- A private long tail boat from Thong Krut Pier runs 4-hour trips to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum (Pig Island), with an option to add Koh Rap.
- The standard Long-tail Boat costs from ฿3,000 for 1-2 people, and the price is for the whole boat, rising in steps up to 10 guests.
- The Luxury Long-tail Boat starts at ฿6,000 and adds cold drinks and fresh fruit to the captain, snorkelling gear, life jackets and insurance.
- Transfer to Thong Krut Pier (฿1,500 return) and island entrance fees of ฿50 per person on Koh Madsum and on Koh Rap are paid separately.
- It suits couples, budget travellers and small families who do not mind a loud engine and a bit of spray; groups who want shade, a toilet and space should look at a catamaran.
It is a few minutes before nine at Thong Krut Pier, the tide is low, and a wooden boat with a garland of flowers tied to its bow is nosing onto the sand to pick you up. A few minutes later the engine is roaring, Koh Samui is shrinking behind you and Koh Tan is already getting bigger. That is the whole idea of a long tail boat Koh Samui trip: no marina, no bar on board, just a local boat, a captain who knows these waters and a short hop to the small islands in the south.
This guide covers what the day looks like on the two long-tails you can book through chartersamui.com, what they cost for your group, what nobody tells you about noise and sun, and when a catamaran is simply the better choice.
What is a long-tail boat, and what is it like to ride one?
A long-tail is a traditional Thai wooden boat, named after the long shaft the captain uses to steer it and push it forward. The engine sits on that pole at the stern, and the propeller is at the far end, which lets the boat work in very shallow water and pull right up to a beach.
The two boats in this guide are both built of teak, 7 metres (23 feet) long and 2 metres wide, and each takes up to 10 guests plus crew. The whole boat is booked for your group only, so there are no strangers on board and the captain stops where you want within the route.
Do not expect speed. A long-tail is much slower than a speedboat, and that is part of the charm: the boat runs close to the south coast of Koh Samui, past Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and the small rocky islets known as the Five Sisters. You see fishing villages, cliffs and shallow reefs from a few metres away instead of flashing past them.
The seating is simple: wooden benches or cushions along the sides, a canopy overhead and the open sea a hand's width away. For many guests this is the most "Thai" moment of the whole holiday. For others it is a little rough around the edges, and it is better to know that before you book.
Which islands does the long-tail visit from Thong Krut?
Both long-tail routes leave Thong Krut Pier on the south coast and visit Koh Tan and Koh Madsum; the longer version adds Koh Rap. Each trip lasts 4 hours, in a morning slot from 9 am to 1 pm or an afternoon slot from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Koh Tan is the bigger, quieter island, with a coral reef just off its sandy shore and a sleepy village feel. This is where most of the snorkelling happens: the water is usually shallow and calm on the sheltered side, and beginners can float over the reef without swimming far from the boat.
Koh Madsum is the island everyone calls Pig Island. Pigs live on its white sand beach and wander along the shore, sometimes into the shallow water. Children love it, adults take far more photos than they planned to, and the beach itself is lovely for a swim once the pigs have moved on. If you want the full story of how a Pig Island day works, read the guide to the Pig Island boat trip from Koh Samui.
Koh Rap is the add-on. It is a small island near the other two, usually quieter, and it fits into the same 4 hours. Add Koh Rap if your group cares about snorkelling and quiet water more than beach time; skip it if you mainly want the pigs and a lazy swim, because three islands in 4 hours means less time at each.
Remember the entrance fees: Koh Madsum and Koh Rap each charge ฿50 per person, paid separately from the boat price. Bring small notes, as island kiosks rarely have change for large ones.
How much does a long tail boat Koh Samui trip cost?
The standard Long-tail Boat costs from ฿3,000 for 1-2 people on the Koh Tan and Koh Madsum route, and the Luxury Long-tail Boat from ฿6,000. Prices are for the whole boat, and they rise in steps with the size of your group.
| Group size | Long-tail: Koh Tan and Koh Madsum | Long-tail: with Koh Rap | Luxury: Koh Tan and Koh Madsum | Luxury: with Koh Rap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 guests | ฿3,000 | ฿5,000 | ฿6,000 | ฿7,000 |
| 3-4 guests | ฿3,500 | ฿6,000 | ฿7,000 | ฿8,000 |
| 5-6 guests | ฿4,000 | ฿7,000 | ฿8,000 | ฿9,000 |
| 7-8 guests | ฿5,000 | ฿8,000 | ฿9,000 | ฿10,000 |
| 9-10 guests | ฿5,500 | ฿9,000 | ฿10,000 | ฿11,000 |
On both boats the captain, life jackets, snorkelling equipment and personal insurance are included. The only difference on board is service: the Luxury Long-tail Boat includes cold drinks and fresh fruit, while on the standard boat you bring your own.
Three costs sit outside these prices. The transfer to Thong Krut Pier is not included; a round-trip transfer can be added for ฿1,500. The island entrance fees of ฿50 per person on Koh Madsum and on Koh Rap are paid on the day. And lunch is up to you: there are usually simple places to eat on Koh Tan and back near the pier.
Is the luxury version worth it? For a couple on the short route, the standard boat plus a cool bag of water and fruit from a convenience store does the same job for less. For a family with kids on the afternoon slot, having cold drinks and cut fruit appear without any planning is a small luxury that many parents find worth the difference.
Morning or afternoon: which long-tail slot should you pick?
Pick the morning slot for calmer water and better snorkelling; pick the afternoon slot if you want softer light and, on a clear day, the sunset on the way back. Both last the same 4 hours and cost the same.
In the morning the sea is often flatter and the water clearer, before the wind picks up and day-trip boats from other parts of the island reach Koh Madsum. If anyone in your group is nervous on boats, the morning is the gentler choice. You are also back by 1 pm, with the whole afternoon free for lunch and a nap.
The afternoon slot, from 2 pm to 6 pm, is hotter at the start but ends beautifully. In good weather you watch the sunset from the sea on the way back to Thong Krut, which turns a cheap boat trip into the best evening of the week for a lot of couples. The catch is that afternoon water can be choppier, and snorkelling visibility is sometimes lower after a windy day.
A simple rule: snorkellers and families with small kids go in the morning, couples and photographers go in the afternoon.
Noise, spray and sun: what nobody tells you about long-tails
A long-tail is loud, wet and exposed, and that is the honest price of its charm. None of it is a deal-breaker, but it helps to plan for it.
The engine sits right at the back of the boat, open to the air, and it is noisy at full power. Conversation while moving means leaning in and raising your voice. Families with babies or anyone sensitive to noise should sit towards the front, where it is noticeably quieter, and bring earplugs if it really bothers them.
Spray is normal. A low wooden boat cutting through even small waves throws water over the sides, and the people at the front get the most of it. Put phones, cameras and wallets in a dry bag before you leave the pier, not after the first splash.
The canopy gives shade overhead, but the sun reflects off the water from every side. Four hours on a long-tail can burn you more than a day at the pool. Here is what to bring:
- A dry bag or a zip-lock bag for phones and money.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat that will not blow away and sunglasses with a strap.
- A long-sleeved swim shirt, especially for snorkelling over the reef at midday.
- Plenty of water, plus snacks if you book the standard boat.
- Small notes for the ฿50 island entrance fees.
- Water shoes: the beaches are soft, but there can be coral and rocks near the shore.
- A light towel and a dry T-shirt for the ride back.
Seasickness is less common on the short hop south than on a long crossing, but a long-tail moves with every wave. If you know you are sensitive, take your usual remedy before boarding and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Who is a long-tail right for, and who should book a catamaran instead?
A long-tail is right for couples, budget travellers and small families who want a short, local, flexible trip to the islands south of Koh Samui. It is wrong for groups who need a toilet, wide shade, a long day or a party.
Book a long-tail if you are a couple who wants a private boat for the price of a nice dinner, a family with older kids who will love the pigs and the snorkelling, or a group of friends happy with a 4-hour outing. It is also the easiest way to try a private boat before you commit to a bigger charter later in your stay.
Choose something else if you have toddlers who need to nap in the shade, older relatives who find climbing in and out of a low boat hard, or anyone who will want a bathroom during the trip. A small long-tail is a simple open boat, and you should not expect a toilet on board. If comfort matters more than price, a sailing catamaran is the better boat: shade, a cabin, a toilet, a slide or paddle boards on many of them, and a stable deck that hardly rocks at anchor.
The price gap is real, so be honest about what you need. For example, the Victoria catamaran sails to Pig Island and Koh Tan for 4 hours from ฿25,000 for up to 10 people, and Nina from ฿29,000 for up to 8. That is a different budget, and a very different day. You can compare them all on the page to rent a catamaran on Koh Samui.
For a long-tail day, choose between these two boats: the standard boat suits couples and budget groups who bring their own drinks, the luxury one suits families and anyone who wants cold drinks and fruit waiting on board.
If the long-tail sounds too basic for your group, these catamarans run the same Pig Island and Koh Tan waters: Victoria for groups up to 10 who want the lowest catamaran price on that route, Nina for families who want a water slide, and Vickey for a small group who would rather sail to Koh Som or Koh Mad Lang.
When is the sea good for a long-tail trip?
A long-tail is a small open boat, so it is more sensitive to wind and waves than a catamaran or a yacht. Calm, clear days are common for much of the year in the south of Koh Samui, but the weather decides on the day.
From about November to January the north-east monsoon can make the Gulf of Thailand rough. In those months a trip may change route or be postponed, and a small wooden boat is the first to stay at the pier when the wind is up. If your holiday falls then, book a flexible day early in your stay so there is room to move it.
The cancellation terms are clear. A cancellation or no-show on the tour date is charged at 100% of the price, but there is no cancellation fee when the trip is called off for extreme weather such as heavy rain or strong wind. So the risk of bad weather sits with the boat, not with you; the risk of oversleeping is yours.
Rain showers in the wet season often pass in an hour. If the morning looks grey but the wind is light, the trip usually goes ahead, and the islands look just as good after a shower.
How to book a long-tail and get to Thong Krut
Choose the boat, the route and the slot on the Long-tail Boat page or the Luxury Long-tail Boat page, then send a booking request with your date and number of guests. A manager confirms that the boat is free and the price for your group.
Thong Krut is on the south coast, a fair drive from the busy beaches in the north and east. Add the ฿1,500 round-trip transfer when you book if you do not have your own car or scooter, and leave a little extra time on the road: the boat leaves at the start of the slot.
- Pick morning (9 am to 1 pm) or afternoon (2 pm to 6 pm).
- Pick the two-island route or the version with Koh Rap.
- Decide if you want drinks and fruit included (Luxury) or will bring your own (standard).
- Send the request and add the transfer if you need it.
- On the day, bring cash for the entrance fees and your dry bag.
If you want to see what else runs from the same waters, the page on boat trips to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum lists every boat that goes there, from long-tails to big catamarans.
Questions and answers
Is a long-tail boat safe for children?
Yes, for children who can sit still in a moving boat. Life jackets are included, and the trip to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum is short and close to the coast. Very young children may find the engine noise and spray hard, so a catamaran is gentler for toddlers.
Can I book a long-tail boat just for two people?
Yes. The boat is always private, and the price for 1-2 people starts at ฿3,000 on the standard Long-tail Boat and ฿6,000 on the Luxury Long-tail Boat. You do not share it with other guests.
Is there a toilet on the long-tail boat?
Do not count on one. A long-tail is a simple open wooden boat, so plan for the islands' facilities. If a toilet on board matters, a catamaran is the better choice.
Do I pay the island fees on the boat?
The entrance fees of ฿50 per person on Koh Madsum and on Koh Rap are not included in the boat price and are paid separately on the day. Bring small notes in cash.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
On the standard Long-tail Boat you should bring your own water and snacks, because only the captain, life jackets, snorkelling gear and insurance are included. The Luxury Long-tail Boat already includes cold drinks and fresh fruit.
Will I get wet on a long-tail?
Probably a little. Spray comes over the sides when there are waves, especially at the front. Wear swimwear, keep electronics in a dry bag and bring a dry shirt for the ride back.
What happens if the weather is bad on my date?
If extreme weather such as heavy rain or strong wind stops the trip, there is no cancellation fee. A normal cancellation or no-show on the tour date is charged at the full price.
Ready to choose your boat?
Every boat page shows the routes, prices and what is included. The booking request is free: a manager checks the boat is free on your date and confirms the price.
Updated 27 October 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.
