Koh Phangan:
Your Ultimate Travel Guide
Koh Phangan: Your complete guide to Thailand’s hippie paradise
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Koh Phangan, an island draped in emerald jungles and fringed by powder soft beaches, is synonymous with its world-famous Full Moon Party. But beyond the neon paint and thumping bass lines, this Thai paradise offers so much more – an island where bohemian charm meets wellness retreats and secluded coves.Whether you’re here to dance till dawn, dive into the deep blue or simply unwind under swaying palms, our ultimate guide will show you how to experience the very best of Koh Pha Ngan. A visit here is a rite of passage.
How to get to Koh Phangan
The nearest airport is Samui International Airport (USM) on the island of Koh Samui, with frequent flights from Bangkok and Phuket. From Koh Samui, a swift 30 minute ferry ride will take you to Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan. Alternatively, if you’re coming from the mainland of Thailand and don’t plan on flying, overnight trains and buses from Bangkok connect to ferries at Surat Thani, which can then take you to Koh Phangan.
Once on the island, scooters are the best way to explore, though taxis and songthaews (shared pickup trucks) are around if you’d prefer.
Where to Stay on Koh Phangan, Thailand
Anantara Rasananda
A beachfront sanctuary on Thong Nai Pan Noi, where private pool villas and holistic wellness reign supreme. Enjoy romantic private dinners on the beach, surrounded by flickering candle-light, or indulge at the teppanyaki bar before ending with a nightcap in the champagne lounge. Understated luxury, just as you’d expect from Anantara.
Buri Rasa Koh Phangan
A boutique oasis where the only thing you need to worry about is whether to spend the morning on the beach, or sat by the central turquoise swimming pool. Enjoy your coffee on your private balcony, listening to the sound of birds and cicadas in the trees around you, before exploring the island on a fishing or diving tour, curated for you by Buri Rasa.
Sanctuary Thailand
A White Lotus-coded wellness retreat at Haad Yuan Beach, with yoga, detox programs and holistic therapies scattered around jungle-clad hills and coconut groves. A stay here is more than just a place to rest your head – it’s an immersive experience to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.
The Best Beaches in Koh Phangan, Thailand
Haad Yuan Beach is a secluded paradise only accessible by boat or a jungle trek, perfect for escaping the crowds. In the north east of the island, you’ll find the twin beaches of Thong Nai Pan Noi & Thong Nai Pan Yai, where you’ll find soft white sand and luxury resorts. Bottle Beach is a favourite – a remote, picture-postcard bay reachable by longtail boat or a jungle hike. Zen Beach is where you’ll find hypnotic sunsets and hypnotic beats, where drum circles and fire performances take centre stage. And of course, we can’t miss out palm-fringed Haad Rin Beach, the epicentre of the Full Moon Party.
Things to do in Koh Phangan, Thailand
The Full Moon Party & Beyond
Thailand is world-famous for the Full Moon Party, and Koh Pha Ngan is the birth place and mothership of this most legendary of events. Held every month on Haad Rin Beach, the party sees thousands of travellers from across the globe come to dance under the moonlight, adorned in neon paint and UV gear. The cocktails come in buckets, the music is loud and the party doesn’t stop until after the sun comes up. For those who don’t want to wait a full month to get the glow sticks out, you can now also find Half Moon Parties and the Black Moon Party – a psy-trance night focused on spiritual beats. Only in Koh Phangan!
Snorkeling & Diving
While nearby Koh Tao steals the spotlight for diving, Koh Phangan still has fantastic snorkelling spots at Haad Yuan, Haad Yao, and Koh Ma, a tiny islet connected to the island by a sandbar. Dive shops also offer excursions to Sail Rock, one of Thailand’s premier dive sites.
Yoga & Wellness
A haven for wellness seekers, thanks to the hippie crowd who have dominated the island for decades, Koh Phangan has world-class yoga retreats, meditation centers, and holistic healing hubs. The Sanctuary, Orion Healing Center and Ananda Yoga & Detox are just a few of the many places offering programs focused on healing your mind, body and soul. The perfect antidote to the wild and raucous full moon parties.
Chase Waterfalls
Koh Phangan’s mountainous terrain makes it the perfect home for several majestic waterfalls, best visited during or just after the rainy season (May–November). Than Sadet Waterfall is revered by Thai kings, while Paradise Waterfall and Wangsai Waterfall are two breathtaking cascades nestled in the misty jungle.
Explore Koh Phangan’s Jungles
Speaking of jungles, Koh Phangan has a rugged, forested interior just asking to be explored. Adventure seekers can trek through the Phaeng Waterfall National Park, home to winding trails leading to spectacular viewpoints. For a more offbeat experience, hike to the Dom Sila Viewpoint, which rewards you with breathtaking panoramic vistas of the island.
Island-Hopping Excursions
Set sail on a longtail boat to explore nearby gems such as Koh Tao for diving, Koh Nang Yuan for Instagram-worthy sandbanks, and Ang Thong National Marine Park, a dreamy archipelago of limestone karsts and turquoise lagoons.
Where to Eat in Koh Phangan
Luna Lounge A romantic, candle-lit spot housed in thatched bamboo huts and serving up European-Thai fusion at its finest. Think ginger tuna carpaccio, Burmese chicken and fresh organic tom yum salad.
Pantip Market The go-to place in Thong Sala for cheap and delicious street food, in a hawker-style setting. Choose from grilled seafood, skewers and khao soi, before grabbing a table and enjoying the buzzing atmosphere.
Eat.Co One of the best vegan spots in Thailand, with rustic wicker furniture and surrounded by lush hanging plants. The menu is extensive and generous, with modern, delicious food that wouldn’t be out of place in a hip Shoreditch eatery. Fill up on breakfast bowls, loaded waffles, Green Goddess salads and smoothie bowls, washed down with immune-boosting juices or their home-made ice tea, with hibiscus, cinnamon and orange.
Best Time to Visit Koh Phangan
The best time to visit Koh Phangan is from December to March, when the weather is dry and sunny. The rainy season (May to October) sees occasional downpours, but fewer crowds and lush landscapes make it a great time for those who don’t mind a bit of rain.
Things to Do
things to do
