Off the Khanom coast on the mainland, half an hour west of Samui by speedboat, lives a small population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins that turn pink as they age. Two tours on this site cross to look for them first and come back for the Koh Tan reef and the pigs. It is the only way to see both in a day.
Pier at about 09:00, thirty minutes to the Khanom side, then the captain idles along the coast while everyone scans the water. When the dolphins surface the boat keeps its distance and follows at their pace. Then back across for the reef and the beach, home around 13:00 on the private charter and later on the shared day.
Sightings are the norm and the captains know where to look, but the animals are wild and there is a small chance of a blank morning. No refund is given for a no-show by the dolphins; that is stated on the listings and worth knowing before you book.
The shared speedboat is THB 1,795 per adult and THB 1,595 per child, the most popular combo we sell and a featured tour on the site. The private charter is THB 18,000 for up to five and THB 20,000 for six to ten, with transfer, lunch and guide as add-ons.
Minimum age four, because the mainland crossing is longer and rougher than the hop to the pigs. February to August is the calm window.
Shared or private, live prices.
Along the Khanom coast of the mainland, west of Samui. Tours cross by speedboat from the south coast piers.
Almost always, but not guaranteed. They are wild animals and the tours say so plainly.
On this site the dolphins come paired with Pig Island. Kohtour’s main site lists dolphin-only departures from Khanom.