfer.

At six, the private speedboat costs about $21 more per person than a shared speedboat seat. At seven it is about $12 more per person. Confirm how many passengers the quoted charter price covers before you compare.

Is hotel pickup included?

Shared tours commonly include hotel pickup; every shared tour in the table above does. Private tours vary. The private speedboat includes a private hotel transfer, snorkelling gear, bottled water and soft drinks, which makes its price stronger than a boat-only quote. The $137 longtail offers pickup as an option. The $101 longtail has none, so you get yourself to the south coast.

Compare like with like.

How much can hotel transfer add?

That depends on where you stay. Transfers matter most if your hotel is in Chaweng, Bophut, Maenam or Choeng Mon, which are farther from the southern piers. One private speedboat operator on GetYourGuide charges 800 baht each way for the pier transfer, which gives you a sense of the cost.

If your tour has no pickup, budget for a return taxi. If you stay near Lamai or in the south of Koh Samui, the transfer matters less. Our guide to getting to Pig Island covers the piers and drive times.

Does lunch affect the price?

Yes. Some tours include a Thai lunch, fruit, soft drinks and water; others offer only snacks; many private charters include no meal at all.

Decide whether lunch matters to you. On a four-hour trip you may prefer to eat before or after. On a six- or seven-hour day, included food becomes more useful.

Does snorkelling gear cost extra?

Usually not on Pig Island and Koh Tan tours. Masks, snorkels and life jackets are included on every tour in the table above. Check anyway if you need a prescription mask, child-size equipment or fins, because availability differs.

Are Pig Island tours cheaper locally?

Sometimes. Local operators can quote lower direct prices than the large international booking platforms. Online platforms give you other things: easier cancellation, reviews, card payment, a clear confirmation and customer support.

The cheapest local cash price is not automatically the best value.

Why do GetYourGuide and Viator prices change?

Large booking platforms show live availability. Prices change with the season, the operator, the date, the currency, demand, promotions and the number of seats left. That is why this guide gives dated examples and ranges, not permanent prices.

Is it cheaper to book in advance?

Not always. Booking ahead gives you more choice, specific departure times, better private-boat availability and time to compare cancellation terms. Waiting can sometimes save money locally, but you risk losing the boat or the time slot you want.

Is it cheaper to book at the pier?

Possibly, with no guarantee. Turning up at Thong Krut can put you in front of local boat operators, but availability may be limited, language can be a barrier, transfers are not included, cancellation terms tend to be informal and you cannot compare reviews easily.

For most first-time visitors, booking ahead is easier.

Is the cheapest Pig Island tour worth it?

Often, yes. The core route is simple. You do not need a luxury boat to snorkel at Koh Tan, land on Pig Island, see the pigs, swim and enjoy the beach, and a budget shared tour gives you all of that.

Spend more if you specifically want privacy, a smaller group, a better boat, sunset or extra activities.

What should you pay extra for?

These upgrades can improve the trip:

Private boat

Pays off for groups and for couples who want their own pace.

Small group

Pays off if you dislike crowded boats.

Hotel transfer

Pays off if you stay far from southern Koh Samui.

Better boat

Pays off if comfort matters to you.

Flexible timing

Pays off if avoiding the busiest hours matters.

What is usually not worth paying extra for?

Be careful with vague labels such as premium, deluxe, luxury and VIP. They mean little without details. Ask what changes: the group size, the boat, lunch, the transfer or the duration.

Pay for real differences.

What is the cheapest sensible option?

For solo travellers and couples, a shared speedboat or a budget shared longtail.

For families and groups, price a private longtail at checkout with everyone entered, and a private speedboat once you reach six or seven.

That is the most useful rule on this page.

Best value for couples

A shared tour. For two people, private is a choice about privacy, atmosphere and flexibility more than money, and shared normally costs less.

Best value for families

Price the private longtail with the whole family entered. A family of four should always compare that total with four shared seats.

Best value for groups

At seven people, a private speedboat costs within about $12 a head of a shared speedboat seat and comes with a private transfer. For five or six, compare the totals; shared seats are usually still a little cheaper.

Best value if you want snorkelling

Choose by the time at Koh Tan. Do not pay extra for a better boat if the snorkelling stop is shorter. Our snorkelling guide compares the reefs.

Best value if you mainly want Pig Island

A simple shared half-day trip is enough. You do not need a long full-day itinerary.

Full-day vs half-day prices

Full-day trips usually cost more because they include longer use of the boat, more food, more stops and more crew time. Pig Island itself does not need a full day. If Koh Madsum and Koh Tan are your main goals, a half day usually gives you better value.

What hidden costs should you check?

Before booking, look for:

1. the Koh Madsum entrance fee;
2. a hotel-zone surcharge;
3. lunch;
4. drinks;
5. snorkelling gear;
6. pickup;
7. the return transfer;
8. extra-passenger charges;
9. overtime;
10. a private upgrade.

The cheapest visible ticket may not be the cheapest final cost.

Price checklist before you book

Compare these side by side:

Filling it in makes the real value much clearer. For help choosing between the listings themselves, our which Pig Island tour guide picks one for each kind of traveller.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Pig Island tour cost?

Shared tours start from $26 per person, and the well-reviewed half-day and full-day shared trips sit between $28 and $52 on the October 2026 listings.

How much is a private Pig Island boat?

Private longtails start from $101 per boat for up to two people, and a private speedboat for up to seven starts from $380 per boat.

Is private cheaper for families?

It can be close. For four people, compare the private longtail’s checkout total with four shared seats at $28 to $42 each.

Is the entrance fee included?

Not always. The fee is 50 baht per person in cash, and many tours, including the $101 private longtail, leave it out.

Is hotel pickup included?

On shared tours, usually. Private charters vary.

Does the tour include Koh Tan?

The better Pig Island itineraries include Koh Tan for snorkelling.

Does lunch cost extra?

Sometimes. Check the exact listing.

Is snorkelling gear included?

Usually, but confirm before booking.

Is it cheaper to book locally?

It can be, but online platforms often give you better cancellation terms and easier comparison.

Is a VIP tour worth it?

Only if the upgrade gives you something concrete, such as a smaller group, a better boat or better inclusions.

Is the cheapest tour bad?

Not necessarily. The basic Pig Island route is simple, and budget tours can be excellent value.

How much should a family of four expect?

On shared seats, about $112 to $168 in total. A private longtail for four costs $101 plus the extra-passenger price shown at checkout, so compare both.

The bottom line

Pig Island tour prices make much more sense once you stop asking what the cheapest ticket is and start asking how the tour is priced. For one or two travellers, shared tours are usually the cheapest. For a family or group, a private boat gets more competitive with every extra person, because charters are priced per boat.

As an October 2026 benchmark on GetYourGuide:

• shared tours: from $26 to about $52 per person;
• shared catamaran: from $64 per person;
• private longtail: from $101 per boat for up to two;
• private speedboat: from $380 per boat for up to seven;
• island fee: 50 baht per person in cash, unless the listing includes it.

Prices change, so use these as comparison points and check the live price for your date. The best value is the tour that includes what you need, Koh Tan, Pig Island, transfers, snorkelling gear and enough time at each stop, without charging you for extras you do not care about. Compare all our Pig Island tours from Koh Samui to check live prices and availability.