Koh Phangan in Koh Samui and Koh Tao
Part of the Koh Samui and Koh Tao travel guide — see every topic in All Koh Samui and Koh Tao Guides.
Koh Phangan sits between Koh Samui and Koh Tao. It is smaller than Samui and much less built up. Most of the island is green hills and forest, with quiet beaches around the coast. Many visitors come for yoga, wellness, hiking and slow days by the sea. The island is also known for the Full Moon Party, but this is only one small part of it. Ferries link it to Samui and Koh Tao several times a day.
Beaches and bays
Koh Phangan has many beaches, each with its own feel. The west coast faces the sunset and has calm, shallow water, with beaches such as Haad Yao and Haad Salad. In the north, Bottle Beach is a quiet bay that is easiest to reach by boat. Thong Nai Pan, in the north-east, has two curved bays with a few nice resorts. On the east coast, roads are steep and some bays are hard to reach, so they stay quiet. Many beaches have a reef close to shore. At low tide the water can be too shallow to swim, so check the tides.
Nature and waterfalls
The middle of Koh Phangan is covered in forest. Part of the east side is the Than Sadet - Ko Pha-ngan National Park. Than Sadet waterfall is a series of small falls and rock pools that runs down to the sea. Phaeng waterfall, in the centre of the island, has a trail that climbs to a viewpoint over the west coast. Waterfalls are best in the rainy months and can be low in the dry season. There are also several viewpoints that you can reach by scooter or on foot. Wear good shoes, because the trails can be muddy and steep.
Thong Sala and food
Thong Sala is the main town and the main ferry pier, on the south-west coast. It has banks, shops, a hospital, and many cafes and places to eat. The Thong Sala night market is a good place to try local food in the evening. You can find grilled seafood, noodles, Thai curries, fruit and sweets. There is also a weekly walking street market in the town. Many cafes across the island serve healthy food and vegan dishes for the yoga and wellness visitors. Prices are often a little lower than on Samui.
The Full Moon Party
The Full Moon Party takes place on Haad Rin beach, in the south-east of the island. It is held about once a month, on or near the night of the full moon. Large crowds come for music on the beach through the night. Visitors usually pay an entry fee. The rest of the island is quiet during the party, and most beaches are far from Haad Rin. If you do not want to go, avoid staying in Haad Rin on party nights, because rooms cost more and the area is noisy. Ferries and rooms fill up quickly in the days around the party, so book early.
Getting around
Koh Phangan is bigger than it looks on a map. The main roads are paved, but some roads to the north and east are very steep. Shared songthaew pickups wait at Thong Sala pier and go to most beaches. Taxi boats go to bays that are hard to reach by road, such as Bottle Beach. Many people rent scooters, but the hills are dangerous for new riders. Ride slowly and wear a helmet. Ferries leave Thong Sala for Samui, Koh Tao and the mainland. Some boats from Samui also go to Haad Rin.
Koh Phangan at a glance
| Getting there | Ferries from Koh Samui and Koh Tao to Thong Sala; some boats from Samui to Haad Rin |
|---|---|
| Getting around | Songthaew pickups, taxi boats and rental scooters |
| Cost | Rooms often a little cheaper than on Samui; more on party nights |
| Best time | About January to August; waterfalls fullest in the rain |
| Full Moon Party | Haad Rin, about once a month near the full moon |