Koh Samui to Koh Madsum: How to Get to Pig Island

The Piers Are All on the South Coast

Two departure points handle essentially every Pig Island trip. Thong Krut, in Taling Ngam on the southwestern corner, is the main one and the pier most listings name. It faces Koh Tan and Koh Madsum directly; our Thong Krut pier to Pig Island guide covers its meeting points, parking and food. Bang Kao, a working fishing harbour a little further east, handles the rest. Neither is a terminal — they are small harbours with boats tied up and a shed.

Depending on the operator, you may board at a small pier, from the beach, at a private operator base or at another boarding point along the south coast, so do not assume every Pig Island tour uses exactly the same pier. Your booking confirmation tells you where to meet, and if hotel transfers are included the exact departure point matters much less, because the operator handles the drive.

Nothing leaves from Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam or the airport side of the island. That is why the hotel transfer that comes bundled with almost every ticket matters so much: from the northern and eastern beaches where most visitors stay, the drive to Thong Krut is 40 to 50 minutes each way. From Lamai it is considerably less, and if you are staying on the south coast itself you are practically at the pier.

Put that together and a three-hour boat trip is a five-hour day. It is the most common surprise on the whole itinerary and the reason “half day” means something different here than it does at home.

How Far Is Koh Madsum, Really

Not far. Koh Tan, the reef island that shares every itinerary with Pig Island, sits about five kilometres off the southern tip of Koh Samui, and Koh Madsum is a short hop beyond it. In practice you are looking at roughly 15 to 20 minutes by speedboat from Thong Krut or Bang Kao, or roughly 20 to 30 minutes in a longtail.

The exact time depends on:

• the departure point;
• longtail or speedboat;
• wind and waves;
• the route;
• whether the boat goes to Koh Tan first.

That short crossing is why the trip works at all, and why it suits families, travellers who get seasick, short-stay visitors and anyone who does not want to spend hours on a boat. It makes Koh Madsum far easier to reach than Koh Tao or Ang Thong Marine Park. It is also why the sea state matters more than the distance: five kilometres of sheltered water is nothing, and five kilometres of northeast monsoon chop in an open wooden boat is a different proposition entirely.

What Is the Easiest Way to Get to Pig Island?

For most travellers, the easiest option is a shared half-day tour with hotel pickup, because it removes almost every transport decision. A typical package works like this:

1. Pickup from your hotel.
2. Drive to southern Koh Samui.
3. Check in at the departure point.
4. Board a longtail, speedboat or catamaran.
5. Visit Koh Tan for snorkeling.
6. Continue to Koh Madsum.
7. Return to Koh Samui.
8. Transfer back to your hotel.

The full-day island hopping trip to Pig Island and Koh Tan works exactly this way, with hotel pickup, island entrance fees and lunch included (from $51, 4.6/5 from more than 3,600 reviews). For a shorter day, the half-day speedboat trip is the most-reviewed Pig Island tour we track (from $42, 4.5/5 from more than 5,500 reviews).

If you are staying in Chaweng, Bophut, Maenam or another resort area away from the south coast, the road transfer may take longer than the boat ride itself.

Transfer Times From Each Beach

Operators collect groups in stages, so the pickup window on your voucher will be wide — typically 08:30 to 09:30 for a morning departure, or 13:00 to 14:00 for an afternoon one. Your exact time is confirmed by WhatsApp or email the evening before, and you are asked to be in the lobby ten to fifteen minutes early. One operator explicitly excludes hotels and villas up in the hills from its pickup area and arranges a meeting point instead, which is worth checking if your villa has a steep driveway.

How long from Chaweng?

From Chaweng, expect a substantial drive to the south coast, and in many cases the road transfer takes longer than the boat crossing. That is normal: Pig Island is close to Koh Samui, but most of the big resort areas are concentrated in the north and east.

How long from Lamai?

Lamai is closer to the south than Chaweng or Bophut, which makes it one of the more convenient bases for a Pig Island trip. If you are staying in southern Lamai or further south, the transfer is particularly easy.

How long from Bophut?

Bophut is on the north coast, so reaching Thong Krut takes longer. If your tour includes pickup, this is not a real problem; if it does not, add the road journey to your planning and your budget.

Do you need a taxi to Thong Krut?

Only if your tour does not include transfers. From Chaweng, Bophut, Maenam, Choeng Mon or Lamai you will need road transport to the south coast unless your operator collects you, and a cheap boat ticket stops looking cheap once you add return taxis.

Is hotel pickup worth paying for?

Usually, yes, particularly if you are not staying in southern Koh Samui. Hotel pickup means you do not have to negotiate taxis, find an unfamiliar pier, worry about missing the boat or organise the return journey.

The exceptions are travellers who already have a rental car, stay near Thong Krut, are booking a private charter, or deliberately want to explore southern Koh Samui.

Shared Tour vs Private Boat

These are the two main ways to reach Koh Madsum.

Shared tour

Best for couples, solo travellers, small families and anyone who wants everything organised. Shared tours often include:

• hotel pickup;
• boat;
• guide;
• snorkeling gear;
• Koh Tan;
• Pig Island;
• drinks;
• lunch or snacks on some tours.

The main drawback is that you follow a fixed schedule.

Private boat

Best for families, groups, couples wanting privacy, flexible travellers and people who dislike large groups. Depending on the operator, a private charter may let you choose:

• departure time;
• time on Koh Tan;
• time on Pig Island;
• the pace of the day.

For groups, a private boat can work out surprisingly well per person. The private longtail to Pig Island with snorkel is priced per boat, from $101 for up to two people (4.3/5 from more than 650 reviews). Our private Pig Island tours page compares the charters.

Longtail Boat to Pig Island

A traditional Thai longtail is one of the most atmospheric ways to make the trip. Because Koh Madsum is close, you do not need a very fast boat, which makes the longtail particularly well suited to this route.

Advantages: a classic Thai experience, good for photos, often used for private charters, flexible, and ideal for small groups.

Downsides: noisier, more exposed, can feel bumpier, and usually less shade.

For a short trip, these drawbacks are relatively minor for most travellers. Our longtail boat tours page lists the options.

Speedboat to Pig Island

Speedboats are common on structured group tours.

Advantages: faster, efficient, practical for group itineraries, and good if the tour includes several stops.

Downsides: often larger groups, the ride can still be bumpy, and less atmosphere.

On such a short route the time saved over a longtail is not huge, so choose on comfort and itinerary rather than speed alone. The speedboat tours page compares them, and our speedboat versus longtail guide covers what each is like on the water.

Catamaran Trips to Pig Island

Some operators use larger power catamarans. These appeal to travellers who want more deck space, a modern boat, a more stable-feeling platform or extra activities. Some catamaran tours combine Koh Tan snorkeling, kayaking, Koh Madsum and lunch or refreshments.

They can cost more than a basic longtail tour but feel more comfortable for some travellers. The Koh Madsum and Koh Tan speed catamaran tour includes hotel transfers, a light meal on board, a kayak, a paddleboard and the landing fee (from $64, 4.5/5 from more than 100 reviews).

Can You Go Directly to Pig Island?

Yes. Private boats can often take you straight to Koh Madsum.

Most organised tours combine Pig Island with Koh Tan, though, and that is usually the better choice on a first visit, because Koh Tan adds snorkeling. Without it, the trip is mostly a boat ride, the pigs, the beach and the return. With it, you get a fuller half day. Our Koh Tan island guide covers the reef stop.

Can You Get There Without a Tour?

Yes, and it is more trouble than most people expect. “Independently” means arranging your own boat, not buying a ferry ticket: there is no commuter-style schedule where you turn up and catch the next departure.

The mechanism is the same either way: you charter a longtail or a speedboat. The difference is whether you do it online in advance at a published price with free cancellation, through a south-coast operator or your hotel, or in person at Thong Krut pier at a price you negotiate on the spot with no reference point and no fallback if the weather turns.

Doing it on the spot means getting yourself to the south coast first — a taxi from Chaweng, a rented scooter, or a car — then finding a boatman, agreeing a price and a return time, and paying the 50-baht Koh Madsum landing fee on top. You will also need to bring or rent snorkelling gear, since the pier is not a rental shop.

It makes sense in exactly one situation: you are already staying on or near the south coast, you have been before, and you want to go on your own schedule. For everyone else, a private charter booked online covers the same boat with a published price and a cancellation policy, and a shared tour throws in the transfer you would otherwise be paying a taxi for.

Can you just turn up at Thong Krut and find a boat?

Some travellers do arrange boats locally, but it is less predictable than booking ahead. Availability varies with the season, the weather, the time of day, demand and how many boatmen are working. If you are travelling in a busy period or need a specific departure time, book ahead. If flexibility matters more than certainty, arranging it locally may still appeal.

Can You Drive to Pig Island?

No. Koh Madsum is an island with no bridge. You can drive to the south-coast departure point, but the final leg is always by boat.

Can You Take a Ferry From Nathon?

Not as a direct public ferry to Pig Island. Nathon handles the bigger inter-island ferry connections, but Pig Island trips leave from the south coast, and travelling to Nathon just to reach Koh Madsum would be inefficient. Use a south-coast departure.

Getting There From Other Islands

Koh Madsum is reachable from Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, but not directly. There is no boat between those islands and Pig Island. What you do is take the passenger ferry to Koh Samui — around 30 to 45 minutes from Koh Phangan, and roughly one and a half to two hours from Koh Tao, depending on the operator and the sea — and then join a Pig Island trip from there.

For Koh Phangan that is a long but feasible day, and much less convenient than for someone already based on Koh Samui. For Koh Tao, which lies much further north, it is a very long one, and the honest advice is to do it while you are staying on Koh Samui rather than as a day trip. Cruise passengers are a separate case: at least one operator runs a dedicated shore excursion built around ship timings, and explicitly does not accept cruise guests on its regular hotel-pickup departures.

How Much Does Transport Cost?

There is no single price. The total depends on:

• shared or private;
• boat type;
• whether transfers are included;
• lunch;
• snorkeling gear;
• group size;
• season.

Shared trips on this site start from $26 per person, and private longtails are priced by the boat; our guide to what a Pig Island tour costs works out the totals by group size. Compare total value rather than the cheapest visible ticket: a slightly more expensive tour may include the hotel transfer, food, a guide, equipment and fees, and a cheaper one may not. Our which Pig Island tour is right for you guide sets the formats side by side with prices.

What fees should you check?

Before booking, look for:

• the island entrance fee (50 baht per person on Koh Madsum, cash);
• a pier fee;
• a hotel transfer surcharge;
• snorkeling equipment;
• lunch;
• drinks;
• a private-charter surcharge.

Do not assume everything is included. The best listings state inclusions clearly.

Should you book one-way transport?

Usually no. Pig Island is not somewhere visitors arrive with luggage to stay overnight, so your tour should include the return boat to Koh Samui.

How Long Should You Spend on Koh Madsum?

For most people, around an hour is enough to see the pigs, take photos, walk the beach, swim and relax. If you want a longer beach day, book a private boat, because shared tours need to keep the group on schedule. Our guide to what to expect on Koh Madsum covers the stop itself.

Should you visit Koh Tan first or Pig Island first?

Either order works. Some tours snorkel at Koh Tan first and others visit Pig Island first, depending on sea conditions, crowds, the tide and the operator’s schedule. Unless you have a specific reason, the time at each island matters more than the order.

Best Time to Travel to Pig Island

For more dependable weather, late January through April is the strongest period. May to September can still bring many good boat days, October becomes more variable, and November is usually the least reliable month. Whatever the season, the sea on your day matters most. The month-by-month detail is in our best time to visit Pig Island guide.

Morning or afternoon departure?

Morning suits families, cooler temperatures, getting the trip done early and leaving the afternoon free. Afternoon suits slower holiday schedules, warmer light and sunset trips. Both work; the better option depends on the rest of your day.

What Happens If the Sea Is Rough?

The operator may delay the departure, change the route, reschedule or cancel. Do not pressure a captain to go out in unsafe conditions: a short route does not mean the weather is irrelevant.

Is the boat ride rough?

It can be, but the journey is short and conditions vary by day. Longtails can feel bumpier because they are small and open, and speedboats can also bounce in chop. On a calm sea both are straightforward, and if you are sensitive to motion, the short southern route is still one of the easiest boat trips from Koh Samui.

What Should You Bring for the Journey?

Bring:

• swimwear;
• towel;
• sunscreen;
• hat;
• sunglasses;
• water;
• dry bag;
• waterproof phone pouch;
• cash in small notes for the landing fee;
• change of clothes.

If you get seasick, use your usual motion-sickness remedy before departure.

Best Option for Families, Couples and Groups

Families: a shared tour with hotel pickup is simplest, and a private longtail gives you more flexibility. Check child life jackets, shade, toilet availability, how you board and the total road-transfer time.

Couples: a private longtail is especially appealing, with more privacy, a flexible pace and the classic Thai-boat atmosphere. On a budget, a small-group shared tour is perfectly suitable.

Groups: a private boat. Once several people split the charter it can be much better value than it first looks, and you avoid waiting for a large group at each stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a ferry to Pig Island?

No. There is no scheduled public boat to Koh Madsum and no timetable. Every visitor arrives on a tour boat or a chartered longtail from Koh Samui’s south coast.

How do I get from Koh Samui to Pig Island?

Take an organised boat tour or a private charter from southern Koh Samui. Most shared tours include hotel pickup, so the operator handles the drive to the pier.

Which pier do Pig Island boats leave from?

Thong Krut in Taling Ngam handles most departures, with the fishing harbour at Bang Kao taking the rest. Both are on the south coast. Nothing leaves from Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut or Maenam.

How far is Pig Island from Koh Samui?

Koh Tan, which shares every itinerary with Pig Island, is about five kilometres off the southern tip, and Koh Madsum is a short hop beyond it. That is roughly 15 to 20 minutes by speedboat or roughly 20 to 30 minutes by longtail.

Can I go directly to Koh Madsum?

Yes, especially with a private boat. Most shared tours stop at Koh Tan for snorkeling as well.

Is Koh Madsum the same as Pig Island?

Yes. Koh Madsum, also written Koh Mudsum, Koh Mat Sum or Ko Matsum, is Pig Island.

Should I also visit Koh Tan?

For most first-time visitors, yes. Koh Tan adds snorkeling and makes the trip more complete.

How long is the transfer from Chaweng to the pier?

40 to 50 minutes each way, which is why a three-hour boat trip becomes a five-hour day. From Lamai it is 25 to 35 minutes; from the south coast itself, almost nothing.

Is hotel pickup included?

Often, but not always. Check the listing, and check whether your hotel falls inside the operator’s pickup area.

Can I hire a private boat?

Yes. Longtail and speedboat charters are available, and longtails are priced by the boat rather than per person.

Is longtail or speedboat better?

A longtail is more atmospheric and ideal for short private trips. A speedboat is faster and more common on structured tours.

Can I drive to Pig Island?

No. You can only drive to the departure point on the south coast; the last leg is always by boat.

Can I visit Pig Island without booking a tour?

Yes, by chartering a longtail at Thong Krut pier and negotiating the price on the spot. You will need your own transport to the south coast, your own snorkel gear and cash for the 50-baht landing fee, with no cancellation policy if the weather turns. It only really makes sense if you are already staying nearby.

Can I do Pig Island as a day trip from Koh Phangan or Koh Tao?

From Koh Phangan, yes — take the 30 to 45 minute ferry to Koh Samui and join a trip from there. From Koh Tao it is a one-and-a-half to two-hour ferry each way, which makes for a very long day. There is no direct boat from either island.

What time do Pig Island tours pick up?

Typically 08:30 to 09:30 for morning departures and 13:00 to 14:00 for afternoon ones, with the group collected hotel by hotel. Your exact time is confirmed the evening before, and you should be in the lobby ten to fifteen minutes early.

The Bottom Line

The easiest way to get from Koh Samui to Koh Madsum is to book a south-coast boat trip, ideally one that also includes Koh Tan. For most travellers that means:

• stay at your Koh Samui hotel;
• use the included pickup;
• travel to Thong Krut or another southern departure point;
• take a short boat ride;
• snorkel at Koh Tan;
• visit Pig Island;
• return the same day.

If you value flexibility, book a private longtail. If you want simplicity, choose a shared half-day tour with transfers included. Either way, Pig Island is one of the easiest island trips from Koh Samui because it is so close to shore. If the pigs are the reason you are going, our guide to swimming with pigs in Thailand sets out what you will and will not see.

Compare our current Pig Island tours from Koh Samui to see shared, private, longtail, speedboat and catamaran options.