With its beautiful golden beaches and deeply relaxing holiday vibe, Koh Samui has easily become one of Thailand's most famous resort islands. But the magic doesn't stop there! Surrounding Koh Samui are numerous breathtaking outer islands, including Ang Thong National Marine Park, Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, and the Pha-Ngan Islands. The island we're introducing today is originally named Koh Madsum, but it affectionately earned the nickname "Pig Island" thanks to the many pigs—big and small—that call it home. Not only can you get up close to feed and snap photos with them, but you can also watch these adorable pigs leisurely strolling and splashing around the beach. The contrast of the little black pigs against the pristine white sand, the vast ocean view, and the lush green archipelagos in the distance makes the Pig Island experience truly one of a kind!

📌 Koh Samui Island Hopping Tour References: Pig Island | Ang Thong National Marine Park | Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Pha-Ngan

Located south of Koh Samui, Pig Island is just a quick 20-minute boat ride away. The departure beach is located on the southern coast of Koh Samui, so if you're staying up north, expect a slightly longer car ride to get there. We stayed at the "Conrad Koh Samui" on the southwestern tip of the island. Since the resort is only about a 20-minute drive from the departure beach, it was super convenient for us!

📌 Conrad Koh Samui Check Rates

On the day of the tour, a car will pick you up from your hotel and take you directly to the departure beach.

There were two incredibly cute, brightly colored boats resting by the beach!

Before boarding, all passengers are asked to take off their shoes and put them in a large communal storage box. Except for those wearing water shoes, everyone boards the boat barefoot.

About 10 minutes into the boat ride, we arrived at the snorkeling spot. Since we had our toddler with us, we decided not to get in the water. Instead, we stayed on the boat, happily snapping photos and waiting for everyone to finish their snorkeling session.

Around the snorkeling area, you'll spot all sorts of vessels—hotel boats, traditional wooden longtail boats, speedboats, you name it! Many different tour companies offer Pig Island day trips, and their itineraries seem pretty similar: snorkel in the same spot, then head to Pig Island. The main differences come down to the type of boat you take, whether lunch is included, and how long you get to spend on Pig Island itself. You can easily pick the one that best suits your needs!

📌 Pig Island Day Tour References: KKDay | Klook

After about 30 minutes of snorkeling, the boat set off for Pig Island, and we arrived in just 5 minutes! Compared to the hour-long boat ride it took us to get to Ang Thong National Marine Park previously, Pig Island is an absolute breeze to reach!

One thing worth mentioning: the boat anchors a bit far from the shore, so we had to wade through thigh-high water to disembark and walk barefoot to Pig Island. We highly recommend wearing water shoes if you join a Pig Island tour. The sand can be surprisingly sharp with scattered coral fragments and pebbles, so if you're going barefoot, definitely watch your step!

We finally made it!

Pig Island is actually uninhabited by humans. Legend has it that the pigs swam over from the neighboring coral island, Koh Taen, many years ago!

There's a small shop on the island where you can buy food to feed the pigs. These little guys have basically become massive superstars! The ones wandering the beach are especially popular, with tourists scrambling to snap the perfect photo of the piglets against the backdrop of the crystal-clear ocean and blue skies. 🤣

Seeing the little pigs just casually strolling along the shoreline is so incredibly cool!

There’s a designated photo op spot for the classic "I was here" tourist shot! It features a sign with the island’s name, Madsum, and an oversized propeller that really adds to the tropical vacation vibe.

The one and only little shop on the island!

They sell some light snacks and drinks, as well as the feed for the little pigs.

Some tour packages include lunch, and the photo above was our meal for the day!

There’s plenty of seating around the shop, plus a super cute swing.

Quite a few pigs hang around this area—wandering, foraging, or just taking a good nap.

Besides the pigs, there are also dogs and chickens roaming around. Our son had the absolute best time watching all the little animals!

Pig Island isn't very large, so what else is there to do besides interacting and snapping photos with the black pigs? Well, a picture-perfect beach swing for those Instagram shots is an absolute must, of course!

The beach is lined with sun loungers. You can grab a spot facing the ocean, take in the gorgeous scenery, soak up some sun, and just blissfully zone out.

There are also plenty of kayaks available to rent right on the beach!

You can also take a walk to the other side of the island for a change of scenery. Follow the beach, and it will eventually lead you to a fantastic viewpoint.

The path is extremely rugged and natural. To keep tourists from getting lost, they've set up some very simple, rustic signs along the way.

This viewpoint is surprisingly beautiful! You get a wonderful elevated perspective looking down over Pig Island.

To sum it up, Pig Island may be small, but it’s incredibly close to Koh Samui, boasts pristine beaches, and offers gorgeous scenery. Pair that with the novelty of black pigs on the beach, and it makes for a truly unique experience. Cherry feels that the Pig Island day tour is perfect for travelers who prefer a more relaxed, unhurried itinerary. It's also highly recommended if your Koh Samui hotel sits on a rocky coastline or isn't right by the water—coming to Pig Island to soak up the clean, beautiful beaches and laid-back island vibe is totally worth it! We also highly recommend it for families with kids. The trip is very easygoing for little ones, with plenty of sand, water, and cute animals to keep them entertained. Highly recommend!

📌 Pig Island Day Tour References: KKDay | Klook

Beyond the outer islands, Koh Samui itself has plenty of must-visit spots. If you're interested in exploring more, check out our guide 👉🏻 Koh Samui Travel Guide: Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions | Map Included

Koh Samui Travel Info

★ Transport: Airport Transfers | Private Car Charter

★ Internet: Thailand SIM Card

★ Island Hopping: Ang Thong National Marine Park | Pig Island | Koh Tao

★ Island Activities: Koh Samui Day Tour | ATV Jungle Safari

★ Elephant Feeding: Northern Koh Samui | Southern Koh Samui

More Koh Samui Travel Guides

Koh Samui Travel Guide: Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions | Map Included

Koh Samui Travel Guide: 6 Stops for a Half-Day Island Tour—Is It Worth It?

Koh Samui Island Hopping: Panoramic Views of the Stunning Archipelago!

Other Travel Guides

★ Europe: Finland | UK

★ Middle East: Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Doha

★ USA: Las Vegas | San Francisco

★ Southeast Asia: Bali | Phu Quoc | Koh Samui

★ Islands: Tahiti | Maldives | Fiji