Koh Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, north of Koh Samui, best known for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin. Thai Holiday Guide also counts 12 clean beaches, jungle waterfalls, night markets and quiet corners for yoga and sunsets, so the island suits more than one kind of trip.
This Koh Phangan guide explains how to get there, how the areas differ, what to do and when to go, and links to a full guide for each topic. It draws on Thai Holiday Guide's Koh Phangan overview, GetYourGuide listings checked on 6 November 2026 and the guides we wrote for each area.
- Where
- Gulf of Thailand, north of Koh Samui
- Beaches
- 12 clean beaches per Thai Holiday Guide
- Ferry from Samui
- 30 to 165 minutes, about $10
- Best known for
- Full Moon Party, Haad Rin
- Quieter sides
- North, east and west coasts
- Driest months
- January to September
Is Koh Phangan worth visiting?
Yes, if you want beaches, nature and nightlife on one island. Thai Holiday Guide points to Haad Rin for the parties, Thong Nai Pan for calm swimming, Haad Salad and Haad Yao for sunsets and Sri Thanu for yoga. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Koh Samui, Koh Tao or Surat Thani.
How to Get to Koh Phangan
The island has no airport, so every trip includes a boat. The pier is at Thong Sala, on the southwest coast, and most routes arrive there. GetYourGuide lists the high-speed ferry from Koh Samui at 30 to 165 minutes depending on the boat, from about $10 per person. Our Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry guide has the timetable, and you can search all routes below.
From other places, our guides cover Koh Tao to Koh Phangan, Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Pralarn Pier to Koh Phangan, Chumphon to Koh Phangan, Bangkok to Koh Phangan, Phuket to Koh Phangan, Krabi to Koh Phangan and Hua Hin to Koh Phangan. Once you land, Thong Sala pier to Haad Rin covers the most common onward ride.
Areas: Where to Base Yourself on the Island
The island is large and the roads are slow, so the area you pick shapes the trip more than the hotel. This is how Thai Holiday Guide describes the main areas.
| Area | Character | Good for | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thong Sala | Pier town with banks, hospital, supermarkets and night markets | Arrivals and budget stays | Thong Sala guide |
| Haad Rin | Southern tip, home of the Full Moon Party | Parties and nightlife | Haad Rin guide |
| Baan Tai | Beachfront resorts on the south coast | First-timers, with the most stays on its page | Where to stay |
| Chaloklum | North coast, with a Sunday walking street | Boats to Bottle Beach | Bottle Beach guide |
| Thong Nai Pan | Two calm bays on the northeast coast | Upmarket resorts and swimming | Thong Nai Pan guide |
| Haad Salad and Haad Yao | West coast beaches that face the sunset | Couples and families | Sunset guide |
| Sri Thanu | Quiet corner with yoga studios and wellness stays | Yoga and wellness | Where to stay |
Our Thong Sala guide, Haad Rin Beach guide and where to stay in Koh Phangan guide go deeper on each, with hotels you can check on Agoda.
Beaches by Coast
The beaches differ by coast. Thong Nai Pan is calm and has the most restaurants outside the main towns, Bottle Beach is a quiet bay reached by boat or hike, Haad Yuan has clear water and a boat-only approach, and Haad Rin has a party side and a calmer side. Our best beaches in Koh Phangan guide compares them, and our Rin Nai Beach guide covers the calmer Haad Rin beach.
Parties: Full Moon, Half Moon and Jungle
The Full Moon Party is a beach party at Haad Rin with a ฿200 cash entry fee, held around the full moon each month, and our Full Moon Party guide explains how it works. The Half Moon Party is a ticketed festival in Ban Tai: Thai Holiday Guide listed 17 November, 2 and 3 December and 16 and 17 December 2026 when we checked, and says nights can be added or moved. Our Half Moon Festival guide has tickets and venues. For more, see our jungle party guide and Koh Phangan nightlife guide.
Things to Do in Koh Phangan
Beyond the beaches and parties, the island has waterfalls, temples, night markets and classes. Our things to do in Koh Phangan guide sorts them by type. For nature, see our waterfalls guide, for evenings our night market guide and restaurants guide, and for sunsets our sunset guide.
Koh Phangan Shared Road Trip by Mingalaba road trip
A shared road trip around the island, described by the operator as visiting beaches, a natural swimming pool and a snorkelling stop. It is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 304 reviews and priced from $58 per person when we checked on 6 November 2026.
Check on the listing before you book
- The stop list and the pickup area
- What to bring for the swimming stops
- The cut-off: it must be booked at least 10 hours ahead
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
Koh Phangan: Koh Tao & Nang Yuan Day Tour w/ Snorkel & Lunch
A speedboat day trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, with snorkelling and a beachside buffet lunch according to the operator. It is rated 4.4 out of 5 from 560 reviews and priced from $76 per person when we checked on 6 November 2026.
Check on the listing before you book
- The departure pier and time
- Whether the sea conditions can change the plan
- What the lunch and snorkel gear include
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
Koh Phangan: The Best Authentic Thai Cooking Class
A small-group Thai cooking class where you cook the dishes yourself. It is rated 5.0 out of 5 from 132 reviews and priced from $76 per person when we checked on 6 November 2026.
Check on the listing before you book
- The menu and what you cook
- Whether the venue suits wheelchair users (it is listed as accessible)
- The cut-off: free cancellation up to 1 hour before
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
Where to Stay in Koh Phangan
Thai Holiday Guide lists stays from about $37 a night (Baan Manali) to about $271 (Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas) on its overview page, which shows the range. Baan Tai is its pick for first-timers, Haad Rin for parties and Thong Nai Pan for upmarket calm. Our where to stay in Koh Phangan guide compares the areas, and our Koh Phangan bungalows guide covers the simple beachfront options.
Best Time to Visit Koh Phangan
| Months | Conditions | Per Thai Holiday Guide |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Driest, cool calm seas | Good for beaches on every coast |
| March to May | Shoulder season | Hot, in the low to mid 30s |
| June to September | Calm Gulf waters | Dry enough for beach days |
| October to December | Rainy season | Seas roughen and some beach bars close; November is the wettest month |
Month-by-month detail for the south is in our Haad Rin weather guide. If you are visiting in the rainy season, plan the island around land activities and check the ferry before you travel.
Map and Distances
A map helps because distances on the island are longer than they look. Our map guide shows the main areas, the pier and the beaches in one place.
Koh Phangan FAQ
How do I get to Koh Phangan?
By boat. The island has no airport, and most ferries arrive at Thong Sala pier. From Koh Samui, GetYourGuide lists the high-speed ferry at 30 to 165 minutes, from about $10 per person.
How many days do you need on the island?
Three days covers a beach, a waterfall and the markets. Add days for the parties and for slower stays on the quieter coasts.
Is the island only for parties?
No. Thai Holiday Guide counts 12 clean beaches and lists yoga, waterfalls and temples alongside the Full Moon Party, so it works for a quiet stay too.
Where is the best area to stay?
It depends on the trip. Thai Holiday Guide calls Baan Tai a safe first-timer base, Haad Rin the party base and Thong Nai Pan the upmarket calm one.
When is the best time to visit Koh Phangan?
January to September is the driest period. November is the wettest month, and seas roughen from October to December.
Can I visit from Koh Samui for a day?
Yes, by ferry or speedboat. A day is enough for one beach and one inland stop. See our day trip guide for options.
Ready to plan your Koh Phangan stay?
Search every area for your dates on Agoda, and check the ferry before you book.
More Koh Phangan Guides
In English
Koh Phangan mapAnantara Rasananda reviewFull Moon Party guideHalf Moon PartyHotels in Koh Phangan
En français
Guide de Koh PhanganQue faire à Koh PhanganPlages de Koh PhanganPlage de Haad RinThong Nai PanCascadesVie nocturneKoh Phangan ou Koh Samui ?
Auf Deutsch
Photo credits: Koh Phangan coastline by Visions of Domino (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Thong Sala Pier by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Chaloklum beach by Davide Dioporto (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Full Moon Party crowd on Haad Rin beach by Per Meistrup (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Koh Ma at high tide by Mmarkin (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons). Tour photos: GetYourGuide.
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Hotel links lead to Agoda, ferry links to 12Go Asia and tour links to GetYourGuide. This guide is compiled from published information from operators, parks and travelers, checked on 6 November 2026. We have not run these trips ourselves for this page. Prices, schedules, fees and rules around Koh Phangan change often, so confirm them with the provider before you travel. Tour bookings are handled by GetYourGuide, hotel searches by Agoda and ferry searches by 12Go Asia.