Speedboat or Longtail Boat to Pig Island?

What a Speedboat Buys You

The first thing it buys is shorter crossings. A speedboat reaches Koh Tan in about 15 to 20 minutes from Thong Krut or Bang Kao; a longtail takes roughly 20 to 30, depending on the pier and the sea. The gap repeats on the hop to Koh Madsum and on the run home, so over a half day you gain perhaps 20 to 30 minutes, and they go back into water time.

The second thing, less advertised and often more important, is reliability in a short sea. A rigid deep-V hull handles chop far better than an open wooden boat, so on a marginal morning the speedboat trips run when the longtail departures are being reconsidered. If you have one free day on Koh Samui and the forecast is uncertain, that is worth paying for.

Speedboats also tend to run larger groups. Mid-size is the fair description: enough people that the pier wait is long and the beach lands as a crowd, but well short of a coach party. The most-reviewed trip of any kind is a speedboat, the Pig Island & Koh Tan Snorkeling by Speed boat, from $42 per person with 4.5/5 from more than 5,500 reviews, hotel transfers and a buffet lunch on Koh Tan.

Side by Side: Speedboat vs Longtail at a Glance

Two rows in that table do most of the work.

The price gap looks like $14 a head, but it narrows once you read the inclusions. Several longtail tickets fold both islands’ entrance fees into the price, while most speedboat operators leave the 50 baht at Koh Madsum for you to pay in cash on the beach. On the other side, most speedboat tickets include lunch and the cheapest longtail ones do not. Net it out and the two land closer than the headline numbers suggest, but the longtail is still cheaper.

The viewpoint walk is the one longtail-only item. Koh Madsum has a short climb to a lookout over the sandbar, and it turns up on longtail itineraries, mostly because longtail trips already spend more time on the island. It is optional and it is steep on an unpaved path. Wear shoes.

The Most Important Point: Pig Island Is Close

Koh Madsum sits just off the southern tip of Koh Samui, with Koh Tan, the usual snorkeling stop, right beside it. Neither boat makes a long open-water passage, which is why the speed gap matters less here than it would on a trip to Ang Thong or Koh Phangan.

On this route you will usually get more from choosing on group size, privacy, comfort, price and the itinerary than on engine power. Speed earns its place on a full-day route with distant stops; for the classic Koh Tan and Koh Madsum loop, a longtail is a perfectly practical boat.

How to Choose in One Question

Ask what you want the crossing to be.

If the crossing is transport, something to get through so you can be in the water, take the speedboat. You will get a little more reef and beach, and a better chance of going at all if the weather is marginal. This is the right answer for anyone with a single free day, anyone travelling with small children who will not enjoy the engine noise, and anyone with a fixed plan in a changeable month.

If the crossing is part of the trip, take the longtail. You will pay less, arrive a few minutes later, and quite possibly have a better time. This is the right answer if you have a few days on the island, if the weather is settled, and if the reason you are going to Koh Madsum at all is that it looks like the Thailand in your head.

There is a third answer, which is neither. Longtails are chartered by the boat, so for two people a private longtail charter costs from $101, against $84 for two shared speedboat seats, and gives you the beach on your own schedule. That is the option many couples end up preferring once they have seen the arithmetic. Our private versus group tour guide runs the same sums for families and larger groups.

Why Choose a Longtail Boat?

Book a longtail when you want:

• a private boat for two at a price close to two shared seats;
• the traditional Thai boat and the photographs that go with it;
• a smaller group and a slower pace;
• more say over timing, which a private charter gives you;
• the viewpoint walk on Koh Madsum.

For a short route like Koh Tan and Pig Island, it is one of the most natural choices. The longtail boat guide covers what the ride is like hour by hour.

Why Choose a Speedboat?

Book a speedboat when you want:

• the shortest crossings;
• a fixed group itinerary with hotel transfers and lunch in one ticket;
• kayaks or extra stops packed into a half day;
• a better chance of running on a choppy morning;
• a modern boat with more cover.

Speedboats come into their own when a tour covers more distance. For Pig Island alone, the time you save is modest because the islands are so close. The speedboat tours page lists the trips we would pick.

Which Is Faster?

The speedboat, every time. The question is whether the minutes matter. If both boats give you Koh Tan snorkeling, the pig beach, some time on the sand and the return, saving ten minutes a leg changes very little. It matters more on a full-day route, and on a day when you need to be back for a flight or a ferry.

Which Is More Comfortable?

That depends on the individual boat more than the category. A tourist longtail may have padded seats, cushions, a canopy, a boarding ladder and plenty of deck; a basic one has bare benches. Speedboats vary just as much: some are roomy, others feel cramped when every seat is sold.

Judge the individual boat. Look at:

• real photos of the boat itself;
• the seating and whether it faces forward;
• the shade;
• the maximum group size;
• whether there is a toilet;
• how you board.

Which Is Smoother?

Neither is guaranteed to be smoother, which surprises many travellers. A speedboat cuts through chop better but can still slam over it at speed; a longtail is slower but sits lower and moves with every wave. On a calm day both feel easy, and on a rough day both can be uncomfortable. The sea state matters more than the boat, and the best time guide has the month-by-month picture.

Which Is Better If You Get Seasick?

The short crossing helps whichever boat you pick. If you are sensitive to motion:

• sit near the centre of the boat;
• face forward and watch the horizon;
• avoid a heavy meal before you board;
• take your usual motion-sickness medication if it suits you;
• book a morning departure, when the Gulf is usually flattest.

A speedboat’s deep-V hull usually rides a short sea better than a longtail, but a fast, bumpy ride is still uncomfortable, so do not assume a speedboat means no seasickness. A larger catamaran is steadier than either small boat: the Koh Tan and Koh Madsum Half-Day Tour by Catamaran costs from $67 per person and holds 4.2/5 from 165 reviews.

Which Is Better for Families?

That depends on your family.

Private longtail is best if:

• you have several children;
• you want to set your own pace;
• you would rather not wait for a big group;
• you want to leave when everyone is ready.

Shared speedboat is best if:

• you want everything organised;
• you are happy with a standard timetable;
• you want hotel transfers included;
• you want a simple per-person booking.

Families with very young children should also check the minimum age, child-size life jackets, shade, the boarding method and whether there is a toilet on board.

Which Is Better for Couples?

A private longtail is hard to beat for atmosphere. It feels more intimate and more photogenic, and you are not on someone else’s schedule. A shared speedboat makes sense if you are watching your budget, want a packaged day, or care more about time on the reef than privacy. For a honeymoon or a special occasion, the private longtail usually has more character.

Which Is Better for Groups?

Compare a private boat first, then check the sums. The longtail charters on this site quote a base price for up to two people and price larger groups at checkout, so get the total for your group before you assume it beats shared seats. The Half-Day Private Speedboat Trip to Pig Island publishes a full-group price: $380 for up to seven, about $54 a head with seven aboard, against $42 a head on the main shared speedboat. It holds 4.6/5 from only 9 reviews, so read them before booking. For four to six people, shared seats usually still cost less; you pay for a private boat because you want it to yourselves.

Longtail group advantages

• your own boat and your own pace;
• a social day with only your group aboard;
• enough boat for the short southern route.

Speedboat group advantages

• faster crossings;
• more room on some boats;
• better if you add more distant stops.

If your group only wants Koh Tan and Pig Island, a longtail is usually enough boat.

Private Longtail vs Private Speedboat

This is a different comparison from shared speedboat against private longtail. Choose a private longtail for atmosphere, a small group, the short southern route, a lower charter price and a relaxed pace; the Private Longtail Boat to Pig Island with Snorkel costs from $101 for up to two people and holds 4.3/5 from 664 reviews. It has no hotel transfer, so budget a taxi to Thong Krut.

Choose a private speedboat for speed, a bigger itinerary, more stops or a larger group. On the simple Koh Tan and Koh Madsum loop it is often more boat than you need; it earns its price when the route grows.

Shared Longtail vs Shared Speedboat

Shared speedboats are the more common format in standard packages. A shared longtail is the budget option, and a full one can feel crowded because of the narrow layout. Besides the $28 viewpoint-hike trip, the Elephant, Pig Island and Snorkel by longtail boat costs from $42 per person with 4.6/5 from 184 reviews.

If you book shared, check the maximum number of guests, look at real boat photos, check whether the seats face forward and confirm the shade. The group size often matters more than the hull.

Which Is Better for Snorkeling?

Neither boat makes the reef better. The snorkeling depends on where the captain stops, the sea and visibility, the time allowed and how the group is managed. Both formats stop at Koh Tan. If snorkeling is the point of your day, ask how long the reef stop is, whether gear is included, and how many people go into the water at once; the snorkeling guide covers the reef itself.

Which Is Better for Pig Island?

Both. The pigs live on Koh Madsum, and once you are ashore the hull makes no difference: you wade in, meet the pigs, take photos, swim and sit in the shade. Choose the boat on comfort and style, since both get you there.

Which Is Better for Photography?

The longtail. The curved prow, the canopy, the long propeller shaft and the low seat over the water make the boat part of every picture of the Koh Samui coast, Koh Tan and the sandbar. A speedboat is functional. If you care about the light more than the hull, book an afternoon or sunset departure.

On Board: Noise, Shade, Toilets and Boarding

Which is quieter?

Neither. A longtail’s open engine has a distinctive roar; a speedboat’s outboards are loud at speed. If you want a quiet cruise, look at a larger catamaran or a sailing trip.

Which has better shade?

It depends on the boat. Many tourist longtails have a full canopy, and some speedboats have only partial cover. Look at the photos, and bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a rash vest either way.

Which has a toilet?

Speedboats are more likely to have one than small longtails, but plenty do not. An upgraded private longtail sometimes does. Ask about the exact boat.

Which is easier to board?

Speedboats often board from a pier, but this varies. Boarding a longtail can mean stepping off a beach, wading through shallow water or climbing down from a low pier. At Koh Madsum either boat may land you on the beach, so anyone with limited mobility should ask about boarding, the beach landing, ladders and step height.

Which gets you wetter?

The longtail. Its open sides let spray in more easily. A speedboat gives better protection, but you can still get wet in a chop. Bring a dry bag for your phone either way.

Which is better in rain?

Neither is pleasant in heavy rain. Longtails are more open and speedboats usually have more cover. Wind, waves and thunderstorms matter more than rain alone: what counts is whether the sea is safe.

Which Is Safer?

The boat type alone does not answer this. The safer boat is the one that is maintained, run by an experienced captain, carrying life jackets for everyone, not overloaded and only going out in suitable conditions. A good longtail captain on a calm day beats a poorly run speedboat, and a reputable speedboat operator runs a very safe trip. Look for life jackets, insurance, a clear weather policy, a sensible group size and an operator with a long review record. On this route operators pull longtail departures first when the sea is up.

Which Is Cheaper?

For one or two people, a shared ticket. The cheapest shared longtail starts at $28 and the main shared speedboat at $42 per person. The listings come in four kinds:

• shared speedboat tours, from about $42 per person for a trip with lunch;
• private longtail charters, from $101 for up to two;
• an upgraded private longtail, the Pig Island Private Luxury Longtail Boat Tour, from $513 for up to six (5/5 from just 7 reviews, so treat the rating as early);
• private speedboat charters, from $380 for up to seven.

So the cheapest choice depends on how many of you are travelling. Compare the total cost for your group, including the island fee, lunch and any taxi to the pier, before you look at the per-person headline.

Which Is More Private?

A private longtail. Chartering the whole boat is the longtail’s strongest advantage on this route, and it gives you control over the pace, the conversation, the photos and how long you stay at each stop. Private speedboats exist too, at a higher charter price. The private tours page compares the charters.

Half Day, Full Day, Morning or Afternoon

Which is better for a half-day trip?

Both. Choose a longtail if you want the boat to be part of the day; choose a speedboat if you want to move quickly through a set itinerary.

Which is better for a full-day route?

The speedboat. Once the route adds distance, the speed gap starts to matter. For a simple Pig Island and Koh Tan loop it matters less.

Morning or afternoon: does boat type matter?

Not much. Both formats run morning and afternoon departures. Morning gives you cooler air, usually calmer water and a free afternoon; afternoon gives you a slow start and late-day light. Private longtails usually offer the most choice of start time.

Picks by What Matters Most

Best choice for first-time visitors

The easiest day is a shared speedboat; the most memorable is a private longtail. If there are two of you and the budget allows, price the private longtail before you book two shared seats.

Best choice if you only care about value

Compare the whole package: hotel transfer, lunch, snorkel gear, the Koh Madsum fee, drinks, group size and the length of the trip. A slightly cheaper ticket can cost more once the extras are added.

Best choice if you want a traditional Thai experience

The longtail. It is part of the identity of southern Thailand, and on a route this short there is little reason to pass it up.

Best choice if you hate waiting

A private boat of either kind. On a shared tour you wait for hotel pickups, late passengers, the snorkeling group and the photo stops; on a private boat the schedule is yours. That matters more than the hull.

Best choice if you want maximum comfort

Look at a catamaran too. If deck space, a steadier ride, a toilet, shade and onboard facilities matter most, a larger power catamaran beats either small boat. The Koh Madsum & Koh Tan Speed Catamaran Tour costs from $64 per person, holds 4.5/5 from 107 reviews and carries kayaks and paddleboards.

A Simple Decision Table

Frequently Asked Questions

Is longtail or speedboat better for Pig Island?

A longtail is better for atmosphere, price and private charters. A speedboat is better for shorter crossings, packaged shared tours and choppy days.

How long is the ride to Pig Island?

From Thong Krut or Bang Kao, a speedboat reaches Koh Tan in about 15 to 20 minutes and a longtail in roughly 20 to 30, depending on the pier and the sea. Koh Madsum is a short hop beyond.

Is a longtail much slower?

Around ten minutes a leg on a normal day. Across the crossing out, the hop between islands and the return, a longtail spends perhaps 20 to 30 minutes longer on the water than a speedboat.

Is a longtail boat safe?

Yes, on a licensed tour. Life jackets are carried for every passenger on the itineraries listed here, and operators pull longtail departures in rough conditions, which is why longtails are the first thing cancelled when the sea is up.

Which is cheaper, a longtail or a speedboat?

The longtail, from about $28 per person against about $42 for a comparable speedboat trip. The gap narrows once you account for inclusions: several longtail tickets include the island entrance fees, while most speedboat tickets include lunch and the cheapest longtail ones do not.

Which is better for children?

A private longtail suits families who want their own pace. A shared speedboat is simpler if you want transfers, lunch and the timetable handled for you.

Which is better for seasickness?

A speedboat, usually, but there is no guarantee. A rigid deep-V hull cuts through a short sea better than an open longtail and the crossing is shorter, yet a fast ride over chop can still be uncomfortable. If you are prone to seasickness, take the morning departure, when Gulf water is usually flattest.

Is a longtail private?

Many Pig Island longtail trips are sold as private charters, but the cheapest longtail tickets are shared seats on a group boat.

Can you book a private speedboat?

Yes. The private speedboat on this site costs from $380 for up to seven people, with a private hotel transfer.

Which is more expensive?

For one or two people, a private boat costs more than shared seats. For a group, compare the charter total with the shared tickets; for four to six people, shared seats usually still cost less.

Which boat has a toilet?

It varies. Small longtails usually do not, and some speedboats do not either. Confirm with the operator.

Do both boats go to Koh Tan?

Yes. Speedboat and longtail tours both combine Koh Tan snorkeling with Pig Island.

Which boat is better for snorkeling?

The itinerary matters more than the boat: how long the reef stop is, where it is and how many people are in the water.

Can I do the Koh Madsum viewpoint walk on a speedboat tour?

Not on the itineraries sold here. The optional guided walk to the island lookout appears on longtail trips, which build in more time ashore. The path is short but steep and unpaved, so wear shoes, not flip-flops.

Which boat is better for photographs?

The longtail, for the boat itself and the low vantage point over the water. The speedboat, if what you want is a little more time on the sandbar.

The Bottom Line

For the Koh Tan and Pig Island route, the speedboat’s speed matters less than it sounds, because the islands are close to Koh Samui. Pick a longtail if you want tradition, a lower price, privacy and a relaxed day; pick a speedboat if you want a packaged shared tour, a longer route or the best chance of sailing on a choppy morning; and look at a catamaran if deck space and facilities matter more than either.

Couples and small families who want their own boat often do best with a private longtail; solo travellers and anyone on a tight budget will usually find a shared ticket the simplest value. Check your date’s weather before you book, because the state of the sea affects the ride more than the boat does, then compare the current Pig Island tours from Koh Samui side by side.