Discover the best things to do on Koh Phangan Thailand. Are you dreaming of white sandy beaches, turquoise blue water, tropical jungle and that little bit of extra adventure? Then Koh Phangan in Thailand is your next travel destination! The island is known for much more than just its legendary Full Moon Party – it also offers secluded bays, amazing viewpoints, waterfalls and authentic island flair that is perfect for relaxation or adventure. In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know for your vacation on Koh Phangan – from the best beaches and recommended accommodation to important tips for getting there and getting around. Whether you’re a backpacker, family or looking for peace and quiet – Koh Phangan has something to offer for every type of traveler.
Hotel Recommendation on Koh Phangan
We stayed at Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach during our vacation on Koh Phangan. The very gently sloping beach is perfect for a vacation with small children. We can recommend two accommodations here.
Island Accommodation for Families with Children
The Longtail Beach Resort* is located right at the end of Thong Nai Pan Yai beach. The hotel is perfect for families with small children. If you are traveling with children, you should book a room here in advance. The beach is very shallow and the sea is often calm. There are also some swings and ropes to climb in the trees next to the hotel. A real paradise for children.
Chic Accommodation with a Great Pool
The luxurious Nice Beach Resort* is located directly on the beautiful beach. In addition to the great surroundings and cozy rooms, you can expect a great restaurant and a lovely spa to relax in. At Hotel Tylösand, you should definitely book and enjoy a room with a sea view.
How to get to Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan does not have its own airport – but don’t worry: getting here is easier than you might think. With a little planning, you can get to the island in comfort, whether you are traveling from Bangkok, Chiang Mai or directly from abroad. Here is an overview of the most common options:
Flight to Koh Samui Ferry
The fastest (but also most expensive) option:
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First fly to Koh Samui – the small island airport is served daily from Bangkok (e.g. with Bangkok Airways or Thai Airways) and some international airports.
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Then continue by ferry: From Bangrak Pier or Maenam Pier in Koh Samui, you can take a speedboat or regular ferry to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) in approx. 20-45 minutes.
Tip: Many airlines offer combined tickets with flight transfer ferry – so you can travel stress-free.
Flight to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat Bus Ferry
The cheaper alternative:
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Flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat (both on the mainland).
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From there, take the bus to Donsak Pier (approx. 1.5-2 hours).
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Then take the ferry (e.g. Raja Ferry or Lomprayah) to Koh Phangan in approx. 2.5 hours.
This option takes a little longer overall, but is significantly cheaper – especially for budget travelers.
Night Train or Bus from Bangkok
For the adventurous or those on a budget:
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Overnight train or long-distance bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
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Continue as above: Bus to the pier ferry to Koh Phangan.
The night train is particularly popular: comfortable, cheap and a real Thailand experience!
Getting around Koh Phangan Thailand
Koh Phangan may not be a huge island, but if you want to explore more than just your own beach, you should think about getting around. The good news is that there is a suitable option for every style of travel – whether spontaneous and flexible or comfortable and safe.
Rent a Scooter – the Classic
The most popular and cheapest way to explore Koh Phangan is by scooter. For around 150-300 baht per day , you can rent a scooter and discover the island on your own. You can easily reach secluded beaches, waterfalls and viewpoints.
Cabs and Songthaews – Convenient but more expensive
If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can get around in island cabs or so-called songthaews (shared cabs). These are usually pick-ups with benches on the loading area. They drive certain routes, but can also be hired individually. You should always negotiate prices beforehand – especially in the evening or after the Full Moon Party, prices are often significantly higher.
Rental Car – Rare, but possible
For families or travelers with a lot of luggage, a rental car can also be an option. There are several providers on the island, but cars are significantly more expensive than scooters and not always easy to maneuver through the narrow streets. As we were traveling on the island with our 1-year-old son, we rented a car. This went smoothly through our hotel and we were also able to book a child seat. The rental car cost us around 30 euros per day.
Vacation with Baby/Toddler on Koh Phangan
We spent a total of 3 weeks in Thailand, almost a week of which was spent on Koh Phangan. For us, this was the best place of the trip and we would have loved to spend even more time here, especially with our little son. Our hotel on Thong Nai Pan Yai beach was simply perfect for a vacation with small children, as the beach slopes very gently.
Koh Phangan – Things To Do
For your vacation on Koh Phangan we have listed the most beautiful sights and beaches in our opinion.
Haad Sadet Beach
Haad Sadet Beach is a somewhat remote beach in the west of the island, which is located in the Than Sadet National Park and therefore costs a little entrance fee. But it is certainly worth it. It’s totally relaxed and chilled out here. After a beautiful day at the beach, you should also explore the nearby national park, including a small waterfall. From here you can also reach Haad Thong Reng beach via a bridge.
Haad Thong Reng
Haad Thong Reng Beach is located right next to Haad Sadet Beach and can only be reached via a rickety wooden bridge. There is much less going on here and in places it feels like a lost place, as there are many dilapidated buildings around and everything looks somewhat abandoned. There are also huge rocks here that you can climb over. All in all, it’s like a little adventure playground. The beach is also the perfect spot for watching the sunrise.
Bottle Beach Viewpoint
The Bottle Beach Viewpoint can be reached via a less strenuous hike of around 30 minutes. The actual viewpoint is not for everyone, but offers a spectacular view of the sea. You walk the last few meters on the back of the mountain and have a breathtaking view of the surrounding area wherever you look.
Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat)
Of course you can also see Bottle Beach from the viewpoint. This secluded beach can only be reached by four-wheel drive vehicle or by boat from the beaches to the west. However, you won’t encounter many other tourists here.
Had Khom Beach
For us, Had Khom Beach in the north is one of the best things to do on Koh Phangan and one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is relatively narrow, sparsely frequented and shines with beautiful palm trees and fine sand. The water here is also a beautiful turquoise-blue color, so that you just want to jump into the cool water.
Chaloklum Beach
The touristy Chaloklum Beach is completely different. There really is a lot going on here. From beach volleyball and yoga to kite surfing. The beach is really beautiful, but also never empty.
Mae Haad Beach
There is also a lot going on at the beautiful Mae Haad Beach. The special feature here is the long sandbank that leads you to the offshore island of Ko Ma. Especially at low tide, you can take a nice walk here and take some great photos.
Salad Beach
The narrow Salad Beach is well frequented and has many hotels and restaurants to offer. The highlight here are the 2 beach swings, which can be great fun. Salad Beach became famous because of a horizontal palm tree on which many people took photos. Unfortunately, this palm tree no longer exists.
Hin Kong Beach
Hin Kong Beach is very centrally located in the west and offers a huge sandbank, which you can reach from the beach at low tide, as well as beautiful palm trees. Perfect for a walk across the sea. Apart from the sandbank, however, we personally liked other beaches better.
Wat Maduea Wan
Of course there are also some temples on Koh Phangan. One of the most beautiful is Wat Maduea Wan, which you can explore for free. The long staircase is a particularly beautiful photo motif here. At the top you will find a less spectacular temple complex.
Thong Nai Pan Yai
Our personal highlight is the family-friendly beach Thong Nai Pan Yai in the quiet east of Koh Phangan. The Longtail Beach Resort is the perfect place for children. The beach here is super shallow, which is especially great for children. The relaxed beach also invites you to take endless walks on the beach.
Wat Phu Khao Noi
The oldest temple on the island, Wat Phu Khao Noi or “Temple of the Small Mountain”, near the hospital in Thong Sala, was probably founded by Buddhist monks in the 15th century. It has a historic white pagoda surrounded by eight smaller ones, the base of which is decorated with Buddha words. The complex is open to visitors during the day, but the monks are only there in the morning.
Have you been to Koh Phangan? If so, write us a comment and tell us what the best things to do on Koh Phangan for you.