เกาะพะงันJungle waterfalls and quiet coves, plus the legendary Full Moon Party.
Koh Phangan is the Gulf's most contrasting island. One corner, Haad Rin, hosts the world-famous monthly Full Moon Party, which draws thousands of partygoers to the beach. The rest of the island is quiet and green: steep jungle hills, wild waterfalls, long empty beaches and small bays that can only be reached by boat or rough road. It's also a global centre for yoga, meditation, detox and wellness retreats.
Ferries connect it to Koh Samui (30 minutes) and Koh Tao (1–2 hours), and to the mainland at Surat Thani and Chumphon. Thong Sala, the main port, has a Saturday walking street and a night market. The best beaches are in the north and east: Thong Nai Pan, Haad Salad, Haad Yao and Bottle Beach, which has no road access at all.
You can have very different holidays here. Party in Haad Rin for a few nights around the full moon, or bypass it entirely and spend a week in the jungle on a yoga retreat. Either way, be careful with scooters and alcohol.
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿ · THB)
- Getting there
- Ferry from Koh Samui (30–60 min), Koh Tao (1–2 h) or the mainland (2–3 h)
- Full Moon Party
- Monthly at Haad Rin, around the full moon
- Wellness
- Yoga, detox and meditation retreats around Sri Thanu and Wok Tum
- Best season
- January to September, with drier months in February–April
- Wet season
- October to December: heavy rain and rough seas
Top things to do in Koh Phangan.
24 places we chose and described by hand. Open any of them, with photos, hours and directions, in the catalogue below or in the app.
Places to visit
- Phaeng Waterfall Interior
A pretty jungle waterfall in the island's interior, with a royal carving nearby.
- Than Sadet Waterfall Than Sadet
A royal waterfall where Thai kings carved their initials into the rocks.
- Haad Rin Viewpoint Haad Rin
A hilltop view over both Haad Rin beaches, the peninsula and the sea.
- Wat Khao Tham Ban Tai
A hillside meditation temple with a cave, views and retreats.
Beaches & islands
- Haad Rin Beach Haad Rin
The party beach, with a pretty sunrise side and a legendary full-moon night.
- Haad Yao Beach Haad Yao
A long, peaceful west-coast beach with sunsets and calm water.
- Thong Nai Pan Noi & Yai Thong Nai Pan
Two beautiful sheltered bays on the north-east coast, backed by jungle.
- Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat) North coast
A small, peaceful beach with no road, reached by boat or a jungle trek.
- Haad Salad Haad Salad
A quiet north-west beach with shallow water and a beautiful reef.
- Haad Yuan Haad Rin area
A tiny cove near Haad Rin with great snorkelling and no cars.
Restaurants
- Thong Sala Night Market Thong Sala
Grilled meats, noodles, crêpes and fruit shakes near the pier.
- Sri Thanu Health Cafés Sri Thanu
Vegan, raw and vegetarian cafés around the yoga studios.
- Haad Yao Beach Restaurants Haad Yao
Thai seafood and sunset tables on the sand.
Activities
- Yoga, Meditation & Detox Retreats Sri Thanu
Drop-in yoga classes or week-long retreats in the jungle.
- Ang Thong Marine Park Day Trip Gulf of Thailand
A boat trip to the 42 islands of Ang Thong, with kayaking and snorkelling.
- Diving & Snorkelling at Sail Rock Sail Rock
A pinnacle between Phangan and Tao, known for whale sharks and a chimney swim-through.
- Jungle & Waterfall Trek to Khao Ra Interior
A hike through the island's interior to viewpoints and waterfalls.
Entertainment
- Full Moon Party Haad Rin
The world-famous monthly beach party at Haad Rin, with thousands of revellers.
- Muay Thai at Haad Rin Stadium Haad Rin
Regular boxing nights in an open-air stadium near the party beach.
Hotels & stays
- Resorts at Thong Nai Pan Thong Nai Pan
Upscale villas and boutique resorts above two sheltered bays.
- Bungalows on Haad Yao & Haad Salad Haad Yao
Wooden bungalows among palms, steps from a quiet beach.
- Haad Rin Hostels & Party Hotels Haad Rin
Social hostels and budget rooms near the party beach.
Shopping
- Thong Sala Saturday Walking Street Thong Sala
A big Saturday-evening market of crafts, clothes and street food.
- Haad Rin Shops Haad Rin
Beachwear, neon party gear, supplies and souvenirs.
Explore all 1,190 places in Koh Phangan.
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From the Thailand Guide app’s catalogue: OpenStreetMap places with traveller notes from Wikivoyage and photos from Wikimedia Commons. Photos marked “Representative” show the same kind of place, not this exact one. Neighbouring islands and day-trip areas may be included. “Open now” uses listed hours in Thailand time; confirm hours and access before travelling.
Best time to visit Koh Phangan.
The best time to visit Koh Phangan is February to April. Koh Phangan has a similar pattern to Koh Samui: the drier months run from January to April, June to September is warm with light showers and October to December is wet, with November the rainiest. The wet season brings big waves, cancelled ferries and many closed beach bars.
Approximate long-term monthly averages in °C and millimetres of rain. These are planning notes, not a weather forecast.
Koh Phangan travel tips.
Full Moon Party realities
It's a massive open-air party with alcohol, fire shows and crowds. Keep your valuables in the hotel, watch your drink, stay with friends and avoid scooters that night.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes before entering halls, keep your head lower than monks and Buddha images, and never climb on or pose disrespectfully with statues.
Retreat etiquette
Retreats are for quiet reflection. Respect the rules on silence and dress, and book well-established centres.
Scooter caution
Phangan's hills are steep, and accidents are frequent, often involving alcohol. Only ride if experienced and licensed.
Keep your cool (jai yen)
Staying calm and smiling solves most problems in Thailand; raised voices lose face for everyone.
Plan Koh Phangan on your phone.
Save places, see what is open now, check the weather and air quality, and browse all twenty guides in the free Thailand Guide app. Works offline.