Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is a barely developed island without an airport that lies some 12 km north of Koh Samui. The 125-sq-km island has all the assets of a tropical paradise: white powdery sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters and fringed by coconut tree groves, and hilly hinterland covered with lush tropical vegetation.
Things to do here include wild beach parties, exploring serene natural spots, shopping at local markets and visiting Buddhist temples and Chinese shrines. Koh Phangan is dotted with many pristine beaches, among the most popular is Haad Rin, with a wild party vibe.
Outdoor adventures can be found here with miles of hiking trails, spectacular viewpoints and waterfalls. Most of Phangan's attractions and activities are closely related to nature offering a great holiday destination for those with a sense of adventure and exploration.
The only way to get to Koh Phangan is by ferry, there are two ports of embarkation, Haad Rin and Thong Sala. Thong Sala facilitates the island's main ferry terminal and is one of the busiest neighborhoods in Koh Phangan, the streets are filled with local souvenir shops, trendy cafes, street food stalls, local markets, and charming restaurants.
Haad Rin Beach
While Haad Rin is not the capital town of Koh Phangan, it certainly is the busiest destination on the island. This is, for the most part, thanks to full moon parties that attract plenty of young people and backpackers every month.
To keep those crowds entertained in between binge drinking sessions and partying, Haad Rin offers a good choice of activities such as beach football, beach volleyball, and bikini contests, as well as a good list of water sports like jet-skiing and sea kayaking.
Beach-Hopping
Beach-hopping is a must-do if you stay on Koh Phangan. With a circumference of about 40 km, the rather small island has around 30 beaches of various lengths and features. It's fairly cheap to rent a motorbike, which makes it easy for you to explore them all.
Some of the tiniest ones cannot be easily reached by road, one of which is Haad Nam Tok (Waterfall Beach). In this case, you may want to hire a long-tail boat for the day. Cruise along the beautiful Koh Phangan shore to discover these hidden slices of paradise.
Waterfalls in Koh Phangan
If you are ready for challenging hikes, a visit to any of the waterfalls in Koh Phangan will be a rewarding experience. Phangan has several waterfalls to discover, with the most notable ones easy to find. Than Sadet Waterfall is off the road to the Thong Nai Pan beaches, and Paradise Waterfall is just off the road to Chaloklum Bay. There's Than Prawet Waterfall, which is also near the Thong Nai Pan beaches. Last but not least, there's Than Praphet, which leads directly in the sea at Waterfall Beach on the southeast coast of the island.
Ra Mountain
Khao Ra or Ra Mountain towers over Koh Phangan and provides scenic views over the Gulf of Thailand. There's a central 'road' running over the island's crest from Ban Tai to Thong Nai Pan Beach, on the island's northeastern side. The only trouble is it's heavily rutted in places. When venturing up there it's best to take an appropriate offroad vehicle such as a dirtbike, 4x4, or join a guded tour to this spectacular viewpoint.
Trekking
Trekking in Koh Phangan is a great way to see the island's wild side. The island is pretty much perfect for hiking, bushwhacking, and even camping. The eastern coast is the best place for this adventurous activity. You can also trek in the central, mountainous part of the island – specifically Khao Ra, which stands at 630 metres and overlooks Chaloklum and Thong Nai Pan.
Kayaking
Kayaking in Koh Phangan is a great way to explore the island's beautiful coastline. Most major beaches have kayaks for rent, though the best locations are on the calmer west coast. Generally, any beach is great if the sea is not so choppy. Bare in mind that going with a current means fighting it all the way back, it's always best to kayak in a group and not alone particularly during sunset hours.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
The waters around Koh Phangan have great snorkelling and scuba diving sites. Less reputed than Koh Tao, which is regarded as the mecca of underwater activities in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phangan features all that's necessary to explore the underwater world.
You can enjoy snorkelling at almost any beach along the west and north coasts. You can also arrange for beach diving, but the dive centers based on Koh Phangan usually go further out at sea, in the direction of Koh Tao. Sail Rock, one of the most beautiful dive sites in the vicinity, is 15 km north of Koh Phangan.
At 15–40 meters below sea level, Sail Rock features a dense variety of sea life. One of the best diving sites in the Gulf of Thailand, it's only 1 hour away from Koh Phangan. Around Koh Tao, you'll find lots of turtles, leopard sharks and unicorn fish – to put it briefly, Koh Phangan is a diver's paradise.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is the scuba diving destination of choice in Thailand. The stunning white-sand beaches that ring the hilly, 21-sq-km island are surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The vibrant coral reefs there are home to a wide range of exciting and colourful sea creatures and fascinating coral reefs.
The compact island supports a varied selection of hotels, from budget guesthouses and beach bungalows all the way up to 5-star luxury resorts. The choice of restaurants and nightlife establishments has also been constantly growing.
Snorkelling or a beginners dive course in Koh Tao is one to tick off a Koh Pahangan bucket list. Koh Nang Yuan's sandbar beaches, formed by the ocean's currents interacting with the 3 peaks of the island, are unique to the world. Their beauty will take your breath away.
The Kuan Yin Temple
The Kuan Yin Temple stands on a road heading north from Thong Sala to Chaloklum. It's made up of 7 different buildings – each attractive and with extensive views of the countryside and nearby Chaloklum Bay. There's an impressive 'dragon drum', several vividly colored pagodas, a large golden Buddha image, and wind chimes throughout the complex.
The grounds are dotted with frangipani and bougainvillaea, while several golden warriors guard the inside entrance. The Kuan Yin Temple was originally meant to be a lighthouse to aid fishermen, but due to generous donations a combination of lighthouse and temple was erected.
Phaeng Waterfall
Phaeng Waterfall is one of the largest waterfalls on Koh Phangan, It's easily accessible and really only worth visiting after steady rainfall during the monsoon season. Phaeng Waterfall belongs to Thon Sadet, also known as the Koh Phangan National Park.
Phaeng Waterfall's cascade comprises 2 levels, with many trails leading to various viewpoints in the mountain. Guides for hire are available at the Phaeng Waterfall National Park.
Viewpoints in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is rich with mountainous landscapes that present visitors with a great choice of stunning viewpoints. The highest spot is Khao Ra, a 627-metre-tall mountain in the north-central part of the island. The best way to get to the summit is to hire a guide at the base of the trail. It doesn't cost much, considering that the trek can get arduous.
Besides Khao Ra, there are good viewpoints all around the island in Haad Yao, Haad Rin, between Haad Maehaad and Chaloklum Bay, just to name a few. Some Koh Phangan viewpoints are simply on the roadside, while others require a bit of an effort to reach.
Nightlife in Koh Phangan
The nightlife in Koh Phangan is what earned its reputation as Thailand's premier party island. During the day, this beautiful retreat in the Gulf of Thailand is a haven for those looking for palm-fringed white-sand beaches and amazing dive sites. After sunset, unforgettable beach parties take place across Koh Phangan.
The island offers a variety of party vibes, from beachfront beer shacks to swanky nightclubs. You can dance until morning at a psytrance festival on the beach, chill at a cool hangout, meet new friends at a chic pool party, or groove to a live reggae band.
The Full Moon Party
The celebration of moon phases undeniably made Koh Phangan famous all around the world. Partying on the beach to modern beats of house and techno music while drinking and dancing allow revellers to fully enjoy themselves until dawn.
More than 12 powerful sound systems turn the 800-metre beach into a most lively open-air nightclub once a month, with a festival-like atmosphere, great music and plenty of booze. This one-of-a-kind event is routinely listed on bucket lists as one of the essential Thailand experiences that you have to see and experience once in a lifetime.
The Black Moon Party
Black Moon Party on Koh Phangan is a monthly celebration that brings Mac's Bay of Baan Tai Beach (on the island's southern coast) to life with DJs spinning underground dance music.
Black Moon Party is usually held on the night of the new moon. The party has a more chilled-out vibe than Koh Phangan's larger and more famous full-moon events. The music is generally much less mainstream. Baan Tai Beach is also relatively small, so you will usually find about 1,000 revellers enjoying the music.
The Half Moon Party
Half-moon parties on Koh Phangan – also known as the Half Moon Festival – are distinctly smaller than the renowned full moon parties of Haad Rin Beach. Even so, it remains among the most popular open-air raves in Thailand. Held in a small forest clearing about 2 km inland from Baan Tai (on the island's southern coast), they feature a lively atmosphere and excellent local DJs spinning techno and house.
There are usually more than 5 bars and food stalls as well as 2 main stages playing varying styles of music during Half Moon Festival. You can also expect a great vibe thanks to great sound systems and fire shows. The festival is also where many visitors get their most fond memories of Koh Phangan.
Dining in Koh Phangan
Food and dining in Koh Phangan are diverse and affordable, so you'll find plenty of excellent places to eat throughout your holiday. If there is one common denominator that runs throughout the island, it's that each of its beaches has colorful and atmospheric restaurants.
It's fair to say fine dining is most certainly not the order of the day on the island unlike in Samui. Fresh seafood, healthy vegetable dishes and fast food are the way most eateries go here. Thong Sala's daily food market is definately worth heading to, it's hard to beat for genuine Thai food and a great cultural experience in Koh Phangan.
Thong Sala Night Market
The Thong Sala Night Market, locally called Panthip Market, is busy food market in Koh Phangan. It takes place every evening in the island's capital town and main shopping hub. Here, you'll find a vast assortment of street food sold at attractive prices.
The market is a great place to enjoy dishes from around the world, including Thai curry dishes, noodles, grilled fish and meat, pizzas, and sushi. Panthip Market is open every day from 4 pm.
Shopping in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan make it easy to shop until you drop and find unique gifts and high-quality art to bring home. Great spots are found in neighborhoods along the coastlines where there are retail options for just about any shopper.
Shopping in Koh Phangan is largely focused on a wide range of independent boutique shops selling souvenirs, arts and crafts, beachwear, fashion and gifts. Thong Sala has a range of traditional bazaars and night markets to explore. The Thong Sala Fresh Market is an entire street dedicated to fresh produce and fish. The Sunday Walking Street market offers souvenirs, clothing, food and crafts.
Wat Pho
Wat Pho is a popular scenic temple on Koh Phangan. It retains its tranquility even when relatively crowded during religious celebrations. The extensive grounds host several rudimentary buildings, as well as a large lily pond.
This temple is best known for it's inexpensive herbal sauna and massage center, attracting many health enthusiasts. Those who have visited Wat Pho claim it's one of the best massage destinations on Koh Phangan. It's open daily, and massages cost about 300 baht.
Wat Phu Kao Noi
Wat Phu Kao Noi ('temple of the small mountain' in Thai) is the oldest temple in Koh Phangan. Many meditation retreats take place here, making it one of the island's most tranquil locations.
Visitors are requested to maintain a respectful silence when meditations are held at Wat Phu Khao Noi. As with visiting any temple in Thailand always dress respectfully.
Yang Na Yai Tree
Yang Na Yai Tree is a massive rubber forest tree in Koh Phangan, which many locals claim to be the 'tallest tree in Thailand'. The tree is from the Dipterocapus Alatus resin tree family and stands by the side of the road nearby Wat Pho.
The tree has an impressive girth of some 14 metres. It's definitely a good photo opportunity and a great thing to stumble upon while exploring the island. A smaller but no less impressive neighbor is diagonally opposite this impressive natural landmark.
Yoga Centres
Yoga centres and retreats are particularly trendy in Koh Phangan. Originating in India, Yoga blends physical and spiritual exercises close to meditation, which are believed to have a positive impact on both mind and body.
Koh Phangan hosts a good choice of Yoga centres such as Orion Healing Centre in Sri Thanu, Agama Yoga Retreat also in Sri Thanu, and Pure Flow Yoga near Haad Yuan. You can book single sessions or stay at a yoga retreat during your holiday.
Thai Boxing
Muay Thai is an entertaining activity on Koh Phangan. Regular competitions of Thailand's national sport don't always take place in the same location on the island. Rather, locations are chosen by drawing lots.
You can head to the nearest boxing stadium to know where and when the next fight will take place. Both Haad Rin and Thong Sala have impressive Muay Thai setups. You can also learn this sport at numerous camps on the island.
Thai Cooking Class
Thai cuisine is renowned all around the world, and a great 'souvenir' you could bring back home after your holiday is the ability to cook delicious Thai dishes. You'll be able to impress your friends and family with your new culinary skills.
Koh Phangan has a good choice of cooking schools at which you can learn the basics of Thai cuisine. Schools such as C&M Culture Center in Sri Thanu, The Phangan Cooking Class, and My Wok and Me in Thong Sala will give you all the tips and tricks to become a Thai chef.
Ang Thong Marine Park
The Ang Thong National Marine Park is a pristine archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It features towering limestone mountains, thick jungle, white-sand beaches, waterfalls and hidden coves and lakes to explore. Both Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are part of this breathtaking archipelago of 42 islands.
There are regular boat trips from Koh Phangan to the Ang Thong National Marine Park, so If you take only one trip while you're onKoh Phangan, make it a sightseeing tour around Ang Thong, most include a cruise through the islands with stops for snorkeling, kayaking and hiking to viewpoints, where you can admire this amazing island chain.
From Samui to Koh Phangan
Regular ferry services operate between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan’s Thong Sala Pier. The boats are large, comfortable and safe, though not very quick.
From Koh Samui Seatran Discovery ferry leaves from Bangrak Pier Koh Samui to Thong Slala Pier Koh Phangan at 09.30 am and 14.30 pm, the crossing takes approximately 45 minutes.
From Koh Phangan, the service for return trips to Koh Samui are at 10.30 am and 16.30 pm from Thong Sala Pier to Bangrak Pier in Koh Samui. You can buy tickets at the piers, but it's recommended making an online booking in advance, see link below.
Seatran Discovery:
Ferry to Koh Phangan
Bangrak Pier
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Island Tours & Excursions
One of the best ways to see the attractions on Koh Phangan and much more, is to book a half-day or full-day island safari or city tour that takes you around Phangan, making sure you see the most interesting and unforgettable sights of the island. For trips more further afield, full day trips and sea excursions are also available.
Visitors to Koh Phangan can enjoy the benefits of booking tours in advance through our tour partner Viator - Reserve now and pay later with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts. To browse all tours available on Koh Phangan click the insert below:
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