Pig Island (its real name is Koh Madsum) sits about 4 kilometres off the south coast of Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, and it can only be reached by boat. There is no bridge, no road and no scheduled public ferry. The crossing from a pier on Samui's south coast takes roughly 20–25 minutes by traditional longtail boat, and less on a speedboat. In practice that means one of two things: you join an organised boat trip that includes hotel pickup, or you charter a boat privately.
This guide covers where the island actually is, how far and how long the crossing takes, every boat option we run with its 2026 price, and what you pay on arrival. If you want the full price-by-price breakdown instead, read our Pig Island tour price comparison. If you want the unvarnished “is it even worth it” answer, read the honest truth about Pig Island.
Where is Pig Island in Koh Samui?
Pig Island is Koh Madsum (also written Koh Mudsum or Koh Matsum), a small uninhabited island approximately 4 km off the southern coast of Koh Samui, in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Its coordinates are roughly 9.4167°N, 100.0333°E. Its immediate neighbour is Koh Tan, the island with the shallow coral reef that almost every Pig Island trip pairs with the beach stop.
Two things confuse people, so it is worth being blunt about both:
- This is not the Bahamas. The famous swimming-pigs photos you have probably seen are from Big Major Cay in the Exumas, on the other side of the world. Koh Madsum is Thailand's own version, and it is a smaller, quieter affair.
- It is not on Koh Samui. You cannot drive, walk or scooter there. It is a separate island, and every visit involves a boat.
How far is Pig Island from Koh Samui, and how long does the boat take?
The distance is about 4 kilometres from Samui's south coast. Crossing time depends entirely on the hull under you:
- Traditional longtail boat: roughly 20–25 minutes to the first island in normal sea conditions.
- Speedboat: the same water, covered faster.
Do not confuse crossing time with trip length. The boat ride is short; the day is not. The join-in speedboat trip runs 5–6 hours in total, the small-group longtail trip is a half day (hotel pickup 08:00–08:45, back 14:00–15:00), and the sunset trip runs 6–7 hours door to door (pickup 13:00–14:30, back 19:45–20:30). That total includes road transfer from your hotel, the crossing, beach time on Koh Madsum and snorkelling at Koh Tan.
Where you stay changes the road leg, not the sea leg. Chaweng and Lamai are the longest drive to the south-coast piers; hotels on the south of the island are the shortest. Pickup times are confirmed the evening before your tour.
The boat options that actually go there — and 2026 prices
Every option below includes round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off on Koh Samui, snorkelling equipment and life jackets. Infants travel free on the shared trips.
| How you get there | Boat | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Join-in speedboat trip | Shared speedboat | 5–6 hours, morning or afternoon | From ฿1,350 per adult (฿1,150 per child) |
| VIP small-group longtail | Traditional longtail, 6–8 guests | Half day, pickup 08:00–08:45 | From ฿1,650 per adult (฿1,400 per child) |
| Sunset trip with dinner | Shared boat | 6–7 hours, pickup 13:00–14:30 | From ฿1,450 per adult (฿1,200 per child) |
| Private longtail charter | Your group only | Half day, 08:00 or 12:30 | ฿5,640 per boat (1–5 guests); ฿7,560 for 6–10 |
| Private speedboat charter | Your group only | Half day, 08:00 or 12:30 | ฿11,840 per boat (1–10 guests) |
Read the units carefully, because this is where people get caught out comparing quotes: the shared trips are priced per person, the charters are priced per boat. A private longtail at ฿5,640 split between five people works out cheaper per head than a join-in speedboat — and you get the boat to yourselves.
Can you get to Pig Island without a tour?
Technically yes, practically rarely worth it. Koh Madsum is uninhabited and there is no scheduled public ferry, so going independently means turning up at a pier on the south coast and negotiating a private boat on the spot. You will usually pay something in the same region as a booked trip, in cash, without snorkel gear, without lunch, without insurance, without an English-speaking crew and without a ride from your hotel — and with no guarantee a boat is free when you arrive.
The one genuinely good reason to do it yourself is total control of your timings. If that is what you are after, book a private longtail charter instead: same freedom, fixed price, and someone is expecting you.
Morning, afternoon or sunset?
- Morning is the calmest water of the day and the best light for snorkelling at Koh Tan. Best pick if you have children or anyone who worries about seasickness.
- Afternoon suits late risers and is generally quieter on the beach.
- Sunset swaps a snorkel-first day for evening light and dinner — a different trip rather than a better one.
What you pay once you are there
One cost is not included in any tour price and is collected on the island: the Koh Madsum (Pig Island) entrance fee of 50 THB per person, paid in cash on arrival. Bring small Thai baht notes. Food and drinks at the island's beach bar are also extra, as are fins if you want them rather than the mask and snorkel that come with your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Pig Island from Koh Samui?
Only by boat. Pig Island (Koh Madsum) lies about 4 km off the south coast of Koh Samui and has no bridge, no road and no scheduled public ferry. You either join an organised boat trip that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, or you charter a boat privately. Departure is from a pier on the south coast of Koh Samui, and the crossing takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes by traditional longtail boat.
Where is Pig Island in Koh Samui?
Pig Island is not on Koh Samui itself. Its real name is Koh Madsum, a small uninhabited island approximately 4 kilometres off Koh Samui's southern coast in Surat Thani Province, Thailand, at roughly 9.4167 degrees North, 100.0333 degrees East. Its neighbour is Koh Tan, the island with the shallow coral reef used for snorkelling on the same trips.
How far is Pig Island from Koh Samui?
About 4 kilometres from Koh Samui's south coast. By traditional longtail boat the crossing takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes in normal sea conditions, and a speedboat covers the same water faster. The full trip is much longer than the crossing: a join-in speedboat day is 5 to 6 hours including hotel transfers, and the small-group longtail trip is a half day with pickup between 08:00 and 08:45.
Can you visit Pig Island without booking a tour?
There is no scheduled public ferry to Koh Madsum, so going independently means negotiating a private boat at a pier on Samui's south coast on the day. It usually costs about the same as a booked trip and includes none of the extras: no hotel pickup, no snorkel gear, no lunch, no insurance and no English-speaking crew. If you want the freedom without the uncertainty, a private longtail charter is 5,640 baht per boat for one to five guests.
How much does it cost to get to Pig Island from Koh Samui?
Shared trips start from 1,350 baht per adult and 1,150 baht per child on the join-in speedboat, 1,650 baht per adult on the VIP small-group longtail, and 1,450 baht per adult on the sunset trip with dinner. Private charters are priced per boat: 5,640 baht for a longtail carrying one to five guests, and 11,840 baht for a speedboat carrying up to ten. All of these include round-trip hotel pickup, snorkelling equipment and life jackets.
Is there an entrance fee for Pig Island?
Yes. The Koh Madsum entrance fee is 50 baht per person, paid in cash on the island and not included in any tour price. Food and drinks at the island's beach bar are extra, and fins are available to rent separately from the mask and snorkel included with your trip.
The short answer
Boat only, about 4 km, roughly 20–25 minutes across by longtail, and from ฿1,350 per adult if you share or ฿5,640 per boat if you want it to yourselves. Pick the join-in speedboat for value, the VIP longtail for a small group and a slower pace, and a private charter if there are enough of you that the per-boat price beats the per-person one.
More Koh Samui planning: the best time of year to visit for boat trips, and every guide in our Explore Koh Samui index.
