Koh Phangan
Beaches & Full Moon Parties
Koh Phangan, a large island just North of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand is perhaps best known for its Full Moon parties.
Beaches & forested interior
It’s a beautiful island with white sandy beaches and a forested hilly interior. Going around the island you’ll come across waterfalls, viewpoints, small villages and fishing boats mooring in the bays. Koh Phangan’s main town is Thong Sala, where the ferries arrive at the pier.
Beaches
Around the island are about two dozen beaches.
Haad Rin
Haad Rin is a beautiful sandy beach sheltered in a bay on the South-East tip of the island. The beach hosts the famous monthly full moon parties that last from the early evening until the early morning.
Haad Rin is the busiest beach on Koh Phangan. The small town has beach bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and resorts, mainly catering to young party people. If you want to stay in a relaxed and quiet spot, yet close to the Full Moon Parties, consider the Princess Paradise Koh Phangan or the Cabin Beach Resort.
Mae Haad Beach
Mae Haad is a sandy beach on the Northwest tip of the island. It has great views of the sun setting in the Gulf of Thailand. At low tide a narrow strip of sand connects the beach to Koh Ma, a very small island covered with forest. The small village has a number of resorts, bungalows, restaurants and bars.
Chaloklum Beach
Just East of Mae Haad on the North end of Koh Phangan is Chaloklum Beach, a sandy beach sheltered by a bay. South of the town in the hilly forested island interior are Chaloklum viewpoint and Paradise waterfall.
Haad Yao
Haad Yao, meaning “long beach”, has great sunset views. Located on the West coast of Koh Phangan, its 500-meter-long sandy beach is fringed with palm trees. Behind the beach are several resorts, restaurants, bars, a dive shop and a motorcycle rental shop.
Full Moon Parties
Koh Phangan is best known for its infamous Full Moon parties that take place once a month on Haad Rin Beach. On a long stretch of beach up to 30,000 people party from dusk to dawn. Like a nightclub on the beach international DJ’s play various music like trance, hip hop, house, techno, pop and rock. Fire shows light up the beach. Party-goers have themselves painted in neon body paint which makes them glow in the dark.
Full Moon Party Bucket
The favorite drink is the Full Moon Party Bucket, a bucket filled with a mix of energy drink, liquor like whiskey or rum and ice. The bucket has several straws, so multiple people can drink from it.
Stay safe
Stay safe by minding a few tips. Don’t accept food or drinks from strangers, stay away from drugs and don’t bring valuables to the party.
Half Moon & Black Moon parties
Besides Full Moon parties, there are also Half Moon and Black Moon parties. These are held on Haad Baan Tao Beach on the South coast.
To do & see on Koh Phangan
Although Koh Phangan is famous for its full moon parties, there are plenty of other things to do and see.
Snorkeling & scuba diving
Snorkeling can be done at most beaches on the West and North coast. During the dry season the water is clear and warm. There is a good variety of corals and colorful tropical fish around the island. The best diving spots are near Koh Tao, that has several diving schools.
Waterfalls
Across Koh Phangan’s forested interior are several beautiful waterfalls. They are at their best during October and November, the wettest months of the year. Some take quite a hike through the jungle to get to. Only visit after good rain, during the dry season most waterfalls are fairly unimpressive.
Phaeng waterfall
Hike through tropical jungle to get to Phaeng waterfall. The steep hike on rocky paths is not easy and not well suited for people with fear of heights. Wear good shoes, no flip flops. Phaeng waterfall is in Than Sadet national park in the center of the island. Entrance fee is 100 Baht.
Paradise waterfall
Much easier to get to is Paradise waterfall, about one kilometer South of Chalok Lam beach. It’s a relaxed place with rope swings over the water at the bottom of the falls.
Sramanora waterfall
Sramanora waterfall is near the South tip of Koh Phangan. Get there from Ban Khai beach.
The Challenge Phangan
The Challenge Phangan is a water park and challenging floating obstacle course, a fun place for adults and children. Have a lot of laughs trying to complete the course of balance beams, a climbing mountain, a zipline, steppingstones, monkey bars, rolling barrels, balance beams, swinging shapes and the red balls. There’s also an indoor playhouse.
The Challenge Phangan on Haad Baan Tai Beach opens daily from 10 am until 6 pm. Price of a full day pass is 500 Baht.
Viewpoints
Across Koh Phangan are many viewpoints, especially on the North and Southeast tip of the island.
Haad Rin Rock viewpoint
Haad Rin Rock viewpoint is on the Southeast tip of the island. On a clear day, you can see Koh Samui in the distance.
Haad Rin viewpoint
There are two Haad Rin viewpoints. Haad Rin North is a little Northwest of Haad Rin town. It offers nice views of Haad Rin Bay and the Gulf.
Koh Ma viewpoint
Koh Ma viewpoint on the Northwest tip of the island is a good place to watch the sun sink into the sea and the sky turn orange. It has great views of Koh Ma island, several beaches and the Gulf of Thailand. The viewpoint has a bar with food and drinks.
TreeAngle viewpoint
On top of a mountain, the TreeAngle viewpoint a few kilometers Northwest of Thong Sala pier has great mountain and sea views. It’s a nice place to relax with a drink and some food.
Pantip night food market
A night food market is a good place to try some different kinds of food. The Pantip night food market in Thong Sala has a good variety of food at low prices. Try Thai food as Tom Kha Gai, Pad Thai, Panaeng curry, grilled chicken or pork on skewers, grilled ribs, fish, crab or sausages on skewers.
Don’t miss the colorful Thai deserts as roti, waffles, mango sticky rice or coconut ice cream. There is also a cocktail and mojito bar.
You will find the Pantip night food market in the center of Thong Sala, a few hundred meters from the ferry boat pier. The market opens daily from 4 pm.
Kuan Yin Chinese temple
Surrounded by the tropical jungle, the Kuan Yin temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. The very colorful temple has Chinese style pagodas and dragons, its walls are adorned with Chinese murals. The views of the surrounding jungle are beautiful. You will find Kuan Yin temple about two kilometers South of Chaloklum Beach. Entrance fee is 40 Baht.
Getting around on Koh Phangan
Go around the island by taxi, songthaew or motorbike. When you arrive by ferry at Thong Sala pier, there will be taxis, mini vans and songthaews waiting.
Taxi
The most comfortable and safe way to get around Koh Phangan is by taxi. Contact your hotel or a travel agent on the island to book one.
Songthaew
Blue songthaews, converted pick up trucks with benches in the back, go around Koh Phangan. It’s a shared ride, not private. Usually, the driver waits until the songthaew is full. Prices are fixed and vary from 100 to 300 Baht depending on distance. You can charter a songthaew for a private ride. Agree with the driver on price and destination before getting in.
Motorbike
If you want the most flexible option, rent a motorbike. Traffic on the hilly terrain can be unsafe, especially during rain and after dark. The roads are often in poor condition.
The rental rates are between 250 and 300 Baht per day. Discounts are available for longer rentals. Make sure to document any damages on the motorbike in the rental contract before riding off. Otherwise, you risk being charged for every pre-existing scratch or dent.
Where to stay
There is plenty of accommodation to choose from on Koh Phangan, from budget to luxury five-star.
Anantara Rasananda Villas
A beachfront five-star resort on the base of a forested mountain, the Anantara Rasananda Villas has luxury suites and villas in well maintained tropical gardens. It is on Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, a lovely sandy beach sheltered in a bay near the Northeast tip of the island. The resort has a pool, a full-service spa and a fitness centre. Enjoy the sea view and good food at The Bistro & The Beach or Japanese food at Yukinoya restaurant. The bar has happy hour with cocktails.
Princess Paradise Koh Phangan
Located on a private beach with palm trees, the Princess Paradise Koh Phangan is a three-star hotel in Haad Rin. Although close to the Full Moon Parties, it is far enough to relax in a peaceful environment. The resort opened its doors in 2020. It has clean deluxe rooms. The pool offers good views of the sun setting in the sea.
Buri Rasa Village Koh Phangan
The beachfront Buri Rasa Village hotel on Thong Nai Pan Beach is a four-star boutique resort with beautiful sunrise views. The family friendly hotel has a pool and a children’s pool. The gentle slope of the water is great for kids. There is a good choice of food at the beachfront restaurant that serves Thai, seafood and Western dishes. Enjoy a relaxing massage on the beach or paddle a kayak around the bay.
The Cabin Beach Resort
The new Cabin Beach Resort is located at the end of LeeLa Coco Beach, a quiet and private strip of sand with great sunset views. The four-star beachfront luxury resort has modern rooms with many amenities. Although close to the Full Moon Parties at Haad Rin, it is far away from the noise and crowds. The restaurant serves Thai and European food as well as drinks as cocktails and fruit shakes.
Getting to Koh Phangan
There is no airport on Koh Phangan. The only way to get to the island is by boat.
Buy tickets online
Tickets for ferries can be bought online at the 12Go website.
Ferries
You can take a ferry to Koh Phangan from Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Surat Thani and Chumphon. All ferries and speedboats arrive at Thong Sala pier on Koh Phangan.
From Koh Samui
The easiest and quickest way to Koh Phangan is from Koh Samui. Get there either from Maenam or Lipa Noi.
From Maenam
Take a Lomprayah speedboat from Pralan Pier to Thong Sala pier on Koh Phangan. The trip takes about 30 minutes, price is 350 Baht one way.
From Lipa Noi
Take the Raja Ferry boat departing from Lipa Noi pier. The trip takes about 1½ hours, price is 190 Baht one way.
If you have just arrived at Koh Samui by air, you can book transfer to the ferry pier at the airport.
From Koh Tao
To get to Koh Phangan from Koh Tao, take the Lomprayah speedboat departing from Mae Haad Pier. The transfer takes about one hour, price is 600 Baht one way.
From Surat Thani Town
Raja Ferries offers a van plus ferry transfer from Surat Thani town to Thong Sala pier on Koh Phangan. The trip from Surat Thani town to Donsak Pier is done by Raja van. The Raja Ferry ship departs from Donsak Pier and arrives at Thong Sala. The trip takes about 4½ hours, ticket price is 350 Baht one way.
From Chumphon
You can start your trip from either the pier or from Chumphon airport, railway station or city hotel.
From pier in Chumphon
The Lomprayah speedboat from mainland Chumphon departs from Thung Makham pier. The trip takes some three hours, tickets costs 1,100 Baht one way.
From railway station or city hotel
Lomprayah offers a combined bus or taxi plus speedboat transfer from Chumphon railway station or city hotel. Total duration about 4½ hours, one way ticket price 1,300 Baht.
From Chumphon airport
Go to the airport transfer desk to get a van or taxi to the Lomprayah pier (Thung Makham).
