The island where the pigs lie on the beach.

Koh Madsum, the Pig Island

Small, flat, no village — and for a few years now one of the most photographed spots off Koh Samui.

Location

a few km south of Koh Samui

Departure

Thong Krut pier

Crossing

roughly 15–30 min

National park

no

One island, several names

Maps say Koh Madsum or Koh Matsum, tour programmes often say Koh Mudsum, and everyone on Samui simply says Pig Island. It is the same place: a small, flat island with a sandy beach on its north side, a few palms, a simple beach bar — and no village, no road, no ferry. You get there on a tour boat or not at all.

We could not find an official figure for the island's size, and even the distance is given as anything between two and five kilometres. What is certain is the direction: it lies south of Koh Samui, next to Koh Tan, and on a clear day you can see it from the south coast.

What is there — and what isn't

There is a beach area with loungers, a bar and restaurant, and basic toilets. How well kept all of that is on any given day varies a lot in visitor reports, and there is no independent assessment. If you are expecting comfort, this is the wrong trip: the appeal is the short crossing, the shallow water and, of course, the animals.

A small fee is usually charged for the beach area — reports and operators most often mention 50 baht per person. We could not confirm an officially fixed fee for 2026. Some tours include it in the price, on the others you pay it in cash on the island — which applies to your trip is listed under "What's included" and "Not included".

Not a national park — what that means

Nearby Ang Thong Marine Park closes for several weeks each year. That does not apply here: according to every source we checked, Koh Madsum is not part of a national park, so there is no park fee and no seasonal closure. A tour can still be cancelled — because of wind and waves, not because of a calendar.

Why are there pigs?

It's a story everyone on Samui tells — and only part of it is documented.

The story you will hear

In the version told by practically every travel site and by the guides on the boat, four pigs were brought over from the mainland a few years ago and looked after by a local family; today's group grew from those four. We found no official source for it. So we pass it on for what it is: a common but unverified account.

How many animals live there now, nobody says reliably. Estimates range from about a dozen to around twenty adults, plus piglets from time to time. There is no count — anyone promising an exact number is guessing.

They are not wild

These are domestic pigs, not wildlife. They are used to people, they come down to the beach, and in the heat they walk into the shallows. That is the picture that made the island famous. It is also why busy days feel crowded: when several boats arrive together, a lot of people end up around the same few animals.

What is reported about their treatment

Here we are deliberately careful. Visitors report recurring criticism: too little shade and drinking water, too many people, animals pushed around for photographs. Other reports describe the opposite — calm, well-fed animals and an owner who looks after them. We know of no independent veterinary or official inspection. Leaving both accounts side by side is more honest than declaring one of them the truth.

What you can do yourself is under Rules & respect. In short: keep your distance, don't chase, and don't feed anything that isn't handed out on the island.

Snorkelling off Koh Tan

Shallow, calm and beginner-friendly — but not a postcard reef.

What you'll see

The reefs off Koh Tan and Koh Madsum lie in shallow water, usually only a few metres deep. That makes them good for first-timers, for children and for anyone who prefers to stay near the shore. There are plenty of fish; the corals are damaged in places. Reports on visibility differ; expect a few metres, or a decent view on a calm day, and no more than that.

If you have snorkelled in Egypt or the Maldives, this won't match it. If you are putting on a mask for the first time, it is one of the most relaxed spots on the island.

Koh Rap as a third stop

Some tours add Koh Rap, another small island nearby. Where that's the case, it is listed under the stops for that tour. Whether the third stop is worth it depends mostly on how much time you want in the water.

Gear and safety

Mask and snorkel come with our trips; exactly what is included is listed under "What's included" for each tour. Life jackets are mandatory on Thai tour boats — ask for them before you leave the pier if you don't see any, and only book with licensed operators. Our tours are run by Koh Samui Advisor Co., Ltd. under TAT licence 44/00295.

Getting there, duration and the best season

How you get out there, how long it takes and when the sea is usually calm.

The way to the island

Every regular tour starts in the south of Koh Samui — depending on the tour, from Thong Krut pier or the boat landing at Bang Khao. Bang Rak and Nathon are ferry and cruise piers and play no part here — at most as a point where you are picked up. Hotel pickup is included on most trips; the timing depends on where you stay and is confirmed with your booking.

Two types of boat are common: the classic longtail, slower and closer to the water, and the speedboat, which gets there faster and rides better in a swell. Either way, plan on roughly fifteen to thirty minutes depending on the sea. Nobody serious will promise you an exact time, because it depends on the weather.

Half day or full day?

Most Pig Island trips are half-day tours with a snorkelling stop; there are also sunset tours and private trips with more time at each stop. The duration of each tour is in its fact bar — there is no single standard length.

When the sea is calm

The Gulf of Thailand is usually calm from February to September. From October to December the northeast monsoon brings wind and waves more often, and boat trips are more likely to be called off at short notice. There is no fixed closure here as there is in Ang Thong Marine Park; the call is made on the weather, usually on the morning of the tour.

What to bring

Swimwear, a towel, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen. Thai marine national parks ban sunscreens containing coral-damaging substances; whether that rule covers Koh Madsum is not clearly settled — the reef appreciates it either way. Leave single-use plastic at the hotel. Small banknotes are handy for drinks and the beach fee.

Respect for the animals and the reef

There is no official code of conduct on the island. These points are common sense — and they make the visit better for everyone.

With the animals

Keep your distance and let the pigs come to you instead of following them. Don't pick them up, don't carry them into the water, don't hold one still for a photo. Only feed what the people on the island hand out — food you brought, fruit peel or anything sweet does them no good. If an animal walks away, it has had enough; that's the end of the moment, not a worse photo.

If you want time to take pictures, go with a small group or book privately. On days when several large boats land at once the beach is crowded — for the animals as much as for the guests.

In the water

Don't touch anything, don't break anything off, don't stand on coral. Use reef-safe sunscreen, or better a rash guard. Take your rubbish back with you, including the small pieces.

And on the beach

The beach fee is usually collected in cash; a few small notes save a discussion. And the usual: shoes stay in the boat or in the sand, valuables are better left at the hotel.

Frequently asked questions about Pig Island