Thong Krut Pier to Pig Island

Where is Thong Krut?

Thong Krut is a small coastal village in Taling Ngam, on the southern side of Koh Samui near its south-west corner. You may also see it written as:

• Thong Krut;
• Thongkrut;
• Tong Krut.

It is much quieter than the resort zones of Chaweng or Bophut. The village faces the small islands south of Koh Samui, which is why it became the main launching point for trips to:

• Koh Madsum;
• Koh Tan;
• other islands off the south coast.

This is not a ferry terminal. Think of a working fishing village with a small pier, a few tour desks and longtails pulled up along the beach.

Is Thong Krut the only departure point for Pig Island?

No. The other is Bang Kao, a fishing harbour a little further east. Several of the big shared speedboat tours leave from there, including the Pig Island & Koh Tan Snorkeling by Speed boat and the Pig Island Snorkeling and Koh Tan Speedboat Tour. If your ticket includes hotel pickup, it does not matter which pier you use; the driver takes you there.

If your booking says “Thong Krut Pier”, that is normal. Do not assume every operator boards from the same concrete jetty: several use their own desk or a stretch of beach close to the pier, so read the meeting point on your voucher.

Which boats and tours leave from Thong Krut?

The traditional Thai longtail is the boat most people take from Thong Krut, and nearly all the private charters start here. Tours that name Thong Krut as their departure point:

• the private longtail with snorkel, from $101 for up to two people, 4.3/5 from 664 reviews, no hotel transfer;
• the Pig Island Private Longtail Boat Tour, from $137 for up to two people, 4.2/5 from 243 reviews, with hotel pickup as an option;
• the Island Hopping Adventure in Coral and Pig Island, a 7-hour shared day from $51 per person, 4.6/5 from 3,652 reviews, with hotel pickup;
• the Pig Island & Koh Tan Snorkeling w/Viewpoint Hike, a 6-hour shared longtail day from $28 per person, 4.3/5 from 895 reviews, with hotel pickup;
• the Sunset Pig Island and Snorkeling Koh Tan w/Dinner, an afternoon speedboat trip from $46 per person, 4.2/5 from 734 reviews, which boards at the T.K. Tour pier on Thong Krut beach.

Longtail

Best for:

• private trips;
• families;
• couples;
• the atmosphere of an open wooden boat;
• the short hop to the islands.

Expect open sides, engine noise, simple bench seating and some spray. On a calm day it is a pleasant ride; in choppy water the boat bounces more than many travellers expect.

Speedboat

Best for:

• shared tours;
• a quicker crossing;
• a fixed itinerary.

Catamaran

The catamaran trips do not use the pier as a charter point; the Koh Madsum & Koh Tan Speed Catamaran Tour, for example, leaves from Bang Kao. Book one if you want more deck space, a bigger group and kayaks or a slide on board.

How far is Pig Island from Thong Krut?

Koh Tan lies about 5 km off the southern tip of Koh Samui, with Koh Madsum beside it. The crossing takes 15 to 20 minutes by speedboat and 20 to 30 minutes by longtail. The time changes with:

• the boat;
• sea conditions;
• the tide;
• whether you stop at Koh Tan first;
• the exact boarding point.

On the water the difference between the two boats is ten minutes or so, so pick the boat for the trip you want, not for speed. Our speedboat vs longtail guide compares comfort, spray and price.

Is there a public ferry from Thong Krut?

No. No scheduled ferry runs to Pig Island, and there is no ticket office selling seats on the next departure. You either:

• join a shared tour;
• charter a private longtail;
• book a speedboat trip;
• join a larger organised excursion.

The ferries to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao leave from piers on the north and west coasts, not from Thong Krut.

Meeting your boat at the pier

If you booked a private longtail, arrival is simple:

1. arrive at the operator’s meeting point;
2. show your booking;
3. meet the captain;
4. listen to a short safety briefing;
5. collect life jackets and snorkeling masks;
6. board the boat.

Meeting points differ by operator, so check yours:

• The $101 private longtail meets at Naphat Tour, beside Thong Krut Pier, 15 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup is not included.
• On the $137 private longtail, the operator emails the exact meeting point and time. You may be marked a no-show if you arrive more than 10 minutes late.
• On the full-day island hopping tour, the minibus takes you to the pier and the guide meets the group holding a TripGuru sign.

Save the operator’s phone or WhatsApp number before you leave the hotel. A quick message sorts out a confusing meeting point faster than walking the beach looking for your boat.

Is Thong Krut a proper ferry terminal?

No. Do not expect:

• a waiting lounge;
• departure boards;
• baggage check;
• airport-style facilities.

It is a small pier and a beach with boats tied up. You wait at the operator’s desk or in the shade nearby.

Will you get wet boarding the boat?

Possibly. Depending on the tide and where your boat is tied up, you may:

• step down from the pier;
• wade out through shallow water;
• climb over the side of the boat.

Wear sandals or water shoes that can get wet, and keep your phone in a pouch until you are seated. Koh Madsum has no passenger pier either, so expect a beach landing at the other end.

Is there food near the pier?

Yes. The village has a few local Thai restaurants, a beach café and seafood places along the shore. If your boat has a fixed departure time, eat before you arrive or after you get back; a long lunch and a 15-minute check-in do not mix. Koh Madsum itself has very little food, so if your trip does not include lunch, bring snacks.

Is there parking?

Parking around the pier varies and is informal. If you are driving or riding a scooter, ask your operator when you book where to leave it, and do not count on parking beside the boat. Arriving by taxi avoids the question.

Getting to Thong Krut from your hotel

Pier time is short; the drive is long. From the northern beaches, allow:

• Chaweng: 40 to 50 minutes each way;
• Bophut and Fisherman’s Village: 45 to 50 minutes;
• Maenam: 45 to 55 minutes;
• Lamai: 25 to 35 minutes;
• Taling Ngam and the south coast: under 15 minutes.

Can you take a taxi to Thong Krut?

Yes. It is the simplest option if your private boat does not include hotel pickup. Ask the driver for “Thong Krut Pier” and show the meeting point on your booking, since several boats leave from points close to each other. Book the return taxi before you board, or ask the operator to call one for you when you land.

Is hotel pickup worth it?

For travellers staying in the north or north-east, usually yes: no taxi to arrange, no wrong pier, and the ride home is sorted. Pickup can add time, because the minibus collects other guests on the way. Our getting to Pig Island guide compares taxis, pickups, scooters and car hire in full, and our private vs group guide works out when a private boat plus a taxi beats a shared ticket with pickup.

Can you just arrive at Thong Krut and hire a boat?

Sometimes. Longtail boatmen around the pier do take walk-up charters, but it is less predictable than booking. If you turn up, you may need to:

• negotiate the price;
• wait for a free boat;
• compare a few captains;
• pay in cash;
• take whatever departure time is available.

That suits flexible travellers already staying on the south coast. It suits you less if you:

• have children;
• need a specific time;
• are visiting in a busy month;
• want clear cancellation terms.

Agree the price, the stops and the return time before you board, and check that there are life jackets for everyone.

Is it better to book ahead?

For most first-time visitors, yes. Booking ahead gets you:

• a confirmed boat;
• a confirmed departure time;
• a clear meeting point;
• known inclusions;
• reviews from earlier guests;
• cancellation terms.

Reserve a private longtail in advance if you want a specific morning or afternoon slot.

Is it worth travelling to Thong Krut independently?

Yes, if:

• your private boat is cheaper without the transfer;
• you have a rental car or scooter;
• you are staying in Lamai or on the south coast;
• you want to set your own times.

Less so if:

• you are staying in Bophut or Maenam;
• you dislike arranging taxis;
• you want everything in one booking.

The Koh Madsum island fee

Koh Madsum charges a landing fee of 50 baht per person, paid in cash on the beach. Some tours include it: the full-day island hopping trip, the viewpoint-hike longtail and the sunset dinner trip all list it. The private longtail charters from Thong Krut do not, so carry a few 20 and 50 baht notes. Some listings say children go free; check your booking.

Where does the boat go first?

This varies. The private longtail goes to Koh Tan first for snorkeling, weather permitting, and then to Koh Madsum. The full-day island hopping tour goes to Pig Island first, before the heat and the half-day boats. Captains also change the order for crowds, weather and tide. The stop order is not a sign of a better or worse tour.

On Koh Tan you snorkel off the beach for about an hour with a mask and life jacket; on Koh Madsum you have free time with the pigs, on the beach and in the water. Our what to expect guide walks through the day.

What should you bring to Thong Krut?

Bring:

• your booking confirmation;
• the operator’s phone or WhatsApp number;
• swimwear;
• a towel;
• sunscreen;
• a hat;
• sunglasses;
• water;
• cash, including 50 baht per person for Koh Madsum;
• a waterproof phone pouch;
• a dry bag.

Morning or afternoon departure?

Morning is the easy default: cooler, and your afternoon is free. Afternoon suits you if you want a slow morning and softer light; the $101 private longtail recommends its afternoon departure to miss the shared-boat crowds on Pig Island. Most private longtails offer both.

What if the weather is bad?

The crossing is short, but wind and swell still affect whether boats go out, and the captain makes the final call. A trip may be delayed, rescheduled, cancelled, or run with the snorkeling stop moved. Wind and sea state matter more than light rain. February to April usually brings the calmest sea; November is the least reliable month. Our best time to visit guide goes month by month.

Frequently asked questions

Is Thong Krut the main pier for Pig Island?

Yes. It is the pier most listings name and the starting point for nearly every private longtail. Bang Kao, a little further east, handles many of the shared speedboat tours.

How long is the boat from Thong Krut to Pig Island?

15 to 20 minutes by speedboat and 20 to 30 minutes by longtail, depending on the sea.

Is there a ferry?

No. There is no scheduled public ferry to Pig Island.

Can I hire a boat at the pier?

Sometimes, from local boatmen, but booking ahead gives you a confirmed time and cancellation terms.

Are private longtails available?

Yes. Thong Krut is where most of them start, from about $101 for up to two people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Not always, especially on the cheaper private charters. Check the listing.

How early should I arrive?

15 minutes before departure if you meet the boat yourself.

Can I park near Thong Krut?

There is informal parking around the village. Ask your operator where to leave a car or scooter.

Can children do the trip?

Many tours accept children. Check the listing for age limits and ask for child-size life jackets.

Does the trip include Koh Tan?

Most Pig Island tours from Thong Krut stop at Koh Tan to snorkel.

Is snorkeling guaranteed?

No. It depends on sea conditions on the day.

Is Thong Krut worth visiting by itself?

It is a quiet south-coast village with a few seafood restaurants, but most visitors come for the boats.

The bottom line

Thong Krut is the practical gateway to Pig Island, and the pier itself is easy:

• reach the south coast;
• find your operator’s desk 15 minutes early;
• board your longtail or speedboat;
• cross in 15 to 30 minutes;
• snorkel at Koh Tan and visit Koh Madsum;
• return the same day.

Plan for the road from your hotel. From Chaweng, Bophut or Maenam, a tour with hotel pickup saves you the taxi. From Lamai or the south coast, meeting a private longtail at the pier is simple and cheaper.

Check the meeting point on your booking before you set off, then compare current Pig Island tours from Koh Samui for private longtails, shared speedboats and tours with transfers. If you are still deciding how long to go for, see our half-day vs full-day Pig Island tours guide.