Phangan Island (Koh Phangan) in Thailand located in the southern part of the kingdom, in the huge Gulf of Thailand Pacific Ocean between two other islands - a small one and a slightly larger one. Samui is located slightly to the south (), and Tao, on the contrary, is to the north. They are especially famous Koh Phangan beaches, which received the love of residents and tourists thanks to their snow-white sands, unique nature and stunning sea filled with a huge number of marine organisms. In addition, a party called !
In general, Koh Phangan is a very small island, only 168 square kilometers. At the same time, the distance from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui between the closest points is only 8 kilometers, and from Koh Phangan to Tao is slightly longer - 35. It belongs to the rather modest province of Sura Thani, and Koh Phangan is inhabited by only 15 thousand people. Thongsala is the most Big City islands, "Haad Rin"- the same beach where the main event takes place. It is divided into southern and northern parts: "Sunset Beach" And "Haad Rin". You can find combined routes and book a ticket through.
In general, Koh Phangan is the fifth largest island in Thailand. The peculiarity of its name is directly related to the Thai language, since “Phangan” comes from the word “Ngan”, which translates as “sand spit”. By the way, they can be seen from the island during low tide. They perfectly protect Phangan from the raging monsoons.
Phangan has changed quite imperceptibly over the course of a quarter of a century, from the very moment when the very first places for tourists to stay appeared on the island. Many local residents decided to change their activities, choosing serving tourists as their main activity. For some 20-25 years, while tourism was developing on this island of Thailand, life has changed little, but over the past few years, literally 5-7, changes have become very clearly visible.
The oldest structure on the island is the Nai Temple, built in the village of Baan Nua, located in the south of the island. Historians suggest that this stupa was created four hundred years before Ayutthaya, in another period - Srivichaya.
Buddhism is the main religion of the inhabitants of the island, as well as for the whole of Thailand. On Phangan, you can also see Christian churches, and even places for Muslim prayers.
Phangan was considered the most beloved island of Rama V, the king who was most revered there. His portraits can be easily found almost everywhere on the island, and on the rocks you can see 9 autographs of the kings and rulers of Thailand.
A selection of the best hotels on Koh Phangan island
Updated: 2019-3-3
Oleg Lazhechnikov
19I continue my series of review articles on the beaches of the main resorts in Thailand. I already have reviews of beaches, and. Now take a look at the beaches of Koh Phangan.
All of them are divided into major and minor, and are also listed from Tong Sala in the south (as from the main pier of the island) - and then clockwise. To better navigate where and what is on Koh Phangan, look at the map of beaches at the end of the post, there you can click on the beach marker and go to detailed description with photos. Below I present a description of the main beaches of Koh Phangan, although there is still a small piece of work left there, since there are a little more secondary beaches than I managed to visit.
If you are traveling for a long time, then I would start choosing a place to stay in the area. Here a good choice housing, with many options by the sea. Developed infrastructure, and in general a good place for wintering. As an option for a long stay, it’s perfect - one of the best beaches on the island and a developed area by Koh Phangan standards. And if you don’t mind living far from the sea, then feel free to consider it, with its excellent infrastructure.
If you are going on vacation for a couple of weeks, then choosing the best beach depends on your preferences. , which smoothly flows into Tong Sala, is not suitable for beach holiday, and as a convenient location for active travel around the island, and there are quite a lot of budget hotels there. Famous for its parties, Full Moon Party is suitable for partygoers on party days, and for sealing enthusiasts at other times, as Haad Rin itself is an excellent beach.
For a relaxing and inexpensive beach holiday, the beaches and. These are western, shallow beaches, but they look attractive and have some infrastructure. It makes sense for yogis and vegans to settle in, there are at least two yoga centers and a bunch of different healthy cafes. For those who are looking for an expensive beach holiday in a reasonable distance from civilization, I recommend the beaches. Well, for those who want to see a lost paradise without people and almost without civilization at all - you are welcome.
Phangan is a small island that can be crossed from north to south in 15-20 minutes, no more. If you live on the western, more developed half of the island, then wherever you live, everything will be “nearby”. But the eastern side is still very little populated (with the exception of Haad Rin in the southeast), and personally I would not consider it for myself. But this is my opinion, and in fact it may not coincide with anyone else’s. Be sure to ask questions in the comments, I’ll try to recommend something specific. And your advice is also welcome.
Main beaches
Thong Sala is the main port town of Koh Phangan, which also has its own beach, although it is called a beach conventionally. It is difficult to relax on the shore, where the two largest piers on the island are located with fairly dense traffic traffic. The piers receive boats and ferries with thousands of tourists who fly through Thong Sal without stopping, and disappear into the jungle of Koh Phangan. There really is nothing to see in Tong Sala - it is the administrative and commercial center of the island, where a lot of commercial and government institutions are concentrated. People come here to buy food or clothes, change money or buy ferry tickets.
But few people can boast that they spent their holidays on Thong Sala beach. Part of the shore here is covered in concrete, and the rest does not look the most attractive for a beach holiday. Diesel oil stains in the water, marine debris on the shore - all this does not look the most terrible, but not the most seductive way. Thong Sala is more of a technical beach, a place for contemplation, a snack, a couple of photos or to wait for your ferry to the mainland. All more or less decent beaches begin after the outskirts of the town of Thong Sala, and I strongly recommend moving there. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Sri Thanu Beach and Ao Niad Beach
In addition to Srithanu Beach, which is actually Si Tanu, there are also Zen Beach and Naked Beach, which, as it turns out, are not independent beaches, but simply local names for the Srithanu areas. Difficult? In fact, it’s not very good when you drive around and see with your own eyes the differences and features of all the beach locations. Be that as it may, Sritanu is good wherever you decide to go to the sea. I would call it a paradise for children and yogis, because there are many secluded places for solitude and self-contemplation, and the sea is so shallow that even a cat cannot drown there.
Srithanu at the very beginning of the beach is a classic of the genre. Clean sand, resorts, restaurants, sun loungers with umbrellas made of palm leaves, cocktails, beautiful sea, the first line is completely busy. Zen Beach is a place for parties, meetings with like-minded people, beach holidays and escapism from the world. In a word - Zen. But Naked Beach is already a savage compared to the first two, and it is chosen when nothing else helps. There are few people, resorts and bars on Naked Beach, but there is a lot of silence, waves and grass on the shore. Overall, the beauty of Srithanu is that there is a place for every taste. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
If we talk about the beaches on the western part of Koh Phangan, then I would say that Chao Pao is a secret beach. Not because everyone who finds out about Chao Pao is immediately thrown into the sea, but because you can’t just find it right away. The beach is hidden from casual glances behind a large palm grove, there are no large signs to the beach, and there are almost no particularly enthusiastic reviews about it on the Internet. And Chao Pao, with all this, deserves at least one day for visiting and sealing, which I did with pleasure in my time.
The first line of Chao Pao is occupied by resorts, whose clients are almost the only visitors to the beach. The stunningly uncrowded beach, combined with tropical tranquility, a shallow but beautiful sea and a pirate bar by the rocks create a very soulful atmosphere. Clean sand, palm trees, a smooth entrance to the sea, without stones, and it’s all yours. You can actually get here either by mistakenly turning the wrong way, or after carefully studying the map - only then will you find out that in this part of Koh Phangan there is a beach that you didn’t even know about. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
If you are allergic to your fellow countrymen, then I do not recommend Haad Yao as a long-term holiday destination. This doesn’t bother me at all, just from my observations (and this is very subjective) I heard Russian speech very often on Haad Yao. And this is not surprising - our people love to hang out on good beaches, and Haad Yao is just in this category. Long, without broken bends, clean, well-groomed, with good tourist infrastructure and a lot of services.
The sea, of course, is shallow in Phangan style, but incredibly beautiful, especially in sunny weather. A beach holiday on Haad Yao is suitable for those who do not require serious infrastructure, although in general there is everything you need, from shade to cocktails. You can come as a savage, with your own rug, the main thing is to carefully look at your feet, and if you come across a blue plastic pipe that leads from the houses to the sea, then choose a place further away, and preferably upstream. Local peculiarities cannot be avoided. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Haad Salad is considered one of the average beaches on Koh Phangan. Average in the sense that in its size, in its distance from the benefits of civilization, in its infrastructure and external characteristics - Haad Salad is not something outstanding. It is located at the entrance to the most (or one of the most popular) beach on the island, on the far, northwestern edge of Koh Phangan and occupies no more than half a kilometer of coastline. The infrastructure is mainly that offered by several resorts adjacent to the beach, that is, there is even less civilization here than on Haad Yao.
The beach itself has a standard Phangan set of characteristics: relatively shallow water, fine light sand, a small number of palm trees on the shore, a clear entrance to the sea in the center of the beach, a rocky bottom at the edges and crowded. The beach is quite famous and is not located in the wilds, so people come here both for permanent residence and when passing through from other beaches. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
A fairy tale beach, a joy beach and just a beautiful place for a beach holiday. One of the most famous, revered and visited beaches of Koh Phangan, which is always popular among tourists with and without cameras. Its main feature is the coastal profile and the neighboring island, with which Mae Haad is connected by an underwater sand spit. At low tide, the spit is exposed and guests of the island are treated to a stunning landscape like in a movie - a path in the middle of the sea. In general, people really like it and Mae Haad remains a constant photo model for most who have visited Koh Phangan. After .
The infrastructure around Mae Haad does not really correspond to its popularity; here, just like in Haad Yao and Haad Salad, there are no large entertainment and shopping establishments. There are hotels, a couple of shops, cafes. There are two big attractions near the beach: Wang Sai Waterfall with its adjacent nature park and. Mae Haad is a fairly crowded place during the day and during the high season, but the prices for everything are, in principle, average for the hospital. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Malibu Beach and Chaloklam Bay
One of the most famous and beloved beaches of Koh Phangan. I'm talking about Malibu, which is part of big beach Chaloklam on the northern edge of the island. You can get here in a straight line from Tong Sala and this is used by thousands of tourists. The beach is really crowded, popular and popular. It has already been photographed from all sides and described by bloggers of all stripes. But Malibu is worth it, it’s a really cool tourist beach with excellent sea, clean shores, excellent infrastructure and service.
Malibu is located on the left half of Chaloklam, slightly isolated, in its own separate corner of the coast. It is strikingly different in appearance from the Phangan beaches: a large expanse of white sand, beautiful garden with casuarina balls, shallow waters with the exciting color of the sea - this is a real bounty on not the most famous island in the world. That's why they call it Malibu - it's great. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
The northernmost and most inaccessible beach on this part of the island. With all this, it is one of the most famous and popular among admirers of exotic and real island holiday. Bottle Beach is at the end of a challenging dirt road that is crossed twice by streams (and you have to wade through them up to your knees). Only drivers of SUVs or scooters will be able to get here by personal transport, and passengers will have to be unloaded in some places. Well, or you can take a taxi boat and get to the beach by sea, this is already a way for cheaters.
A very beautiful, long beach, with fine and light sand, several resorts on the shore, the services of which make up the beach infrastructure. Several bars and massage pavilions, kayak rentals and sun loungers along the entire beach - there is everything for non-stop and worry-free sealing. Visiting tourists rarely come here, so the beach remains sparsely populated even during the high season. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Pearl east coast Pangana. In principle, the entire east of the island can be considered a pearl simply because it is difficult to get here. There are more untouched lands here and you can still feel the atmosphere of a wild island. Uninhabited, not dug up by construction equipment, with terrible roads through the jungle, this region hides such nice beaches as the Tong Nai Pan brothers. True, recently the road to these two beaches has been significantly improved and this has led to an increase in the influx of independent tourists.
All that said, Thong Nai Pan Noi remains a charming place with the classic beach-baby infrastructure, although there is little more than a couple of bars and a massage parlour. There is a chain mini-market, a number of pharmacies and Thai shops, and many offers for tourists, from rentals to tours to other regions of the kingdom. And the beach is a shady paradise. White sand, dense vegetation, sun loungers, shallow water, infrequent waves, and the absolute absence of any kind of shore protection. The beach retains its natural beauty and is remembered forever. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
And this beach is the neighbor of Thong Nai Pan Noi. They are approximately equal in size, but each has its own infrastructure and Nai Pan Noi has a slightly greater sea depth, which may be a criterion for someone when choosing a beach on Koh Phangan. In principle, if you look in a straight line, they are within walking distance of each other, but separated by a rather high hill. So moving between beaches on foot is too tiring. Even despite the presence of relatively good roads between them.
Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach is wide, with a clean entrance, good light sand and under the constant supervision of the staff of the adjacent resorts. The place attracts with its authenticity and the absence of tall buildings or various kinds of coastal fortifications, which are so often and willingly abused by landowners in attempts to preserve monstrously expensive land on the coast from erosion. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
The same beach. Yes, yes, this is the same Haad Rin where the original Full parties take place Moon Party. I especially emphasize “original” because the entertainment format has become very popular, parties attract crowds of thousands, and the full moon only happens once a month. Therefore, throughout Koh Phangan you can already count three or four clones created for the same purposes - to collect money from drunken youth to entertain mass tourists. Haad Rin Nok was and remains the first, main and most famous among them. All these buckets of alcohol, a specific musical format and non-stop dancing until dawn - this is Haad Rin Nok.
In the morning, the beach is licked clean after drunken battles, and Haad Rin Nok turns into a huge space, flat as a football field. Trees remain in isolated cases, the entire first line is built up with bars and restaurants, there is no shade at all. The shallow water is such that at low tide the water runs away 50-60 meters, leaving you with a dense wet bottom on which you can walk in heels (I haven’t tried it, but I’m guessing). You can only swim here at high tide. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Not everyone likes Lila Beach at first sight, so it is strongly recommended to come here only in good weather. The peculiarity of Haad Seekantang (this is the original toponym of the beach) is that mangrove trees grow along the entire coastline, between which you can hide from people and the sun or lie in a hammock, and during high tide the beach is almost completely hidden under water. Swimming, beautiful, wild, with a couple of vacant lots under development and a fairly popular techno bar.
Most of the coast is built up with very simple bungalows, which were literally put together on the knee from what the sea washed ashore. On the one hand, it looks unattractive, but on the other hand, the beach does not remain uninhabited; hippie savages and people simply tired of hot water constantly come here. There are a couple of capital resorts, a beautiful bridge on the rocks and a sunset horizon overlooking the island of Koh Samui. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
One of two Haad Rin beaches, which are located on the southern tip of Koh Phangan. Had Rin Nai is a long beach facing west and is NOT home to the famous Full Moon Parties. But there is a well-developed infrastructure with services for tourists and chain stores, a huge selection of housing of different levels, good roads, a pier and rental offices. Haad Rin Nai is more of a resort-technical beach than a party beach. Koh Phangan is considered an island of youth and fun, but all this refers to another Haad Rin.
The beach itself is a rather narrow strip of sand, which is flooded when high water, in some places completely blocking the pedestrian passage along the sea. Local resorts are forced to somehow protect their property from erosion, and here they often come across sections of the beach that are disfigured by stone or concrete superstructures. This, of course, helps, preserves the shore, but fundamentally harms the attractiveness of Haad Rin Naya. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
The best option for those who are going to see a lot, sunbathe a little and live independently, and not in a hotel. Ban Tai is one of the longest beaches of Koh Phangan with good infrastructure, which even includes hypermarkets and a world-class hospital. There is a lot of inexpensive housing here, a very convenient location relative to key locations: piers, tourist infrastructure, road junctions. The beach has average characteristics, in my opinion. It’s nice to look at, but not everyone wants to swim.
Ban Tai has harsh shallow waters, not the cleanest bottom, muddy water, a lot of wastelands, and many unkempt areas where there are deposits of marine debris. Again, this is one of the most eroded shores. In general, Ban Tai does not count best beach Koh Phangan in terms of beach holidays; there are a lot of more attractive and photogenic places on the island. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Not the main beaches
Across the river from the town of Tong Sala (we are now moving from south to west, you remember, right?) there is a small splash pool beach called Ao Nai Wok. I call it a paddling pool not because it is overgrown with algae or has a swampy shore, but because of its shallow water and artificial lagoon, which evoke a strong association with a kind of beach, safe paddock for children. The lagoon was formed after the mouth of the river was widened, adapting it for use by small by sea vessels, and the dumps of soil were piled right there, near the shore. The result was an L-shaped sand spit with an island at the end.
The spit closes a decent section of the beach from the rest of the sea, forming a very calm and shallow backwater where you can walk your children. Coastline Ao Nai Woka is a bastion of fortifications that significantly disfigures the appearance of the beach. On the one hand, the Thais reliably protected the shore from erosion with concrete and stones, but on the other hand, I personally did not find it attractive. In general, the beach is more practical than entertaining. It is close to the infrastructure of Thong Sala, there are beautiful sunsets and several simple resorts on the first line. But the swimability and attractiveness let us down. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
I recommend going to Play Lam for those who are looking for truly secret, unpromoted and beautiful beaches of Koh Phangan. It is, of course, not without its comments, but it is still worthy of attention for its location and features. And Play Lam is located at the foot of the mountain, below the main road of the island and therefore cannot be seen from it, which is why it constantly remains out of sight of tourists. And thanks to the same foot, the beach is a broken line, in which huge rocks, large rocks, small rocks, mangroves and patches of soft sand, hidden from prying eyes, alternate.
The advantages of Play Lam include convenient proximity to the infrastructure of Thong Sala, sparsely populated areas and coziness. It’s not crowded here because people don’t know about this beach, and for those who know, very little housing has been built on the shore. Because of the mountain, on the slope of which it is quite expensive and not so easy to build. So the light sand and azure tints are available only to the most inquisitive seekers of a break from civilization. In good weather, it is incredibly beautiful here, thanks to the light sand, which reflects the sun's rays underwater and illuminates the sea from below. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
As in the case of Thong Sala, calling Ao Hin Kong a beach can only be done with a bunch of reservations. It is located on the shore of a fairly large bay, which was chosen by fishermen, and where these comrades are based, as a rule, it is not clean. Partly due to the peculiarities of the profession, and to a greater extent due to their mentality, fishing settlements in Thailand “delight” the eye with deposits of unusable gear, household garbage and marine organics that were not sold. Together with the fishermen, small transport companies have settled here and use the left edge of the beach with the pier for their own purposes.
The right side of Ao Hin Kong is more suitable for living, so there are places near the beach that can surprise you. Not everywhere it is clean and well-groomed, not all areas are suitable for swimming and the water is often cloudy. It is also small and does not boast of infrastructure, in general, I would call it the last option on Koh Phangan, like Wok Tum, which adjoins Hin Kong on the left. Wok Tum is a shorter and more winding version of Hin Kong, where some of the small beaches are used by tourists, and the more or less spacious backwaters are given to the same fishermen. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Haad Son Beach, which still has the local name Secret Beach, which does not need translation, is living proof that a good secret place can become good popular place. I envy those pioneer tourists who were the first to set foot on the shores of Haad Son and kept it a secret. To be the only living soul in such beautiful place- these are emotions for life. But globalization and tourism are doing their dirty work, and you get to visit the crowded, noisy, very young and cheerful Haad Son, as it has become now.
Finding it is no longer difficult (there are only two descents to the beach), either by the name of the hotel, or by the large number of bikes parked on the road. The bay is hidden by the jungle and uneven terrain, and Haad Son beach itself is very short and is now built up with bungalows along the first line. Nearby there is a cult place - Ko Raham, with a bar and rocks from which those who like to jump into the sea love to jump into the sea - it’s safe. Well, right there, under the rocks, you can often meet people with diving masks, I haven’t seen them myself, but people who are keen on snorkeling say that there is something to see there. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Haad Kruad Beach is a small beach, so to speak - private, although the privacy of a beach in Thailand is an ambiguous thing and is often dictated not by legislation and law, but by the fact of the construction of a resort, which slightly less than completely blocks the passage to the sea. In the case of Haad Kruat, we have the loyal administration of the only resort on the beach, which also represents its only infrastructure. This part of Koh Phangan is still sparsely populated and even the access to the beach runs through open and empty spaces, with roads but no houses.
The beach itself is very short and relatively cozy. It is kept in order, there are few people and it is mainly used by guests of the adjacent resort. The infrastructure represents only the resort and its services. The sand, bottom and sea are not the most attractive on Koh Phangan, although I have seen worse beaches. The main advantage of Haad Kruat so far remains its privacy, isolation, and it is perfect for a couple of weeks away from civilization, if you have a rented bike to get out somewhere, if necessary. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
A very conventional beach, rather a place where it could be beautiful beach, if instead of slippery boulders there was at least some sand and a couple of shabby palm trees. But essentially there is only convenient descent to the sea there is a concrete staircase with railings. But you can’t climb into the sea itself - it’s dangerous. During high tide, you can still try to snorkel over the rocks and snorkel in the beach area, but at low tide there is nothing to do here except contemplate, meditate or relax on the way from point A to point B. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Haad Khom Beach is also called Coconut Beach and it belongs to small beaches, although with one small clarification - to small and good beaches. It is located at the edge of geography, in fact at the end of the main island road, which runs along the entire western coast of Koh Phangan and ends in the hills in the north. The beach is hidden at the bottom of a fairly steep slope, behind the territory of a small bungalow resort. This resort makes up the entire infrastructure of Coconut Beach, with the exception of one bar, which is located three minutes north.
Haad Khom is cozy, green, with palm trees and swings, with good sand, not the most convenient entrance to the water and rocks along the edges. The downside of Haad Khom is that it faces north, so you won’t see either sunset or sunrise here, but there is always shade. Haad Khom is chosen only by knowledgeable people who have either been here before or have received a tip from someone who is well acquainted with the island. The place is wonderful, secluded and uncrowded. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Vainam Beach is located in a small secluded bay and is a hundred-meter strip of sand. The place is very cozy and secluded, which, however, can be said about any beach on the eastern shore of Koh Phangan. Probably because of its beauty, I liked it almost more than anyone else. Vainam differs from its other colleagues in its small size, small population and lack of popularity on the Internet. This is used by tourists who care about silence and tropical tranquility. Local hangouts of strange people sometimes gather here to chat, play and listen to music. Mostly these parties spill over from neighboring Haad Tian and Haad Yuan during parties at Guyz Bar and Eden Bar. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Haad Tien is the middle beach in the trinity of hermits on this edge of Koh Phangan: Vai Nam, Thian and Yuan. Haad Tien is famous for its Guy’s Bar, which is considered a cult place and one of the most interesting viewpoints in the east. Only the strongest can come here on their own, and only the most generous by sea, so Haad Tien scares away the average tourist, allowing true connoisseurs of the wild lifestyle to feel at home here. The beach is not particularly beautiful, but calm and uncrowded. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
If I were to describe Haad Yuan in three words, I would choose: rocks, sand and sea. Yes, that's exactly what he is. Small in size, beautiful, in its own private cove between the huge rocks on which people settled, they built bungalows and cafes, and built bamboo bridges along the shore. It’s difficult to come here by car, and coming here by boat is a bit expensive, so either the most desperate or the most curious come here. The rest of the beach population are connoisseurs of secluded recreation. A bonus to the sea and authenticity are techno parties in Eden and Gaiza. More detailed description of the beach with photographs.
Ban Kai Beach (Ao Baan Kai)
Ban Kai is one of the “melting” beaches in the southwest of Koh Phangan. By melting I mean excessive erosion of the coast due to sea waves. Such beaches look beautiful in sunny weather, but every storm for them means washed away centimeters of the coast, which landowners are strenuously struggling with. Therefore, Ban Kai is thoroughly covered with concrete rings. This beach is usually chosen by people who came not to seal, but to ride and explore the area. For approximately the same purposes that they choose Ban Tai, which is a continuation of Ban Kai, or vice versa, as it suits you.
It is conveniently close to the Ban Tai and Thong Sala hypermarkets, as well as to the party center of Koh Phangan - Haad Rin. Nearby are the main roads towards the northern and eastern coasts of the island. And houses on Ban Kai are cheaper, although the infrastructure is so-so, and the beach also leaves much to be desired. Here you have a shallow and rocky bottom, but there are no problems with shadow at all, and the sunsets from Ban Kai are truly beautiful. For a more detailed description of the beach with photographs, see here
Map of Koh Phangan beaches, south
P.S. Likes and shares are welcome :)
P.P.S. I will also be very glad to express your opinions regarding the various beaches on Koh Phangan where you vacationed. Which ones did you like and why?
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Koh Phangan is a paradise for romantic trips and for families who want to relax with children. The Thais have created the most convenient and comfortable infrastructure for relaxation and enjoying natural beauty.
- Ko Phangan, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand
Where is it and how to get there
Phangan is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The area of the island is 125 sq. km. More than 70% of the entire territory is mountainous and jungle. The Thais make sure that nature is preserved in its most pristine form. The rest of the territory is beaches with coconut groves. To the nearest Koh Samui– 15 km. Mainland Thailand is 55 km from the island.
The island is home to 10,000 inhabitants. Small settlements have formed around Thongsala, the central city.
Koh Samui is the closest airport to Koh Phangan, which receives flights from the largest cities in Thailand. The time it takes to fly is 20-50 minutes. It all depends on which airline is chosen. You can also use the services of the airport, which is located on the mainland - Surat Thani. But you will have to get to the island from there by bus and water transport.
The fastest way to get there is by speed boat. But this pleasure is not cheap. You can go to the island this way 3 times a day. Mostly boats from Samui moor near Haad - Rin and Maenam beaches.
The cheapest option is to purchase a comprehensive ticket in Bangok. The price includes bus travel and ferry travel. The price of such a trip is from 1300 baht.
You can also buy a comprehensive ticket when traveling by train. They need to get to Surat Thani, after which they take advantage of bus transportation and ferry crossing.
Who should choose Koh Phangan
It is not surprising that on the island of Koh Phangan both avid party-goers and those looking for peace and quiet can find a secluded place. West Coast more suitable for active holidaymakers. The famous parties throughout Asia take place here, which begin on the full moon and last for a day. Official preparations begin 3 days before the celebration. All other beaches and tropical jungle wildlife are for those who love nature and slow life.
Urban transport
There are quite a few high-quality roads on Koh Phangan. All settlements, which are accessible to tourists, have good trails. Most often, people travel within the island by songthaew or rented transport.
One of the most convenient rental points is located near the Thong Sala pier. Songthaews also depart from here. Depending on the route, travel by public transport will cost 5-10 dollars. Renting a car will cost from $10 per day, depending on which car you choose.
There are plenty of rental points on the island. To rent a motorbike you will need to pay from 150 baht. Tour operators warn that you need to be especially careful on serpentine roads. In addition, it is not uncommon to see drivers driving them in a not entirely sober state. As a result, damage to the bike can cost more than the rental fee.
Even if a tourist drove a rented vehicle very carefully, enterprising Thais will find a small scratch or defect and will have to give it their all. Sometimes tourists paid an additional 5-6 thousand baht for such “breakdowns”. Complaining to the police about injustice is practically useless, since they know the whole situation and can cover for “their own.” Therefore, it is imperative to have money in reserve at the end of your vacation.
Those who rent vehicles should know several important nuances. You can rent a bike only on the security of your foreign passport (not a copy). The other one doesn't fit. At the same time, they check whether the document is expired, since many people want to leave their old passport as collateral.
Weather on Koh Phangan and when is the best time to go
Like most of Thailand, Koh Phangan is divided into two tourist seasons:
- High. The period falls on autumn and winter time. It is during this period that tourists from all over the world hide from winter under the tropical sun. Although the conditions at this time are far from ideal: the cost of vacation is high due to the large influx of vacationers, the weather can suddenly deteriorate, and there are often high waves at sea. This popularity is also explained by the desire of tourists to meet New Year in the tropics, spend your holidays in the warmth.
- The low season occurs in the summer and spring months. There are not many people willing. Discounts on housing and products can reach 70%, big waves and there are no prolonged rains, the water and beaches are clean and well-groomed. During this period there is an opportunity to live in good hotel for a relatively nominal fee. This season, rainy days are not excluded, but most precipitation falls at night, and the sky is cloudless during the day. The temperature is quite comfortable for relaxation.
Fortunately, even in the rainiest months (October, November) there are no floods or terrible downpours on Koh Phangan. Even in winter, when the rains have not yet completely stopped, the climate and conditions are comfortable for spending a holiday here. If you have the opportunity to choose what winter time to go on vacation to the island, then it is better to give preference to a vacation on Koh Phangan in February or early spring.
Beaches
Beaches on Koh Phangan occupy almost the entire coastline. Each individual beach is either a small bay or a sand spit. They are separated from each other by rocky areas. There are no paid beaches.
Conventionally, beaches can be divided into several regions:
- West Bank. An ideal place for lovers of wild tourism. For housing, you can rent inexpensive bungalows. It is very convenient to move around the territory, good transport connection with other regions.
- The southern coast overlooking Koh Samui receives the most tourists. The presence of reefs has contributed to the formation of shallow beaches, which are ideal for have a relaxing holiday with small children. Housing and infrastructure for every taste and budget.
- Eastern Shore. Here are the most picturesque beaches of the island. Many bays are located so that they can only be reached by water transport. Both people with low incomes and lovers of luxury villas like to relax here.
- North Shore. The most popular beach is represented by Ma Island, which is connected to the shore by a sand spit. The largest fishing port is also located in this region.
What to see and do on Koh Phangan
Young people should definitely attend the most incendiary parties on the beaches, which are somewhat similar to those held in Ibiza or Kazantip. Here you can not only dance, try the most unusual alcoholic cocktails, but also watch a fire show. There are a lot of visitors, so you should not forget about caution and pickpockets.
Nature lovers can head to the local national park, where there is the largest waterfall on the island - favorite place kings of Thailand. An excellent excursion program could be a trip to the elephant camp and to the Chinese temple. There are shows with snakes and crocodiles. The park is open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, seven days a week.
Fans of active recreation can try kiteboarding, book walks along the sea and wild jungle, and learn the laws of yoga. There are several small islands near Koh Phangan that are ideal for diving and snorkeling. During the dive you can see the extraordinary beauty of small colorful fish and coral reefs.
If you want something unusual, it is recommended to visit the herbal sauna, the entrance to which will cost 75 baht. Most visitors are residents of Russia and the former CIS. It is only open from 3 pm to 7 pm. Here you can use or buy soaps and scrubs made from medicinal herbs as souvenirs.
Those who want to leave a mark on their body as a memory of Thailand can use the services of tattoo parlors.
Those who came here for shopping will be upset because large shopping centers with well-known brands and super affordable and competitive prices are not here. As an option, you can purchase genuine leather products, items for relaxing on the beach, figurines, and hammocks as souvenirs.
Prices on Koh Phangan
During high season, prices on Koh Phangan can be 15-20% higher than on Koh Samui. This is especially true for food and drinks. You can eat in a good restaurant or cafe for 150 baht (per person).
Most often food is bought at the central market. So, fried fish here can be bought for an average of 100 baht (it all depends on the type of fish and its size), an average portion of salad - 60 baht, a small portion of grilled meat - 40 baht, pancakes with different fillings - from 40 baht.
Koh Phangan or Phangan is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand. Its area is 125 sq. km. The name Koh Phangan comes from the Thai words “Ko” and “Ngan”, which mean “island” and “sand spit” respectively. The distance separating the island from the mainland is approximately 56 km, it is located 16 km from Koh Samui and 35 km from Koh Tao. More details can be found on the map.
Phangan Island began to attract tourists relatively recently - about 30 years ago. But during this time, it managed to fall in love with both young people who prefer active parties and lovers of a relaxing holiday.
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How to get to the island
One of the features of the island is the Full Moon Party held on it - a large-scale event taking place in the open air and attracting several thousand people.
For those who prefer sports and leisure created wonderful conditions for extreme sports on the water. Lovers of peace and quiet will appreciate the untouched beauty wildlife and deserted beaches.
By plane from Bangkok
There is no airport on Koh Phangan; the closest ones are located in Surat Thani.
The fastest and most convenient flight will be from Bangkok to international Airport Samui, however, the price of such air travel can hurt your pocket. At the airport you can purchase a combo ticket (for bus and ferry) or you can take a taxi to the pier. Ferries depart from the pier to Koh Phangan. The price of a one-way ferry ticket ranges from 200 to 300 baht.
The second option is to fly to the airport in Surratani. This flight will cost much less, since you can use the services of local airlines such as:
- Nok Air
- Air Asia
- Thai Smile
- Lion Air
The first two have the opportunity to purchase a combined ticket (joint ticket), which includes flights, bus travel and ferry travel. The cost of a plane ticket from Bangkok to Surratani is 1,300 baht, however, very often there are discounts on evening flights, as a result of which you can buy a ticket at half the price. Tourists should be aware that there are no return flights from Surat Thani.
By bus
You can take the bus to the bus station in Surrat Thani, where you can purchase a comprehensive bus ticket that takes passengers to Donsak pier, from which the ferry goes to Koh Phangan. The price of such a ticket is from 300 baht. There are also routes that go straight to the pier, meaning you don’t have to change trains at the bus station.
Buses from Bangkok to Surratani depart from the South Bus Station. Ticket prices start from 500 baht and depend on the comfort and class of the bus. Buses to Surratani run from all resorts in Southern Thailand:
- Krabi
- Hat Yai
- And other resorts
By train
Another affordable way to get to Koh Phangan is by train. Trains depart from stations located in Hua Hin and Bangkok (Hualamphong station). The final point of the route is Phun Pin Railway Station, located near Surat Thani. Ticket prices range from 150 to 1500 baht, the price is affected by the comfort of the chosen seat (from seating to common carriage to the compartment).
The best option is an overnight trip.
Minibuses and buses run regularly from the arrival station to the pier, from which the ferry to Koh Phangan departs.
By sea
Crossing by water is one of the most accessible and comfortable ways to get to the island. This is especially true for tourists who have a comprehensive ticket in their hands - on which the final stop is Koh Phangan Island. They won’t have to worry about possible problems—everything will be organized for them.
Those who prefer to travel independently can take a ferry from any pier. There is a very well developed ferry service between the mainland and the islands.
On Koh Phangan, ferries stop at Thong Sala pier.
Weather in Koh Phangan
This is a resort that can be visited at any time of the year. It's always warm and comfortable here, but don't forget that The island has two rainy seasons, during which holidays on the island are less attractive than at other times.
The rainy season, also called the low season, occurs from September to December. The most precipitation falls in October and November, and in December this figure decreases. In mid-December the weather stabilizes and becomes quite good. The second rainy season is the period from April to June - during this time there is not much rainfall and sunny days predominate, however, the water level remains low. And the water in the sea is becoming polluted. For those who are going to sunbathe and take part in the Full Moon party, this will not cause any trouble. But if the purpose of the trip is to swim in the sea, then it is better to reschedule the trip to another time.
The dry or high season is the optimal time for relaxing on the beach and other entertainment and occurs from December to March, and July and August. When planning a trip to Koh Phangan based on the weather, it is best to focus on these time periods.
Transport Koh Phangan
The most common means of transport on Koh Phangan are motorcycles and scooters. They are available to tourists at prices starting from 150 baht for rent per day. You can also get around the island by Songthaew taxi - these are unique pickup trucks with a roof and benches in the luggage compartment, the fare starts from 20 baht. And on the central street of Thong Sala you can rent a pickup truck (price from 1,500 baht per day) or a sedan (price 1,000 baht per day).
There are beaches on Koh Phangan that are best visited on foot or using special taxi boats. Travel for one person on such a boat will cost 150-400 baht, depending on the distance of the route. To avoid getting lost when independent travel, it is best to grab a map of the island.
Beaches of Koh Phangan
Haad Rin Beach, located in the southeast of the island, is one of the most popular, and therefore crowded, beaches. Among tourists it is usually called the beach of the rising sun. This is where they take place monthly Full Moon Festivals. Therefore, lovers of loud parties and fun get-togethers flock here. On this beach there is a small path leading to Naad Tian and Naad Yuanili beaches, where there are no people and complete peace reigns. You can also get to these beaches by boat.
The beaches of Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi are located in the northeast of the island. They are surrounded by beautiful green mountains. Fans of scuba diving can go here because on these beaches you can get acquainted with the beauty of underwater flora and fauna.
Not far from the main port of the island - Thong Sala, there is Ban Tai Beach. It is interesting because not far from the shore there are coral reefs that lovers of snorkeling and scuba diving can admire. But you need to know that swimming will be very problematic for those who went on a trip from May to November.
In the port itself there are several small beaches near the hotels. But since they are located near the port, and also close to the regularly occurring night parties - Middle Moon and Shiva, these beaches will not be attractive for those who prefer to enjoy peace and quiet during their holidays.
Tan Sadet is a very secluded beach, walking close to which you can admire the amazing waterfall of the same name. It is noteworthy that this was once a favorite vacation spot for the Royal Family of Thailand.
All beaches of the island are marked on the map.
Island hotels
Any tourist can find accommodation here to suit his taste and budget. The most common are wooden bungalows, however, not all of them have hot water, so you definitely need to clarify this issue when looking for housing. Prices per day for bungalows start from 400 baht.
Guesthouses are very popular - they are equipped with air conditioning, refrigerator, internet and TV. Their prices are very reasonable and range from 300 to 700 baht per day.
On Koh Phangan - hotels are available for any tourists. Finding a suitable one in terms of comfort and price is not difficult. After all, there are more than 290 of them here. In a three-star hotel, a room will cost 1,000 baht.
The hotels in greatest demand among tourists are:
- Le Divine Comedie is located 8 kilometers from Haad Ried beach.
- Milky Bay is a hotel near Ban Tai Bay with an outdoor swimming pool.
All hotels have free Wi-Fi (but not always in the rooms). Most have free parking spaces. But each room has air conditioning and its own bathroom.
Conveniently, you can pay either in cash or by card.
Koh Phangan Island - attractions
All natural beaches with waterfalls located there can be called attractions. There is always something to see on Koh Phangan. But the most significant one is National Park Than Sadet. You can visit it at any time, especially since admission is free.
The park is famous the most beautiful and big waterfall on the island of Peang. This is a multi-tiered waterfall that has a very impressive appearance, especially in winter. In the spring, due to the lack of rain, it dries up and looks like a thin stream of water flowing over the stones.
Also located in the park Lem Son lake, it is surrounded by coconut trees, under which you can relax and enjoy the wonderful view.
More interesting place will be available for visiting Chinese Temple with a statue of the Mother of Mercy of the East - Guan. Most popular among tourists
Koh Phangan attractions
Do not deny yourself the pleasure and visit herbal sauna – Wat Pho Herbal Sauna. Here you can relax and unwind after long excursions, recharge your batteries with energy and good mood.
In the marine reserve area there is a so-called “small copy of paradise” - an evergreen island Ko Nang Yuan. Here you can enjoy the view of rare underwater fauna, such as angelfish and clown fish.
Koh Phangan Island is perfect for traveling with children - because there is plenty for them unforgettable entertainment. This vacation will become an unforgettable fairy tale for them, filled with the beauty of nature.
