Koh Phangan Full Moon Party Guide
Dates, Prep, Stays, Safety

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The Full Moon Party takes place at Haad Rin on the southern tip of Koh Phangan, on the night of every full moon. It kicks off around 9 PM and runs till dawn, about 5 AM. Every beachfront bar cranks the volume, with DJs spinning EDM, techno, reggae, and hip-hop across several stages, fire shows, fire-rope skipping, and buckets of mixed drinks sold all along the sand. It's one of the biggest beach parties in Asia, drawing people from all over the world — but it's a night you need to prep for and look after yourself well. This guide walks through everything point by point before you set off.

Full Moon Party 2026 dates — the full year

The Full Moon Party runs on the night of each full moon, once a month, with two parties in some months. A few nights get shifted to avoid Buddhist holy days or major religious festivals (the Haad Rin community committee moves the party to the night after a big holy day). The dates below are the announced 2026 schedule, but you should double-check the exact date before booking tickets and a room, since it can shift by a day around festivals.

• January — Sat 3 Jan
• February — Mon 2 Feb
• March — Tue 3 Mar
• April — Thu 2 Apr (close to Songkran, especially busy)
• May — Fri 1 May
• June — Mon 1 Jun and Mon 29 Jun
• July — Fri 31 Jul
• August — Fri 28 Aug
• September — Sat 26 Sep
• October — Tue 27 Oct
• November — Tue 24 Nov
• December — Thu 24 Dec and Thu 31 Dec (the New Year's Eve party is the most packed)

Getting to Haad Rin — boats and transport

Most people reach the Full Moon Party two main ways: fly into Samui and take a boat across, or come via Surat Thani/Don Sak on a ferry. If you're already staying on Koh Phangan, you just travel across the island to Haad Rin on party night. Here are the options people actually use.

• From Koh Samui → straight to Haad Rin — The Haad Rin Queen boat runs from Bang Rak Pier (near the Big Buddha, close to Samui airport) directly to Haad Rin pier. It takes around 50 min and costs about ฿200 per person, with a few daytime sailings. On full moon nights they usually add late runs, so book 1–2 weeks ahead.
• From Surat Thani/Don Sak — Take a ferry (Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja) to Thong Sala pier. The boat is around ฿200–350, then you take a songthaew or taxi across the island to Haad Rin, another 30–40 min.
• Staying in Thong Sala or another beach — On party night, shared songthaew taxis run to Haad Rin in batches, priced per person by distance. There are vehicles for the late return too, but the queues are long and fares rise, so allow extra time and cash.
• The boat back after the party — Morning boat tickets out of Phangan fill up very fast after the party. If you need to get back to Samui or move on, book your return in advance — don't wait to buy at the pier on party night.

Haad Rin entry fee and what to pack

On full moon night there's an entry fee for Haad Rin of around ฿200 per person, paid at the beach entrance, and you get a wristband as proof. That money goes to the Haad Rin operators' association to keep the area clean and managed after the party. Bring cash, and have your essentials ready, because some things are hard to find and pricey on party night.

• Cash — Bring enough but not too much. On party night the island's ATMs have long queues and some run out, so withdraw what you need ahead of time.
• Shoes that slip on easily or have a heel strap — The beach can have broken glass from cups and buckets, so watch your feet and don't walk barefoot on dark sand.
• Clothes that can get wet or stained — Glowing body paint is part of the party's look, so pick colors that wash out and wear stuff you won't mind getting messy.
• A small crossbody bag — Carry only essentials: phone, money, keys. Leave bigger items in your room's locker.
• A fully charged phone and a power bank — For meeting friends and getting a ride back. The signal can lag on party night with so many people around.
• Water — Alternate it with your drinks to avoid getting dehydrated from dancing in the heat all night.

Where to stay — Haad Rin and around the island

Where you stay is one of the first things to plan, because on full moon night room prices swing up sharply and some places enforce a multi-night minimum (some require 3–5 nights). Rooms in the Haad Rin area sell out a month ahead. To be straight with you, the budget for this period is very different from a normal night — the closer to party day, the pricier and scarcer it gets, so booking several weeks ahead keeps your budget under control. Here are three approaches to suit your travel style.

A 2-night, 3-day Full Moon plan — fun and on time for the party

This plan is built to arrive on the island at an easy pace, get some rest before going hard on full moon night, then leave a recovery day before you travel back. Adjust the timing to the actual party date for the month you visit.

Drink smart and make it home in one piece

Have all the fun you can, but let's be straight about safety — it really matters and helps everyone get home in one piece. Here's what to watch out for on the island on party night.

• Drink smart and know your limit — The mixed-drink buckets are stronger than you think because they blend several things in one cup. Go slow, alternate with water, don't accept drinks from strangers, and don't leave your cup unattended and come back to it.
• Don't go in the water drunk or late at night — The currents and waves at night are invisible and genuinely dangerous. Drowning accidents do happen during the party, so save your swimming for daytime when you're sober.
• Guard your valuables — Keep your phone, passport, and money safe; leave them in your room's locker if there is one and carry only what you need. With tens of thousands of people, this is the easiest night to lose things, so take a photo of your passport on your phone in case.
• Ride a motorbike carefully, or avoid it when you've been drinking — Many stretches of road on the island are steep with hairpin bends, especially the very steep approach to and from Haad Rin. Always wear a helmet, never ride after drinking, and remember it's even riskier in the dark — take a shared songthaew or island taxi instead.
• Watch for broken glass and the sandy ground — Keep shoes on the whole time; the beach can have broken glass from cups and buckets every party night.
• Go as a group and look out for each other — Agree on a meeting spot, save each other's numbers and your accommodation's number, and if someone's very drunk, take them home. Don't let anyone be alone, especially women and people you've just met.
• Respect holy days and locals — Some months the party shifts to avoid a holy day, and during those times you should keep the noise down and respect the area. Always check the actual party date first.