The island belongs to the Koh Samui archipelago. It includes the island of the same name Koh Samui, Koh Tau Koh and a large number of small islands. The area of the island is 125 square kilometers, most of the area is covered with jungles and hills up to 500 m high. The highest point of the island is Mount Khao Ra with a height of 630 meters.
Local rivers, descending from the mountains, form low, but very beautiful waterfalls. In some parts of the island there are coconut plantations. The settlements are mainly located on the coast, good paved roads are laid between the villages.
This island in the Gulf of Thailand is one of the 5 largest islands in the Kingdom of Thailand. The nearest island of Koh Samui is only 15 kilometers away. Most of the territory is overgrown with tropical jungles, in which small picturesque waterfalls are hidden, and rocky shores give way to sandy beaches, which gave the name to the island (from Thai Koh Phangan - sandbar).
Part of the territory of the island is a national park, in which virgin nature is preserved, and due to the impassability of the jungle, life is mainly concentrated along the coast. On the other hand, it should be noted that many wonderful bungalows have been built on the shore, making it possible to step into the ocean right from home. Koh Phangan became famous thanks to the monthly music festival Full Moon Party.
Tourists discovered Koh Phangan not so long ago, in the 80s of the last century. Before the rapid development of the tourism industry, there were several settlements on the entire island, and the inhabitants were mainly engaged in fishing and growing fruits, coconuts and the like, which are common for tropical islands. Today, on the contrary, most of the adult population, which is almost twelve thousand people, works in the tourism industry.
A large number of mini-hotels of various classes have been built, both for youth and for families, bungalows and luxury residences for the most demanding tourists. The island is perfect for spending the whole season there, while the winter cold is at home.
Koh Phangan is a realm of pristine nature, it is good for any kind of recreation - both active and beach. On every full moon, right on the beach of Haad Rin, the famous Full Moon Party is held - the largest of all dance and music events on the island. Koh Phangan is known as the "Pacific Ibiza" - famous and talented DJs come to these festivals, and crowds of young people gather to dance and have fun all night long.
And after the full moon, the holiday does not end - there are less famous, but no less colorful and stormy discos, for example, the Black Moon Party (held two weeks before or after the "full moon party") or the Half Moon Festival, arranged right in the middle of the jungle.
Party-goers on the island are waiting for night bars and restaurants, and nature lovers will surely enjoy hiking along mountain paths and jungles, farms with elephants and waterfalls in the forest. For those who would like silence and relaxation, there are yoga and meditation clubs. Moreover, we should not forget about the beautiful beaches and corals, ideal for diving.
The relief of the island does not allow organizing an airport on the territory (although there have been attempts to build one), but flights land on Koh Samui, and from there you can sail to Koh Phangan on high-speed catamarans. Larger ferries depart from both the mainland and other islands and arrive at Thong Sala harbor.
Koh Phangan operates as a resort all year round, but there are some seasonal differences. First of all, we can note the rainy season, which on Koh Phangan goes in two stages. The first is from April to June, and at this time not only wet weather, but also low water levels in the sea. The next rainy season starts in September and ends around November.
Accordingly, for a beach holiday, you should choose the time in July, August or from December to March - it’s good to sunbathe, dive and take memorable pictures - the weather allows. And since Koh Phangan is a venue for popular and large-scale parties, you can light up on the dance floor at any chosen time - there are always all kinds of alcohol, music of different directions, shows and dances.
Due to the fact that the island is rocky, the beaches occupy only a quarter of the coast. Corals, popular with divers, are located on the more gently sloping western coast. At low tide, justifying the name of the island, huge sandbanks form on the beaches. On a full moon, the water can move very far from the shore.
There are practically no reefs in the eastern part of the coast, the sea is deeper, and therefore the effect of ebb and flow is not so noticeable.
It has a jetty for passenger ships arriving from mainland Thailand and other islands. There is a local beach near the pier in the bay, but tourists rarely use it.
The main city of the island is located in its western part - this is the capital, called Thong Sala.
It has a jetty for passenger ships arriving from mainland Thailand and other islands. There is a local beach near the pier in the bay, but tourists rarely use it.
In the north, the main tourist center is the settlement of Chaloklum. There are two beaches - Chaloklum itself, crowded, with restaurants, and just a kilometer away - Malibu, a calm and cozy beach, considered the best of all the beaches on the northern coast.
On the beach with even, dazzling white sand and green spaces, there are cafes where you can drink soft drinks or have a snack on grilled seafood. Between Malibu and the village there is a shooting gallery First Bow & Arrow Club, where for 100 baht you can try to shoot from a real bow.
On the western side of the island is Salad Beach, the main feature of which is massage parlors near the water, sports grounds and rental boats and diving equipment. Good diving spots are just nearby, not far from the coast.
Ban Tai is the longest beach of the island, located in its southwestern part. Near the beach there are many budget bungalow hotels built near the water. The peculiarity of the beach is the very pronounced low tide characteristic of this coast. For vacationers there are several shops.
The northeastern part of the island is famous for its “bottle” beach, Bottle beach, a hard-to-reach but picturesque bay surrounded by mountains and jungle. Tourists do not get there so often, but those who still managed to meet bars and restaurants where you can relax after a difficult journey.
On the east coast, two bays of Thong Nai Pan - Noi and Yai await guests, where the beaches are wide and comfortable, built up with magnificent hotels and restaurants, equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, and for tourists there are boat and equipment rentals and diving centers. The shallow bottom pleases swimmers, and the wind attracts surfers.
If desired, tourists can visit the neighboring islands. A popular one-day sightseeing cruise includes a visit to the Ang Thong Marine Park (42 islands), snorkeling or kayaking. You can dine without leaving the beach. The cost of such a trip is approximately 2,200 baht per adult, and 500 baht less for children under 7 years old.
What attracts tourists here? First of all, wild nature and pristine jungle, the beauty of which is emphasized by the mountainous terrain. Secondly, despite the presence of paved roads, there is not much transport and, in principle, there is no industry, so the air is clean and the land is not polluted.
At the same time, Koh Phangan, despite the large number of deserted or abandoned places, is still not as wild as, for example, Koh Tao. The entire infrastructure for tourists is perfectly arranged on the island - equipped beaches, roads with signs. There are many high-level hotels, there are four and even five-star hotels (for example, Panviman or Chantaramas).
Renovation and reconstruction are constantly underway - for example, on Mae Haad beach, an old hotel was demolished and modern bungalows near the coast were built in its place, and a little further away - a three-story hotel complex.
The highest class of comfort on Koh Phangan is also presented. 5* hotels often have their own beach.
