Travel guide · Thailand
Koh Phangan travel guide
Full Moon parties, jungle waterfalls and quiet bays in the Gulf of Thailand
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Koh Phangan is a hilly, jungle-covered island in the Gulf of Thailand, about 15 km north of Koh Samui. It is famous for the Full Moon Party on Haad Rin's Sunrise Beach, but most of the island is far quieter: the west coast around Srithanu is a hub for yoga and wellness retreats, the north has the fishing village of Chaloklum and remote Bottle Beach, and the north-east has the twin bays of Thong Nai Pan. There is no airport, so visitors arrive by ferry from Samui or the mainland. Plan 6 days for a first visit; the best months are February–April and July–August.
Key facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Best time to visit
- February–April and July–August
- Ideal stay
- 6 days
- Main airports
- USM, URT
- Mid-range daily budget
- $70–$150 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Full Moon Party, Haad Rin, Yoga retreats and Bottle Beach
Why visit Koh Phangan
- The Full Moon Party on Haad Rin Nok draws thousands of people to dance on the sand around each full moon.
- Away from Haad Rin, bays such as Thong Nai Pan Noi, Haad Yao and Bottle Beach are calm, scenic and much quieter.
- Jungle trails lead to Phaeng Waterfall, the Domsila viewpoint and Khao Ra, the island's highest peak.
- The west coast around Srithanu is one of Thailand's main centres for yoga, meditation and wellness retreats.
- Boat trips reach Ang Thong National Marine Park and the dive sites around Sail Rock and Koh Tao.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Experience · Haad Rin
Full Moon Party at Haad Rin
Every month around the full moon, Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach) becomes an all-night party, with sound systems in bars along the beach, fire shows and thousands of visitors in neon body paint.
- Time needed
- One night
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- After dark
Beach · Bottle Beach
Bottle Beach
Haad Khuad, known as Bottle Beach, is a crescent of sand on the north coast enclosed by jungle-covered hills.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Beach · Thong Nai Pan
Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai
Two horseshoe bays on the north-east coast with soft sand, clear water and a backdrop of steep jungle.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Nature · East coast
Than Sadet waterfall and beach
A stream tumbles down a series of rocky pools to a small beach on the remote east coast.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- History
- Outdoors
Nature · Central highlands
Phaeng Waterfall and Domsila viewpoint
Inside Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan National Park, a short trail leads to Phaeng Waterfall, then climbs through the forest for about 30 minutes to the Domsila viewpoint, a rocky outcrop with views over the west coast and towards Koh Samui.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Nature · Central highlands
Khao Ra hike
At around 630 metres, Khao Ra is the highest point on the island, reached by a steep jungle trail through rainforest with giant trees and, with luck, wildlife such as birds and lizards.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
Where to stay
Thong Sala is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$ · Best for nightlife, solo travellers and budget
Haad Rin
The party peninsula with Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach and the Full Moon Party
$ · Best for budget, food lovers and first-timers
Thong Sala
The island's main town and ferry pier, with markets, banks and shops
$$ · Best for budget, nightlife and solo travellers
Ban Tai and Ban Khai
South-coast villages between Thong Sala and Haad Rin, with jungle parties and calm shallows
$$ · Best for solo travellers, quiet stays and food lovers
Srithanu
A west-coast village of yoga schools, vegan cafés and sunset over the sea
What to eat
- Massaman curry — A mild, rich curry with Persian-influenced spices such as cardamom and cinnamon, usually with beef or chicken, potatoes and peanuts.
- Southern sour curry — A fiery, sour, turmeric-yellow fish curry from southern Thailand, often with green papaya or bamboo shoots; no coconut milk.
- Pad thai — Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, bean sprouts, peanuts and shrimp or chicken, cooked to order in a wok.
- Som tam — Shredded green papaya pounded with chilli, lime, fish sauce, tomatoes and peanuts; ask for 'mai phet' if you want it mild.
- Grilled seafood — Fish, squid and prawns from the Gulf grilled and served with spicy seafood dipping sauce (nam jim seafood).
- Mango sticky rice — Sweet sticky rice with coconut cream and slices of ripe mango, best in the hot months when mangoes are in season.
When to go
The best time to visit Koh Phangan is February to April, when the weather is dry, sunny and calm, and July to August, which are usually mostly dry on the Gulf side even while western Thailand has its monsoon. October and especially November bring the heaviest rain. December and January are good but busy around the holidays.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | January–April | Sunny, dry and calm, with the best snorkelling and boat trips; April is very hot and lively with Songkran. |
| Early wet season | May–June | Hot with occasional showers and fewer visitors; a good-value time. |
| Summer | July–September | Mostly fine weather with short showers, busy with summer holidaymakers, while the Andaman coast is in monsoon. |
| Rainy season | October–December | Heavy rain and wind peaking in November, with rough seas and occasional ferry cancellations; crowds return for Christmas and New Year. |
Getting there and around
The nearest airport is Samui Airport, about 30–45 minutes by road from the piers on Koh Samui, followed by a ferry to Koh Phangan; allow about 2 hours door to door. Surat Thani Airport on the mainland is linked by combined bus-and-ferry tickets via Donsak, taking around 4 hours.
Koh Phangan has no public bus system and no airport. Most visitors rent a scooter or use songthaew pick-up taxis and private taxis, and long-tail boats reach beaches such as Bottle Beach. Ferries link the island to Koh Samui, Koh Tao and the mainland.
Plan your days
Three days covers a beach base, a waterfall hike and Thong Sala's markets, or a Full Moon Party with time to recover. Six days or more lets you split time between two coasts, take a boat trip to Ang Thong or Koh Tao and settle into a yoga or diving routine.
Practical information
- Currency
- THB
- Language
- Thai
- Plugs
- Type A, B, C and O sockets, 220–230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and refill stations where available.
- Emergency number
- 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not obligatory.
The main risks are scooter accidents on steep roads, alcohol- and drug-related incidents around party nights, theft of unattended belongings on the beach and rough seas in the rainy season. Thai drug laws are strict, and police checks are common around the Full Moon Party.
Flights to Koh Phangan
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Koh Phangan?
Three days covers a beach base, a waterfall hike and Thong Sala's markets, or a Full Moon Party with time to recover. Six days or more lets you split time between two coasts, take a boat trip to Ang Thong or Koh Tao and settle into a yoga or diving routine. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Koh Phangan?
The best time to visit Koh Phangan is February to April, when the weather is dry, sunny and calm, and July to August, which are usually mostly dry on the Gulf side even while western Thailand has its monsoon. October and especially November bring the heaviest rain. December and January are good but busy around the holidays.
+What is Koh Phangan known for?
Full Moon Party, Haad Rin, Yoga retreats, Bottle Beach, Thong Nai Pan, Jungle waterfalls and Island-hopping. The Full Moon Party on Haad Rin Nok draws thousands of people to dance on the sand around each full moon.
+Is Koh Phangan expensive?
Koh Phangan is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $70–$150 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Koh Phangan?
No. A scooter (if you are experienced) or taxis are enough; a car is useful only for families staying in remote bays.