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What's not to like about a tropical paradise? Think white sand beaches, dense jungles, sparkling waterfalls, and vibrant coral reefs. Koh Phangan has it all. This small island sits between Koh Tao and Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, and it's everything you could possibly want in an island vacation destination.
Koh Phangan has also become a legend among international travelers for its wild parties. These momentous events are held on the beautiful beaches of the island and are a true bucket list activity.Many tourists come to the island just to take part in these parties. But those that only come here to drink and dance the night away are missing out.
Popular as it is as a party destination, Koh Phangan has much more to offer.The island may be small, but there's so much to do here that you could easily spend weeks enjoying it all. If partying is not your thing, or you just want to see another side of this beautiful island, check out some of these great activities in Koh Phangan.
The waters off Koh Phangan are astonishingly clear.And thanks to the presence of a coral reef nearby, there is abundant marine wildlife to encounter in these gorgeous crystalline waves.
The Gulf of Thailand is packed with colorful tropical fish and other marine creatures, and you'll find plenty of businesses that will get you certified to dive and take you on tours to see some of the best spots off the coast of the island.
Sail Rock, for example, might be the best diving site not only on the island but also in the entire Gulf of Thailand.However, you'll also find exceptional diving at Hin Yippon, Koh Ma, and in the protected reserve of Ang Thong National Marine Park.
If SCUBA diving isn't for you, don't worry. You don't need to be able to dive to enjoy the incredible marine wildlife of the Gulf. Snorkeling is easy to master, and the equipment is small enough to bring with you in your luggage.Plus, if you don't have snorkel gear of your own, you can rent it cheaply from many local businesses.
You can go out snorkeling from just about any beach on Koh Phangan, but Haad Son and Mae Haad offer some of the clearest water and best chances to spot marine wildlife.
There are lots of ways to get around the island and see more of its natural beauty, but few are as fun as exploring by motorbike.
You can easily rent a motorbike from a local business and take off to explore the island at your own pace.The West Coast is particularly beautiful and has some great scenic roads to explore, but really, wherever you go on Koh Phangan, you'll find plenty to like.
Before you rent a bike, though, it's a good idea to ensure you have adequate travel insurance just in case you hurt yourself or damage someone's property.It's also a good idea to take extensive photos of the bike before you take it away from the rental company so that you have evidence of what kind of condition the bike was in when they gave it to you.
With so many beautiful beaches to choose from, it's not easy to pick a favorite on Koh Phangan. However, Bottle Beach is a true beauty.And the fact that it's somewhat remote and difficult to get to alone makes it more special when you do arrive.
You'll need to hike through the jungle for about an hour to get to Bottle Beach from Coconut You'Beach. Remember to wear sturdy hiking boots and bring some bug spray for this jungle adventure.And when you get to this beautiful beach, you'll be able to cool off in the warm water and enjoy the serenity of one of the most beautiful locations in all of Thailand.
Thong Sala is the biggest town on the island, and it's where you'll find the best amenities on Koh Phangan, along with some great places to stay. And no matter how you plan to spend your time on the island, you have to visit this town at least once to experience its lively markets.
Check out Phantom Night Market, which is open every evening in the center of town. As well as local produce, this market offers some of the best street food you can find in Koh Phangan, so it's the perfect place to have an authentic local meal.
On Saturdays, you can also visit the Thong Sala Night Market, which takes over the main street of town and turns it into a pedestrianized zone. And not only is it full of food stalls where you can enjoy incredible meals, but there are also all other sorts of things for sale, like jewelry, clothes, and several other local products.
These markets can also be a good place to pick up souvenirs, and you have a good chance of being able to negotiate a great deal.
As hard as it can be to tear yourself away from the beautiful beaches, inland Koh Phangan is just as lovely, thanks partly to its many beautiful waterfalls .
Check out Paradise Falls, Than Sadet, and Phaeng to see some unbelievably photogenic cascades in the middle of the jungle.Don't forget your camera, and bring a bathing suit, as the freshwater of these waterfalls can make a wonderful place to cool off after a jungle hike.
If you're after a more strenuous adventure, Khao Ra Mountain offers some of the best views anywhere on the island. Rising 627 m above sea level, the mountain defines the island and is undoubtedly one of the top attractions here.
Making the climb to the summit and back will take around two to three hours, depending on your fitness level.Make sure you wear proper hiking boots and bring plenty of water, as the heat and humidity will make you sweat buckets, and there aren't many places to stop for a drink along the way.
You can make things easier on yourself by making the journey early in the morning or late in the afternoon to beat the hottest part of the day.
Koh Phangan is an almost unbelievably photogenic island. The clear turquoise water, white sand beaches, and vibrant green jungle make this a photographer's dream.Almost anywhere you go on the island, you'll find incredible photo opportunities that will make your social media followers drool with envy.
You'll definitely want to bring your camera to this fantastic destination. And if you have a drone, even better. A drone can allow you to get to places a regular photographer could never go, capturing angles and shots you couldn't get any other way. Plus, the beautiful beaches of the island look even better from above, and the sparkling waterfalls provide tons of different angles to shoot from. A drone can help you capture images that show off the waterfalls' height and the water's motion.And the clear water of the beaches looks even more beautiful from above.
If you're new to flying a drone, don't worry. There are plenty of different courses you can take that will improve your aerial photography skills, including some courses that can be taken completely online. Look for a reputable drone pilot training institute that can teach you how to operate your machine safely and capture the perfect images.
One useful tip is to make sure you use a polarizing filter. Koh Phangan is almost always sunny, and just as you wouldn't go outside without sunglasses, you shouldn't take your camera outside without a polarizing filter. This helpful filter blocks out the reflections of light on water, making it essential for photographing waterfalls, streams, and beaches. By reducing the glare from the sun, this filter allows you to capture the true colors of the ocean, the jungle, and the bright blue Thailand sky. In the case of a drone, an ND filter is necessary in Thailand.
It's also a good idea to be careful when you're shooting around water using a drone, as they only have a limited operation time. So, be aware of how long your drone can fly, and make sure to bring it back to dry land with plenty of time to spare. Note also that the wind moves faster over water since there are no obstacles to block it, so you'll have to be conscious of prevailing wind conditions so that your drone doesn't get knocked off course.
Also, as tempting as it may be to get the perfect shot, don't risk your drone getting too close to the water. Gusts of wind or the activity of animals can cause splashes, and you don't want to get your drone's electronics wet. Finally, speaking of birds, some, like seagulls, can be aggressive toward drones, so give them plenty of room with your flying machine.
A spectacular destination for Snorkeling and Kayaking, Ang Thong Marine Park also makes a fantastic place to explore when it comes to day trips.
There are dozens of hiking trails through the forest here, and everywhere you go, you'll find something interesting, whether it's towering cliffs, secret caves, lakes, waterfalls, or beautiful white sand beaches. This popular national park is an archipelago of 42 islands scattered in the Gulf of Thailand close to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. It provides a welcome opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy the natural side of Thailand.
The only way to get to the marine park is by boat, and only companies licensed by the government are allowed to enter this protected area. For that reason, it's a good idea to book your tour well in advance so that you can explore this paradise for yourself.
If you're looking for another way to enjoy the beautiful beaches and coves of the island, Kayaking is one of the best outdoor activities you can go on. Kayak rentals are cheap and abundant on the beaches of the island. Plus, vendors will rent you a sit-on-top kayak which is easier to handle than the enclosed type of boat. If you fall off into the hot water, you can just climb right back on.
Kayaking doesn't require any special skills, but you should have a decent level of fitness and a reasonable balance to get in and out of the boat. You shouldn't kayak alone if you're not experienced, and listen to any safety information the rental company gives you. Stay close to shore and try to avoid wind and waves.
The region between Koh Ma and Wok Tum is a great place to try this sport for yourself, as this protected location doesn't get a lot of wind, and the water is usually calm.
Of course, we couldn't write an article about this legendary island without mentioning probably its main attraction, the Full Moon Party.
This epic event is the world's biggest monthly party, welcoming around 20,000 visitors to the Haad Rin beach of Koh Phangan every 28 days . The light of the full moon makes the beach beautifully visible at night, and you'll meet people from around the world at this incredible event.
With neon ravers, numerous cheap mixed drinks being served in plastic buckets, a range of music, flashing lights, fire shows, and abundant food stalls and mobile vendors all around the beach, it's easy to have a great time and enjoy an atmosphere unlike any other.
If your visit to Koh Phangan doesn't coincide with the full moon, don't worry. The island also hosts a half-moon party in the jungle north of Baan Tai instead of on the beach, which takes place twice a month. However, it isn't as famous and has a maximum capacity of just around 4,000 people, but it's still super fun.
This party features different stages for different music tastes - funky, psytrance, and hip-hop along with several DJs and dance floors underneath the trees. So, if you can't make it to Koh Phangan for the full moon, you certainly won't be missing out.
After all this partying, hiking, swimming, and photography, you could probably use a break to recharge your batteries. Luckily, the talented local masseuses of the island can soothe your muscles and put the spring back in your step.
Thai massage is an ancient tradition that has been perfected over centuries, so you’ll be participating in the island’s unique culture as well as getting a nice massage.
A Thai massage is the perfect way to relax and round off an incredible trip to this unforgettable island.
By far, the quickest and easiest way to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok is to fly.
Currently, Koh Phangan does not have its own airport, but you can fly direct from BKK Bangkok International Airport to neighboring Koh Samui, then take a boat from there.
Alternatively, if you want to fly but would prefer a cheaper option, you can fly from Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport to Surat Thani, then take the boat from there. This option will take around four hours in total, but it’s often half the price of the more expensive flight to Koh Samui.
A much cheaper alternative is to take the night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then take the ferry to the island from there. The train features pulldown beds in a communal carriage, or you can spring for first class, which will give you your own cabin.
These trains often fill up at busy times, especially during the full moon, so it’s a good idea to book in advance. The train takes a good nine hours to reach Surat Thani, and then you’ll still have an hour-long boat ride ahead of you, so this is not an option if you’re in a hurry, but it is certainly affordable.
Train tickets can cost as little as five US dollars or up to $40 for the most luxurious cabins, so even when you add on the price of the ferry at around US$20, it’s a lot cheaper than flying.
Consider taking the bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani for an even more affordable option. The bus usually leaves Bangkok around 1 PM and arrives at Surat Thani in the evening, which means you’ll have to stay overnight in the town while you wait for the ferry service to resume in the morning.
However, there is also an overnight bus with reclining chairs that you can catch in Bangkok in the evening and arrive to catch the ferry in the early morning. While this is hardly the most luxurious option, it is usually the cheapest, so it might be worth considering if you’re traveling on a budget.
So many travelers come to Koh Phangan to enjoy the Full Moon Party or Half Moon Party, and who could blame them? These legendary events are known around the world as some of the best parties in all of Asia, and taking part in them is a truly unforgettable experience.
But there's so much more to Koh Phangan than just its nightlife, as impressive as that is. This beautiful island is also blessed with incredible weather and beautiful natural scenery. The many pristine beaches of the island are the perfect place to relax and recharge your batteries after the busyness of Bangkok, and the jungle forest trails and beautiful waterfalls can give you the feeling that you're going on a real adventure.
Koh Phangan, despite its international popularity, is still in many ways an unspoiled paradise, and it's on every visitor to the island to do their best to keep it that way. Avoid littering and respect the locals when you visit. Just because this is a legendary party island doesn't mean it's not their home, and you should treat it with the same respect you would like visitors to treat your own home.
Koh Phangan is a fantastic place to visit in Thailand, whether you only have a few days or weeks to spend there. And although the island may be small, there's enough to do here that you won't have any trouble filling your days. Bring a good camera or, even better, a drone to capture the magnificent waterfalls, forests, mountains, jungles, and beaches of this tropical paradise. You won't regret a single minute of the time you spent getting here when you see how much this Thailand paradise has to offer.
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We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.
