The Full Moon Party island at Haad Rin, plus Than Sadet waterfall, quiet northern beaches, and the Srithanu wellness scene
Koh Phangan sits in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand, in Surat Thani province, between Koh Samui and Koh Tao. The world knows it for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin, a beach party held every month on the night of the full moon. But Phangan has plenty of other sides that most pe
Start with stays →Fresh Seafood — As a fishing island, Phangan has shrimp, shell
Full Moon Party, Haad Rin — The world-famous beach party held every month
Than Sadet–Koh Phangan National Park — The park holds Than Sadet waterfall, Phaen
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The best of Koh Phangan — don't miss these on a first trip
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Koh Phangan stays picked from real reviews — honest about the good and the bad, with price ranges and booking links
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6.5Highlights and sights around Koh Phangan — nature, city and culture
The world-famous beach party held every month on the night of the full moon at Haad Rin. People come from all over to dance on the sand all night, and it's the first thing most travelers picture when they hear Koh Phangan.
The twin beaches at the southern tip of the island, with the lively Haad Rin Nok and the quieter Haad Rin Nai. This is the island's hub for hotels, restaurants, and beachfront bars.
A waterfall inside Than Sadet–Koh Phangan National Park, once visited by Thai kings, with royal initials carved into the rocks. A short trek leads to pools where you can swim.
A quiet white-sand beach on the north coast, reachable by boat or on foot. The water is clear and the crowds are thin, making it a dream beach for anyone wanting to escape the bustle.
A small island off the northwest tip, linked to Mae Haad by a sandbar you can walk across at low tide. It's the best snorkeling spot on the island for seeing coral.
The west-coast area packed with yoga studios, wellness retreats, and vegan cafes. People stay for weeks here to recharge and catch the sunset.
Koh Phangan's signature food — real local spots, rounded up and ranked
As a fishing island, Phangan has shrimp, shellfish, crab, and fish straight off the boats. Beachfront seafood spots grill, steam, stir-fry with curry powder, and make tom yum to eat by the water.
The night market in the Thong Sala pier area gathers Thai and southern street food, grilled and fried dishes, sweets, and fruit, at friendlier prices than the tourist beaches.
The wellness area has plenty of vegan cafes, smoothie bowls, and clean food, ideal for the health-minded staying long term. Sit back and take in the west-coast sea view.
Haad Rin and the tourist beaches have beach bars, cocktail buckets, and live music, the seaside party scene the island is known for. Drink responsibly and keep an eye on your valuables.
Gaeng tai pla, gaeng lueang, stir-fried stink beans (pad sataw), and khao yam turn up at local spots around the island, packing the fierce southern punch that goes with hot rice.
Fresh-coffee cafes and brunch spots are spread across both Srithanu and Thong Sala. Easy places to work or take a break before heading out to the beach.
With so many foreign visitors, the island has Italian, Mexican, Indian, and Mediterranean restaurants to switch things up, especially around Haad Rin and Srithanu.
Fresh coconuts, southern fruit, and coconut-milk desserts are easy to find at markets and roadside stalls, great for beating the midday heat.
Ready-made plans — from a day trip to 2–3 days, plus routes to neighbouring provinces
Best time to go, getting around, and what to know before visiting Koh Phangan
December–April: clear seas, gentle waves, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and reaching the northern beaches. The Full Moon Party runs every month, so check the full-moon date before booking. October–November is rainy with rough seas.
The world-famous beach party held every month on the night of th
The twin beaches at the southern tip of the island, with the liv
A waterfall inside Than Sadet–Koh Phangan National Park, once vi
A quiet white-sand beach on the north coast, reachable by boat o
A small island off the northwest tip, linked to Mae Haad by a sa
The west-coast area packed with yoga studios, wellness retreats,
Compare Koh Phangan stays yourself across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
🛶The 'town of a hundred islands' on the Gulf of Thailand — gateway to Samui, Cheow Lan Lake, and the old temple town of Chaiya
Explore Surat Thani →
🏖️The big Gulf island — Chaweng and Lamai beaches, the Big Buddha, Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks, Bophut fishing village, and Ang Thong
Explore Koh Samui →Koh Phangan sits in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand, in Surat Thani province, between Koh Samui and Koh Tao. The world knows it for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin, a beach party held every month on the night of the full moon. But Phangan has plenty of other sides that most people never see.
The north and west of the island are calm and quiet, with white-sand beaches like Bottle Beach (reachable only by boat), Koh Ma off Mae Haad where you can snorkel over coral, and Than Sadet waterfall inside the national park, once visited by Thai kings. The Srithanu area has become a hub for yoga, wellness, and health cafes where people stay for weeks. Thong Sala is the island's main pier and market town. You can come to Phangan to party, to find quiet, or to rest and recharge.
Best time: December–April: clear seas, gentle waves, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and reaching the northern beaches. The Full Moon Party runs every month, so check the full-moon date before booking. October–November is rainy with rough seas.
