Discover the island of Koh Phangan, one of Thailand's most popular islands, which is usually combined with the islands Koh Samui and Koh Tao. It is often seen as a party island, but Koh Phangan has much more to offer. For example, the island has very cool viewpoints, waterfalls, temples, beautiful nature, local markets and quiet beaches. In this blog, we share all our tips so you can make the most of your trip.
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Sightseeing Koh Phangan
How to get to the island of Koh Phangan
Tours and transport on the island
Vstay on Koh Phangan, Thailand
Things to do on Koh Phangan, Thailand
1. Discover the most beautiful beaches
2. Visit the Kuan Yin temple
3. Hike to one of the waterfalls
4. Visit the Thong Sala Night Market
5. Dance into the night at a Full Moon Party
6. Hike to Bottle Beach Viewpoint
7. Visit the Ang Thong Marine Park
8. Go snorkelling at Ko Ma
9. Kayaking in the bay near Chaloklum
10. Watch the sunset at 420 Club Phangan
The best restaurants on Koh Phangan, Thailand
Map sights Koh Phangan
How to get to the island of Koh Phangan
The islands in the Gulf of Thailand are very popular, which has the advantage of well-organised transport. This is how to get to Koh Phangan:
Plane: Koh Phangan does not have its own airport, but neighbouring island Koh Samui does. From the
airport from Koh Samui, it's half an hour by taxi to Pralarn Pier. Here you catch the ferry
to Koh Phangan, which also takes half an hour. There are daily flights to Koh Samui from
Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Singapore. Another option is to fly to Surat Thani and catch a bus to Donsak pier from here.
Boat: The islands in the Gulf of Thailand are well connected. Daily departures are
from the mainland (Chumphon) and the other islands boats to Koh Phangan. These boats are comfortable, fast and great for travelling. Check the timetable in advance, as this is prone to change. A common ferry service is Lomprayah, tickets are easily booked online or your accommodation.
| Route | Travel time | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Koh Phangan** | 10 hours and 10 min | €35.50 (1350 bath) |
| Chumphon to Koh Phangan | 3 hours and 30 min | €28.95 (1100 bath) |
| Koh Samui to Koh Phangan | 30 min | €9.40 (350 bath) |
| Koh Tao to Koh Phangan | 1 hour | €15.79 (600 bath) |
**If you want to go directly to Koh Phangan from Bangkok, we recommend buying a combi ticket from Lompreyah. You will then take an overnight bus first and then catch the boat to Koh Samui.
Tip: Travelling from Bangkok? Then head to Khao San Road. Here you will find Lomprayah's ticket office. We used this well-known organisation several times during our travels.
Tours and transport on the island
The most fun way to explore Koh Phangan is by scooter. You have complete freedom to go wherever you want, parking is no problem and petrol is cheap. You rent a scooter for around 7 to 10 euros a day. The easiest way is to rent a scooter through your accommodation or else through an authorised rental company. Bear in mind that they usually ask for a deposit as collateral. Drive carefully, especially in bad weather. The winding roads and hills can be challenging if you haven't ridden a scooter before. Opt for a 160cc scooter if you want to ride it with two people.
Tip: Many of the rental locations have bad reviews online from people who say they have been ripped off for damage they did not do. We therefore recommend that you always read Tripadvisor or Google reviews first. In addition, always take photos or videos of the scooter when you rent it so you can show any existing damage. In addition, we recommend that you never give your passport as a deposit.
Public transport & Taxis on Koh Phangan
Don't have a scooter and want to get from the pier to your accommodation or from your accommodation to the beach, for example? Just grab a songtaew (shared pick-up truck), a great way to get around. Stand along the road and raise your hand if one drives by. There are also normal taxis on the island, but they are a lot more expensive.
Accommodation on Koh Phangan, Thailand
There is plenty to do on Koh Phangan, with most people staying there for 3 or 4 nights. The island has several districts and tourist areas with their own character and charm. For example, choose a quiet stay in the hills, a luxury resort on the beach or cosy hostel in the centre.
Haad Rin is the vibrant centre of the island. This is where the monthly Full Moon party is celebrated. This area buzzes with energy and nightly festivities, with beach clubs and bars staying open all night. If you're looking for a party and lively atmosphere, Haad Rin is the place to be!
At Thong Sala you will arrive by boat and find the lively night market. Here you will also find the Pantip market and a good number of shops, restaurants and cafés. In this district, you can get a glimpse of everyday island life and local culture.
Between Thong Sala and Haad Rin lies Baan Tai, a good choice if you want to avoid the crowds but don't want to be too remote. Centrally located in the south of Koh Phangan, Baan Tai has a laid-back atmosphere with fairly quiet beaches and cosy restaurants and bars.
If you like yoga and meditation, choose the district Srithanu. Visit nearby Zen Beach for a special experience not only during sunset. Travelling as a family? Opt for Haad Yao, a long sandy beach with shallow water with some nice accommodations and restaurants. Also Mae Haad is a nice place, especially if you are a fan of snorkelling. As you can see, there are plenty of options.
See all hotels on the island
Read also: All about Thai SIM cards, calling and internet when travelling
Read also: Thailand | How long is it to fly to Thailand?
Things to do on Koh Phangan, Thailand
Koh Phangan is often combined with the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Despite being similar to the other islands in terms of landscape, Koh Phangan has unique sights. Below, we share the best with you.
Check out the map at the bottom of this blog so you can create your ideal day layout!
1. Discover the most beautiful beaches
The island is best known for its crowded full moon parties on the beach, but did you know that there are also very nice, peaceful beaches are on Koh Phangan? Jump on the scooter and visit idyllic coves, and white sandy beaches filled with palm trees. Our favourites are Haad Mae beach, Bottle Beach & Hin Kong Beach. Most beaches are in the west and north of the island, at most a half-hour drive away. Relax with a good book, sip a coconut or take a dip in the clear waters.
Can't sit still for long either? Recognisable! Then check out these three cool games that you can easily take anywhere!
2. Visit the Kuan Yin temple
Although Koh Phangan is not a big island, you will find more than 20 temples. One of the most beautiful temples with an insane view is the Chinese temple Kuan Yin. From Chaloklum Beach you can drive within a few minutes to the temple, which is located on top of a hill. The entrance fee is 40 Thai Baht (about 1 euro). Other interesting temples to visit are Wat Nai Suan, Wat Khao Tham and Wat Samai Kongka.
3. Hike to one of the waterfalls
Koh Phangan is quite hilly, so you will find several waterfalls. One of the most beautiful waterfalls is Phaeng Noi. This waterfall is located in Phaeng National Park, about a 15-minute drive from Tongsala Pier. Take care, because if it hasn't rained for a long time, the waterfall may have turned into a small stream or may even be completely dry.
Yet a visit to the national park is also worthwhile when the waterfall is not so spectacular. Indeed, it is a beautiful (but tough) hike through the jungle. The grand tour takes about 3 hours. Put on sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water and leave early, before it gets too hot. With a bit of luck, you'll spot wildlife such as monkeys and snakes. As a reward, you may cool off at the top in the natural pool at the foot of the waterfall. Entrance to the park is 100 baht (€2.63) per person.
Other popular waterfalls on Koh Phangan are Paradise Waterfall, Wang Sai Waterfall and Than Sadet Waterfall. All these waterfalls are not the most spectacular we have ever seen, but worth a visit as part of a good workout or walk through nature.
4. Visit the Thong Sala Night Market
Visiting a local market is one of the best things to do on Koh Phangan. The ideal place to eat lots and delicious food for little money. The smell of local food meets you as soon as you walk down the street. Besides eateries, there are also stalls selling artwork, electronics, clothes and souvenirs. You can really wander around for hours!
5. Dance into the night at a Full Moon Party
Despite the fact that we skipped this one, it must be mentioned. The island is famous for the Full Moon Party. Every year, millions of partygoers from all over the world flock to the island. Decorate yourself with fluorescent paint and enjoy the drinks, beats, light shows and entertainment with your feet in the sand. Book your accommodation in time, as the whole island is quite full around these dates.
6. Hike to Bottle Beach Viewpoint
In our opinion, one of the best viewpoints on the whole island. And best of all, the hike is not even that long or tough. From the parking area, it is only a 15-20-minute walk to the big rock, from where you have a super cool view of Bottle Beach. The last part of the hike involves scrambling over boulders, but that's fine if you take it easy. Real daredevils walk over a narrow ledge all the way to the tip of the huge rock for the best view. Although we saw people doing this hike in flip-flops, we still recommend wearing good shoes. Best to visit this spot on a clear day, early in the morning.
7. Visit the Ang Thong Marine Park
From Koh Phangan, you can take a day trip to the Ang Thong Marine Park, an archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand. The natural setting, with beautiful beaches, impressive cliffs and colourful coral, resembles the Indonesian archipelago Raja Ampat.
Book a tour at your accommodation or in the city centre with one of the many local tour operators. Not all tours are exactly the same, so check carefully what is and is not included in the price. On average, a day tour (09.00 - 18.00) costs around 2,500 Thai Baht (€65.75) per person, this includes transport to and from the park, snorkelling gear, lunch and a visit to the most beautiful sights. During the stops, you are free to do as you please; relax on the beach, explore the area by canoe or climb to a viewpoint.
8. Go snorkelling at Ko Ma
Ko Ma is a small island off the northwest coast of Koh Phangan. The special thing about this island is that a narrow strip of sand emerges during low tide, making it look like the island is connected to the mainland of Koh Phangan. You can then walk to the island from Mae Haad Beach. At Ko Ma, you can snorkel just fine, even though there is sometimes a lot of trash and dead coral. With a bit of luck, in addition to colourful fish, you'll also come across a turtle.
See all organised trips at Koh Phangan
9. Kayaking in the bay at Chaloklum
Hire a kayak and explore the bay of Chaloklum, an authentic fishing village. Here, the real Thai vibe can still be found. Paddle through the clear waters past mangroves and hidden beaches. Usually it is not crowded here and there is a relaxed atmosphere. You can also kitesurf here if there is enough wind.
Tip: Try fresh fish or oysters at one of the beachfront restaurants.
10. Watch the sunset at 420 Club Phangan
Watching the sunset never gets boring, especially over dinner with atmospheric music and tasty drinks. For spectacular views, we recommend 420 Club, formerly the 360 Club. The road there is quite steep, but doable with a scooter. The sky changes from bright orange and pink to purple and blue, it really never gets boring!
The best restaurants on Koh Phangan, Thailand
Asia is one of our favourite destinations and for good reason because you can eat delicious food here. On Koh Phangan, too, there are many places you can go on the go. The large number of tourists means there is something for everyone.
Start your day at Bubbas, a lovely place to have breakfast. Their coffee is one of the best if you ask us. Also, the chia pudding with a hint of vanilla, mango and pineapple is highly recommended. If you want to cool down after a long trip, stop at The Fat Cat or Eat.Co. Both are a fine place for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and even to get some work done! For a good smoothie bowl, visit Pura Vida or Orion.
Want to enjoy delicious local seafood in the evening? Then drop in at Fisherman's restaurant. The owner has converted his family fishing boats into seating areas, adding an extra personal touch. All their seafood comes fresh from the sea and is not farm-raised. Prices are a bit higher here though! Prefer to eat a bit cheaper? Then opt for Ying Ying's Kitchen (our favourite). Delicious Thai food and a super friendly owner! Just don't forget to put on DEET as there are quite a few mosquitoes in the evening.
Do you really want something different? Then we recommend you go to L'Alcove watch. This is a unique French Mediterranean-Thai beach restaurant with perfect sunset views and a great wine bar!
Map sights Koh Phangan
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