One day 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, Than Sadet waterfall and beach and Phaeng Waterfall and Domsila viewpoint, 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. Allow Half a day.

   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. Allow Half a day to a full day.

   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. Allow 2–3 hours.

   5. Late afternoon

      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. Allow 1.5–2 hours.

   6. 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.

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

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–15 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in January to 12.7 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Scooter. Scooters are the most common way to get around, but the island's roads are very steep in places, especially to Haad Rin, Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Koh Phangan
• 3 days in Koh Phangan
• 5 days in Koh Phangan

Questions travellers ask