Koh Madsum (pig island) Koh Ten, Five island Tour

Island hopping gets better with fewer people. This private sailing trip from Koh Samui combines Koh Madsum’s famous pigs, Koh Tan snorkeling, five-island views, and a polished yacht setting. I especially like the private format for families, couples, and groups who want their own space instead of being packed onto a large excursion boat.

The food is another strong point. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, alcoholic drinks, and an open bar are included, with Mediterranean and Italian cooking served aboard the Independence. The crew also receives high praise for attentive service, and Luca the captain and Nok the hostess are named for their warm, professional care.

The main thing to check before booking is the duration. The description refers to a two-day, one-night sailing experience, but the detailed schedule runs from about 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and returns to your hotel the same day. Confirm the exact program, and also ask how Ang Thong Marine Park fits into your date, since the timed itinerary centers on Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, and the Five Islands.

Key points to know before you book

• Private yacht for up to six people: The $1,464.84 price is per group, not per person, making the cost easier to justify when six people share it.
• Koh Madsum is the headline stop: The island is also called Pig Island, and the visit gives you the tour’s most unusual photo opportunity.
• A full day on the water: The scheduled day begins with resort pickup around 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. and ends with a return transfer around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.
• Food and drinks are part of the package: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, alcoholic beverages, and an open bar are included, though an extra bottle of wine costs more.
• Snorkeling is planned at Koh Tan: Equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel.
• The service is a major attraction: Birthday groups received cake and careful attention, while Luca and Nok were singled out for making special occasions feel personal.

What this private Koh Samui sailing day is really like

The Independence is a luxury sailing yacht offering an exclusive charter rather than a standard large-boat cruise. That difference matters most when you are spending nearly a full day at sea. You have a more personal setting for meals, drinks, conversation, and quiet time between stops.

The boat includes a restroom and snorkeling equipment. Private transportation is also included, with pickup offered from your resort and a return transfer after the cruise. That removes one of the small hassles of island trips: figuring out how to reach the pier early in the morning and how to get back after a long day.

The schedule is built around a relaxed but fairly busy loop. You leave Bophut Beach at 8:00 a.m., sail toward Koh Tan, view the Five Islands, visit Koh Madsum, eat lunch, snorkel at Koh Tan, continue island hopping, and return to the harbor in the evening.

You should think of this as a luxury sightseeing and social day with snorkeling, not a serious marine expedition. The itinerary gives you time to see several places, but the main appeal is the combination of private service, food, drinks, and scenery.

Morning pickup and departure from Bophut Beach

The day begins with resort pickup between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., followed by boarding at Bophut Beach. Early pickup is useful because the tour has a lot packed into one day, though you will want to be ready on time. A late start would eat into the sailing schedule.

At 8:00 a.m., the yacht departs toward Koh Tan. This opening stretch gives you time to settle in, take in the sea views, and get comfortable with the boat before the first major stop. The casual atmosphere is a good fit if you want a special day without the formal feel of a large luxury cruise.

Breakfast is listed among the included meals. The exact breakfast timing is not specified, so ask the operator if breakfast is served right after departure or arranged around the morning sailing.

A private charter can also make a birthday or anniversary feel more natural. One birthday group received a cake, and the crew made a point of looking after the celebration. If your booking marks an occasion, tell the company in advance rather than assuming a cake or decoration is automatic.

Five Island views at about 10:15 a.m.

Around 10:15 a.m., the yacht reaches the Five Islands viewing area. The schedule describes this as a viewing stop, not a landing, so plan on seeing the islands from the boat rather than walking ashore.

That is not necessarily a weakness. The islands are best appreciated as part of the morning sail, with the boat giving you a broad view and a comfortable place to take photographs. You can stay on deck, enjoy a drink, or simply let the scenery pass without having to queue for a tender or rush along a narrow beach.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. If you want a long beach stop or a hike, this portion of the trip may feel brief. It is a scenic pause within a larger route, not a standalone island visit.

Bring sun protection, since much of the pleasure here comes from being outside. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are practical choices for a full day on the water, even though these items are not listed as supplied.

Koh Madsum and the Pig Island visit

At about 11:30 a.m., you visit Koh Madsum, better known as Pig Island. This is the most distinctive stop on the route. The island’s pigs are the reason many people choose this outing over a standard snorkeling cruise, and the stop offers the kind of odd, memorable travel moment that family groups especially enjoy.

The schedule does not state how long you remain on Koh Madsum, so the visit may feel more like a short island call than a leisurely beach day. You will want to follow the crew’s timing carefully, especially if you are taking photographs or spending time near the pigs.

The island adds personality to the trip, but it also means the experience is not purely about untouched nature. Koh Madsum is a recognizable attraction, and its appeal comes from the unusual animal encounter as much as from the sand and sea.

For families, couples, and first-time visitors to the southern islands around Koh Samui, this is likely the easiest stop to remember. It gives the day a clear centerpiece rather than a string of similar-looking beaches.

Mediterranean and Italian lunch aboard the yacht

Lunch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The boat serves Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, with fresh seafood highlighted in the dining experience. That is a welcome change from the basic buffet often associated with island excursions.

Food quality received strong praise, including a birthday meal and a day sail featuring fresh seafood and chocolate cake. Wine also received special mention, and the included drinks help make the cruise feel more like a private celebration than a simple transfer between islands.

The package lists breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with alcoholic beverages and an open bar. Since the detailed schedule shows lunch at 1:00 p.m., canapes and Prosecco at 6:00 p.m., and hotel return around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., dinner may be served later in the day or included as part of the evening service.

One limitation is clear: an extra bottle of wine is not included. If your group has a particular bottle in mind, budget for it separately and ask about the arrangement before departure.

Koh Tan snorkeling at 2:00 p.m.

Snorkeling begins at Koh Tan around 2:00 p.m. Equipment is provided, which keeps packing simple and makes the stop accessible to people who did not bring their own gear.

The itinerary does not describe water visibility, marine life, depth, or the length of the snorkeling session. Conditions can vary, and the experience depends on the weather and sea conditions on the day. I would treat this as a pleasant part of the sailing day rather than booking solely for advanced snorkeling.

Koh Tan is useful here because it breaks up the sightseeing with an active stop. After a morning of sitting, eating, and taking photographs, getting into the water gives the day a different rhythm.

If you are not comfortable snorkeling, the yacht setting still gives you options. You can remain aboard, relax, or enjoy the surroundings, though the exact onboard activities during the snorkeling stop are not specified.

Afternoon island hopping and the return sail

After Koh Tan, the yacht continues island hopping at about 3:00 p.m. The schedule does not name every island visited during this portion, so you should not assume that each stop involves going ashore. Some may be viewed from the yacht as the captain chooses the best route for the day.

The return sail begins around 4:00 p.m. This is when the private charter format may feel most worthwhile. You are not simply riding back in a crowded boat after the main attractions. You can enjoy the yacht, talk with your group, and take in the changing light across the sea.

At 6:00 p.m., canapes and Prosecco are served. This late-day service is a thoughtful touch for a birthday, anniversary, or group celebration. The earlier reviews also point to white wine and attentive hosting, with Luca and Nok receiving specific praise for their service.

Arrival is scheduled between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m., followed by transfer back to your hotel. A return this late makes the included transportation especially helpful. It also means you should not plan a fixed evening booking immediately afterward.

Price, group size, and overall value

The listed price is $1,464.84 per group of up to six people. That works out to about $244 per person if you fill all six places. For two people, the effective cost is much higher, so the value depends heavily on your group size and how much you care about privacy.

The price includes several costs that can add up on a normal day out: private transfers, food, alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, park or activity fees, and use of the yacht. It also includes a restroom onboard, which becomes more important during a long day at sea.

I see the best value for six friends, a family group, or a couple celebrating a major occasion. A small group seeking the cheapest way to see Koh Madsum can find less expensive options, but those trips may not include the same level of private space, food, open bar, and personal service.

The strongest value is not the number of islands alone. It is having a day shaped around your group, with a captain and hostess focused on the party rather than a large crowd. If you plan to spend most of the day taking advantage of the yacht, meals, and drinks, the cost is easier to defend.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to:

• Families who want a private boat and a memorable Pig Island stop
• Couples marking a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion
• Friends who can share the cost across six people
• Visitors who prefer food, drinks, and comfort alongside sightseeing
• People who want snorkeling equipment and hotel transport included

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long beach stay, serious snorkeling, or a low-cost island transfer. The schedule is full, and several stops appear to be viewing or short visits rather than extended time ashore.

The boat has a restroom, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The experience is near public transportation, though private pickup is offered. Since the route depends on good weather, conditions can change the plan.

Important details to confirm before departure

The most important point is the duration. The experience is described in one place as a two-day, one-night sailing trip, while the detailed timetable clearly describes a same-day outing from morning to evening. Ask Independence Yacht Charter Koh Samui to confirm whether your booking is for the one-day schedule or an overnight charter.

You should also confirm the exact Ang Thong Marine Park plan. The description highlights Ang Thong, but the listed route names Koh Tan, the Five Islands, Koh Madsum, and general island hopping. A direct question before payment can prevent a mismatch between what you expect and what your date includes.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Independence yacht?

Book it if you want a private, food-focused sailing day with Koh Madsum, snorkeling at Koh Tan, an open bar, and careful service. The birthday cake, fresh seafood, white wine, and personal attention from Luca and Nok suggest that the crew understands how to make an occasion feel special.

I would book for six people whenever possible, since the fixed group price becomes far more reasonable. Before committing, confirm the one-day versus overnight format and ask whether Ang Thong Marine Park is included in your exact departure. If those details match your plans, this is a comfortable and memorable way to see several islands without giving up privacy.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Madsum and Koh Tan yacht trip last?

The detailed schedule runs from resort pickup around 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. until hotel return around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., making it approximately a full day.

Is this a private yacht experience?

Yes. The yacht charter is priced per group of up to six people, rather than per individual passenger.

What is the price for the full group?

The listed price is $1,464.84 per group of up to six people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private transportation and resort pickup are included, with the morning transfer going to Bophut Beach and a return transfer after arrival at the harbor.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included, with snorkeling scheduled at Koh Tan.

Are food and alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, alcoholic beverages, and an open bar are listed as included. An extra bottle of wine is not included.

Does the tour visit Koh Madsum?

Yes. Koh Madsum, also called Pig Island, is scheduled for a visit at about 11:30 a.m.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. For a full refund under normal cancellation terms, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.