Thailand

The island of Koh Phangan, located in the Gulf of Thailand between Koh Samui and Koh Tao, is a highly popular destination among backpackers. Renowned for its famous Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan has much more to offer its visitors. Still quite rustic, Koh Phangan has managed to develop without significantly altering its natural landscapes or its beautiful sandy beaches. Mostly consisting of Than Sadet National Park, Koh Phangan protects and respects its lush nature, which houses incredible fauna and flora. Here, people enjoy the southern parties, but they especially appreciate the calm and beauty of the west and north coasts.

History

The origin of the name Koh Phangan comes from the word "Ngan," which literally translates in southern dialect as "sandbar." As for the first visitors who landed on Koh Phangan, they were Malay sailors from the Malay Peninsula.

Furthermore, the first construction on the island was a temple built by monks about 600 years ago. Later, Chinese immigrants arrived and began to settle there. When they settled permanently on Koh Phangan, they started tin mining and coconut trading.

Koh Phangan is highly appreciated by Thai monarchs. Many sovereigns have come to rest on the island repeatedly. For example, King Rama V, who visited Koh Phangan more than ten times, especially liked to venture to the Than Sadet waterfalls.

Staying in Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is a small island located north of the larger Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand. It has about 13,500 inhabitants, a number that can double or even triple with the arrival of tourists during the high season (from December to February) or during the Full Moon party. Indeed, Koh Phangan is renowned for this famous event that takes place once a month on full moon nights, but Koh Phangan is not just about wild parties.

More than half of its area has been declared a "National Park," which allows it to remain very wild and to preserve its tropical nature. Projects such as the construction of an airport on the east side of the island have been canceled to preserve its natural environment.

Although the entire west coast, from north to south, is inhabited, tourist infrastructure does not detract from the landscape and does not spoil its incredible beaches. From Chaloklum, the small fishing village in the north, which is very family-oriented, to Haad Rin, the party village in the south, passing through Srithanu, the hippie village with its yoga centers, Koh Phangan knows how to charm its visitors.

A saying is often repeated among expatriates and regular travelers on Koh Phangan: "Once you set foot on Phangan, you always come back!"

Everything seems possible on Koh Phangan; an incredible energy emanates from it, which explains why one feels good there, like at home. The beaches are incredibly beautiful; its tropical forests hide superb waterfalls and hiking trails leading to incredible panoramic views; its seabed is still rich enough and promises beautiful discoveries in snorkeling, the hotels, resorts, and restaurants are mostly of very good quality; the few temples hidden here and there offer appreciable cultural breaks…

If you have some time on your hands and like adventure, you can play Robinson Crusoe by visiting small beaches accessible by boat. Bottle Beach or Haad Tian are perfect examples.

Beaches not to be missed in Koh Phangan

Haad Mae Had

This beach is located on the west side of the island, not far from Koh Ma islet. At low tide, a sandbar is revealed and connects the beach to the islet, allowing you to walk there. Haad Mae Had is also famous for its fairly rich seabed. Snorkeling or scuba diving near Koh Ma, you can observe beautiful corals and many tropical fish.

Haad Khuad, or Bottle Beach

This beach is located in the north of the island and is only accessible by taxi boat from the small fishing village of Chaloklum.

For the more adventurous, it is possible to access it on foot by taking a trail hidden in the jungle. On the way, you will surely come across a small family of monkeys and many lizards and geckos. The little trek is not particularly difficult, but it is advisable to wear your sneakers or hiking shoes.

Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi

These beautiful beaches are located on the east coast of Koh Phangan. This part of the island borders the national park and remains very wild. In the background, the jungle stretches as far as the eye can see, and it only awaits adventurers.

The distance of these beaches from the rest of the island explains the tranquility and calm that reign there.

Haad Salad

Located in the northwest of the island, Haad Salad charms with its white and fine sand, its coconut trees, and especially its emerald green water. Haad Salad also houses a beautiful coral reef that can be explored by snorkeling or scuba diving. The beach is very popular with families.

Waterfalls of Koh Phangan

In addition to the heavenly beaches, Koh Phangan also has a jungle and some beautiful waterfalls.

Than Sadet

Located on the east coast of the island, Than Sadet is known for its small beach lined with palm trees but also for its waterfalls. It is formed by a succession of basins and streams that extend over about 3 kilometers. It is probably the most famous waterfall on the island.

Paradise Waterfall

The beauty of this waterfall is especially revealed after the rainy season (between October and March). You can swim there, but be careful not to slip on the rocks. However, in the dry season, it is not uncommon for the waterfall to completely dry up. In this case, take the opportunity to follow the small path that will lead you to a superb viewpoint of the island.

Wang Sai

This waterfall, surrounded by tropical vegetation, is located in the northwest of the island, near the beach of Haad Mae Had. To enjoy the beauty of the place, it is best to go there after the rainy season.

Koh Phangan and the Full Moon Party

The Full Moon Party is internationally recognized. Travelers from all over the world come to dance all night to the rhythm of music served by all the bars along the beach.

The Full Moon takes place once a month, on the full moon night, on Haad Rin Beach, located in the south of the island. The small village turns into a party place. Stands with temporary fluorescent ink tattoos and small pop-up bars are set up in the streets and on the beach.

It is strongly recommended to go there by taxi and not drive your scooter on a night like this.

The entrance fee is 100 baht. The money collected is then used to clean the beach completely after each party.

For those who do not wish to participate in this world-famous event, it is best to avoid the south coast. The rest of the island retains its calm and relaxed atmosphere.

Climate

The island of Koh Phangan is subject to a humid tropical climate almost all year round. Koh Phangan, like Koh Samui and Koh Tao, experiences 3 seasons: the rainy season from September to November, the cool season from December to March, and the hot season from April to June.

In October and November, rains are very frequent, and floods are not uncommon. December and January, which are the most touristy months, also record a lot of rain, especially

at night.

In the dry season, temperatures can easily reach 40°C. The sea recedes, the water is very hot, so it is difficult to swim and enjoy.

The best times to visit Koh Phangan are from January to early April and from mid-June to September.

How to get there?

Koh Phangan does not have an airport and is therefore only accessible by boat. Several options are available to reach the island.

From Koh Samui

The simplest is to take a flight to Koh Samui airport and then take a boat to Thong Sala, the main port of Koh Phangan. From Koh Samui, it is also possible to go directly to Haad Rin port, which is convenient when going to Koh Phangan only for the Full Moon.

The crossing takes about 30 minutes and costs 300 baht. Several companies offer the crossing: Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry, etc.

From Bangkok

From Bangkok, there are also several alternatives to reach Koh Phangan:

Take a Bangkok-Surat Thani flight, then a bus to Dongsak port. At the port, you can take the Raja Ferry to Thong Sala.

Take a bus from Bangkok to Champon and then a boat to Thong Sala. The boat will stop at Koh Tao.

Take a flight from Bangkok to Nakon Si Thamarat, then a bus to Thong port to Dongsak. The Lomprayah company will take you with its catamaran to Sala with a stopover in Koh Samui.

How to get around in Koh Phangan?

Rent a scooter or motorcycle

There's nothing better than a motorcycle or scooter to explore the island of Koh Phangan. There is no shortage of two-wheeler rental shops; you will find them on every corner.

But be careful; even if it is common not to wear a helmet, we strongly advise not to neglect this safety measure. The roads are covered with sand in some places, sometimes dotted with holes, and street dogs do not always pay attention before crossing the road. In short, you have to be vigilant, wear a helmet, and not drive too fast.

Before leaving with your rental scooter, be sure to check the condition of the brakes, lights, and turn signals. Also, check the small scratches and take everything in a photo before to avoid dishonest lessors (even if this is becoming increasingly rare).

A motorcycle rental usually costs 200 baht per day. However, in the high season, such as during the full moon or New Year, prices may increase slightly.

Rent a car

For families or groups, it is sometimes more economical and can be less dangerous to rent a car. From sedans to small jeeps to large pickups, you can find all types of cars. However, we recommend small vehicle rentals, such as jeeps, which are easier to park or drive on the island's sometimes winding small roads.

Depending on the type of car, the rental can range from 800 baht to 2000 baht per day.

The songthaew

As it is customary to use this collective means of transport in almost all regions of Thailand, it is not surprising that we also find them on the island of Koh Phangan. Local songthaews are collective taxis, very convenient for reaching the most frequented places. At the exit of the port, these taxis wait and indicate to you the vehicle to take according to your final destination. Prices are often fixed in advance for trips from the port or for full moon nights, for example. Otherwise, it is always possible to negotiate your price if you stop one of these vehicles in the street.

If you only travel by songthaew, the budget can quickly add up. This means of transport is convenient for long journeys during parties to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.

Moto taxi

It is not yet very developed on the island, but it is possible to find motorcycle taxis. This is convenient if you are alone and more economical than the songthaew. However, it is not always easy to find them outside of lively areas like Thong Sala and Ban Tai.

Taxi boat

This means of transport is particularly used to go to beaches that are difficult to access, such as Bottle Beach or Haad Tian. Taxi boats are easy to spot; signs saying "Taxi boat" are often displayed. Just ask the Thais sitting next to you and negotiate the price.