Phangan Island in Thailand (Koh Phangan) located in the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea and is the fifth largest island in the country. Koh Phangan is connected to the mainland, the closest distance is 50 km, by regular ferry service. At the same time, less than ten kilometers separate Phangan and the famous island of Koh Samui, which is located to the south. It is Koh Samui that often becomes a permanent holiday destination, while Koh Phangan is seen as something of a nice addition and a place to go for just a few days or a day excursion. However, the island of Koh Phangan itself is quite interesting for a long-term vacation, where there are all the conditions for this.
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Koh Phangan Island (Thailand) – general information
Like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan administratively belongs to the province of Surat Thani, and the island got its name from the Thai word “ngan”, which means “sand spit”, because during low tides you can see picturesque sand spits on some beaches of the island. Square Koh Phangan Islands is 167 square kilometers, which allows it to close the top five largest islands in Thailand. In terms of size, Phangan is not much inferior to the neighboring island of Koh Samui - only 1.5 times smaller. But compared to Phuket, Phangan is noticeably more compact: it is about 4 times smaller in area.
Almost 70% of Koh Phangan's territory is mountainous, covered with impenetrable tropical vegetation. The mountains themselves on Koh Phangan are not very high: the maximum height is 630 m (Mount Khao Ra). The remaining territory of the island is occupied by Koh Phangan's beaches and flat terrain suitable for traditional farming. A considerable part of the cultivated land is used as coconut palm plantations, which, combined with the unusually beautiful local beaches, give the island a truly paradise-like appearance.
Koh Phangan - weather and seasons
Despite the fact that Koh Phangan is a year-round resort, there are some peculiarities associated with the rainy season. Moreover, on Koh Phangan there are two periods of pronounced. The first begins in April and continues through June. At this time, not only does it rain often, but there is also a low water level in the sea, which during this period is also slightly cloudy. The second “wet” season can be caught by coming on holiday to Koh Phangan from September to November.
Accordingly, the optimal months for a holiday on the island are July-August and the period from December to March. This is if your priority is a beach holiday, you need bright sunny weather, minimal or no precipitation, clear sea water for snorkeling and diving, colorful photos from your holiday, etc. If the island of Koh Phangan (Thailand) interests you primarily as a venue for the famous Fool Moon Party, then you can come at any time of the year, and the music and cheerful companies will definitely not let you get bored.
Advantages and disadvantages of Koh Phangan
I warn you right away that the pros and cons of Koh Phangan listed below are somewhat arbitrary, because all people are individual and what I like may not be what you like at all. Therefore, I will try to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the island in the context of various types of recreation and the gender and age structure of tourists.
Of course, the natural beauty of the island is its most important advantage. The numerous beaches of Koh Phangan are so picturesque that they are often depicted in all kinds of tourist catalogs in the “Thailand” section, along with beaches, steep cliffs and islands sticking out of the water. Lush tropical vegetation, green mountains, snow-white beaches without umbrellas and sunbeds, turquoise sea water near the shore, beautiful waterfalls - all this makes you fall in love the first time and makes numerous tourists return to Koh Phangan again and again, at least for a few days.
Despite the large number of hotels that are now easy to find on almost every beach of Koh Phangan, the number of people vacationing on the island is still small even during the peak of the high dry season in Thailand. This gives a holiday on Koh Phangan some privacy and romance. Koh Phangan is perfect for all couples and families who prefer to relax away from the noisy companies of compatriots and tourists from other countries. There are a number of beaches on the island where you can relax all day in complete solitude.
You should forget about a relaxing holiday on Koh Phangan only on full moon days, when thousands of tourists from all over the world arrive on the island to take part in Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, which usually lasts three days. However, this event only affects Haad Rin beach and other beaches bordering it and the pier; the rest, even at this time, are quite calm and quiet. By the way, it is precisely the silence and orderliness of relaxation on Koh Phangan that for some is also a disadvantage: those who like noisy companies, streets with bars and discos, following the example of Volkin Street in Pattaya, will clearly be bored here, especially in the evenings.
Infrastructure Koh Phangan Islands It is developing rapidly, but is still far from perfect. There is only one large Tesco Lotus supermarket on the island (in the main island town of Thong Sala) with a fairly meager selection of things that cannot be found in the usual 7Eleven. Also, don’t count on good shopping in the big shopping centers on Koh Phangan, because there aren’t any there yet. But if you just need holiday essentials, groceries and fresh thailand fruits– all this is easy to find both in the village of Thong Sala and on the most populated other beaches of the island.
The island's own airport is under construction, so you won't be able to get to Koh Phangan directly: you'll have to get to the island by ferry or boat for now. However, such a boat trip usually takes 20-30 minutes, so there’s nothing wrong with that. Especially if you know the schedule and piers on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui from which transport between the islands of various sea carriers departs. By the way, this useful information can be found in an article published earlier on the site.
Another problem is the roads of Koh Phangan: if you want to visit the fairly popular and well-maintained beaches of the island, there will be no problems: high-quality paved roads will probably be built to them. But if you want to visit truly wild and uninhabited beaches, you will have to travel along dirt roads in places of terrible quality, so those who have registered for the first time and specifically on Koh Phangan should not risk their life and health when driving on such roads.
The cost of living on Koh Phangan depends on your preferences for living conditions and the availability of additional amenities. There are both expensive high-category hotels and quite budget accommodations. In addition, you can always stay in a tent and eat in the restaurant of the nearest hotel at quite affordable prices. Using the hotel search form below at the best prices, you always have the opportunity to save money and plan your vacation budget in Thailand in advance. Just choose to zoom in on the Phangan beach you are interested in on the map and find out the cost of the hotels located there.
Things to do on Koh Phangan Island in Thailand
Despite the fact that the island is quite calm and is primarily conducive to a quiet and measured holiday, there is something to do on Koh Phangan besides lying on the beach closest to your hotel. By the way, there are several dozen beaches on the island, which can be easily verified using Koh Phangan island maps in high resolution. Below is a short list of things you can do on Koh Phangan to diversify your holiday on the island.
★ Participation in the Full Moon Party. The famous beach party is held, as its name suggests, every full moon of the month on Haad Rin Beach. Deafening music, fashionable DJs, buckets of alcohol and a crazy atmosphere will be remembered for a long time even by those who in ordinary life do not really like going to clubs and discos.
★ Participation in other parties. If you think that besides the full moon party there is nothing for young people to do on the island of Koh Phangan, you are deeply mistaken :). Twice a month there are Half Moon Parties, once a New Moon Party and several other parties, information about the dates and locations of which, the cost of participation, other features and rules of behavior at such parties can be found in a separate article “Parties on Koh Phangan: places, dates, cost”.
★ Diving on Koh Phangan is one of the best in the entire Gulf of Thailand. The island offers both excursion diving, i.e. diving in the company of experienced instructors and professional diving. You can find many places to rent scuba equipment, as well as undergo professional training at one of the local schools and receive an international certificate. There are also many snorkeling spots near the island, and in the Tonga Sala area there is a local branch of the country's largest kitesurfing school.
★ Visiting the picturesque beaches of Koh Phangan with light sand, where spending time is a pleasure. While vacationing on the island, it would be foolish not to visit at least 5-7 of its beaches, each of which may differ from its neighbors in its atmosphere, water color, coastline, etc. Some will be attracted by clean and well-maintained beaches Koh Phangan Islands close to expensive hotels, while others will simply be fascinated by the wild beaches, which no one cleans up from shells thrown out by the sea and tree trunks bleached by the sun and sea salt.
★ Visiting the natural and man-made attractions of Koh Phangan. This category of entertainment includes trips to the island’s numerous waterfalls, Phangan National Park, visits to a Buddhist and Chinese temple, a fishing village and an elephant village. You can read more about this in the article “Sights of Koh Phangan and excursions on the island”, which examines the most interesting objects of Koh Phangan and lists the cost of visiting those where it is charged.
That's it for the review Koh Phangan islands in Thailand completed, more detailed information about the island's beaches, transport on Koh Phangan, parties, excursions and attractions can be found in separate articles by clicking on the links above.
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Come to Thailand, and here you will have a good rest, gain new strength, and most importantly, decide how to proceed. In this article we will tell you about Koh Phangan, how to get to it, about the open-air party - Full Moon Party, interesting facts, weather and prices.
If you are already thinking about going on a trip to the country of Siam, then be sure to turn your attention to Phangan, as the locals call it Koh Phangan. Those who have visited here at least once know that this is a real paradise on earth, and dream of returning here again!
This island is considered one of the most popular resort areas where vacationers want to go. You can often hear about it that this is the best place in all of Southeast Asia. Therefore, if you are thinking about a holiday in Thailand, be sure to pay attention to it.
Where is it located, map
The island of Koh Phangan on the world map will seem like just a small spot to you, but once you get here, you will completely change your mind. The population is about 10 thousand people. Most of them are from China. More than 90% of the population here professes Buddhism, and the rest is Muslim.
On Koh Phangan, more than half of the area is covered with mountains with forests and palm plantations. And if you are one of those who loves coconuts, then you will definitely love it here! The most unusual and varied, alcoholic and non-alcoholic coconut cocktails will delight you.
How to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok?
There is no airport on this island.
Therefore, you can fly to Koh Samui or Surat Thani. Koh Samui is an island located next to Koh Phangan; Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways and low-cost airlines Nok Air and Air Asia fly here.
From Samui or Surat Thani you can easily and without problems by water transport, it will take about 2.5 hours, ferries run several times a day. Below we will talk about this in more detail.
You can also get from Bangkok by bus, the bus goes to the island by ferry, ticket price is $20-30. The bus leaves from South Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Taling Chan) Bangkok.
With the help of various online air ticket sales programs, finding the most successful and optimal one for you will not be difficult at all.
How to get from Saumi to Koh Phangan
If you fly to Koh Samui, there are many ferries between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan; you can buy a bus+ferry combo right at the airport. Ferries depart from different piers: from Samui "Big Budda" boats go to Phangan's Haad Rin, and from Nathon and Mae Nam - to the main Phangan port of Thong Sala. Ferries cost 200-300 baht one way ().
The best disco on Koh Phangan
If you don’t know yet, Koh Phangan is one of the top five largest and most popular islands in all of Thailand. It has one unique feature that makes it so popular and famous. As many young people might have already guessed, we are talking about the Full Moon Party.
This is such a huge and truly grandiose open-air party. This party can accommodate several thousand people who will spend an unforgettable time here. A huge number of young people rush here precisely for this reason! And it’s worth noting that it’s not in vain! After all, you won’t get such adrenaline and emotions from nightlife anywhere else! The magnificent nature around - mountains, forests, palm trees and a chic beach disco - will delight any person, even if he does not like parties.
The creators of this party guarantee that you will not find anything like it on any beach! Therefore, do not miss this event if you are already here!
Holidays on Koh Phangan will be a real holiday for your soul! Therefore, hurry up to come here and get your portion of unforgettable emotions!
Facts about Koh Phangan
The island covers an area of 170 square meters. km. It is located on the southwestern part of the Gulf of Thailand, part of the Koh Samui archipelago, located next to Koh Samui and the province of Surat Thani. Its perimeter is approximately 50 km. So you can roughly imagine what size it is.
The name itself, translated from Thai, means “barrier of sand.” And this is absolutely no coincidence! You will notice that the coast of the island is distinguished by the fact that it is quite shallow. During low tide, sand deposits remain around it, from which a network of small islands grows. By the way, this is a very good quality. Thanks to this, no matter what the weather is here, the coastal waters remain calm, which allows you to swim in them, even in strong winds, because the force of the waves will not be strong.
Weather in Koh Phangan
The air temperature during the day is 29-32 degrees, and at night - 24-26, which is not too different.
The weather on Koh Phangan is quite stable. Therefore, this place is very comfortable.
Prices on Koh Phangan
Prices for groceries and food in cafes are on average 15% higher than in neighboring Samui, even 7/11 prices are higher than the Thai average.
Prices for accommodation such as a bungalow on the beach start from 400 baht per day.
During the Full Moon Party there are special prices for accommodation, and can be twice as high as usual.
Beaches on Koh Phangan
The beaches of Koh Phangan are some of the most amazing places where you can relax near the water. The best ones:
- Haad Rin. This is the territory of noisy parties.
- Baan Tai. From here you can easily reach national parks.
- Tong Sala. It is considered the main village of the island.
- Voctum Bay. It has a pleasant and calm atmosphere.
Renting housing on Koh Phangan
The main question is your accommodation on Koh Phangan. You have several options for where you can stay comfortably. This:
- House rent
- Villa rental
- Hotels.
Hotel prices
Each option presented will be convenient and comfortable for you, you just need to take into account several important factors.
- Do you need a quiet or noisy area?
- Are you coming to relax with your family or company?
- What is your purpose for coming to Koh Phangan - parties, relaxing by the water, visiting the sights.
Answer these questions for yourself, and you can easily choose the most suitable option. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance and find all the interesting things nearby.
Video
The island of Koh Phangan is 45 km away from the mainland of Thailand, and very close (8 km) from it is the popular island. Phangan is not crowded, is medium in size (168 km 2), tourist infrastructure is developed only in some parts of the island, but it has magnificent beaches, clean water, and invigorating air. Most of the territory is mountainous with impenetrable tropical forests. But the underwater world is very rich in a variety of strange fish and plants, because it’s not for nothing that Koh Phangan is one of the best places for diving and snorkeling, along with.
Who better to relax here? This place is most suitable for two groups of people:
- For those who love silence and solitude
- For an active, cheeky nightlife
How so? Yes, very simple. All conditions have been created for youth recreation on the west coast on Had Rin Beach. It is here that the world-famous monthly Full Moon Party is held, attracting up to 30,000 people from different parts of our planet. The party is held on the full moon and officially lasts one day, although in fact the festivities begin 3 days before the party and last 3 days after it, i.e. in fact it lasts a whole week.
The most popular drink at this event is called a “bucket”: a bottle of whiskey, Coca-Cola and energy drink is poured into a small bucket of several liters - this is the “standard” composition, although a wide variety of “buckets” are sold. You can look at the Full Moon Party schedule a little. It is worth noting that there are parties almost every day on Had Rin Beach, they just attract far fewer people than the Full Moon Party.
Photo: flatbox/Shutterstock.com For lovers of peace and solitude, all the beaches of Koh Phangan are suitable, with the exception of Had Rin. The island itself is considered a paradise for those who want to take a break from noisy cities. You can walk barefoot on the white sand, nap in the shade of palm trees, swim in the clear sea, and bask in the sun all day. If you want to be completely alone, then you can find such beaches, although you need to get to them either by boat or through the jungle along very narrow paths. You can also choose where the atmosphere of calm and romance reigns everywhere.
There are not very many shops on Koh Phangan, mostly souvenir shops. If you want to buy something worthwhile, it’s better to go to Koh Samui; boats ply between these islands constantly. Diving is in great demand on Koh Phangan, which is why certified diving centers are open here to help anyone who wants to learn how to scuba dive.
Beach cleanliness:
Number of vacationers.
The island of Koh Phangan in Thailand is a paradise, often called the Ibiza of Asia. It is included in the Samui archipelago and is located approximately 56 kilometers from the mainland and 16 from the main island of the archipelago - Koh Samui. About 70-75% of the island's territory is occupied by jungle and mountainous terrain, and the rest is azure beaches and coconut plantations. Reviews of the island's beaches say that these are the best places to relax in Thailand.
How to get there from the capital city of Bangkok?
Getting to the island is quite easy, but only with transfers. First you should fly to Bangkok (the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand), and then fly around the country. The best airports to land from Bangkok Airport are those in Koh Samui and Surat Thani. Next, you will have to travel by water, since air service to Koh Phangan is not established.
Samui and Surat Thani airports accept only domestic flights from Bangkok and other cities in Thailand, so you will have to visit Bangkok in any case.
If you went from Bangkok to Koh Samui, then you can get there by ferry. The journey will take no more than an hour, but everything greatly depends on the chosen carrier. The fastest way to get from Samui is to rent a speed boat, but this pleasure costs from $150.
Getting from the airport to Surat Thani is not so easy, since you will have to take a bus immediately, then cross the remaining distance by ferry. The journey takes about 2 hours, but is very cheap - about $10 per person.
The cheapest way to get to Koh Phangan is to buy a bus ticket from Bangkok Airport and then take a ferry. Tickets are sold jointly and will cost approximately $35-$40 in total.
Rail travel from the center of Bangkok to Suratami will cost about 700 baht, and then you will again have to travel by bus and then by ferry.
Weather on Koh Phangan island. Seasons
The island is ready to welcome vacationers all year round, but still here, like other resorts in Thailand, it has its own weather, the peculiarities of which you should learn about before you go on vacation.
The rainy season occurs in two stages. The first begins in September and continues until mid-December. The weather at this time is not always pleasing to vacationers. Thus, in October and November the highest amount of precipitation falls, but by the beginning of December the weather begins to improve. The second stage of the low season runs from April to early June. At this time there is not much rainfall, and the sun is gentle and warm, but the water level in the sea and its purity leave much to be desired. Those who have read reviews about the famous Full Moon Party and are in a hurry to attend it have nothing to worry about, just like those who came to see the sights. If your goal is a beach holiday, we recommend that you refrain from traveling to Thailand to visit Samui or Koh Phangan.
The most favorable time for a beach holiday is the high season, i.e. the time from mid-December to March, when the weather is conducive to relaxing by the water, sunbathing and all kinds of entertainment.
Beaches of the island
Koh Phangan Island is one of those island formations in the Kingdom of Thailand where every tourist will find a paradise for themselves, no matter what their tastes and preferences are. There are more than twenty beach areas, many of which are the best in Thailand.
The best beaches in Koh Phangan include:
- Haad Yao is a calm and quiet beach area stretching for about a kilometer to the west. Here you can relax in a peaceful environment, away from the noise of big cities and major highways. Haad Yao is a narrow strip of white soft sand and clear water off the coast, where the weather always pleases tourists;
- Haad Rin is located on a peninsula. The monthly Full Moon Party, popular among tourists, is held here, reviews of which have filled the entire Internet. The beach is formally divided into two zones - Haad Rin Nok and Haad Rin Nai. If in the first you can meet the sunrise, then in the second you see it through to sunset. Most of the vacationers are young people and seekers of a fun holiday;
- Mae Haad is considered a developed beach with a large number of hotels and restaurants. It is also famous for the presence of such an attraction off its shores as the Sail Rock coral reef. Mae Haad is great for snorkeling and diving, and at low tide, hiking to nearby Mak Island is very popular. Reviews say that this beach is popular among Russian-speaking vacationers;
- has a length of about 2.5 kilometers. It is always quiet and calm here, in some places there is shade from trees. Chaloklam is an ideal place for a romantic getaway and gorgeous photos in the kingdom of Thailand. In the central part there is a fishing village. If you look at the reviews about this beach, you can often find information that you can go fishing with the locals;
- Haad Yao is included in the best beaches on Koh Phangan due to its stunning nature, crystal clear water and fine white sand along the entire coastline. There is everything for a comfortable holiday: entertainment, hotels, restaurants and natural beauty, and reviews of the holiday and the weather on the coast are simply amazing. Moreover, if you are looking for attractions, the island's most popular and beautiful coral reef is located just a few hundred meters away;
- Haad Salad is a place ideal for relaxation and romance. There is not much noise and fuss here. In the northern part you can find several shops with souvenirs, as well as cafes and restaurants. Moreover, Jeng’s offers Thai cooking courses;
- Haad Kuat is located in a wide bay and is surrounded on all sides by land by steep mountains with lush vegetation. This beach is considered one of the most picturesque not only in Thailand, but throughout Thailand. The entrance to the sea here is very gentle, and to get to the depth you have to move at least 500 meters from the shore. Haad Kuat is an ideal place for families with children, which is often noted by numerous rave reviews about this place.
Had Yao Beach
There are many other beaches here, mostly located in the south and southwest. The east and northeast coasts are wilderness, accessible only by mountain trails or by boat.
Entertainment on the island
Despite the fact that Koh Phangan is the site of one of the largest parties in the kingdom of Thailand, it cannot be said that the island is exclusively a party place. The beaches of this island formation will provide the proper level of comfort for those who are looking for romance, silence and relaxing family time.
Among the main entertainment that the island has to offer are walks along the coast, snorkeling and diving on separate beach areas, as well as water attractions. There are many observation platforms throughout the island, allowing you to enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area. Lovers of aesthetics and relaxation can visit numerous spas and Thai massage schools, which can be found on almost all beaches of Koh Phangan.
This island of Thailand is not very rich in attractions, but those who want to explore the local beauties will always find something interesting for themselves. For example, Tan Sadet Beach is included in the Samui National Park, and the waterfall of the same name within its boundaries is considered a holy spring in the Kingdom of Thailand. In the lagoon where it falls, you can swim under the refreshing streams.
In the southwest there is another waterfall - Paeng - which has several levels among the hills. Nearby, on Mount Khao Ra, there is the island’s highest observation deck, from where, weather permitting, stunning views open up, despite the fact that you can only get to it by covering about 70 kilometers.
Another attraction is the Temple of the goddess Guan Yin, as well as her statue. They are located near the town of Thongsala on the road to Chaloklam.
A worthy successor to Spanish Ibiza and Crimean Kazantip is Thai Phangan (Ko Pha Ngan). This island in the South China Sea has become popular around the world thanks to the Full Moon Party, which takes place every month on the full moon on the five-kilometer Haad Rin beach. A few days before the full moon, progressive youth from all over Europe, the USA, Australia and Canada come here. Alcohol lovers will appreciate the sale of cocktails in a bucket, sold at many parties (200-300 ml of strong alcohol mixed with cola, energy drink, etc.)
The rest of the time, Koh Phangan is visited by lovers of wild beauty, deserted beaches and leisurely island life, which is becoming increasingly difficult to experience in more “promoted” Thai resorts. Some of the best beaches, especially in the north of the island, are best reached by Taxi Boat due to poor or non-existent roads. For those traveling for the first time, it makes sense to plan a visit to Ko Tao, or “Turtle Island” - a small island next to Phangan and, like Phangan, has its own unique charm.
The latest news from Koh Phangan is quite strange - for a month, all parties except Haad Rin must end at 2 am. Although there is another side to the coin - everyone who really needs it will be arranged or will end up at an after-party at someone’s home. And then everything will be as it should be! The road to Ton Nai Pan is almost ready. This made the locals remember their favorite rumor - Airport!!
Diving in Koh Phangan
Koh Tao
This islet north of Koh Phangan is even smaller than its neighbor. The main reason why tourists come here is the amazingly clear water and rich underwater world. Visibility off the coast of Koh Tao is much better than that of neighboring Samui and Koh Phangan, and the bays where the island's beaches are located are bordered by cliffs with caves and grottoes.
You can get to this wonderful island using the same routes as to Phangan. The only difference is that it is more convenient to get to it through Chumpon, since the vast majority of ferries going from there to Phangan stop at Koh Tao. But ferries from Koh Samui are just the opposite: first they stop at Koh Phangan, and only then go to Tao.
Ko Nang Yuan
Half a kilometer from Ko Tao there is another small island - Ko Nang Yuan. It's not even really an island, but three atolls connected by sand spits. In addition to its silence and beauty, the island attracts scuba diving enthusiasts and especially novice divers, since there are practically no currents near the island.
There is only one hotel here, and the island is essentially its territory: at night, only guests of this hotel are allowed to stay on Ko Nang Yuan. During the day, tourists come to the island as part of excursion groups, so to visit Ko Nang Yuan, you need to either buy an excursion or come to Ko Tao first: here you can take a minibus that goes to Nang Yuan twice per day (fare 150 THB), or by taxi boat, which costs twice as much. However, if a room in the only hotel in Nang Yuan is not booked, you will have to leave the island at 17:00.
