3 days in Koh Phangan

Day by day

1. Day 1: Bottle Beach and Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai

   Bottle Beach, Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai and Than Sadet waterfall and beach, then Full Moon Party at Haad Rin in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Bottle Beach

      Haad Khuad, known as Bottle Beach, is a crescent of sand on the north coast enclosed by jungle-covered hills.

   2. Late morning

      Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai

      Ride or take a taxi over the hill road in daylight, as it is steep and winding, and spend a full day swimming between the two bays.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Massaman curry

      Thai restaurants and the Thong Sala night market.

   4. Afternoon

      Than Sadet waterfall and beach

      A stream tumbles down a series of rocky pools to a small beach on the remote east coast.

   5. Evening

      Full Moon Party at Haad Rin

      Book accommodation weeks ahead, wear shoes on the sand to avoid broken glass, keep valuables at your hotel and stay out of the sea after drinking.

2. Day 2: Phaeng Waterfall and Domsila viewpoint and Khao Ra hike

   Phaeng Waterfall and Domsila viewpoint, Khao Ra hike and Koh Ma and Mae Haad, then Thong Sala Walking Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Phaeng Waterfall and Domsila viewpoint

      Go in the morning before it gets hot, wear proper shoes for the rocky climb and carry water; the falls are fullest in the rainy season.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Southern sour curry

      Local restaurants in Thong Sala and Chaloklum serving southern Thai food.

   4. Afternoon

      Koh Ma and Mae Haad

      Check the tides and walk across the sandbar at low water; bring your own snorkel and fins, and wear reef shoes on the coral sand.

   5. Evening

      Thong Sala Walking Street

      Arrive hungry and graze from stall to stall; try grilled squid, sticky rice and fresh fruit shakes.

3. Day 3: Haad Yao and Haad Salad

   Haad Yao, Haad Salad and Haad Son (Secret Beach), then Thong Sala night food market in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Haad Yao

      A long sandy beach on the west coast, Haad Yao has clear, deep-enough water for swimming even at low tide and faces west for sunsets.

   2. Late morning

      Haad Salad

      Snorkel along the reef at the northern end when the water is calm, usually in the dry months.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pad thai

      Street stalls at the Thong Sala night market and the Saturday Walking Street.

   4. Afternoon

      Haad Son (Secret Beach)

      A small cove just south of Haad Yao, tucked below a headland and reached through a resort, with clear water and rocks to jump from at the far end.

   5. Evening

      Thong Sala night food market

      Go early in the evening for the widest choice and look for the stalls with the longest local queues.

Before you go

• Full Moon Party at Haad Rin: Rooms in Haad Rin fill up around the full moon and many require minimum stays; book early and confirm the party date, which can move.

If it rains

• Swap in Wat Pho herbal sauna (Ban Tai and Ban Khai): Bring a sarong and towel and go in the late afternoon; take short sessions in the steam room and drink water between them.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Thong Sala keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Haad Rin ($$) suits nightlife, solo travellers and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 27–38 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in January to 12.7 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Koh Phangan
• 2 days in Koh Phangan
• 5 days in Koh Phangan

Questions travellers ask