Where does the « Pig Island » confusion come from?
Many tourists arrive in Koh Samui with a single phrase in mind: « Pig Island ». They've seen pigs on a paradise Thai beach on Instagram, so they set out to book a tour to this mysterious island. The problem: « Pig Island » isn't an official name.
Here's the simple geographic truth:
- Koh Madsum (เกาะมัดสุม) = the real Pig Island — the pigs live here, on the eastern beach
- Koh Tan (เกาะแตน) = a fishermen's island, traditional longtail boats, the best snorkeling — no resident pigs (occasionally pigs visiting the northern beach, but only by chance)
The two islands are neighbours (1.5 km apart, 5–10 min by boat), located south of Koh Samui (off Maenam). That's why all the good tours combine the two.
Koh Tan and Koh Madsum — A profile of each island
Koh Tan (เกาะแตน)
- Size: 1.5 km² (the larger of the two)
- Population: ~50 Muslim fishermen (inhabited but undeveloped)
- Beaches: Tongsai to the north (where the boats arrive), small coves to the east
- Snorkeling: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — coral reef on the south side, 2–4 m deep, lots of tropical fish (parrotfish, sergeant majors, triggerfish), sometimes turtles
- Highlight: a row of colourful longtail boats on the northern beach, an iconic scene of traditional Thai fishing
- Pigs: ❌ No (except the rare passing visit)
Koh Madsum (เกาะมัดสุม)
- Size: 0.5 km² (small)
- Population: Uninhabited (except for the pigs)
- Beaches: A single large beach to the east, fine white sand, translucent water
- Snorkeling: ⭐⭐⭐ — very clear water but few corals (sandy bottom), 1–2 m deep — ideal for beginners and children
- Highlight: the pigs (a local Thai breed, ~10 of them) roam free on the beach. Bonus: lunch on the water (a table in 30 cm of water, an iconic experience)
- Pigs: ✅ Yes, this is THE Pig Island
Quick comparison
| Criterion | Koh Tan | Koh Madsum |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist nickname | "Pig Island" (wrongly) | "Pig Island" (rightly) |
| Pigs | ❌ None | ✅ ~10 pigs |
| Snorkeling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (coral + fish) | ⭐⭐⭐ (clear water, sandy bottom) |
| Crystal-clear water | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Good for snorkeling beginners | Moderately (coral = caution) | Excellent |
| Good for children < 6 | OK | Excellent (shallow) |
| Lunch on the water | No | ✅ Yes (the spot's signature) |
| Inhabited | Yes (fishermen) | No |
| Colourful longtail boats | ✅ Yes (northern beach) | No |
| Best for | Snorkelers, photographers | Families, Instagrammers |
The ideal tour: both in the same day
This is what Samui Authentic offers, and what we recommend to 100% of our clients:
- 10am — Hotel pick-up (Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam)
- 10:30am — Boarding at Thong Krut pier (south of Samui), 20-min crossing
- 11am – 12:30pm — Koh Tan: snorkeling on the south reef, swimming, longtail boat photos
- 12:30 – 1pm — 10-min crossing to Koh Madsum
- 1 – 2:30pm — Koh Madsum: lunch on the water, visiting the pigs, swimming
- 2:30 – 4pm — Relaxing on Madsum beach, return
- 4:30pm — Back at the hotel
Price: 2 800 THB per adult (semi-private ≤10 pax), 2 000 THB per child aged 4–9. Included: transfers, snorkeling gear, lunch, water and drinks, English-speaking guide, insurance.
Book the Koh Tan + Koh Madsum tour
Instant quote, English-speaking guide, 181 Google reviews rated 5 stars. 10% deposit, balance on the day.
View the tour →Common mistakes to avoid
Mistake #1 — Booking a tour that does ONLY Koh Tan
You won't see the pigs. ALWAYS check that the itinerary explicitly includes Koh Madsum (or « Pig Island » with the pigs confirmed).
Mistake #2 — Booking a tour that does ONLY Koh Madsum
You'll miss the best snorkeling in the area. Insist on doing both.
Mistake #3 — Believing it's the same island
You might end up wondering where the pigs are on Koh Tan. The answer: nowhere. They're on Madsum.
Mistake #4 — Touching / feeding the pigs
They're semi-wild animals, not pets. Photos are fine, just keep your distance. Food is brought by the boats, which feed them at regulated intervals.
Frequently asked questions
Are the pigs there all year round?
Yes, they live on Koh Madsum permanently. During the monsoon season (October–November), they stay more inland, so they're a little harder to spot.
Is there competition for space on the beach?
At peak times (11am–1pm in high season), yes — 4–5 boats can be docked at the same time on Koh Madsum. That's why we tend to arrive around 1pm (the midday lull) or early in the morning (8am, our « Sunrise » version).
Can you spend the night on Koh Madsum?
No, there's no official accommodation. For a private-island-plus-overnight experience, see our Koh Rap Bivouac tour (a neighbouring island, camping accommodation with BBQ).
Is lunch on the water really in the water?
Yes — a wooden table set up 5 m from the shore in 30 cm of water. Feet in the sea throughout the meal. It's Koh Madsum's flagship attraction. On the menu: grilled prawns, fish, fried rice, green salad, fruit — prepared locally by the fishermen.
How long does the tour last?
6 hours from pick-up to your return to the hotel. Shorter than Ang Thong (8 hrs), and more relaxed.