Koh Phangan Holidays

Once you’ve had your fill of the beach, Koh Phangan’s tropical forests and scenic mountains are ripe for exploring. The best way to see the island is to hire a scooter for the day and weave through the hilly terrain, keeping an eye out for playful monkeys and hidden bays as you go. Why not don your trainers and hike through Than Sadet Waterfall National Park? Or head to the northeast corner to find Than Prawet Waterfall – a series of trickling streams and rushing chutes. There’s also a series of viewpoints here, where you’ll have lovely vistas across the island Koh Phangan.

After dark, there are plenty of things to do in Koh Phangan. Visit Thong Sala Night Market – also known as Pantip Market – where you can barter for trinkets and grab a plate of steaming pad Thai. Or, if you time your holiday right, you can experience the island’s infamous Full Moon Party.

If you want to see more of the Gulf of Thailand, why not take a day trip to neighbouring Koh Tao or Koh Samui? Petite Koh Tao is famous for its snorkelling and diving spots, while big sister Koh Samui has some fantastic beaches.

Oft-misunderstood Koh Phangan can be overlooked as a beach destination. But it really shouldn’t be. A holiday to Koh Phangan will take you to some of the most untouched beaches in the whole of Thailand.

As party animals flock towards Haad Rin, the rest of Koh Phangan is left blissfully quiet and unspoiled. The west coast and northern stretch, in particular, have some truly stunning beaches. You can expect to find footprint-free white sands and clear turquoise waters – and you’ll only have to share them with a handful of people. Nestled in the northeast, crescent-shaped Thong Nai Pan Yai is one of the best beaches in Koh Phangan. You can swim in the empty, tropical sea, admire the jungle-clad hills, and grab a bite from one of the rustic beach bars. Or, if you want to relax at a luxurious beach club, pop along to the adjacent bay, Thong Nai Pan Noi.

Snorkellers will be spoilt for choice on Koh Phangan’s beaches, while scuba divers should head out on a day trip to Sail Rock. An hour’s boat ride away, this incredible diving site boats bright corals, tropical fish, ghostly barracuda, and even the occasional whale shark.

Arguably the most famous beach party in the world, Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party is synonymous with backpacking around Thailand. What originally started as a small celebration of the full moon, has transformed into a full-on festival. Once a month, around 20,000 people pour in to Haad Rin, in the southeast tip of the island, for an all-night extravaganza. DJs, fire-eaters and fireworks all play a part in this notorious party, as neon-painted travellers dance the night away on the sands of Sunrise Beach.

This energetic and seemingly endless night out isn’t for everyone – but it’s certainly an experience. If you’re curious, you could always grab some dinner in Haad Rin, then pop down to the beach for an hour or two. The dates of Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party align with the lunar cycle, meaning the event takes place roughly once every 29 days – so double check the dates before you book your holiday.

Just a few hundred miles north of the equator, tropical Koh Phangan stays warm all year round. But the island has three distinct seasons – dry, hot and wet. If you’re going on holiday in search of sun-soaked beaches, it’s best to visit Koh Phangan between January and April. At this time of year, temperatures linger around 28°C and sometimes go even higher. February is the driest month but, in the tropical climate, there may still be brief showers now and then.  

Koh Phangan gets incredibly hot between April and September – but, if you can handle the humidity, you may be able to bag a bargain. The beaches will be much quieter, too. It’s best to avoid the stormy wet season, which occurs in the last three months of the year. November is the island’s wettest month – it rains most days.