Koh Phangan Guide
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Stay first. Then what to do.
Party-goers head for Haad Rin; most other first-timers do best in Thong Sala, Haad Yao or Thong Nai Pan. Tap an area, or if you're not sure, use the quick picker below.
Two quick taps and we’ll match you to the right part of the island.
A simple solo plan for Koh Phangan: land in Thong Sala for the first night, pick Haad Rin if you want to party or Srithanu for a calmer stay, and join a dive trip, yoga class or boat day to meet people.
The easiest landing spot. Most ferries arrive at Thong Sala, and the night market is a few minutes’ walk from the pier, so you can drop your bags and grab food straight away.
Haad Rin is the easiest place to meet people, with busy bars every night and the Full Moon Party once a month. The beach bars run group nights out.
Srithanu is full of solo travellers doing yoga, working remotely or just slowing down. Drop-in classes and busy cafés make it easy to chat to people.
Group boat trips to Ang Thong or Koh Tao, dive courses in Chaloklum, cooking classes and yoga courses are all easy ways to meet other travellers.
There is no public bus. Shared songthaews (pick-up taxis) wait at Thong Sala Pier and run between the main beaches, and many hotels arrange taxis. Scooters are popular, but the hills are steep.
Haad Rin and Ban Tai have the most social hostels and cheap bungalows. Srithanu and Haad Yao have good-value guesthouses for a quieter budget stay.
Koh Phangan sits between Koh Samui and Koh Tao, so it is easy to island hop. From Samui you can fly to Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai.
Which beach suits you — and which is best for swimming. Many beaches on the west and south coasts are very shallow at low tide, so this is worth a quick look before you book.
A long curve of soft white sand and the home of the Full Moon Party. Good swimming on normal days, but very busy and noisy around each full moon.
A small, curved bay with soft sand and clear water on the quiet north-east coast. One of the best swimming beaches on the island.
Two of the best west-coast beaches, with deeper water for swimming at most tides and sunsets over the sea every evening.
Long, palm-lined beaches on the south coast with views of Koh Samui. Very calm, but the water is shallow and goes out a long way at low tide.
A beautiful, hidden bay on the north coast, reached by boat taxi or a jungle hike. Soft sand, clear water and very few people.
Two of the best places to snorkel from the beach. Haad Khom has a reef close to shore, and Koh Ma has a marine reserve off Mae Haad.
Small, rocky west-coast beaches near Srithanu, loved for sunsets and a calm, friendly crowd. Better for relaxing than swimming.
Koh Samui is only 20–30 minutes away by fast boat, with long sandy beaches, more resorts and an airport.
Haad Rin is the narrow peninsula at the south-east tip of Koh Phangan, and the home of the world-famous Full Moon Party. It has two beaches only five minutes’ walk apart: Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach), where the parties happen, and Haad Rin Nai (Sunset Beach), which is calmer and faces the sunset. In between is a small, busy town of bars, cheap restaurants, guesthouses and shops. Away from party nights it is surprisingly relaxed, and the beach is lovely.
A long curve of soft white sand on the east side of the peninsula, lined with bars and bungalows. Home of the Full Moon Party, and lovely for swimming on normal days.
The quieter beach on the west side of Haad Rin, five minutes’ walk from Sunrise Beach. Calmer water, fewer crowds, and sunset views.
A small, peaceful bay just south of Haad Rin, about 10 minutes’ walk through the trees. Soft sand, palm trees and only a few resorts.
Thailand’s most famous beach party, held on Haad Rin Nok around each full moon. Thousands of people, music stages along the beach, fire shows and buckets until sunrise.
A famous bar built into the rocks at the north end of Sunrise Beach, with views over the whole bay. A Full Moon landmark that is also open on normal nights.
The busy crossroads in the middle of Haad Rin town, packed with food stalls and late-night snacks. Cheap, quick and open late.
Longtail boats leave from Haad Rin to the quiet east-coast beaches of Haad Yuan and Haad Tien, which have no proper road.
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Ban Tai and Ban Kai are two villages along Koh Phangan’s long, flat south coast, between Thong Sala and Haad Rin. The beaches are long, quiet and palm-lined, with views across to Koh Samui. Hotels here are good value, it is only 10 minutes to Thong Sala’s markets and ferries, and you are close to the Half Moon and jungle parties without staying in the middle of them.
A long, palm-lined beach with soft sand and views across to Koh Samui. Very calm, with shallow water that goes out a long way at low tide.
A quiet stretch of sand east of Ban Tai, with a few resorts and beach restaurants. Peaceful, with a local feel.
A simple, much-loved herbal steam sauna in the grounds of Wat Pho temple in Ban Tai. Locals and visitors come for the lemongrass steam and a cold shower afterwards.
A peaceful hilltop temple above Ban Tai, known for its meditation retreats and quiet views over the south coast.
A big night-time party in the jungle near Ban Tai, held around each half moon, with DJs, light shows and big crowds.
A small jungle waterfall and pools in the hills behind Ban Tai. Best after rain, and a short walk from the road.
A tiny island just off the south coast between Thong Sala and Ban Tai, with coral and fish around its rocky edges.
Srithanu is a small village on Koh Phangan’s west coast that has become one of Asia’s best-known yoga and wellness spots. The main road is lined with healthy cafés, vegan restaurants, yoga schools and co-working spaces, and the beaches face the sunset. Neighbouring Hin Kong is quieter and very pretty, and Haad Chao Phao is a little more lively. It is calm, friendly and easy to stay for weeks.
A small, rocky sunset beach near Srithanu where people gather every evening for drumming, music and the sunset over the sea.
A calm freshwater lake behind Srithanu Beach, surrounded by trees. A peaceful place for a walk and a swim on a hot day.
A long, quiet bay south of Srithanu with fishing boats, palm trees and lovely sunsets. Shallow at low tide.
A pretty beach just north of Srithanu with a few resorts, beach bars and restaurants. A little livelier than Srithanu itself.
One of the best-known yoga schools on the island, with daily drop-in classes and longer courses for all levels.
A peaceful yoga centre on the hillside above Srithanu, with daily classes and views over the jungle and sea.
The village’s main road is lined with healthy cafés, smoothie bars and vegan restaurants. Great for slow breakfasts and lunches.
Thong Nai Pan is a pair of beautiful, sheltered bays on Koh Phangan’s quiet north-east coast. Thong Nai Pan Noi (the smaller bay) has soft sand, clear water and some of the island’s best luxury resorts. Thong Nai Pan Yai (the bigger bay) is wider and a little more low-key. Both have calm water for swimming, a few beach bars and restaurants, and a peaceful, end-of-the-road feel.
A small, curved bay with soft white sand, clear water and green hills. One of the prettiest beaches on Koh Phangan, and great for swimming.
The bigger of the two bays, with a wide sandy beach, calm water and a laid-back village behind it.
A royal waterfall in the national park south of Thong Nai Pan, where Thai kings carved their initials into the rocks. Pools and streams through the jungle.
A small, quiet beach at the end of the Than Sadet stream, with clear water and only a few bungalows.
Many hotels rent kayaks and paddleboards, and the calm water makes it easy to paddle between the two bays.
The winding road into Thong Nai Pan has several spots with big views over the bays and the jungle.
Chaloklum is a real fishing village in a wide bay on Koh Phangan’s north coast, with colourful boats, local restaurants and a slow, friendly pace. It is the island’s diving centre, with boats out to Sail Rock. Just east are the small beaches of Haad Khom and Malibu, and further along is Bottle Beach, a remote, beautiful bay you can only reach by boat or a jungle hike.
A remote, beautiful bay with soft sand and jungle hills, reached by boat taxi from Chaloklum or a jungle hike. One of the most peaceful beaches on the island.
A small beach just east of Chaloklum with a coral reef close to shore. One of the best snorkelling spots you can reach without a boat.
A pretty, quiet beach on the east side of Chaloklum Bay, with soft sand and calmer water than the village beach.
A real working fishing village with colourful boats, local shops and simple seafood restaurants along the water.
Dive shops in Chaloklum run boats to Sail Rock, one of the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand, with big schools of fish and sometimes whale sharks.
A steep jungle trail from Chaloklum to Bottle Beach, with views on the way. About two hours on foot.
Thong Sala is Koh Phangan’s main town and port, where most ferries from Koh Samui, Koh Tao and the mainland arrive. It has the island’s best night market, a big Saturday walking street, banks, supermarkets and lots of restaurants. Just north are the quiet sunset beaches of Nai Wok, and everywhere on the island is easy to reach from here.
The island’s favourite food market, open every evening near the pier. Pad thai, grilled seafood, curries, roti and fruit shakes at local prices.
Every Saturday evening a street in Thong Sala closes to traffic for a big market with food, clothes, crafts and live music.
A calm beach just north of the pier with lovely sunsets over the sea and a few bars and restaurants.
The oldest temple on Koh Phangan, on a small hill just outside Thong Sala, with a white chedi and peaceful grounds.
A jungle waterfall inside the national park, a short drive inland from Thong Sala, with a cool pool and walking trails.
A steep 20-minute walk from Phaeng Waterfall leads to a rocky viewpoint with huge views over the west coast.
The main pier for fast boats and ferries to Koh Samui, Koh Tao and the mainland. Taxis and songthaews wait outside.
Haad Yao and Haad Salad are two of the best beaches on Koh Phangan’s north-west coast, with soft sand, clear water and sunsets over the sea every evening. Unlike much of the west coast, the water here is deep enough to swim at most tides. There are plenty of mid-range resorts, beach restaurants and a few bars, and nearby Mae Haad has a sandbar to the little island of Koh Ma.
A long, curved beach with soft sand, clear water and sunsets over the sea. One of the best swimming beaches on the island.
A pretty, sheltered bay just north of Haad Yao with clear water and a few relaxed resorts and restaurants.
At Mae Haad, a sandbar joins the beach to the small island of Koh Ma at low tide. The water around it is a marine reserve with good snorkelling.
A small, hidden cove between Haad Yao and Srithanu, with clear water and a calm, tucked-away feel.
Most beach restaurants along Haad Yao put out tables and beanbags for the sunset each evening.
Rocks at both ends of Haad Yao have small reefs with fish, easy to reach from the beach on calm days.
Koh Phangan is better known for its parties, but most of the island is calm and very family-friendly. Thong Nai Pan has two sheltered bays with soft sand and family resorts, Haad Yao has good swimming and sunsets, and Ban Tai has good-value beachfront hotels with pools.
Getting around with kids: there is no airport, so you will arrive by boat. Book a big, steady ferry if anyone gets seasick, and pre-book a taxi from Thong Sala Pier. Avoid Haad Rin around the Full Moon.
Two sheltered bays with soft sand and calm water from about January to September. Easy swimming for children, with beach restaurants close by.
A boat trip to a group of jungle islands with kayaking, snorkelling and a climb to a famous lagoon viewpoint. Great for older children.
An easy jungle waterfall inside the national park, with a cool pool for a splash and shady walking paths.
At Mae Haad, a sandbar joins the beach to the little island of Koh Ma at low tide. Kids love walking across, and the water is good for snorkelling.
A small, calm beach near Chaloklum with coral close to shore. An easy place for older children to try snorkelling from the beach.
Several cooking schools on Koh Phangan welcome children, with simple dishes kids can make and eat.
Many beach hotels rent kayaks and paddleboards. Calm bays like Thong Nai Pan and Haad Salad are perfect for a family paddle.
A big Saturday evening market with street food, sweets, toys and live music. A fun family night out.
Genuinely well-rated hotels with pools that suit families.
Pool villas, quiet bays and sunsets over the sea — how to plan a romantic trip on Koh Phangan, away from the parties.
The island’s most romantic stays are on Thong Nai Pan Noi, with resorts like Anantara Rasananda and Santhiya, where many villas have their own pool.
On the west coast, hillside resorts around Haad Yao and Srithanu face the sunset, with infinity pools and quiet evenings.
Many beach restaurants on Haad Yao and Haad Salad put candle-lit tables on the sand at sunset.
Most resorts and spas offer couples’ massage rooms. The Wat Pho herbal sauna in Ban Tai is a fun, local alternative.
Hire a longtail boat for the day to visit remote beaches like Bottle Beach, Haad Yuan and Haad Tien, with snorkelling stops on the way.
A day among jungle islands, with kayaking, snorkelling and the famous Emerald Lake viewpoint.
Many couples combine the islands with a few days in cool, green Chiang Mai, with temples, night markets and mountain resorts.
Koh Phangan is one of Asia’s best-known yoga and wellness islands. Whether you want a drop-in class, a yoga course or a full detox retreat, these are the best-known names.
One of the island’s best-known yoga schools, with daily drop-in classes and longer courses for every level.
A peaceful yoga centre on the hill above Srithanu, with daily classes and views over the jungle and sea.
A long-running wellness centre in Srithanu offering detox programmes, healthy food and yoga, with simple rooms on site.
A peaceful, intoxicant-free beach resort with daily yoga, meditation, workshops and healthy food.
A famous wellness retreat on the remote east coast, reached by boat, with yoga, detox programmes and a spa.
A simple, very local herbal steam sauna in a temple garden. Perfect after a yoga class.
For a cooler, greener retreat, Chiang Mai has meditation centres, yoga schools and mountain spa resorts.
Koh Phangan’s heaviest rain usually falls between October and December, but even then it often comes as heavy showers with sunny spells in between. A few good picks below, and don't forget: the yoga classes, spas, cafés and cooking classes featured elsewhere on this guide are all great rainy-day options too.
Srithanu’s yoga schools run classes all day, so a wet morning is the perfect excuse to try one.
Learn to cook three or four Thai dishes and eat them all — a fun, dry way to spend a morning or afternoon.
A warm herbal steam on a rainy day is hard to beat. Simple, cheap and very local.
There are massage shops in every village, and spas in most resorts. A rainy afternoon is the perfect time.
Srithanu’s main road is full of cosy cafés with great coffee, cakes and healthy food. Easy to spend a wet afternoon.
The night market has covered seating, so it still works on a wet evening. Lots of cheap, tasty food.
Many gyms on the island run beginner Thai boxing classes under cover. A great workout on a wet day.
Out to the islands and back — or stay over if you love it. Book tours, or arrange your own ferry with 12Go.
A simple three-island plan (10 nights):
1. Koh Samui, 3 nights — fly into Samui, enjoy the beaches and an Ang Thong boat trip.
2. Koh Phangan, 4 nights — about 20–30 minutes by fast boat. Quiet bays, jungle waterfalls, yoga, and the Full Moon Party if the dates match.
3. Koh Tao, 3 nights — about 1 hour on from Koh Phangan. Snorkelling, diving and the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint.
Then take the boat back to Samui to fly home, or continue to the mainland by boat and bus.
Koh Phangan’s bigger, busier neighbour, with long beaches, the Big Buddha, shopping and an airport. Easy as a day trip or a few nights.
Small, rocky Koh Tao is one of the world’s most popular places to learn to dive. Snorkelling day trips stop at Koh Nang Yuan, three islands joined by sandbars.
A national park of more than 40 jungle islands, with kayaking, snorkelling and a climb to the Emerald Lake viewpoint.
A famous pinnacle of rock between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, with huge schools of fish and, sometimes, whale sharks. One of the best dive sites in the Gulf.
A longtail or speedboat tour around the coast, stopping at Bottle Beach, Than Sadet, Haad Yuan and snorkelling spots you cannot reach by road.
From Samui you can fly to Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, or take the boat to the mainland at Surat Thani or Chumphon.
Where to actually eat — night markets, local seafood and some of Thailand’s best healthy cafés.
The island’s favourite food market, near the pier in Thong Sala. Pad thai, grilled seafood, curries, roti, fruit shakes and desserts at local prices.
Every Saturday a street in Thong Sala becomes a big market with street food, sweets, clothes and live music.
The busy crossroads in Haad Rin with food stalls open late. Famous for cheap snacks after a night out.
The fishing village of Chaloklum has simple, local restaurants by the water serving fresh fish, squid and prawns.
Srithanu has one of the best collections of vegan, vegetarian and healthy cafés in Thailand — smoothie bowls, salads, raw cakes and great coffee.
Many restaurants along Haad Yao put tables on the sand at sunset, with fresh seafood and Thai dishes.
Roadside stalls all over the island sell fresh coconuts, mango, pineapple and fruit shakes. Cheap and perfect in the heat.
Hands-on Thai cooking classes on the island — some include hotel pickup.
Several cooking schools on the island teach classic dishes like green curry, tom yum and pad thai — and you eat everything you make.
Some schools around Srithanu run vegan and vegetarian Thai cooking classes, using fresh herbs and local vegetables.
Long-running, well-reviewed places worth a visit.
A long-running favourite in Ban Tai, with tables in an old longtail boat by the sea and excellent Thai seafood.
A long-running, popular restaurant in Thong Sala with a big menu of Western and Thai dishes, good breakfasts and coffee.
A well-known bakery and café in Thong Sala, with fresh bread, pastries, cakes and good coffee.
A small, long-running restaurant known for its steaks and Western comfort food. A favourite with long-stay visitors.
A popular café with great coffee, breakfasts and a relaxed garden feel.
A Wild West-style saloon known for big steaks, ribs, wings and a proper Sunday roast. A favourite with Brits and long-stay visitors.
A relaxed pizza place right by the sea in Ban Tai, with tables looking out over the water.
A small Italian spot in Thong Sala with pizza, pasta, lasagna and steak. Handy for dinner near the pier.
One of the best-loved places in Ban Tai, with Thai and Western food, cocktails and sunset views.
Tasty dishes from northern Thailand, cooked fresh in a simple, friendly local restaurant.
A popular Thai restaurant in Ban Tai with fresh, well-cooked dishes and friendly service.
A cosy French bistro in Thong Sala with dishes from the south of France. A nice change from Thai food.
A beachfront restaurant in Thong Sala with Thai, seafood and fusion dishes and a good wine list.
A small, family-style Thai kitchen in Thong Sala with home-cooked dishes. Simple, tasty and great value.
Sunset bars, pubs, rock bars and a few famous party spots.
A famous hilltop sunset bar on the west coast, with a pool, music and wide views over the sea.
A bar built into the rocks above the north end of Sunrise Beach, with views over the whole Full Moon beach.
A hilltop bar above Haad Rin with big views over the peninsula and the sea. Calm by day, lively around the Full Moon.
A quirky bar built like a pirate ship into the rocks at Haad Chao Phao. Known for its parties around the full moon.
Relaxed beach bars with beanbags on the sand and the sunset straight ahead.
A string of laid-back bars along Ban Tai Beach, busy before and after the Half Moon and jungle parties.
A lively Irish pub in the centre of Thong Sala with pub food, cold beer and big sports matches on the screens.
A friendly Irish pub in Thong Sala with pub grub, pints and a sociable crowd.
A small cocktail bar near Thong Sala with creative drinks and a relaxed, friendly feel.
A laid-back beach bar in Ban Tai with drinks on the sand and the sunset straight ahead.
A small, friendly bar in Ban Tai, popular for cheap drinks and a good chat with locals and travellers.
A rock bar in Ban Tai with rock music, cold beer and a fun, friendly crowd.
A small open-air club in Ban Tai with DJs at night and a pool bar.
Heading to Bangkok next? It has some of the most famous rooftop bars in the world.
Full Moon and jungle parties, sunset bars, night markets and quiet beach dinners. The best evenings on Koh Phangan, for party-goers, couples and solo travellers.
Thailand’s most famous party, on Haad Rin Nok around each full moon. Music stages along the beach, fire shows and thousands of people until sunrise.
A big party in the jungle near Ban Tai around each half moon, with several stages, light shows and DJs.
Even away from the Full Moon, Haad Rin’s beach bars have music, fire shows and a party crowd most nights in high season.
Many beach bars in Haad Rin and Ban Tai put on fire-dancing shows after dark. Relaxed, fun and free with a drink.
Watch the sun go down from a beach bar on Haad Yao or a hilltop bar like Amsterdam Bar.
A big evening market every Saturday with street food and live music. Great for couples and families.
Live Thai boxing fights are held on the island some evenings, especially around party dates. Loud, exciting and very Thai.
Parties, festivals and things to do on Koh Phangan worth planning your trip around.
The famous beach party on Haad Rin Nok, held around each full moon. The next dates are Tue 27 October, Tue 24 November (the same night as Loy Krathong) and Thu 24 December 2026. Dates can change, so check before you travel.
A big jungle party near Ban Tai, held around the half moon, with several stages and light shows. Dates change, so check with the organisers.
Every Saturday evening a street in Thong Sala closes to traffic for a big market with food, crafts and live music.
On the full moon of November, people float little flower baskets with candles on the sea and rivers to say thank you to the water. Beautiful and peaceful.
One of the biggest parties of the year on Haad Rin, with fireworks over the beach, plus quieter celebrations at resorts across the island.
Thailand’s famous water festival. Expect water fights in Thong Sala and Haad Rin, and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.
A full-day trip to jungle islands, with kayaking, snorkelling and the Emerald Lake viewpoint.
A day of snorkelling around Koh Tao and the famous sandbar islands of Koh Nang Yuan.
A boat tour to remote beaches like Bottle Beach, Haad Yuan and Than Sadet, with snorkelling stops.
Dive shops in Chaloklum and Thong Sala run try-dives, courses and trips to Sail Rock.
Learn to cook classic Thai dishes and eat everything you make.
Beginner Thai boxing classes at gyms around the island. A great workout and a fun experience.
Quad bike tours along jungle tracks to viewpoints and waterfalls in the hills.
Paddle around calm bays like Thong Nai Pan and Haad Salad, or join a guided sunset paddle.
Traditional Thai massage, oil massage and spa treatments, from simple beach massage huts to resort spas.
Drop-in classes and longer courses at Srithanu’s yoga schools and wellness centres.
A half or full-day fishing trip with a local crew. Many boats will cook your catch.
Tap the one that matches your trip. You’ll get the best areas and what they’re like.
You want a beautiful beach, a pool villa if you can, good dinners and calm nights, well away from the party crowds.
Best areas: Thong Nai Pan Noi for luxury and calm water, Haad Yao and Haad Salad for sunsets, and Srithanu for yoga and cafés
What it’s like: Quiet bays, pool villas, sunset dinners on the sand and spa afternoons.
Do together: Ang Thong boat trip · sunset drinks on the west coast · longtail boat to Bottle Beach · couples’ massage
Usually skip: Haad Rin around the Full Moon if you want sleep and calm.
🚕 Safety tip: ask your hotel or restaurant to call a taxi for you, and agree the price before you set off.
Thong Nai Pan → West coast →Koh Phangan has no airport, so everyone arrives by boat. Most people fly to Koh Samui and take a fast boat, which is quick and easy. Once you’re here, there is no proper bus network, so plan how you’ll get from the pier to your hotel.
From Koh Samui: Fast boats (Lomprayah, Seatran, Songserm and others) cross from Samui’s Bang Rak, Big Buddha and Maenam piers to Thong Sala in about 20–45 minutes. The Haad Rin Queen runs from Big Buddha pier straight to Haad Rin.
From the mainland: Fly to Surat Thani and take a bus-and-boat ticket from Donsak, or book a joint bus-and-boat or train-and-boat ticket all the way from Bangkok. Lomprayah also runs from Chumphon via Koh Tao.
Pier to hotel: Taxis and shared songthaews wait at Thong Sala Pier when the boats arrive. It is about 10 minutes to Ban Tai, 15–20 minutes to Srithanu, Haad Yao or Chaloklum, 25 minutes to Haad Rin and about 35 minutes to Thong Nai Pan.
Koh Samui & Koh Tao: Fast boats leave Thong Sala several times a day. Koh Samui is about 20–30 minutes away, Koh Tao about 1 hour.
Getting between areas: Ask your hotel to arrange taxis, and agree the price before any ride. Roads are hilly, so only rent a scooter if you are experienced — wear a helmet, take photos of the bike first, and check your licence and travel insurance cover you. Longtail boat taxis run to Bottle Beach, Haad Yuan and Haad Tien.
Koh Phangan has lots of private villas and long-stay houses, from simple bungalows to big pool villas with sea views. For a family or group, a villa can cost less per person than hotel rooms.
Best areas: the hills around Srithanu and Haad Yao (sunset views, cafés and yoga), Thong Sala and Ban Tai (easy for shops and ferries), and Haad Salad.
What it’s like: Many hillside villas have amazing views, but the roads up can be very steep — check how far it is to the beach and shops, and whether you need a car.
Good if: You’re a family or group, you want space and privacy, or you’re staying a week or more.
Tap a plan to see it day by day. Swap days around to suit the weather — boat trips are best on calm, sunny days.
Planning when to visit Koh Phangan? The island’s rainy season is different from the rest of Thailand, and the Full Moon Party, Songkran and Christmas change crowds and hotel prices. Here’s a simple guide.
Quick pick: Want the best beach weather → aim for February–April. Summer holidays → July–August is usually good on Koh Phangan. Want lower prices and don’t mind rain → October–early December. Love a party → time your trip around a Full Moon. Want quiet → avoid the few days around each full moon in Haad Rin.
Heaviest rain: roughly October to December (wettest in November)
Most of Thailand gets its rain from about June to October, but Koh Phangan is on the Gulf of Thailand and follows a different pattern. Its main rainy season usually starts in October and is heaviest in November, easing in December. From January to April it is mostly dry and sunny, and from May to September the weather is often good here even when other parts of Thailand are wet.
Effect on travel: In the rainy months you get heavy downpours, cloudy days and rough seas, especially on the north and east coasts. Some boat trips (like Ang Thong) and boat taxis can be cancelled. Hotel prices are at their lowest, except over Christmas and New Year.
Best areas in the rainy season: The west coast (Srithanu, Haad Yao) is usually more sheltered than Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach. Pick a resort with a good pool and spa.
💡 If you travel in November, plan flexible days and book boat trips for the first sunny morning.
Mid-April (usually 13–15 April)
Thailand’s biggest festival. The streets of Thong Sala and Haad Rin turn into giant water fights, with parties on the beach and blessing ceremonies at the temples. Fun if you want to join in; tiring if you want a quiet holiday.
Effect on travel: Hotel prices rise, roads are busy and slow, and you will get wet whenever you go out.
Best areas during Songkran: Haad Rin for the full party; Thong Nai Pan or the west coast if you want to stay dry.
💡 Book hotels early. Carry a dry bag for your phone.
Full moon in November (24 November in 2026)
People float small decorated baskets (krathongs) with candles and incense on the sea, lakes and ponds to give thanks to the water. One of the most beautiful evenings of the year — calm and romantic.
Effect on travel: Beaches get busy in the evening, and in 2026 it falls on the same night as the Full Moon Party. It falls in the rainy season, so bring a light rain jacket.
Best areas during Loy Krathong: Thong Sala or any quiet resort beach — many hotels hold their own celebrations.
💡 Choose a krathong made from banana leaves or bread, not plastic or foam.
| Month | Main event | Effect on travellers |
|---|---|---|
| January – April | Dry season (best weather) | Sunny, calm seas, busy and pricier — book early |
| Every month | Full Moon Party | Haad Rin packed and loud, higher prices and minimum stays, boats busy |
| April | Songkran | Water fights, busy beach roads, higher prices |
| May – September | Hot, some showers | Often good weather here while the rest of Thailand is rainy; July–August is busy with families |
| October – December | Rainy season (wettest in November) | Heavy showers, rough seas on the north and east coasts, lower prices |
| November (full moon) | Loy Krathong | Candle-lit evenings on beaches and lakes |
| Late December | Christmas & New Year | Peak prices and crowds, even if it rains |
Planning rule: The weather and the moon matter more than festivals on Koh Phangan. For guaranteed sun, go between January and April. If you travel in the rainy season, stay flexible, choose a hotel with a good pool, and book boat trips once you see a sunny forecast.
It can be, if you want low prices and don’t mind rain. November is usually the wettest month, with heavy showers and rough seas, but there are sunny spells too. Choose a resort with plenty to do on rainy days.
Usually, yes. While much of Thailand is in its rainy season, Koh Phangan often has plenty of sunshine in July and August, with only occasional showers. It is a popular time with European families.
Yes — especially over Christmas and New Year, and around Songkran. Book as early as you can for those dates.
Tap any tip for the short version. Practical stuff that saves you a bad first day.
The easiest way to get around Koh Phangan is to ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you. At Thong Sala Pier, taxis and shared songthaews wait for every boat. Roads are steep and winding, especially to Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach, and longtail boat taxis run to beaches with no road. For any ride, agree the price before you set off. You can also wave down the shared songthaews (open pick-up taxis) along the main road — just ask how much before you get on.
If you want to rent a motorbike, rent from a shop your hotel recommends, take photos of the bike before you ride off, always wear a helmet, and check that your driving licence and travel insurance cover you.
It depends on your trip. Haad Rin is best if you are going to the Full Moon Party. For everyone else, Haad Yao is the best all-round beach base, Thong Sala is easiest for ferries and food, and Thong Nai Pan is best for couples and families.
Not at all. The Full Moon Party only takes over Haad Rin, a small corner of the island. The rest of Koh Phangan is quiet, with yoga retreats, calm bays, jungle waterfalls and remote beaches.
The next dates are Tuesday 27 October, Tuesday 24 November and Thursday 24 December 2026. Dates can move, so always check before you book boats and hotels.
Thong Nai Pan Noi for luxury resorts and calm water, Haad Yao and Haad Salad for sunsets and swimming, and Srithanu for yoga, cafés and a slow pace.
Yes, if you stay away from Haad Rin. Thong Nai Pan and Haad Yao have calm water and family resorts with pools, and there are waterfalls, boat trips and snorkelling for older children.
There is no airport, so you arrive by boat. The easiest way is to fly to Koh Samui and take a 20–30 minute fast boat to Thong Sala. Cheaper options are a flight to Surat Thani with a bus-and-boat ticket, or a joint ticket all the way from Bangkok.
Fast boats leave Thong Sala Pier several times a day. Koh Samui is about 20–30 minutes away and Koh Tao about 1 hour. Book a day or two ahead, and much earlier around the Full Moon.
Like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan’s main rainy season is usually from October to December, with the heaviest rain in November. January to April is the driest, sunniest time, and May to September is often good too.
No. Taxis and shared songthaews run between the main areas, and hotels can arrange pickups. Many visitors rent scooters, but the roads are steep and accidents are common, so only ride if you are experienced and insured.
Three days is enough for the highlights and a boat trip. Five to seven days lets you relax properly, try a yoga class and visit Koh Tao or Ang Thong. Many people end up staying much longer.
Hotel prices on Koh Phangan change a lot with the season, demand and special offers, so a fixed price would often be wrong. Tap Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia or Trip.com on any hotel to see today’s live price in your own currency. High season (roughly December to April, July–August, and every Full Moon in Haad Rin) is the most expensive time.
Booking.com
Agoda
Expedia
Trip.com
