Yes, you can visit "Pig Island," with the two most famous locations being in the Bahamas (Big Major Cay) and Thailand (Koh Madsum near Koh Samui). Both destinations allow tourists to visit, feed, and swim with pigs on white-sand beaches, typically accessed via guided boat tours.
Private Boat: For a more luxurious experience you can rent a private boat to take you directly to Pig Island. Group Tours: Many tour operators offer group tours to Pig Island which often include extra activities and amenities.
A brief overview of the cheapest way to visit Pig Island on Koh Samui. Instead of going on a tour, you're gonna charter the boat yourself. First, you're going to have to get yourself to the pier. It's called Thong Krut Pier, and it's on the southwest coast of the island.
Pig island was great fun and a massive hit with the kids. While we were with the pigs, they set up a magical picnic for us with a few beach games to enjoy as the sun set over the sea. Absolutely unforgettable and well worth paying more for than the group tours.
Swimming Pigs Rule This Tropical Island | National Geographic
What should visitors avoid doing at Pig Beach?
Give the pigs space, feed them responsibly, avoid crowding them in the water, and choose tour companies that value the animals as much as the tourists.
Depart from Thong Krut pier, it's take only 20-30 minutes by long tail boat and 10-15 minutes by speed boat. Arrive at Koh Mudsum or also known as “Pig Island”, where you can simply relax on the soft sandy beach with less people. Sunbathing, swimming, or take your time with cutie friendly pigs.
When visiting Koh Samui, be cautious of common tourist risks like scooter accidents (wear helmets!), jet ski scams (document rentals carefully), and petty theft (watch your belongings); also, protect against mosquitoes (dengue risk), be wary of overpriced taxis/songthaews, and use common sense with food safety and nightlife to avoid issues like drink spiking, while also being mindful of challenging mountain roads and potentially aggressive stray dogs.
For less touristy Thailand, explore Northern gems like Chiang Rai, Lampang, and Nan for culture, or head south to the tranquil islands of Koh Yao Noi/Yai, Koh Kood, Koh Mook, or Koh Lanta for quiet beaches and local life, while inland options include Khao Sok National Park, Kanchanaburi, and the ancient cities of Sukhothai/Ayutthaya, offering nature, history, and fewer crowds.
Big Major Cay is an island uninhabited by humans. The pig population was estimated between fifty and sixty pigs as of 2019. A few stray cats and goats can be found on the island as well.
If your next vacation includes a trip to The Bahamas, plan a day excursion to go swim with pigs on their little private island. Visiting pig beach is a once in a lifetime experience, and you know you want to snap a selfie with one of those cute critters.
Neither Koh Samui nor Krabi is objectively "better," as the choice depends on your travel style: Choose Koh Samui for easy luxury, families, varied resorts, nightlife, and accessibility; choose Krabi for dramatic scenery, outdoor adventure (hiking/kayaking), island hopping (Railay), and a slightly more budget-friendly, rugged feel. Consider weather too: Samui's dry season is Jan-Aug, while Krabi's is Nov-Apr, making them better for different times of year.
The wettest month in Koh Samui is typically November, marking the peak of its rainy season (October to mid-December) with heavy rainfall and high humidity, though the rain often comes in short, intense bursts, allowing for sunshine in between, according to First Choice, amazinglanta.com, and 79 Beach Club and Resort Samui.
Don't get bitten, some of the pigs are huge and they can get very impatient if you have food and don't hand it over quick enough! Don't forget to buy food and water for the dogs too, they are very friendly and love to play.
It's better to fly direct for speed and convenience, especially for families or short trips, while taking the bus/train plus ferry is better for budget travelers seeking scenery and a longer adventure, balancing cost savings against significant travel time. Flying to Surat Thani then ferry offers a good mid-ground, cheaper than direct Samui flights but faster than ground transport only.
