Koh Phangan: The Ultimate Guide
Everything you need to know about Koh Phangan, so you can make the most out of your time there!
Where to eat, sleep, rave and repeat.
When you hear Koh Phangan, you instantly think of parties, alcohol, and dishy shake shacks. A lot of people miss Koh Phangan off their Thailand itinerary because they don’t want to party. Or see the island as full of tourists and young people causing trouble. Well, we are here to tell you that Koh Phangan is our favourite place in Thailand! Bold statement we know. But here’s why you should give this little island a chance.
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Our Story, how we ended up living in Koh Phangan.
We spent 7 months living in Koh Phangan last year. Me and Nik arrived on the island on the first day of Songkran. (Songkran is Thai New Year, read our post for more information on how and where to celebrate Songkran in Thailand).
When we arrived, the island was buzzing with people, shouting, laughter, music, and everyone enjoying the festivities, we thought Koh Phangan was living up to its reputation. We partied through the night, ended up at one of the many beach clubs and danced with strangers until 7am. Where we slept on the beach until wondering back to our hostel around noon.
Our first week on Koh Phangan and we had been defeated, chewed up and spat out. Shells of the humans we were when we arrived, we were ready to get off the island one more strawberry daiquiri would’ve killed us. We drank and partied for 7 days straight sleeping on beaches, in hammocks and sometimes even face down in the sand. The full moon party – completed it mate. Now what? Shall we move on to Koh Tao like the everyone else.
A lot of travellers use Koh Phangan as a stop off between Koh Samui and moving on to Koh Tao. The ferry from Koh Samui stops at Koh Phangan before heading on to Koh Tao. Koh Phangan full-moon party at full season attracts upwards of 60,000 people for the week then when it’s over the boats are loaded again and everyone leaves, leaving just the locals and the ex-pats on the island.
Despite the fact that we almost died from alcohol poisoning, we decided to stay. And so our journey on Koh Phangan started.
Here is our ultimate guide to Koh Phangan. The best places to eat, drink, hotels, hostels, beaches, attractions, hidden gems, gyms. Anything you can think of.
Getting to Koh Phangan.
Koh Phangan is really easy to get to. The most popular route is via Koh Samui. You can fly direct into Koh Samui from many international airports or take an internal flight via Bangkok or Phuket.
From Koh Samui you get the ferry from the port on the left side of the island. The ferry terminal is hidden down an alley so you might not see the entrance too well, but if you get a tuk-tuk or a cab they should take you right there. When buying your ticket, you will need to buy a ticket then stand in the check in queue. You will be given a coloured sticker which co insides with your final destination. Depending on the ferry and day the boat may stop at Koh Phangan and then carry on to Koh Tao or it may only go to Koh Phangan. The ferry takes about 2 hours.
We have also got the ferry from the mainland, travelling on the overnight bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani and got the direct ferry to Koh Phangan from here. (Overnight bus in Thailand –everything you need to know).
Now you’ve arrived in Koh Phangan where should you stay?
Where to stay in Koh Phangan
We would categorise Koh Phangan into 4 areas. The two main areas are Thong Sala (West) which is the main area near the pier where the ferry comes in. And Haad Rin (South) where the full-moon party is. The two other areas are the north and the East. Although we lived in Thong Sala, so may be biased, we would definitely recommend to stay in this area above the others.
Thong Sala
Consequently, we would recommend staying in Thong Sala. This is where the ferry port is and where a lot of the businesses, shops and markets are. Koh Phangan is huge and not very accessible by foot. So taxis, tuk-tuks or riding a motorbike is necessary to get around. However, if you still want to visit the island without transportation then we would recommend Thong Sala for the easiest place to explore on foot.
We lived in Thong Sala, Ban Thai for 7 months and loved it.
Where to stay in Thong Sala, Koh Phangan
Puk’s Palace – Puk’s is Number 1 on Hostel world and our favourite hostel on the island. We lived here for 3 months as volunteers and Timmy and Shane the owners are now some of our very dear friends. (But we aren’t biased we always give honest reviews).
The Palace has such a great vibe to it. It’s chic yet laid back. There are so many options for accommodation from huge 16 bed mixed dormitories to private rooms and even a stunning beach bungalow.
The palace usually gets booked up fast especially during full-moon, even booking up months in advance. Puk’s is so affordable and always buzzing with activity. The bar hosts the best strawberry daiquiris in town served by the Thai manager Oat who is the coolest guy you will ever meet.
Not convinced yet? Spend the day relaxing on the many sunbeds, bean bags soaking in the sun. Oh and we forgot to mention the Palace has two very scary guard dogs El Chapo and Pablo who might just kill you with cuteness.
Puk’s is the number 1 spot for a chilled-out luxury stay with great vibes, chill music, great strawberry daiqs and puppy cuddles what else could you want?
Evidently we love this hostel hence why we decided to live there for 3 months!
Bodega
Bodega is a stone’s throw from Puk’s palace but a completely different vibe. This is a budget backpacker hostel on the beach a 10-minute walk from the pier. Bodega is known for its cheap and backpacker friendly vibe.
What we love about Bodega is that it reminds us of the old backpacker times the more simple things in life, a woodland vibe to the hostel with traditional wood huts, vines hanging from the trees and even a huge tree right in the centre. Bodega serves some great food, Thai and English dishes, that are also friendly on the budget. The bar hosts a pool table, swimming pool and they often host movie evenings on a huge projector on the beach. Bodega is a good hostel to stay in if you just want somewhere to crash and chill, eat good value food and relax when you’re not out exploring or partying.
Sabaii Bay
Sabaii is located on the same road as Puk’s and Bodega. This is a more upmarket accommodation option. Offering only private rooms, bungalows and suites. Anyone staying at Sabaii has access to the swimming pool, on site gym, 24/7 air con workspace room and beach. Sabaii hosts buzzing Friday night sessions with their on-site bar and DJ booth. The food is incredible, and the cocktails are even better. For the value for money Sabaii is a great option for a more luxury stay without breaking the bank plus getting all the extras like the fully equipped gym and swimming pool.
Phangan Arena also known as Leo Hostel is a party hostel. We would recommend staying here if you want to spend a lot of time making new friends with young backpackers or holiday makers. The pad Thai is insane here and SO cheap. Staff are super friendly and love to dance and chat with you. We didn’t stay here but would often come for food and to play pool and listen to the DJ and mingle with other backpackers. The rooms and facilities are standard for a hostel, majority are shared and basic. This is very good value for money sometimes even selling beds as cheap as £3 a night!
Where to stay in Haad Rin
Budget:
A budget hostel right in the centre of Haad Rin. Just meters away from the Full Moon Party. This is the perfect budget hostel to rest your head the night of the full moon party, not like you’re going to be getting much sleep anyways! All the rooms are triple, private rooms so you can rest assured you won’t be sharing with other crazy party goers and the activities they may be getting up to. It’s also piece of mind that your belongings will be safe as the Full-Moon Party boasts upwards of 10,000-60,000 visitors!
Luxury:
The Cabin Beach Resort Koh Phangan
The Cabin Beach Resort boasts luxury private rooms and a private Beach. Located next to Haad Rin where the famous full-moon party is held. This luxury resort has an infinity pool, onsite beach restaurant and bar. It really is luxury and the price matches. All be it the Cabin Beach Resort may not be affordable to us backpackers it’s worth the extra splash of cash. I mean who doesn’t want to live out their full-moon hangover on a private beach with luxury fluffy towels instead of scratchy hostel ones right?
Where to stay in Thong Nai Pan Noi (The East)
Thong Nai Pan Noi is known to be a more quiet, relaxed area of Koh Phangan. Home to the more luxury style resorts with spas and retreats. The Thong Nai Pan Noi beach is one of the most beautiful on the island. With white sand and clear water, it is known to be a great swimming spot. With each hotel and resort boasting luxury comfort sun lounger son the beach.
Sand in my Shoes Beach Loft
This 9-room boutique resort is the perfect balance of natural traditional Thai beauty with modern rustic chic. Hosting just 9 rooms the resort feels exclusive and surrounded by plants gives the ultimate relaxing atmosphere. The rooms are decorated to a high standard and are chic yet comfortable. This is the perfect option to a luxury stay without having to break the bank.
Where to stay in the North of Koh Phangan:
Secret Beach Bungalows
These Bungalows are based on our absolute favourite beach in Koh Phangan. We stayed here for 2 nights as a little staycation when we were living there. As I said before located on in our opinion the best beach on the island these bungalows are the perfect option for your stay. They are budget and backpacker friendly. Furnished with traditional Thai design and a minimalist design approach. The bungalows are simple internally but externally the view, location and facilities are outstanding.
BlueRama
This Resort is STUNNING!! We didn’t stay here personally but we did visit many times for a tasty cocktail and to use their pool. BlueRama is an elite hidden gem in Koh Phangan. If you are not a guest at the resort, you need to pay to use their services and the drinks here are pretty pricey. This limits the number of rowdy teenagers or gap year youngsters and promotes a relaxed exclusive atmosphere. The main feature of Blue Rama is the views from the infinity pool they’re unparallel to anywhere else on the island.
Where to eat in Koh Phangan
We LOVE Thai food. We miss eating pad Thai and red curry every day. It is safe to say that we have tried most places in Koh Phangan but we definitely have our favourites here is our complete list of the best places to eat in Koh Phangan. Whether is Bakeries serving fresh croissants or Thai Hot Pot or Japanese sushi you are craving the island has it all.
Bakeries and cafés in Koh Phangan
Sand and Tan
Sand and Tan is our favourite cafe on Koh Phangan. Located on Head Rim beach, this instagrammable brunch spot is everyones dream spot. The whole vibe and aesthetic of Sand and Tan is something of our Bali dreams. With white, pampas and wicker interior the exterior boasts stylish sun loungers, hanging baskets, nets and day beds to sprawl out on after eating a scrumptious breakfast. The salmon croissant here is to die for!
Nira's Home Bakery - Koh Phangan
Located opposite the Pier Nira’s holds a special place in our heart. A traditional western style bakery offering cakes, sweet treats, great coffee, fresh breads, and pastries. We had our goodbye breakfast with our best friend Kate who lives on the island. Nira’s is a great breakfast and brunch spot. Perfect for sipping a great coffee, nibbling a croissant or granola bowl or even a full English whilst you watch the world go by or work from your laptop. The Bakery gets full really quick, and you will often see a lot of expats frequent the tables.
Indigo Café and Bakery
Located near PanTip Market and SoHo. Indigos sticks out amongst the traditional Thai buildings and questionable electrical wiring. Indigos stands out showcasing traditional French style architecture. The sleek and welcoming design of Indigos draws everyone in. The food is pricey and similar to western prices but that’s what you pay for home comforts. Besides the heat you could easily be tricked into thinking you were in a café in Paris or London. Indigo’s gets busy fast, and they sell out quick. The tables are often full of digital nomads working from their laptops.
Thai Food and Markets in Koh Phangan
Pan Tip Market
Located on the main street in Thong Sala only a short walk from the Pier. PanTip Market is located opposite SoHo Restaurant and right next to 7-Eleven. The Market comes alive at night from 4pm til around 11pm. The square is full of street vendors selling potato spirals, cooked fish, ribs, papaya salad, pad Thai, anything you can think of.
We would often journey down for a quick bite to eat and start off with some samosas or chicken skewers from the vendors washed down with a watermelon smoothie. If we were still hungry, we would venture to the food court located within the market. The court houses more permanent vendors selling everything from vegan and vegetarian dishes to Mexican and Italian food and of course plenty of Thai options too.
The Market becomes very busy at night because it is in the centre of Thong Sala near the pier. Its great affordable food in the centre perfect for a quick bite or food on the go.
Koh Phangan Food court
A newer addition to Koh Phangan and a regular hang out spot for travellers and backpackers alike. Just a 10-minute walk from the pier. The food court offers hundreds of food options from Thai to vegetarian and vegan dishes, the best burgers on the island and amazing breakfast options. We would always come here after a heavy night out and grab a salmon croissant for breakfast. The salad bar was Maisie’s favourite so cheap and so yummy. There are also clothing stalls to browse whilst you wait for your order.
Big C Food Market Koh Phangan
You will probably have seen or visited the Big C supermarket in Phangan. It is a huge supermarket selling everything from rice to chicken to mattresses and sweets. It’s a step up from 7-Eleven and more similar to a western supermarket chain. 3 times a week Mon, Wed, Fri there are street vendors who line the carpark in front of the Big C supermarket. We lived 2 minutes away from Big C and would go to the market 3 times a week. Often we would get chicken skewers, sushi, ice creams, grilled squid and so much more. There’s a huge mix of street food and market sellers selling durian and potatoes and ingredients as well as cooked street food.
Saturday Night Walking Street Market
This market is on every Saturday from 4pm. The Chinese Street in Koh Phangan right next to the pier is cut off from traffic and transformed into a bustling walking street night market. Selling everything from street food to clothes and wood carvings. The best things to try would definitely be the pork dumplings, Korean chicken wings and quail eggs. We recommend visiting this market if you’re on the island on a Saturday.
Chaloklum - Koh Phangan Sunday Market
This is our favourite market. It is roughly a 20–30-minute motorcycle journey from Thong Sala, so was an hour round trip for us. The market starts around 5pm until 9/10pm. It is definitely worth it. Located on the north tip of the Island this market is not as heavily populated by tourists. The food is amazing, and the market is large offering a lot of options. You can take your food onto the pier and sit on mats with other backpackers and locals all enjoying their food together. Chaloklum is a small, quiet fishing village and worth the visit for the Sunday market.
Watch our video here for the best things to eat at Chaloklum Sunday Market!
Pom Pui Thai Restaurant
Pom Pui – Roughly translating to ‘Chubby’. Off the beaten track this restaurant serves the best Thai food on Koh Phangan. The best red curry on the island. The prices are a little higher than your average Thai food and the tables are always full. But if you can get in and eat here definitely do. Pom Pui is the best place for Thai food on the island. The place is run by Thai people, support local businesses and visit Pum Pui you won’t be disappointed.
Western Food in Koh Phangan
Food Factory (Thong Sala)
Serves the best chicken wings. We would eat Thai food and support local Thai business 99% of the time. However, when we were craving something a bit different, we would always come in here for the best chicken wings in Thailand. The burgers and pizzas are also amazing, they serve everything from full fry-ups to Indian curries. The menu is huge, and the food does not disappoint. If you need a home comfort, carb load head here for your fix. The prices are higher than your average Thai restaurant but worth it for the food. Also, the frozen Daiquiris are insane. The restaurant is known for its western memorabilia, sports vibe, and timetable and the pool table. It’s worth a visit.
SoHo (Thong Sala)
SoHo is located in the centre of Thong Sala opposite PanTip market. SoHo is a well-known spot among residents and backpackers in Koh Phangan. It’s a sleek, clean style sports bar serving great tasting food, well-known western beers and showing major sporting matches and events. This is the only place that we know of on the island (except the Irish pub) that serves Guinness on tap so if you’re craving your iron fix head there for a great pint of Guinness.
The best Beaches in Koh Phangan
Secret Beach (Haad Son)
Hands down this is our favourite beach in Koh Phangan. Secret Beach is located on the west coast of the island a 10-minute scooter ride from Thong Sala. You can also access the beach by Thai taxi (Thongsaw) – the open back cab taxis they have on the island.
The beach is easy enough to find with signage and directions right from the roadside. A short walk down the green sandy pathway and you will open up right onto the beach. We love this beach because the beach itself is stunning with rocks, white sand, and blue clear water. The beach hosts 2 mains bars/restaurants the food at both is incredible.
Koh Raham located on the far-right end of the beach doesn’t look like something of interest from the beach, however don’t miss out of visiting one of the best restaurant and chill out spots on the island! Koh Raham Beach Bar and restaurant is home to stunning scenery, swings, hammocks, and steps right into the Ocean where you can snorkel with the fish. Secret Beach also has a ‘secret’ area that not many tourists know about.
If you go to the left of the beach and walk around the rocks this is a well-known nudist beach where expats and others tend to frolic in the sun. This may be your cup of tea to even out those tan lines but if not then it’s a warning to not venture too far to the left or you may see something you don’t want to!
Bottle Beach Koh Phangan
Okay, we know we said that Secret Beach was our favourite beach in Koh Phangan but Bottle Beach comes in a close second. Bottle Beach just misses the top spot as it’s not the easiest beach to get to. Bottle Beach and Bottle Beach Viewpoint are two must see things when visiting Koh Phangan. You can ‘safely’ reach the beach by boat taxi from Chaloklum Beach, but this can be hard to organise. The other option is to bike to the top of the viewpoint and walk the rest of the way.
The hike isn’t for the faint hearted and the viewpoint is a treacherous rock formation, so hike at your own risk! There’s no safety procedures or barriers in place. But the view from the viewpoint is breath-taking and worth every bit of the almost heart attack on the way up.
Okay so now you’ve seen the viewpoint and you can see down in the distance Bottle Beach. The path splits into two when walking from the bike park. 1 to the viewpoint and the other down to the beach. Hiking down is steep, not maintained, and rocky. The hike can take anywhere from 1-2 hours. Make sure to wear good shoes and take lots of water. And just remember once you’re down, you have to come back up!
Zen Beach
Located near Secret Beach not far from Thong Sala. Zen Beach isn’t well known to tourists. The best time to visit Zen Beach is a Friday evening. The beach comes alive with song and dance and locals. Friday nights are where the local expats meet for a drum circle and it’s definitely a sight to witness. Zen beach is located in the yogi side of the island (hence the name). It’s a truly relaxing and liberating experience all whilst watching the sunset.
The Beach in the day is a secluded stunning white sand beach with a small beach bar and restaurant. Home to the most adorable baby monkey called Lamut. Lamut was rescued by the Thai family who run the restaurant and if you’re lucky she will let you give her a treat or a tummy tickle. She isn’t chained up or used as a tourist attraction and loved dearly by her rescue family.
What to do in Koh Phangan:
The Full-Moon Party
The Full Moon Party is the main reason a lot of tourists and backpackers visit Koh Phangan. It’s what the island is known for. We went to the Full-Moon Party 3 times. Once to party and twice taking guests from the Hostel we were working at. The Full-Moon Party is the biggest beach party in the world. Attracting anywhere from 10,000 to 60,000 people each month to the island. Expect masses of people, cocktails in buckets, dancing, fire shows and exotic dancers. The party is located along the beach stretch known as Haad Rin. The whole beach comes alive with different DJ booths and bars playing music.
What to expect:
Lots of people and queues. The music is great and something for everyone, from dance to techno to reggae to anything you can think of. The drinks are cheap and served by the bucket. It can be overwhelming at first when you first walk in. The first time we visited I was scared at the amount of people but we found a space on the beach and danced and drank and had an amazing time.
Our Top Tip* We usually arrive around 10/11pm after pre-partying at the hostel and having food beforehand. The best place on the beach at the full-moon party is ‘Drop-in Bar’ if you pay a little extra for VIP you can get to the top terrace where there is a lot more space and you get a view of the party from above which is incredible to see.
Phaeng Noi Pan Waterfall Koh Phangan
This is one of our favourite waterfalls. Phaeng Noi Pan waterfall is locate din Koh Phangan national park. A lot of people miss this as it’s not a well known tourist destination. The waterfall is very close to the car park just a short 5 minute walk into the park. We would often come here in the early morning for a swim before the weather got too hot. Wear sensible footwear and if you feel up to it climb the waterfall and take a dip under the flowing water. Disclaimer** do this at your own risk.
Ang Thong Marine Park
We didn’t get to-do this whilst we were there and we are gutted that we didn’t go. Ang Thong Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands. The islands are made up of tall limestone cliffs and mountains, caves, and some of the best views you’ve ever seen. Boasting so much wildlife from the lush green forests to the marine life in the clearest blue waters. Take a day trip from Koh Phangan and explore the mountains and snorkel the reefs. A day trip can cost anywhere from £25+.
In Conclusion...
Overall Koh Phangan is our favourite place in Thailand. Therefore it should be one of your top places to add top your Thailand itinerary. Subsequently, we hope we have provided you with enough information to convince you just how great it is and the best spots to eat, sleep and explore. Undoubtedly there are so many other great places that we haven’t mentioned in this guide, but we just couldn’t fit it all in to one post! So, keep your eyes you for Koh Phangan, The Ultimate Guide 2! Subscribe to our newsletter below so you don’t miss out. Comment any questions you have below, we answer all comments directly.
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