Ko Pha-ngan

Travel Guide
Photo provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand
Island paradise is a fitting description of this isolated Thai destination known for backpacking, great diving and a giant party with every full moon.

Visit Koh Phangan to dive, backpack, learn to box, revel in a moon-lit beach party or simply relax. This tropical area is popular for people of all ages. Depending on your mood, visit the island’s north end for tranquil isolation or south end for wild parties.

Find the right diving for your skill level with dive operators in the northern village of Chaloklum. If you’re a beginner, learn the basics over sandbars in the Gulf of Thailand. Explore Sail Rock to see barracuda, batfish and possibly a whale shark. Consider an extended stay for concentrated training to earn advanced PADI certification.

When you’re not diving, enjoy numerous sandy beaches. Visit Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach for sunbathing, snorkelling or riding a water scooter. De-stress at a nearby yoga class.

The island’s vast jungle interior rises to 630 metres (2,070 feet). Hike to waterfalls or join organised activities of zip lines, canopy rope courses or elephant trekking.

The southern beaches of Haad Rin centre on party activities, with fire dancing, multiple DJs, body painting and beer by the bucket. Join the crowd revelling each month when the moon is full. The 2000 movie, The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed in this area.

You can also participate in uniquely Thai activities. Watch, or better yet, train at a kickboxing gym. Attend a culinary school to learn the secrets of making delicious curries or pad Thai. Visit a distillery that creates spirits from tropical fruits.

Koh Phangan is 55 kilometres (34 miles) off the south-eastern coast of Thailand. Ferry from Don Sak or Surat Thani on the mainland in 2 to 3 hours or fly to Koh Samui, another popular Thai holiday spot, and reach the island via catamaran in 30 minutes. Taxis and mopeds are convenient transport options on the small island.

The best times for diving are March to October. Enjoy a mix of peaceful relaxation and party atmosphere on your Koh Phangan holiday.

Vannee Golden Sands Beachfront Resort
Vannee Golden Sands Beachfront Resort
4.5 out of 5
120 Ban Tai, Koh Phangan Surat Thani, Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani Province
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Ko Pha-ngan. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free valet parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (33 reviews)
"Amazing atmosphere! Caring, kind and helpful staff. Breakfast has a lot of verity and everything is delicious. Quite area that is relatively close to a lot of main places of the island. Breath taking view and high quality facilities. The room is incredible with the largest bathroom I've ever ..."

Reviewed on 19 Sep 2024

Vannee Golden Sands Beachfront Resort
Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa
Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa
5 out of 5
22/7 Moo 5 Bantai, Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani
The price is RM478 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
RM478
RM582 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Nov - 6 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Ko Pha-ngan. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (995 reviews)
"The property was beautiful But it was far from everything and transport was expensive"

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2024

Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa
Buri Rasa Village Phangan
Buri Rasa Village Phangan
4 out of 5
55 Moo 5, Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Baan Tai, Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani
The price is RM460 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
RM460
RM550 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Nov - 6 Nov
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Ko Pha-ngan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (469 reviews)
one who knows
"We came to celebrate our honeymoon, the location of the hotel is in an area far from the center of Phangan, but quiet and charming with a very small avenue of nice restaurants and a mini market. Beach and amazing view. The room was relatively small with very minimal fittings, for example there were ..."

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

Buri Rasa Village Phangan
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Crystal white sand resort
Crystal white sand resort
3.5 out of 5
14/4 - 2 Moo 8, Sritanu, Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Ko Pha-ngan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Thong Sala Pier and Laem Son Lake are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5 reviews)
This is Leamsom and not recommended
"This place does not exist. The rooms are at Laemsom resort. Despite my booking, they weren’t expecting me and were brusque and unhelpful at check in."

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2023

Crystal white sand resort
Bay Villas Koh Phangan
Bay Villas Koh Phangan
5 out of 5
33/15 Beach Road, Haad Salad, Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani
Stay at this 5-star luxury villa in Ko Pha-ngan. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Thong Sala Pier and Thong Nai Pan Noi ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (14 reviews)
"Reading some of the reviews here made me almost cancel the reservation people. Please be kind when you review a place that the only shortcoming it’s is location on the hills on top of the seashore, which was a perfect location for us to feel loved was for bedroom amazing view, amazing pool. Everything ..."

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2024

Bay Villas Koh Phangan
Coco Lilly Villas
Coco Lilly Villas
3.5 out of 5
2/40 Moo 4, Ko Pha-ngan, Suratthani
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Ko Pha-ngan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free ferry terminal shuttle. Popular attractions Thong Sala Pier and Thong Nai ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (11 reviews)
Amazing Stay.
"We had great stay Villa was clean and staff were amazing. They help a lot and directed us."

Reviewed on 7 May 2023

Coco Lilly Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Ko Pha-ngan

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
35
" "5 - Excellent 71.42857142857143%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 18.367346938775512%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 6.122448979591836%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 2.0408163265306123%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 2.0408163265306123%

5/5 - Excellent

Tony

This was our second vist to the island and its was as good as we had remembered it, very chilled and good choice of food and prices. Something for everyone

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Ko Pha-ngan is very hilly, you will need transport too see this beautiful Thai island which is just a 20 minute boat trip from Koh Samui

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Wonderful relaxed friendly island.. bliss

5/5 - Excellent

Dave

Koh Phangan is a beautiful island off Thailand and great to explore. I hired a moped for 250 THB a day and went around the island visiting the many great beaches and villages taking in the beautiful and breathtaking views. Fantastic place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Renting a scooter from the hotel really opens up the island and helps a lot to so would defo recommend this but it can be done from reception, so its nice and easy

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely vibe island