Koh Phangan, an island renowned for its famous Full Moon Party, is situated in the Gulf of Thailand, between Koh Tao and Koh Samui, in the southeast of the country.
Despite its popularity, the island offers much more than just parties. Travelers can choose from tranquil, secluded beaches perfect for relaxation or livelier spots where you can enjoy a variety of activities and have the party of your life. That’s why we recommend Koh Phangan to all types of travelers: backpackers, vacationing families (in our opinion, it’s one of the best islands to visit with children), honeymoon couples… Everyone will find their own little corner here.
The island’s charm lies in its ability to offer both seclusion and exploration. It’s large enough to find a private retreat for your entire stay, yet compact enough to explore easily. Regardless of where you go, all the island’s beaches boast stunning beauty that will leave you dreaming about your time in Koh Phangan for years to come.
Koh Phangan is best explored on your own. The ideal approach is to find the beach that suits your needs (we’ll describe them shortly) and use it as your base camp. From there, you can relax or venture out to discover the island’s beautiful landscapes, whether on land or underwater.
We’ve visited the island multiple times during our trips to Thailand and will share some tips to help you plan your visit effectively.
The climate in Koh Phangan can be broadly divided into three seasons:
Travel Tip: Check out our article on the best time to visit Thailand for month-by-month climate information.
Koh Phangan has been a tourist destination for decades, so you’ll find almost everything you need on the island: ATMs, clothing stores, hospitals, dive centers, accommodations for all budgets, markets, and supermarkets. Additionally, most beaches are accessible by road. From our first visit to the most recent one (a span of 10 years!), new access routes have been developed to previously hard-to-reach places, especially during rainy weather.
It’s essential to travel to Thailand with comprehensive insurance. We were among the first to offer the popular 5% IATI discount, and you can now get it with Heymondo Travel Insurance as well. You can find more information about both companies through the links provided above, or you can access the discount directly using the buttons below (in both cases, you’ll see the reduced final price on their website):
While many hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in Thailand offer free Wi-Fi, some travelers prefer or need a constant connection. We’ve included details on obtaining a eSIM Thailand card with unlimited data (from Holafly) or with fixed data but cheaper (from Saily).
If you want to get it directly, here’s the link (with a discount) for both companies:
There are several ways to reach the islands, depending on your location in Thailand. Remember that to catch a ferry to Koh Phangan (as well as to Koh Tao and Koh Samui), you first need to get to the coastal towns of Chumphon or Surat Thani, located further south.
Whether you travel from Surat Thani or Chumphon, ferry companies offer combined tickets that include transportation to the port (by bus or ferry) and the boat ride itself (whether it’s a ferry, catamaran, or speedboat).
Links provided below will show different combinations, including direct pick-up from the airport if you prefer not to spend time in these cities. If you’re in northern Thailand, the best option is to fly to one of these cities and then choose one of the following combinations:
By Bus: The simplest option if you’re in Bangkok is to buy a combined bus and boat ticket, which will take you directly to Koh Phangan. Companies like Lomprayah will even put a sticker on your shirt at departure, with different colors depending on your destination.
This is convenient if you don’t mind traveling in a group. We’ve done it a few times, and it’s quite manageable.
By Train: The railway lines reach Chumphon (going to Surat Thani from Bangkok doesn’t make much sense as it’s farther away). You can buy a combined ticket from Bangkok that includes the train, bus transfer to the port, and ferry to the island.
By plane: If you prefer flying, you can fly to Chumphon, Surat Thani, or even Koh Samui. You will then need to purchase a separate boat ticket to Koh Phangan.
Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai are two adjacent beaches on the eastern side of Koh Phangan. They are separated by a rocky area, so moving between them requires traveling by road or sea, as they are not connected by sand. Both options cost the same, 100 baht per person.
These beaches may not have pure white sand or crystal-clear waters, but they retain their tropical splendor, with lush vegetation visible both behind the beaches and within the accommodations. Coconut palms abound, adding to the charm!
These beaches are not typical backpacker destinations, as most visitors are those spending a few days in Thailand before moving on, but the atmosphere remains quite relaxed..
Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi is the northern beach and slightly smaller than its sister, Thong Nai Pan Yai. However, it tends to be more crowded. Accommodations have taken over the beach, and the southern part is lined with loungers.
Additionally, the stretch of sand here is much narrower compared to Thong Nai Pan Yai. On the plus side, you’ll find more restaurants and shops at the back of this beach than at its neighbor.
Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai offers a more family-oriented vibe, with a significant percentage of tourists being families with children.
This beach has a wider stretch of sand and a much more relaxed atmosphere. If we had to choose, we’d go with this one, where we’ve spent a few days in the past.
Haad Rin Beach, located in the southeast of Koh Phangan, is stunning. When there’s no Full Moon Party, you’d never guess it’s the site of the famous event. During the season and on clear days, the color of the sea and sand is mesmerizing.
You won’t be isolated here, as there’s a town right behind the beach offering all kinds of traveler amenities.
On the days of the big party, the beach fills up with people in the afternoons, so if that’s not your scene, it’s better to find another beach to relax on.
Connected to the small island of Koh Mah by a sandbar visible at low tide, Haad Mae Had is a great spot for snorkeling. There is no town here, but there are several accommodations, restaurants, and a few small supermarkets where you can buy essentials.
Ao Chaloklum, in the north of the island, is one of the quietest beaches in Koh Phangan. It’s part of a small fishing village of the same name, which, while it doesn’t have the best beaches on the island (though they are still beautiful), offers a tranquil atmosphere that’s perfect for backpackers.
With several seaside bungalows and porches with hammocks where you can sleep at night listening to the sea, Ao Chaloklum is ideal if you’re looking for relaxation.
There are a few beachfront restaurants where you can enjoy a beer at sunset or a meal with a sea breeze. The village isn’t very large, but it has some charming spots, a 7/11, and a few clothing stores.
Very close to Chaloklum, to the east, lies Haad Khom, a tiny and charming beach (almost deserted in the low season) recommended for solitary travelers and those seeking absolute peace in Koh Phangan.
Swimming and snorkeling are the main activities here; there isn’t much else to do.
On the way to the beach, you can spot fishing boats in a small lagoon that extends to the sea.
On the eastern coast of Koh Phangan, you’ll find a small, secluded bay with crystal-clear waters, white sand, and large rocks where you can lay your towel.
Only a few bungalows and one or two restaurants populate this idyllic beach, and access isn’t easy (though you can walk from Haad Sadet).
With the right shoes, you can hike along some trails through the jungle and visit the Thaan Sadet waterfalls.
Reaching Bottle Beach, a small and remote beach in the north of the island, is an adventure. Because of this (and its crystal-clear waters), there are day trips to visit it from other parts of Koh Phangan.
In fact, unless you arrive by sea in a longtail boat, getting there can be tricky, although some people hike. The easiest way is to sail from Chaloklum, where most boats depart daily.
If you don’t mind sacrificing a vibrant nightlife to enjoy the more untouched side of Koh Phangan, you’ll need to make your way to this remote corner.
In addition to visiting beautiful beaches, you might want to explore other activities, such as visiting some of the impressive waterfalls located inland on the island.
These include Phaeng, Wang Sai, Thaan Sadet (within the national park of the same name), and Thaan Prawet.
Before visiting, make sure to check the conditions, as access by land can sometimes be challenging for inexperienced motorcyclists or those unfamiliar with the terrain. In some cases, you can reach the waterfalls directly from the beach by walking inland.
Located in the village of Baan Tai, near Thong Sala, Wat Khao Tam Temple focuses on teaching meditation to foreigners.
In 1988, one of the resident nuns, now the spiritual leader of Khao Tam, invited an Australian couple to stay and help teach Buddhist practices to international visitors.
The spiritual retreats at the temple include meditation sessions, yoga exercises, and chanting, among other practices.
In the northern part of Koh Phangan, several dive schools offer the opportunity to obtain an Open Water certification or explore the underwater world.
One of the most famous dive spots in this area is Sail Rock, a rock formation located between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
It offers divers of all levels the chance to observe a wide variety of fish, barracudas, and, with some luck, even spot a whale shark at certain times of the year.
In addition to Sail Rock, other nearby dive sites include Angthong Marine Park and the reefs along the western coast.
One of the most enjoyable activities on any Thai island is taking a day trip on a traditional longtail boat or a speedboat. In Koh Phangan, there are several popular excursions that take you to various spots with colorful reefs and other marine life.
One such location is Angthong Marine Park. You can also take a trip to the remote Bottle Beach, mentioned earlier.
The Full Moon Party began in the late 1980s when a group of travelers gathered at Haad Rin Nok Beach. Over time, this party gained fame and now attracts up to 30,000 people every month, from sunset to the following morning; a true festival.
Dancing and fire shows are the main attractions, but don’t forget to decorate your body with fluorescent paint.
Although the party can be safe today, it’s also a place where people drink a lot, so our advice is to stay close to Haad Rin to avoid traveling at night.
Following the success of the Full Moon Party, other parties celebrating different phases of the moon have emerged. While they are never as crowded, if you happen to be on the island at the right time, you’ll have the chance to experience one of these events in Koh Phangan.
Koh Phangan offers a wide range of accommodations, but we’ve selected some for you to consider.
Here are our recommended places to stay, arranged by price range (from cheapest to most expensive), so you can choose the one that best fits your budget.
Exploring the underwater world is a fascinating yet sometimes daunting activity. Simply putting on a diving mask and peering beneath the surface reveals a whole new world of colors and unfamiliar life forms.
However, this world needs to be cared for and respected. If you’re planning to include snorkeling in your trip and want to ensure your presence doesn’t negatively impact the ecosystem, consider learning about responsible diving practices (whether with or without a tank).(coming soon).
Even more touristy beaches have their own beach bars and restaurants, so finding places to eat in Koh Phangan won’t be difficult; just go with the flow.
Typically, the cheapest spots are at the back of beachfront hotels, in the towns, or near the roads. Beachfront places tend to be more expensive, but many offer good quality despite catering mainly to tourists.
If you enjoy street food, visit markets in Thong Sala, such as Pantip Market, the Saturday Walking Street Market, or the Chaloklum Sunday Market. Some accommodations from other parts of the island even offer transport to the Saturday market in pick-ups or minivans.
If you carry reusable cutlery in your backpack, Thailand’s markets are a great place to use them. While the battle against plastic might be more challenging in this country, you can still make a difference!
You can find cold beers and coconuts on every corner of the island.
The most convenient and cost-effective way to explore Koh Phangan is by renting a motorbike, which you can do right at the port if you’re not carrying too much luggage. This way, you can avoid the high cost of a taxi to your accommodation.
You can also hire pick-up trucks if you don’t drive, but prices for this type of transport have risen significantly, and they often have fixed prices that are hard to negotiate. For example, a ride from Thong Sala to Thong Nai Pan costs 300 baht per person.
Some suggest that if you walk a bit and talk to a taxi driver in Thong Sala, further from the port, you might get better prices, but this can be challenging.
Alternatively, you can enjoy the island by taxi boat and hop from one spot to another by sea.
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel around Koh Phangan.
