Haad Rin, Koh Phangan
Twin Beaches at the Party Hub

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Mention Koh Phangan and most people picture Haad Rin first, because this is where the Full Moon Party draws tens of thousands of people a month. But Haad Rin is more than the party — it's a headland village packed with stays at every budget, restaurants from a dozen cuisines, convenience stores, swimwear shops, even massage parlours. Everything is walkable along the narrow lanes that link the two beaches.

Haad Rin sits on a cape jutting out to the far south of the island, with two beaches separated by a rocky rise in the middle. Walking from one beach to the other takes just a couple of minutes. Get your head around the difference between the two first and you'll pick a place to stay and plan your days far better to suit your own style.

Haad Rin Nok vs Haad Rin Nai — pick the right side

The heart of Haad Rin is its two beaches, which have completely opposite personalities. One side is the party stage, the other is where you retreat to actually rest. Knowing the difference before you book pays off a lot.

• Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach) — the beach facing east toward the sea, with about 800 metres of white sand. This is where the Full Moon Party happens. The whole stretch is lined with bars, resorts, and restaurants that buzz from evening to morning. By day you can still swim normally — clear water, soft sand.
• Haad Rin Nai (Sunset Beach) — the beach on the west side, much smaller and quieter, great for watching the sun go down. The Haad Rin pier is here too. If you want to be near the party atmosphere but still actually sleep, this side is the more balanced choice.
• The village in between — the narrow lanes linking the two beaches, full of restaurants, money changers, ATMs, shops, and massage places. You can walk straight through from one beach to the other with no trouble.

The Full Moon Party — how it works and what to know

The Full Moon Party takes over Haad Rin Nok every full-moon night, kicking off around 9pm and running through to sunrise. Roughly 20,000 people show up each month, spiking to 30,000–40,000 around New Year. More than a dozen sound systems are spread along the beach, each playing a different style — EDM, house, hip-hop, reggae, drum and bass. Wander along and the music keeps changing all night.

• Entry fee — around 200 THB collected at the beach, paid right at the entrance gate. There are no tickets sold online in advance — any website claiming to sell advance tickets is a scam.
• The date — it falls on the full-moon night, but if that clashes with a major Buddhist holy day it shifts to the following night. Check the date before you plan.
• Best months — February, March, and November have good weather and aren't too crowded. New Year and the year-end high season are the busiest and the most expensive for rooms.
• Beyond the Full Moon — the island also runs monthly parties like Half Moon and Jungle Experience in other areas. They're not held at Haad Rin, so they're an option if your trip doesn't line up with the full moon.

Haad Rin's best bars

Bars at Haad Rin range from right on the sand to up on the hillside, each with its own character. These are the names that have been around a long time and are still genuinely open.

Eating at Haad Rin

Haad Rin village has restaurants from all over the world lined up in the lanes connecting the two beaches — from one-plate Thai dishes to Western, Indian, and post-party snacks to soak up the night. These are the spots travellers mention most and that are still open.

Food at Haad Rin runs a touch pricier than Thong Sala or Baan Tai because it's a tourist zone. A one-plate Thai dish starts around 80–150 THB; Western or Indian dishes run 150–300 THB each. If you want to eat cheaper, the shops set deeper into the lanes away from the beach are usually friendlier on price than the ones right on the sand.

Getting to Haad Rin

Haad Rin sits out on the southernmost cape, and the road in is the steepest hill on the island. You can reach it both via Thong Sala (the island's main pier) and by boat straight from Koh Samui.

• From Thong Sala pier (once you're on the island) — a songthaew takes about 30 minutes, around 100–150 THB per person, with trucks waiting at the pier. A private taxi runs from around 300 THB depending on how many people.
• From Koh Samui straight to Haad Rin — the Haad Rin Queen boat leaves from Bangrak/Big Buddha pier and docks directly at Haad Rin Nai, taking about 50 minutes for around 200 THB. Best option if you're staying at Haad Rin (there are extra night sailings on full-moon nights).
• Rental motorbike — you can rent one across the island for about 200–300 THB a day, but the hill into Haad Rin is steep and slippery in the rain. Beginners should skip it — motorbike accidents on this island are very common.
• Full-moon night — songthaews from other beaches to Haad Rin hike their prices and the queues are long. Allow extra travel time and agree the price before you get in, every time.

Haad Rin without the party

If you're not here on a full-moon night, or you're just not a party person, Haad Rin is still a fun place. By day Haad Rin Nok has clear water that's easy to swim in, and quiet Haad Rin Nai is perfect for reading a book and watching the sunset. There are little hidden beaches nearby too, like Leela Beach, which you can walk to from Haad Rin Nai — clear water, few people, the calm corner of this area.