Have you ever heard of Pig Island in southern Thailand? An entire island full of friendly pigs roaming freely?
Well, listen up, because this place really exists. It’s called Koh Madsum (also called Koh Mudsum), and it’s located in southern Thailand, just a short boat ride away from the popular island of Koh Samui.
We’re a family of four living in Thailand since 2019, and we’ve visited Pig Island twice already, loving it both times. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through what it’s like visiting Pig Island with kids, including how to get there, safety tips, activities, and what costs to expect.
Getting to Koh Madsum
You can reach Pig Island primarily from Koh Samui. At Thong Krut Pier, on the southern part of the island, you’ll find one tour operator after another lined up. The tour companies offer both private and joint boat tours, either on a longtail boat (a 30-minute ride) or a speed boat (depending on the number of engines, the trip takes only 10-15 minutes).
The tours usually run twice a day: at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Some operators also offer sunset tours at later times.
One thing to note is that these tours almost always include a stop at Koh Tan (or Koh Taen). There, you can either visit the beach or go snorkeling along the coastline from the boat and watch coral reefs and plenty of fish. The tour operators provide snorkeling equipment, including life vests.
Costs
For a private long-tail boat, prices start at THB 2,700 (77 USD) for 1-2 people, increasing to THB 4,500 (128 USD) for groups of 8-10. If you prefer a private speedboat, a one-engine option ranges from THB 6,800 (194 USD) for 1-2 people up to THB 9,000 (257 USD) for 9-10 people. For larger groups, a two-engine speedboat can accommodate up to 20 passengers, with prices starting at THB 9,800 (280 USD) for 1-5 people and going up to THB 14,000 (400 USD) for 18-20 people.
As a family of four, we paid THB 3,500 (100 USD) for our private tour with Smile Samui. We were even able to choose our departure time.
In addition, there’s an admission fee of THB 50 (1.50 USD) per person to enter Koh Madsum. Kids are free.
Booking Tips
Tour Operators: Our first tour in 2021 was with Kohtantour & Transport. Back then, our 4-year-old daughter even joined in on the snorkeling. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t ideal, so the snorkeling experience was a bit disappointing. The entire tour lasted 4 hours.
Our second tour in August 2024 was with Smile Samui. This time, we had our 3-year-old and our now 7-year-old daughters with us. Since our youngest was too small for snorkeling, we arranged with the tour operator to skip the snorkeling part. The price remained the same, but we had plenty of time on Pig Island.
We had other activities planned that day, so we were able to push our boat tour start from 2 to 3 p.m. This flexibility was fantastic.
Private or Joint Tour: If you’re traveling with young kids, I’d highly recommend booking a private tour. It allows you to decide how long you want to stay at different spots. You can skip the snorkeling entirely and avoid waiting on the beach for the rest of the tourists to finish. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Snorkeling or Not: I’d only recommend the snorkeling part if your kids are already comfortable with it or at least happy to splash around in the sea with a life vest while the parents snorkel.
What to Expect on Koh Madsum
Let’s get back to Koh Madsum, aka Pig Island. The mostly uninhabited island is relatively small, covering an area of around 0.4 square miles (1 square km). It’s easy to explore on foot, with a leisurely walk around the island taking about an hour or so.
The Island Experience and Facilities
The island is quite untouched, with nature made up of sandy beaches (at low tide, you will find a large stretch of beach), crystal clear waters, palm trees, and other tropical foliage. There’s a main restaurant on the island, the Mad Sum Bar, where the pigs also hang out. The restaurant is simple, offering snacks like chips and crackers, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, basic Western food, and Thai dishes. You can also buy pig and dog food there.
Public toilets are available (they’re okay), and there’s plenty of shade, with bamboo tables and chairs, some of which are covered. Besides relaxing on the beach, visitors can rent kayaks directly from the restaurant.
The Best Part: Meeting the Pigs
Now, let’s talk about the highlight: the pigs.
I have to say, the development over the last few years has been extreme! While there were only about five pigs in 2021, there are now easily over 100. There are a few larger pigs, but mostly lots of little piglets running around everywhere. It’s clear they had a lot of fun expanding their family!
The best part? The pigs are completely free to roam and can escape the tourist crowds if they want to. Most of them hang out in the shade near the restaurant kitchen or wallow in the mud in front of the sinks by the toilets. They look healthy and well taken care of.
Just a heads up—you probably won’t come across the famous swimming pigs here. In all my visits, I’ve never actually seen a pig in the water.
Most of the pigs are friendly and enjoy interacting with people. You can slowly approach them, extend your hand, and pet them. Your best chance of winning a pig’s affection is by buying food or bringing them water. We didn’t do this on our last visit, but it was still a great experience.
My daughters had a blast petting the little piglets. They spent ages in the sand, playing with the babies. The three dogs on the island were also very friendly and enjoyed the attention.
Here’s what we told our kids for safety:
- Don’t pick up the baby pigs.
- Always be respectful to the animals, and don’t try to chase or catch them.
- Approach the dogs only if they clearly show they want to be petted.
What to Bring to Pig Island
Essential Items:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hats
- Swimwear
- Something to cover your shoulders during the boat ride
- Towel or blanket to sit on or dry off with
- Camera
- Cash for food and the admission fee
- Maybe some beach toys
Food and Drinks: The tour operators bring plenty of water bottles, so you don’t need to bring water. Some captains even offer fresh fruit. If you think your kids might need snacks during the boat ride, be sure to pack some.
Tips for a Successful Visit
Best Time to Visit
Generally, you’ll find the best weather during the high season from December to March. It’s cooler, and the rainy season is over. However, I personally recommend visiting during the mid or low-season, between April and October. It might be hotter, and there’s a higher chance of rain, but there are also fewer tourists.
As for the time of day, you’re usually tied to the tour operator’s schedule. Most tours, as mentioned, run at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. During these peak times, the small island can be overrun with tourists. The whole beach is full of long-tail boats with captains waiting for the tourists to go back.
If you book a private boat, try to arrange a more personalized schedule with the tour operator, such as before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. We started our tour at 3 p.m., but I think 4 p.m. would also be a good time.
Dealing with Other Tourists
Pig Island is a major tourist attraction and popular destination. The other tourists on Koh Madsum were the biggest challenge for us, both in 2021 and 2024. Not only are there just too many people, but unfortunately, many don’t respect the animals or supervise their kids properly when interacting with the pigs.
This often led to me getting really upset and having to reprimand even grown adults. The large tourist crowds are another reason why booking private tours is so important.
The Story of Mr. Kitt and Pig Island
Even though you shouldn’t believe everything you hear at tourist spots, the story of how Pig Island came to be is truly adorable.
This is what they say: Mr. Kitt, who runs a small beach bar on Koh Madsum with his family, discovered a pair of pigs at a market in Surat Thani. He saw the pigs huddled together, scared and about to be sold to farmers and butchers. Realizing they were a family, he decided to buy them and take them to Koh Madsum, where they became the island’s famous pigs. Mr. Kitt had never owned pigs before, but with the help of Gojo Tours, they created the Pig Island Experience. This tour allows visitors to feed the pigs and learn their story, with a portion of the tour proceeds going back to the local community.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Pig Island with Kids
Koh Madsum, or Pig Island, is a unique attraction and offers so much fun for families. Interacting with the friendly pigs is a highlight, especially for kids of all ages, and the island’s natural beauty adds to the charm.
However, the growing number of tourists can make the visit a bit overwhelming. To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking a private tour to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.
With some preparation—like bringing sunscreen, snacks, and beach essentials—you can ensure a smooth and memorable day. Despite the challenges, Pig Island remains a special place that my kids call the highlight of their last vacation.
Are you planning to visit Pig Island? Or have you been there already? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading and for making me part of your day! Yours, Lulu.
