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 meters (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
The price is CA $160 per night from Nov. 6 to Nov. 7
CA $160
CA $190 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 6 - Nov 7
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. ...
8/10 Very Good! (36 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 Sep. 19, 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 CA $150 per night from Nov. 6 to Nov. 7
CA $150
CA $184 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 6 - Nov 7
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 Oct. 22, 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 CA $153 per night from Nov. 8 to Nov. 9
CA $153
CA $181 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 8 - Nov 9
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 Oct. 31, 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 Apr. 18, 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 Jan. 20, 2024

Bay Villas Koh Phangan
4 bedroom pool villa
4 bedroom pool villa
Koh Phangan
Book a stay at this beach villa in Ko Pha-ngan. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach and Haad ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
Stunning and Remote . Perfect peace.
"Absolutely gorgeous villa. Beautifully designed with views that come straight out of most people’s idea of ‘idyllic’ . However, you need to understand that to get this kind of view on a small and busy island - it is by necessity REMOTE .. not ‘a bit away from town’ REMOTE with an incredibly difficult ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 16, 2024

4 bedroom pool villa
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

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
21
" "5 - Excellent 51.21951219512195%
4 - Good
16
" "4 - Good 39.02439024390244%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 9.75609756097561%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great island away from the packed tourist destinations such as ko samui/phuket/bangkok but still with ample activities and attractikns to suit any taste.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Didn’t leave the hotel area. Was really relaxing at the resort.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Tres belle iles les gens tres sympatiques

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Cannot wait until our next visit to Koh Phanang, the Buri Rasa will be the place we stay for sure. If you really like a relaxing place with amazing staff and everything you need. This is your place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A paradis

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We didn’t get to spend a lot of time in Koh Phangan. Overall we enjoyed it but wish we had more time to explore. We went for the full moon party which was entertaining people watching.

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