Bestseller
Private
Private
Last updated 25 October 2026 · By the Pig Island Samui team
Pick Pig Island (Koh Madsum) for a short, easy half day from Koh Samui with pigs, a shallow reef and little travel. Pick Ang Thong Marine Park for a full day of limestone islands, kayaking and a steep viewpoint hike. Ang Thong closes every year from 1 November to 15 December; Pig Island does not.
How do the two trips compare?
We sell both. Pig Island trips are on this site, and Ang Thong tours are on our sister site, angthongmarinepark.com. So we have no reason to push one over the other. Here is the honest side-by-side.
| Pig Island (Koh Madsum & Koh Tan) | Ang Thong Marine Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Just off the south-west coast of Koh Samui | An archipelago of 42 islands, about 30 km west of Samui |
| Boat time | About 15–30 minutes by longtail, less by speedboat | About 45–60 minutes by speedboat; up to 2 hours by big boat |
| Tour length | 4–6 hours, morning or afternoon | A full day, about 8–10 hours door to door |
| Typical price | From 1,450 THB adult (speedboat tour) | About 1,000–2,000 THB adult on shared tours |
| Entry fee | About 50 THB per person, cash, paid on the island | National park fee 300 THB adult, 150 THB child (foreigners), cash |
| Scenery | Low green islands, white sand, coral shallows | Tall limestone cliffs, caves, a saltwater lagoon |
| Snorkelling | Shallow reef close to the beach at Koh Tan | Several stops; visibility often reduced by river sediment |
| Hiking | Short walk to a small viewpoint on Koh Madsum | Steep 500 m climb to the Koh Wua Ta Lap viewpoint; stairs to the Emerald Lake |
| Kids | Very easy: short crossing, shallow water, pigs | Good for older children who can manage a long day and stairs |
| Crowds | Busy at midday; quieter early and late | Busy at the lagoon stairs when big boats arrive |
| Season | All year, weather permitting | Closed every year 1 November – 15 December |
Ang Thong prices and fees checked October 2026 from several operators and park guides. The park fee is usually not included in tour prices.
What is a Pig Island trip like?
Most of our trips leave from Thong Krut pier in the south-west of Koh Samui. Within half an hour you are on Koh Madsum, where pigs roam a white sand beach. There is a beach restaurant, kayaks and a short path to a viewpoint. Then you snorkel the shallow reef at Koh Tan, next door. Most tours include lunch or dinner.
The whole trip fits into a morning or an afternoon. That leaves time for the pool, a massage or a slow dinner. The Pig Island speedboat tour takes 4–5 hours and costs 1,450 THB per adult. The sunset tour adds the late light and dinner on the beach.
The downsides are real. The island is small and facilities are basic. At midday several boats can land at once. The pigs are animals, not props: some days they sleep in the shade and ignore everyone. Read our Koh Madsum guide for what to expect.
What is an Ang Thong day trip like?
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park has been protected since 1980. Its islands are steep limestone, covered in forest, with cliffs dropping straight into the sea. It looks very different from the low, sandy islands around Pig Island.
A typical day starts with hotel pickup between about 07:30 and 08:30. Big boats leave from Nathon pier; speedboats often leave from the north or west coast. Tours usually include snorkelling, kayaking, a buffet lunch and two island landings. You are back in the late afternoon.
Two stops stand out. On Koh Wua Ta Lap, a trail of about 500 m climbs steeply to the Pha Jun Jaras viewpoint. It has ropes and rest points, and most people need 30–45 minutes to reach the top. On Koh Mae Ko, steep stairs lead to a lookout over the Emerald Lake (Thale Nai), a saltwater lagoon ringed by cliffs. You look, but you cannot swim: swimming in the lagoon is not allowed.
Which has better snorkelling?
For easy snorkelling, Koh Tan usually wins. The reef is shallow and close to the beach, so nervous swimmers and children can float above it. Ang Thong has more stops, but the park sits near the mouth of a large river. Sediment often clouds the water, so visibility varies a lot from day to day.
Neither is a dive-site reef. If snorkelling is your main goal, look at Koh Tao instead. Our Koh Samui day trips guide compares all the options.
Who should pick which?
Choose Pig Island if
- You have small children or a baby
- You only have half a day
- Someone in your group gets seasick
- You visit between 1 November and 15 December
- You want the pigs, a beach and easy snorkelling
Choose Ang Thong if
- You want dramatic cliffs and big views
- You are happy with a steep climb in the heat
- You like kayaking
- Everyone can manage an 8–10 hour day
- You have already seen the south islands
Families with young children often find Ang Thong long. Our Pig Island with kids guide explains why the short crossing helps.
What happens between November and mid-December?
Ang Thong Marine Park closes every year from 1 November to 15 December for the monsoon. No tours enter the park in that window. Pig Island trips keep running, weather permitting, because the south-west coast is more sheltered.
October to December is Samui’s wettest period, so expect some rain on any trip. If the captain cancels for weather or sea safety, you choose a full refund or a new date. See our best time to visit Pig Island guide for month-by-month advice.
Can you do both?
Yes, on separate days. They leave from different parts of the island and each needs its own boat. A good plan is Ang Thong on your first calm, clear day, then Pig Island on a lazier day later in the week. Book Ang Thong early in high season; tours from Samui are on our sister site for Ang Thong tours.
Short on time? Do Pig Island in the morning and keep the afternoon free. It is the easier trip to fit around flights, as you are usually back by about 14:00.
