Beaches on Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan has a wealth of beautiful white sandy beaches which are perfect for travellers looking to unwind and relax. Due to the tidal nature of the Koh Phangan the best beaches for swimming tend to be on the North and East coasts of the Island however there are many secluded bays and coves which stretch around the Phangan Island suitable privacy and seclusion, beach games or just taking in the beautiful palm fringed scenery! Below is a list of a few of our favourite beaches:
Ao Baan Tai (South)
A long stretch of beautiful sandy coastline which houses several bungalow resorts. This beach offers a great view of Koh Samui, outstanding sunsets and the opportunity to indulge in beach games and a spot of snorkelling.
Ao Nai Wok (Thongsala)
A delightful bay North of Thongsala offering an incredible sunset over a series of large granite boulders and a beach rich in colourful seashells. Those with a sense of adventure can kayak to the nearby island of Koh Tae Nai which has an untouched feel and some beautiful coral.
Ao Haad Yao (West)
A popular beach on the North West of the island. Here you will find plenty of bars and restaurants on the beach playing relaxing music. Some of the restaurants offer evening bbqs at competitive prices making this beach a perfect spot for socializing, beach games and cocktails at sunset!
Ao Haad Salad (West)
A secluded palm fringed bay which many regard as one of the most beautiful on the island. Those looking for solitude and scenic vistas won't be disappointed!
Ao Haad Mae Haad (West)
The beach and sand bar located in the North is a popular spot and a must see for all visitors to the island. At low tide it is possible to walk along the sand bar from Haad Mae Haad to Koh Ma. Bring your snorkel and mask as the area is rich in marine life with vibrant coral and a wealth undersea life.
Ao Chaloklum (North)
A long stretch of coastline which is suitable for swimming and snorkelling. A great place to relax and watch local fishermen arrive and depart in their long tail boats. There is a wealth of good seafood restaurants where you can enjoy the fruits of their labour!
Ao Thong Nai Pan (North)
The North and South beaches of TNP offer a stunning mountain backdrop and a true taste of paradise. This area has become a favourite hangout for those seeking the ultimate chill out spot and has a friendly, laid back feel. A nice wide beach for swimming and beach games.
Ao Bottle Beach (North)
Accessible either by boat from Chaloklum or by road from Thong Nai Pan, this well known beach is well worth the trip! The crescent shaped cove is one of the most scenic places on the island and the wide, white sandy beach is surrounded by lush mountain greenery.
Ao Haad Thian (West)
A stunning location with a pretty beach backed by large granite boulders and rugged mountain forest. Accessible by boat from Haad Rin, this beach and the accommodation available is popular with the more relaxed backpacker due to the popular yoga and healing centre situated here.
Ao Haad Rin (South)
Although famous for the monthly full moon parties, Haad Rin has two stunning beaches either side of its peninsula. The eastern beach is generally packed with bronzing bodies with plenty of water sports options and beach games to enjoy. The beach on the west coast is the quieter, more relaxed beach at Haad Rin where you can escape the crowds and enjoy the sunset.
Transport on Koh Phangan
Walk: Around Haad Rin, Thongasala and along the beach. For jungle walks it is recommended to take one of the professional guides. Guides can be found at Than Sadet national park office near Phaeng waterfalls.
Bike: Bicycles are an affordable and enjoyable way to explore the Island. Be careful of the sun and always carry sun block with you.
Motorbikes: Can be rented around Island and can accommodate one or two passengers. Motorbikes may be driven on all paved and dirt Island roads, but are not allowed on beach. Do not drink and drive. ALWAYS WEAR HELMET.
Car: Depending on your itinerary, you may require a vehicle while here. Do not forget there is no insurance.
Taxi: Taxi service is available Island-wide. A stand is located by the ferry piers at Thongsala Village and another stand is located in Haad Rin near to the Police station. Agree on a price in advance.
Thongsala to Haad Rin 100 Baht.
Thongsala to Haad Yao/ Haad Salad 100 Baht.
Thongsala to Thong Nai Pan/ Than Sadet Beach 200-250 Baht.
* Taxi prices vary during busy/quiet months and if they are shared.
Where To Eat
The range of restaurants, food stalls and other dining options on Koh Phangan is vast and is guaranteed to suit even the fussiest of eaters! Those wanting to budget will find street vendors offering favourites such as Pad Thai, BBQ pork and fried fish whilst those looking for fine dining will be spoilt for choice with a variety of upmarket restaurant options available.
Thai restaurants and food stalls use the finest and freshest ingredients from the Island and the overall quality of the produce is reflected in their dishes. The food market in Thongsala houses an abundance of stalls offering traditional Thai food at incredible prices. Be tempted by the Thai dessert stalls which offer elegant and colourful sugary treats crafted using recipes passed on through generations. Also worth the trip are the restaurants which surround the small fishing fleet at Chaloklum (offering the best fish dishes on the island) and the Thai style bbqs along Baan Tai road.
Those interested in cooking Thai food can visit the fresh food market in Thongsala where every imaginable ingredient can be found from the freshest of fish to the ripest banana! Cookery courses are also available on the island with English speaking chefs.
International cuisine can be found throughout the Island for those wanting a 'taste of home' or a change from Thai fare. Farang/Thai owned eateries are commonplace and quality produce such as steaks, cheese and wines are often sourced from abroad. International options are too vast to list but include Mexican, French, British, Scandinavian, Italian and Indian.
Being Active
For those not content with lounging around the pool after arriving on Koh Phangan, there are a multitude of outdoor pursuits to keep you busy during your stay!
In the water:
Snorkeling is a popular and inexpensive pastime on Koh Phangan as there are many places along the coast which are home to beautiful coral which is rich in marine life. Most resorts offer snorkel rental and popular spots include Koh Ma, Bottle Beach and Had Salad.
Several tour operators offer traditional long tail boat trips which are a popular way to spend the day- sightseeing and swimming in some of the most beautiful coves on the island. Also available are sunset cruises, speedboat trips and private boat charters.
Day or night fishing trips can be arranged. A popular place to visit is Chaloklum where you can fish with hand reels on long tail boats with local fishermen. Deep sea fishing for larger fish such as snapper or mackerel is also an option.
Other water sports on offer include kayaking (kayaks can be rented for approx 100 baht from many beach resorts), sailing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, kite surfing and windsurfing.
On land:
A great way of exploring the island is by renting a moped but remember to be careful and wear a helmet (especially around the hills of Haad Rin). Bicycles, quad bikes, dirt bikes and a variety of 4x4 vehicles are also available to hire in most villages at reasonable rates.
The scenic coastal terrain and the rugged and undisturbed jungle inland ensure that there is a variety of trekking opportunities on Koh Phangan. The most popular treks are the Haad Rin- Haad Thian trek which follows a marked route and takes around 2.5hrs and the Khao Ra trek which offers a stunning 3hr climb to the highest peak on the island. Guided treks can be organized through your resort and elephant trekking can also be arranged.
For those interested in shopping there are a large number of shops scattered around the island offering everything from traditional jewellery, crafts and artwork to western branded clothing and DVDs. The clothes market in Thongsala and Haad Rin are good places to find bargains and souvenirs but remember to haggle!
Snorkeling
Boating and Snorkeling offers a unique way of enjoying the many splendor that the Phangan Island has to offer. Numerous private charters are available, whether you are looking to depart on a private ride around coast or sunset cruise. It is recommended to explore the Island's inner ponds at your leisure or take a guided well-organized tour and see the Island from a whole new perspective. East coast is one of the Island's must see!
Your SAFRI BOAT trip can be book in any travel agency around the island or call direct 077 238 232
Fishing
Koh Pha-Ngan Island has long held the reputation as a sport fishing area which offers great angling. Located 40 kilometers out in Gulf of Thailand, there are no limits to the fishing opportunities for the inshore or deep-sea fishing.
The Island boats a professional charter-fishing fleet to take clients to the action, which could be include fly-fishing or deep-sea trolling. Apart from the species mentioned, you might also hook into barracuda, cobia, mackerel, sail fish, snapper or even a shark.
For fishing charter contact Big Game Fishing - 077 238 232, Thongsala
Diving
Koh Phangan's location ensures some of the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand are within easy reach. There are several dive companies who offer snorkel trips, beach dives and boat dives which all serve to highlight radiant coral and a body of water rich in aquatic life. Trips include equipment, guides and meals with hotel transfers available on request.
Those wishing to learn will find that dive operators offer a range of courses from introductory/beginner to those wishing to obtain more advanced qualifications. Thailand is one of the cheapest places in the world to dive, groups tend to be small and there is generally a high standard of instruction.
The west coast dive sites tend to be the most popular on the Island with the natural sand bar of Koh Mah being the stand out spot. Other fantastic areas to dive and snorkel include Haad Salad and Haad Yao. Divers will find a vibrant coral reef running parallel to the beaches situated anywhere between Wok Tum and Ko Ma. The reef is very accessible and offer relaxing dives to approximately 20m to take in hard and soft coral features and large schools of fish.
Further afield is the famous Sail Rock which is widely regarded as the best dive site in the Gulf of Thailand. Larger fish such as whale sharks, grouper and barracuda are attracted this stunning rock formation which offers swim-thrus and coral wall dives to a depth of up to 45m. Other stunning dive sites include Chumpon Pinnacle and Angthong Marine Park which offers rare and untouched coral formations inhabited by some of the rarest underwater life in Thailand.
Full Moon Party
Every month crowds flock to Koh Phangan and Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Full Moon Party Beach) beach for the infamous Full Moon Party. Numbers vary but in peak season the beach sees up to 30,000 revellers partying until dawn in front of massive state of the art sound systems and light shows. As you walk from one end of the beach to the other, expect a blur of fluorescent painted bodies gyrating to every type of music imaginable.
The DJ's play all kinds of music; techno, trance, goa, drum n' bass, dub, reggae, commercial hits, house etc. on about 15 sound systems along Haad Rin beach. There are also many small tables on the beach where you can sit down with your friends or meet new friends from all corners of the globe.
You can order drinks and food from the restaurants and bars next to the Haad Rin Nok beach (Sunrise Beach). Its not just a party, it is monthly Haad Rin's dance music festival which is famous worldwide, with everything from drum and bass to full-on psy-trance.
