Pig Island Koh Samui — officially Koh Madsum — is one of the most popular and unforgettable day trips on the whole island. Picture a tiny, palm-fringed islet off the south coast where a family of friendly pigs roams the beach, wades into the shallows, and happily poses for photos with visitors.
Pair that with crystal-clear water, white sand, and some of the best snorkeling near Koh Samui at neighbouring Koh Tan, and you have a half-day trip that families, couples and solo travellers all rave about. This complete 2026 guide covers everything about Pig Island Koh Samui: how to get there, the best tours, what to expect with the pigs, snorkeling, the entrance fee, and honest tips to make the most of it.
We run InsideSamui from the ground here on the island, and Pig Island is one of the trips we get asked about most. Here is the straight-talking local version — what is genuinely great, and what to know before you book.
See the best Pig Island tours from Koh Samui
Quick answer
Pig Island (Koh Madsum) is a small island off the south coast of Koh Samui, reached by a short boat trip from Thong Krut Pier. Nearly everyone visits on a half-day tour that combines it with snorkeling at Koh Tan. Go early — by late morning it gets busy. Bring cash for the small island fee.
What is Pig Island (Koh Madsum)?
Pig Island — known locally as Koh Madsum, and sometimes spelled Koh Mat Sum, Ko Matsum or simply Madsum Island — is a small, largely undeveloped island a short boat ride off the south coast of Koh Samui. Often searched as Pig Island Thailand or Pig Island Samui, it is the same place: Koh Madsum, just south of the main island.
Its fame comes from a small population of friendly, free-roaming pigs that live on the beach. The pigs are used to visitors, happy to be photographed and fed, and will often wade right into the shallow water — the origin of the island's other nickname, “Pigs Beach Thailand.” Beyond the Koh Madsum pigs, this Koh Madsum Thailand favourite has genuinely beautiful white-sand beaches and clear turquoise water, making the Pig Island Koh Samui beach a lovely spot to swim and relax.
The island sits in the same cluster as Koh Tan (the snorkeling island) and forms part of the Five Islands group south of Koh Samui. Because Koh Madsum and Koh Tan are so close together, almost every tour visits both in a single trip — pigs and beach at one, coral and fish at the other.
How to get to Pig Island Koh Samui
Getting to Pig Island from Koh Samui always means a boat from the south coast — there is no bridge or public ferry. The departure point is Thong Krut Pier in the south of the island, and the crossing to Koh Madsum takes just 15–20 minutes. From central Koh Samui (Chaweng, Bophut), allow 20–40 minutes by road to reach the pier, depending on where you are staying.
You have two realistic ways to make the trip, and both are covered below: a shared speedboat day tour (the easy, affordable option most people choose) or a private longtail boat (the intimate, do-it-at-your-own-pace option).
If you are searching for how to get to Koh Madsum, Koh Samui to Koh Madsum, or a Koh Madsum Samui excursion, a booked tour is by far the simplest route — it includes hotel pickup, the boat, snorkeling gear and lunch, so you do not have to organise anything at the pier yourself. Whether you call it a Koh Madsum tour, an excursion Koh Madsum, or simply a Pig Island day trip, you are booking the same easy half-day out to this Koh Madsum Island gem.
Getting there tip
The most stress-free way to do a Koh Madsum tour is to book one with hotel pickup included — you are collected from your accommodation, driven to Thong Krut, and everything is handled. No haggling with boatmen, no arranging transfers, no surprises.
Best Pig Island Koh Samui tours
Almost everyone visits Pig Island on a tour, and choosing the right one comes down to how you like to travel. Below are the two Pig Island Koh Samui tours we recommend — the first is the popular, well-priced speedboat trip that suits most people; the second is a genuinely private longtail boat for those who want the island at their own pace.
Option 1 — Speedboat group tour (most popular). This is the classic Pig Island day trip: a half-day speedboat excursion combining Koh Madsum and Koh Tan snorkeling, with hotel pickup, gear and lunch included. It is the affordable, efficient choice — shorter time on the water, ideal for families and anyone who prefers not to spend a full day at sea. Free cancellation and reserve-now-pay-later make it easy to book.
Book the Pig Island + Koh Tan speedboat tour
Option 2 — Private longtail boat (do it your way). Want the island without the crowds and on your own schedule? This is a genuinely private longtail boat trip with your own local Thai captain — no sharing with strangers. You visit Pig Island and snorkel at Koh Tan, and you stay as long as you like at each stop. Travellers consistently praise the flexibility, the relaxed pace and having the boat entirely to themselves. It is the more premium, intimate way to experience Koh Madsum, perfect for couples, families or small groups who want space to breathe.
Book the private longtail Pig Island tour
Which tour should you pick?
Choose the speedboat group tour if you want the best value, a quick crossing and a lively, sociable day — ideal for families. Choose the private longtail boat if you want the island at your own pace, no crowds, and a more authentic, unhurried Thai experience. Both visit Pig Island and snorkel at Koh Tan.
Snorkeling at Koh Tan
The snorkeling half of a Pig Island Koh Samui tour happens at Koh Tan, a small uninhabited island right next to Koh Madsum, ringed by healthy coral reef. This is where you spend around an hour in the water — and it is genuinely good. Koh Samui itself has very few snorkeling spots, so Koh Tan is the closest quality reef you will find without travelling all the way to Koh Tao. Expect colourful reef fish, hard and soft coral in shallow, beginner-friendly water, and decent visibility on a calm day. All tours provide masks, snorkels and life jackets, and most include kayaks too.
Meeting the pigs: what to expect
The star attraction, of course, is the pigs of Koh Madsum. On any Pig Island Koh Samui trip they roam freely on the beach, are completely used to people, and will happily approach you — especially if there is food involved. You can photograph them, feed them the appropriate food your guide provides, and watch them wade and even swim in the shallows. It is genuinely charming, and kids in particular love it.
Be a responsible visitor
Only feed the pigs the food your guide provides — human snacks, especially salty or sugary ones, are bad for them. Don't chase or crowd the animals, give them space, and take all your rubbish back to Koh Samui with you. The island stays special only if visitors treat it and its pigs with respect.
Pig Island entrance fee and practical info
There is a small island entrance fee at Koh Madsum — around 50 THB per person, cash only, paid on arrival. This is almost never included in tour prices, so bring a little Thai baht with you. A few other practical points for your Pig Island Koh Samui day trip:
- Cash: bring small THB notes for the island fee, drinks and any extras. There are no ATMs.
- Sun protection: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. The beach has limited shade.
- Bring: a towel, swimwear, a waterproof bag for your phone, and a camera — the pigs make great photos.
- Timing: tours usually run in the morning and return early afternoon; the island is quietest before around 10–11 AM.
- Lunch: most tours include a Thai lunch — check your specific tour.
Best time to visit Pig Island Koh Samui
Pig Island is best enjoyed from roughly December to April, when the Gulf of Thailand is calmest and the water clearest for snorkeling. The May-to-August window is also good, with occasional showers. The roughest, wettest period is generally late October into December, when boat trips can be bumpy or occasionally cancelled for safety — always confirm your trip is running on the morning of departure, and book with free cancellation where you can.
Whatever the season, the golden rule is the same as everywhere in the Gulf: go early. The first boats reach Koh Madsum before the crowds, when the beach is calm, the pigs are fresh and relaxed, and the light is best for photos. By late morning several tour boats arrive at once and the small beach gets busy.
Pig Island vs Koh Racha Yai vs Ang Thong
Pig Island Koh Samui is one of three headline day trips from the island's south, and they suit different travellers. Here is the honest comparison:
- Pig Island (Koh Madsum): the fun, family-friendly, easy half-day — pigs, a pretty beach and a snorkel at Koh Tan. Best for a relaxed, memorable outing that kids adore.
- Koh Racha Yai: the pristine, uncrowded island for serious snorkelers and divers who want fewer people and better reef. Best if nature and solitude matter more than a novelty.
- Ang Thong Marine Park: the full-day, big-scenery trip — 42 islands, limestone karsts and a viewpoint hike. Best for first-timers who want the dramatic landscape.
If you have kids or limited time, Pig Island wins. If you want the best snorkeling near Samui, pair it with — or swap it for — Koh Racha Yai. Planning your whole trip? See our full things to do in Koh Samui guide.
Our take
Pig Island Koh Samui is deservedly one of the island's most popular trips — genuinely fun, easy to do, and gorgeous when you time it right. Book a tour with hotel pickup, go early, bring cash and a camera, treat the pigs kindly, and you will have one of the best half-days of your trip.
Pig Island Koh Samui FAQ
How do you get to Pig Island from Koh Samui?
By boat from Thong Krut Pier on the south coast — a 15–20 minute crossing. Almost everyone does a Pig Island Koh Samui tour (speedboat or private longtail) that includes hotel pickup, snorkeling at Koh Tan and lunch. There is no public ferry to Koh Madsum.
Is there an entrance fee for Pig Island?
Yes — a small island fee of around 50 THB per person, cash only, paid on arrival at Koh Madsum. It is usually not included in the tour price, so bring Thai baht.
Can you swim with the pigs on Koh Madsum?
Yes — the pigs roam the beach freely and often wade into the shallow water, where you can swim near them and take photos. Only feed them the food your guide provides, and treat them with care.
How long is a Pig Island tour?
Most tours are half-day, roughly 4–5 hours including hotel transfers. You typically get around an hour snorkeling at Koh Tan and a couple of hours on Koh Madsum with the pigs.
Is Pig Island good for families?
Very — Pig Island Koh Samui is one of the most family-friendly day trips on the island. Kids love the pigs, the snorkeling is beginner-friendly, and the speedboat option keeps time on the water short.
What is the difference between Koh Madsum and Koh Tan?
Koh Madsum is Pig Island — the beach with the pigs. Koh Tan is the neighbouring island with the coral reef where you snorkel. Nearly every tour visits both in one trip.
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend experiences we would do ourselves. Prices, fees and tour details are subject to change — always confirm before you travel, and please visit Koh Madsum responsibly.