A visit to Pig Island, Koh Samui, Thailand
Close your eyes and picture the perfect Koh Samui beach: soft white sands, swaying palm trees and maybe a cold cocktail in your hand. Sounds dreamy, right?
But did you picture…. pigs?!
Welcome to Pig Island Koh Samui, also known as Koh Madsum, a beautiful, tropical island in Thailand where the main inhabitants are adorable beach-loving pigs. As soon as we heard about it, we knew we had to go!
We booked a Pig Island tour during our 8 day stay in Koh Samui and it turned out to be one of our favourite excursions. In this complete guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Pig Island from Koh Samui, including how to book, how to get there, what to expect and the best things to do on the trip.
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Contents: click to jump to a section
Where is Pig Island, Koh Samui?
Pig Island, officially Koh Madsum (also spelled Koh Matsum and Koh Mudsum) is a small island off the southern coast of Koh Samui in Thailand. It’s part of the Chumphon Archipelago, a group of about 60 islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
Don’t confuse it with Pig Beach in the Bahamas! Same concept, but very different location.
If you’ve ever searched “Where is Pig Island located in Koh Samui?”, this is it, just a short boat ride from the southern tip of the island.
How to get to Pig Island (Koh Madsum) from Koh Samui
The easiest and most popular way is to book an organised day trip to Pig Island (though there is an option to stay overnight, which we’ll come back to later). Most tours also include:
- Hotel pickup
- Boat transfer
- Time to feed the pigs
- Snorkelling near the neighbouring island of Koh Tan
- Lunch
When booking, you’ll usually have two boat options:
- Long-tail boat – takes about 30 minutes
- Speed boat – takes 15 minutes
Click here to book a half-day boat trip to Pig Island (Koh Madsum)
Meeting the pigs on Pig Island
From the moment you step onto Koh Madsum, you’ll be greeted by the island’s celebrity residents – the pigs! You’ll see them wandering freely along the beach, but they really won’t show much interest until you’ve got some food!
Luckily, you can buy small packets of pig food from the beach bar. And then it’s piggy time!
Feed one pig and you’ll suddenly be surrounded by pigs.
The pigs are adorable! They come in all shapes and sizes, but the piglets are always the stars of the show.
How did the pigs get to Pig Island?
If you’re wondering why are there pigs on Pig Island, Koh Samui?, here’s the story.
The pigs are not wild. They belong to a local man named Mr Kitt, who rescued them from a market in Surat Thani and brought them home to his family on Koh Madsum. Later, he partnered with Gojo Tours, creating a sustainable tours that help fund the pigs’ care.
Today, around 25-30 pigs live on Pig Island. Most are black, though some piglets are a mottled-brown. You’ll also see several chickens running around looking for leftovers.
Things to do on Pig Island
While the pigs are the main attraction, there are a few other activities to enjoy.
- Go for a beach walk
- Swim or snorkel in the clear water
- Enjoy drinks at the island bar
- Relax on the beach
To be honest, you won’t really have much spare time. By the time you’ve fed the pigs and had a wander, it will be time to leave.
Can you stay on Pig Island (Koh Madsum)
Did you know there’s a hotel on Koh Madsum?
Yes, if you love the tranquillity of island life, you could stay on Pig Island’s only hotel, The Treasure.
This luxury villa resort offers natural Thai-style villas, private pools, and a serene atmosphere away from the crowds. The resort spans the island, giving guests access to a soft, white-sand beach on one side and a coral reef on the other.
Click here to check availability at the Treasure, Koh Madsum
Snorkelling at Koh Tan
Most Pig Island tours include a snorkelling tour at Koh Tan (Coral Island). After about an hour on Pig Island, you can get changed into your swim gear and head to Koh Tan, where you’ll snorkel off the boat for around 30 minutes.
Warning – Don’t expect your own patch of paradise. It’s a popular spot, so you’ll see plenty of other snorkellers, as all the day trip boats stop at the same swim area.
The tours finish with a buffet Thai lunch on Koh Tan, before returning to Koh Samui.
Is Pig Island in Koh Samui worth visiting?
Absolutely. Pig Island is a fun and unique day trip. It’s perfect for animal lovers, families, or anyone looking for cool things to do near Koh Samui. It’s an easy day trip to a beautiful island that makes a good change from the beach.
Don’t expect an exclusive experience, as it attracts a lot of visitors. However, we all loved it and would happily go again.
Accommodation in Koh Samui
You’ll find accommodation in Koh Samui to suit all budgets and tastes. The island has plenty of luxury hotels and resorts, but a good choice of budget accommodation for backpackers.
We stayed at the Green Coconut Resort, which has beachside villas, a pool, and easy access to several restaurants, a beach bar, and shops. It was peaceful, yet convenient and provided a great base for exploring the island.
We'd love to hear from you!
Are you planning a trip to Pig Island? We’d love to hear your questions or comments below.
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