Important to know about Koh Phangan

Tan Sadet National Natural Park begins a couple of kilometers from the capital. It can be reached along the equipped eco-trail, following the signs. The park occupies more than half of the island, almost 65 square kilometers. There is no charge for entering the park. On the territory you can visit the waterfalls - Peang, multi-tiered and larger, and Paeng Noi, a little smaller and located higher. I must say that the waterfalls are most full-flowing and spectacular in winter, when there are almost no tourists, but in summer they can dry up to small streams.

Climbing the rock, you can visit another popular tourist point - the observation deck Dom Sila Viewpoint. Here, mountain rivers have formed a kind of bath in the stone, where you can swim and freshen up. From the viewpoint, you can perfectly see the green expanse of the jungle, turning into the blue ocean, and it’s good to relax or take a picture on huge stones. Then the trail leads to the highest peak of the island - Khao Ra. From there you can see not only the whole Koh Phangan, but also the outlines of the nearest islands.

In general, for lovers of hiking there is something to do. It is only recommended to choose appropriate shoes for yourself - it will be difficult to walk in slippers or sandals, and take water and food with you. The trail is not the most difficult, but passes through the jungle and rocks, and it will take 2-3 hours at least. It is better to leave early to get to the most beautiful places before the onset of the heat of the day.

In the rainy season, there are much fewer tourists, but the rest does not stop - kiteboarders come to Koh Phangan, and thousands of parachute-like kites appear in the sky, followed by surfers flying through the water on their boards. The beaches of Malibu and Ban Tai, in the south and north, respectively, are ideal for this sport. There is the best wind, which is not hindered by mountains and a suitable bottom topography, and the strength of the waves.

On these beaches, kiteboarding schools are specially opened, operating all year round. This makes it possible to study on the spot, get a certificate, rent equipment and go to conquer the sea and the wind.

Weapon lovers are offered archery or even firearms. Shooting galleries are fully equipped - visitors are instructed and given everything they need - cartridges, headphones and selected weapons. It costs from 10 to 75 baht, and as a souvenir you can take with you a target hit by well-aimed shots.

The inhabitants of the island have an old tradition - to arrange night meditations by the sea.

It so happened that in the 80s, tourists observing this custom were impressed and decided that the full moon was a very suitable time for a party by the water. A liquor-heavy disco on Haad Rin Beach has grown into a musical and party event called the Full Moon Party, and now every 28 days the island gets really crowded.

Accommodation prices are skyrocketing, and vacant rooms are best planned a few months in advance. On this night, bars and restaurants on the beaches are open around the clock and alcohol is traditionally sold in whole buckets - so as not to be distracted from the holiday, standing in a long line at the store. Any booze can be bought with about 250-600 baht.

In the morning, a grand cleaning begins on the island - all day the beaches are cleaned of bottles, glasses and other debris, and for the next 28 days the southern beaches can be considered quiet and respectable.