5 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

      Take the long-tail from Chaloklum in the morning and agree the pick-up time; hikers can climb to the viewpoint above the beach for a photo of the whole bay. (Half a day, low cost).

   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. (Half a day to a full day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Massaman curry

      Thai restaurants and the Thong Sala night market.

   4. Afternoon

      Than Sadet waterfall and beach

      Combine it with Thong Nai Pan, and come after rain when the pools are fuller; in the dry months the falls slow to a trickle. (2–3 hours, free).

   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. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Khao Ra hike

      Hire a local guide from the villages at the foot of the trail, start early, and allow most of a morning; the path is steep and slippery after rain. (3–5 hours, low cost).

   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. (Half a day, free).

   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

      Stay for sunset, then eat at the beachfront restaurants before heading back. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Haad Salad

      Snorkel along the reef at the northern end when the water is calm, usually in the dry months. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pad thai

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

   4. Afternoon

      Haad Son (Secret Beach)

      Arrive in the late afternoon, swim, and stay to watch the sunset from the rocks. (2–3 hours, free).

   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.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park

   About 1.5–2 hours by boat each way. Getting there: Tour boat or speedboat from Thong Sala.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Ang Thong National Marine Park

      About 1.5–2 hours by boat (Tour boat or speedboat from Thong Sala); about 40 km.

   2. Day

      Ang Thong National Marine Park

      An archipelago of around 40 limestone islands west of Phangan with kayaking, snorkelling and a steep climb to a viewpoint over the emerald lagoon on Koh Mae Ko. Best for first-timers, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Koh Phangan

      Dinner: try Som tam.

5. Day 5: Chaloklum fishing village and Wat Khao Tham

   Chaloklum fishing village, Wat Khao Tham and Wat Pho herbal sauna, then Haad Rin in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Chaloklum fishing village

      Eat seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants for lunch, then take a long-tail to Bottle Beach for the afternoon. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Wat Khao Tham

      Dress modestly and keep quiet in the grounds; retreats are structured and must be applied for in advance. (1 hour (visit) or several days (retreat), low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Som tam

      Stalls and Isaan restaurants across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Wat Pho herbal sauna

      Bring a sarong and towel and go in the late afternoon; take short sessions in the steam room and drink water between them. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Haad Rin

      Beach bars on Haad Rin Nok host the monthly Full Moon Party and smaller parties on other nights.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Full Moon Party at Haad Rin before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 30–43 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Koh Phangan

Questions travellers ask