Koh Samui Boat Tours Compared: Ang Thong, Koh Tao, Pig Island (Prices & Tips)

Featured image: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Quick answer: which Koh Samui boat tour should you pick

Ang Thong is the usual first pick for most visitors. Families with young children can start with a standard Ang Thong boat, where a slow-boat child fare is listed from ฿700. Snorkellers should look at Koh Tao and Nang Yuan, listed around ฿1,950 per adult. Anyone prone to seasickness should ask about vessel size before choosing a speedboat. All prices on this page are indicative, so verify them before booking.

• First-timers: Ang Thong on a standard slow boat or speedboat.
• Couples wanting space: a VIP or semi-private Ang Thong speedboat, listed around ฿4,500 per adult.
• Snorkellers: Koh Tao and Nang Yuan.
• Tight budget: the Ang Thong slow boat, listed from ฿1,100 per adult.
• Seasickness-prone: a larger boat, and a calm-weather day if you can choose.

Compare the main boat tour destinations

Four destinations cover most Samui boat tours. Pig Island is the shortest name to remember and has its own guide at Koh Madsum Pig Island: Is It Worth It? Getting There & Costs. Time on the water and crowd levels vary by operator and sea state, so confirm both at booking. Ask how long the boat travels versus how long you actually stay at each stop.

Boat types: slow boat, speedboat, junk, VIP, private charter

Boat type changes comfort more than it changes the scenery. These Ang Thong figures are indicative listings, not current rates. One junk listing contains a typo in its price, so confirm ฿3,400 before paying. Speed saves time on the water but can mean a rougher ride. Slower, larger boats feel steadier but leave less time at each stop.

What boat tours cost and what is usually not included

A family of two adults and one child pays about ฿5,250 on an Ang Thong speedboat at the listed rates. The same family pays about ฿2,900 on the slow boat. Child age bands differ by product, from ages 3-10 on the slow boat to 6-12 on the Koh Phangan junk trip. Park entry rules and fees are published by the national parks authority, so check the current rate there. Ask whether the fee is included in the tour price. Also confirm hotel transfer, lunch, drinks and snorkel gear before you pay.

• Marine park entry fee: check at booking.
• Hotel transfer: check at booking.
• Meals and drinks: check at booking.
• Snorkel gear: check at booking.

Best season and sea conditions

Sea conditions and park access shift with the monsoon. Check the Thai Meteorological Department and the park office for current dates, and get the weather refund policy in writing.

How to book: agent vs operator, and what to ask first

A local agent can compare several operators and often meets you at your hotel or villa. A direct operator sells its own boat, and private charters are commonly quoted on enquiry with no public price. Compare like with like by asking for the boat type, group cap and inclusions in writing. A VIP speedboat listing, for example, caps the group at 16 people.

• Is the marine park fee included in the price?
• How many passengers does the boat carry on my date?
• What is the cancellation and weather refund policy?
• Does the crew hold licences, and are life jackets provided for children?
• What insurance covers the boat and passengers?
• What time is hotel pickup, and which pier does the boat leave from?

Sunset cruise and half-day options for short stays

Short stays suit shorter boats. A junk sunset cruise is listed around ฿2,500 per adult and ฿1,250 per child aged 5-10. A private sunset cruise has been advertised from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Some private itineraries add a meal stop at Koh Tan, Samui: Snorkeling, Boats and Costs, so ask whether yours does. For route details, see our Koh Samui Sunset Cruise Guide: Boat Types, Booking Questions and Backup Plans guide. A private catamaran for up to 6 people is listed at ฿19,500 for a half-day. For combining several islands in one trip, read the 4 Koh Samui Island Hopping Routes Compared (Time, Cost, Best For) guide.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most regrets come from price assumptions and weather. Cheap tours can be good value, but only when you know what is excluded.

• Booking the cheapest boat with no seasickness plan.
• Booking in monsoon season without a written refund policy.
• Assuming park fees, transfers and meals are included.
• Comparing a ฿1,100 slow boat with a ฿4,500 VIP speedboat as if they were the same product.
• Paying a deposit before you have the cancellation terms.