Koh Phangan

Why Koh Phangan? Famous for the Full Moon Party, but also full of quiet northern bays, wellness retreats and jungle viewpoints.

<

p

>

K

o

h

P

h

a

n

g

a

n

w

e

a

r

s

t

w

o

f

a

c

e

s

.

T

o

t

h

e

w

o

r

l

d

i

t

i

s

t

h

e

h

o

m

e

o

f

t

h

e

l

e

g

e

n

d

a

r

y

F

u

l

l

M

o

o

n

P

a

r

t

y

,

w

h

e

r

e

t

h

o

u

s

a

n

d

s

d

a

n

c

e

o

n

H

a

a

d

R

i

n

b

e

a

c

h

u

n

t

i

l

d

a

w

n

.

B

u

t

t

u

r

n

a

w

a

y

f

r

o

m

H

a

a

d

R

i

n

a

n

d

y

o

u

f

i

n

d

a

s

u

r

p

r

i

s

i

n

g

l

y

w

i

l

d

,

m

o

u

n

t

a

i

n

o

u

s

i

s

l

a

n

d

o

f

q

u

i

e

t

n

o

r

t

h

e

r

n

c

o

v

e

s

,

j

u

n

g

l

e

w

a

t

e

r

f

a

l

l

s

a

n

d

a

b

o

o

m

i

n

g

w

e

l

l

n

e

s

s

-

a

n

d

-

y

o

g

a

s

c

e

n

e

.

<

/

p

>

<

p

>

O

n

e

t

o

t

h

r

e

e

n

i

g

h

t

s

-

t

i

m

e

i

t

a

r

o

u

n

d

t

h

e

f

u

l

l

m

o

o

n

i

f

t

h

e

p

a

r

t

y

i

s

t

h

e

d

r

a

w

,

o

r

a

i

m

f

o

r

t

h

e

p

e

a

c

e

f

u

l

n

o

r

t

h

i

f

i

t

v

e

r

y

m

u

c

h

i

s

n

o

t

.

<

/

p

>

What to do in Koh Phangan?

For each activity you get up-to-date availability and prices — so you book ahead at the best rate.

• NightlifeFull Moon Party (Haad Rin)The world-famous beach party under the full moon.
  Compare prices
• QuietQuiet northern baysBottle Beach and Chaloklum for the peaceful side of the island.
  Compare prices
• WellnessYoga & detox retreatWorld-class wellness centres in the jungle hills.
  Compare prices
• NatureThan Sadet & Phaeng waterfallsRoyal-inscribed jungle cascades with swim pools.
  Compare prices
• AdventureBottle Beach hikeCoastal jungle trail to one of Thailand's prettiest beaches.
  Compare prices
• SnorkelingKoh Ma snorkellingSwim the sandbar reef at Mae Haad on the northwest tip.
  Compare prices
• NatureViewpoints & secret beachesDomsila and Guanyin viewpoints over turquoise bays.
  Compare prices

Getting there & around

Phangan has no airport, so you fly to Koh Samui (or Surat Thani) and take a ferry - about 30-45 minutes from Samui, and it also connects to Koh Tao. The island is hilly and some roads are steep and rough, so rent a scooter only if you are a confident rider (accidents are common here); otherwise use songthaews and boat taxis. Book ferries and rooms well ahead around Full Moon dates, when the island fills.

Where to stay

Haad Rin is party central and where the Full Moon happens - stay here if that is your plan, elsewhere if it is not (rooms sell out and prices spike around the party). The west coast (Thong Sala, Srithanu) is the wellness and expat hub with cafes and yoga. For seclusion, the beautiful north - Thong Nai Pan and the boat-access-only Bottle Beach (Haad Khuad) - is where you go to disappear.

Beaches, nature & wellness

Escape the crowds at the quiet northern bays, snorkel and swim at Mae Haad and Koh Ma, and hike or scoot to the Than Sadet waterfalls, once visited by Thai kings. The Srithanu area on the west coast has become a global yoga and detox destination, with retreats, healthy cafes and a distinctly bohemian vibe - a world away from Haad Rin's speakers.

The Full Moon Party & nightlife

The Full Moon Party on Haad Rin is a rite of passage: buckets, body paint, fire skipping-ropes and tens of thousands of revellers. If you go, mind the classics - watch your drinks and belongings, do not swim drunk, and skip the fire-rope selfies. There are also Half Moon and Jungle parties between full moons. Away from Haad Rin, nightlife is mellow beach bars.

Where to stay in Koh Phangan?

Compare prices from several providers for this place in one click.

Recommended: 1–3 nights

1-3 nights; plan around the Full Moon if that's your thing, or pick the peaceful north coast.

Nearby

Koh SamuiGulf of Thailand

Koh TaoGulf of Thailand

Khao SokSurat Thani (inland)

Frequently asked questions