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Koh Madsum — เกาะมัดสุ่ม on Thai charts — sits in the Gulf of Thailand off the south coast of Koh Samui, and no road reaches it. This how to get to pig island guide explains what the crossing involves, where the island actually lies, and how the tide exposes or hides the sandbar that visitors walk out on. The practical detail follows in the sections below.
Quick answer
Koh Madsum, or Pig Island, is reachable only by boat — there is no bridge, airstrip or road. The island lies off the south coast of Koh Samui at Taling Ngam, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani, and charges a 50 THB admission fee per person on landing. Access runs daily, with 08:00–10:00 the calmest arrival window.
The pigs on Koh Madsum are not a natural population. They were brought to the island, which takes its Thai name from local vegetation rather than from livestock, and today a small herd of pot-bellied and pink-and-black pigs works the tideline for shade and scraps. Travellers researching how to get to pig island tend to discover the same thing at once: the animals are the draw, but the sea crossing is the actual planning problem. Koh Madsum sits in the Gulf of Thailand off the southern shore of Koh Samui, within the Taling Ngam area of Koh Samui District, Surat Thani. There is no causeway and no scheduled passenger ferry built around day visitors. Every arrival is a boat arrival — by longtail from the fishing villages along the south coast, by speedboat on a Koh Madsum boat trip, or as one stop on a wider Koh Samui island hopping circuit that usually pairs the island with neighbouring Koh Tan. That geography sets the two variables shaping any trip: where the boat leaves from, and what the tide is doing when it lands. At low water a pale sandbar reaches out from the northern beach, wide enough to walk; at high water it vanishes and the landing strand narrows sharply. The island is privately managed rather than run as a national park. That is why access is orderly but not free, and why the conditions on the beach — the shaded seating, the snorkelling shallows, the pig pens at the treeline — are maintained by the operator rather than by park rangers. Weather does the rest. The Gulf's calmest water generally falls outside the late-year monsoon peak, and afternoon wind can make the return leg noticeably choppier than the outbound one. Readers who have settled the question of how to get to pig island can move on to the specifics. Departure points and crossing times are set out in the getting-there section, the admission arrangement in the pricing section, daily access in the hours section, and what to carry in the checklist. Together they turn a loose intention into a fixed departure — and a private boat tour to Pig Island arranged in advance removes the last variable, which is finding space on the water on the morning you actually want to go.
“Every arrival at Koh Madsum is a boat arrival, and the tide decides how much beach is waiting.”
Koh Madsum, known locally as Pig Island, is located south of Koh Samui. The only way to reach the island is by hiring a boat from the southern coast of Koh Samui, primarily via Thong Krut Pier.
Travel to Thong Krut Pier in Taling Ngam
Drive to Thong Krut Pier via Route 4170
Private or longtail boat from Thong Krut Pier to Koh Madsum
Thong Krut Pier serves as the primary departure point for all boat transfers. Arranging your boat transport in advance ensures a direct departure upon arrival at the pier.
The best arrival window is 08:00–10:00 to experience optimal natural light and active pigs while avoiding peak tour crowds. Visiting during this early timeframe ensures a quieter environment before the daily surge of visitors arrives.
Dry and sunny, 26–32°C
This period offers consistent clear skies and calm waters ideal for boat travel.
Varied, 25–31°C
Intermittent rain showers occur, though mornings often remain clear for island activities.
Cooler, 24–29°C
End of the rainy season brings fresher temperatures and increased visitor numbers.
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Mid-week visits provide the quietest atmosphere and the most direct interaction with the pigs.
Verdict: The best time to visit is during the dry season from January to April, arriving between 08:00–10:00 on a weekday.
Koh Madsum is open to visitors throughout the week. The island remains accessible every day to accommodate various travel schedules.
Koh Madsum has no shops, ATMs or lockers, so what you carry from the mainland is what you have all day.
Everything you need to know about how to get to pig island
To learn how to get to pig island, visitors typically charter a long-tail boat or join an organized excursion departing from the southern coast of Koh Samui. The journey across the Gulf of Thailand to this remote destination takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes by boat.
Planning a Koh Madsum excursion is best done by booking a private boat tour in advance, which ensures reliable transport and logistical support. Searching for how to get to pig island is simplified when you utilize local operators who manage the marine transit and equipment requirements.
Yes, there is an official admission fee of 50 THB per person required upon arrival at the island. This contribution supports the local maintenance and care of the animals found on the beaches.
The best arrival window for visitors is between 08:00 and 10:00 to ensure you experience the best natural light and see the pigs when they are most active. Arriving during this period also helps you avoid the larger crowds that typically gather during peak afternoon hours, making it the most efficient way how to get to pig island while enjoying a quieter atmosphere.
Yes, the destination is family-friendly and accessible for children who enjoy beach environments and wildlife encounters. When researching how to get to pig island for your family, consider that calm sea conditions are ideal for a smooth boat ride.
Many travelers mistakenly arrive late in the afternoon when boat availability decreases and the island is most crowded with day-trippers. Planning your schedule around the morning tide and quieter hours ensures a more pleasant visit to this unique Surat Thani landmark.