Things to Do in Koh Phangan: 18 Highlights & Tips

Facts About Koh Phangan

When it comes to the most beautiful islands in Thailand, Koh Phangan is definitely in our top three. Here you get the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure of every kind.

But first, a little about the island itself. Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Thailand in the southeast of the country. To the south lies the island of Koh Samui, and to the north is Koh Tao.

Koh Phangan became famous mainly for its legendary Full Moon Party, still one of the most popular things to do on Koh Phangan. It takes place once a month and draws a huge number of backpackers to the island.

Beyond the parties, though, there is so much more here. It’s a great spot for digital nomads, yogis, beach vacationers, families, and nature lovers.

One more thing worth knowing: the best time to visit Thailand’s southeast falls into two windows — mid-January through April and July through September.

Sights of Koh Phangan on a Map

So you know exactly where each highlight is, we’ve marked all 18 on a Koh Phangan map. For a better overview, we’ve divided them into four categories.

Below, we’ll walk you through the 18 best things to do in Koh Phangan — so you can see for yourself why we love this island so much.

The Most Beautiful Natural Highlights on Koh Phangan

Let’s start with the natural highlights away from the beaches. We’ll show you the best viewpoints on Koh Phangan and the most popular waterfall.

Bottle Beach Viewpoint

What you need to know: From the Bottle Beach Viewpoint, you get a unique look at the beach of the same name, Bottle Beach (our sight #11). The trail up to the viewpoint winds through a little jungle and is quite a workout in the heat. At the top, there’s no platform — just a rocky ledge.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The Bottle Beach Viewpoint is the most breathtaking vantage point on Koh Phangan. You do need to be pretty comfortable with heights if you want to walk all the way to the tip of the rock. Honestly, we didn’t quite make it to the very end — and the view was still incredible!

Our tip: Park your scooter at the entrance to the trail (open in Google Maps). Just before the viewpoint, you’ll need to crawl under some rocks — arrows will show you the way. Afterward, you can hike down to Bottle Beach and relax. Then take a shared taxi back up and ask the driver to drop you off at your scooter.

Phaeng Noi Waterfall

What you need to know: The Phaeng Noi Waterfall is located deep in the jungle. Admittedly, it’s not a particularly impressive waterfall — and if it hasn’t rained for a few days (like when we visited), there might not be any water flowing at all. But this is a great spot for a really cool hike. Admission costs 100 Baht.

Is it worth it? If you’re after a massive waterfall, this isn’t the place. But if you’re up for a cool jungle hike on your own, it’s definitely worth your time! At the end, you’ll even be rewarded with a really beautiful view.

Our tip: Wear sturdy shoes — the trail isn’t all that easy, and you’ll need to do some climbing along the way. In peak season, arrive early to beat the crowds.

Thong Nai Pan Yai Viewpoint

What you need to know: Another really beautiful overlook on Koh Phangan is the Thong Nai Pan Yai Viewpoint. Getting there is much easier, as there’s a staircase that leads all the way to the top. To be honest, we’re not sure how officially open it still is — the path was blocked off when we visited.

Is it worth it? If you’re okay with stepping over the little barrier tape, you’ll be rewarded with a one-of-a-kind panorama over the north of Koh Phangan and Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach (our sight #12). We sat down on a rock and took a little snack break right there.

Interesting Cultural Highlights on Koh Phangan

Sightseeing in Thailand always includes temples. Here are three really beautiful ones that rank among our favorite Koh Phangan attractions.

Beer Bottle Temple

What you need to know: On the way to the Thong Nai Pan Yai Viewpoint, you’ll walk right through the Beer Bottle Temple. The highlight is an 18-meter-tall chedi (a Buddhist structure) built from 6,000 beer bottles. Next to it is a small cemetery where some of the graves are also made from bottles.

Is it worth it? We’d never seen a temple made of beer bottles before. Even though it’s not a large temple, it’s one of the coolest sights on Koh Phangan in our book.

Kuan Yin Temple (Chinese Temple)

What you need to know: The Kuan Yin Temple is a Chinese temple on Koh Phangan dedicated to the goddess of compassion. You get a great sense of traditional Chinese architecture here — red roofs, golden ornaments, and dragon statues everywhere.

Is it worth it? The Chinese temple is a genuine cultural highlight for us. Not only is it really beautiful, it’s also incredibly peaceful. A big bonus: since the temple is built on a small hill, you get a wonderful view from up top.

Wat Pa Saengtham

What you need to know: Right next to the Kuan Yin Temple stands Wat Pa Saengtham, a Buddhist temple with a large meditation center. Along with many small Buddhist statues, the golden rock surrounded by jungle is seriously impressive.

Is it worth it? If you’re interested in spirituality or simply want to see some Buddhist statues, a detour here is absolutely worthwhile. Best of all, you can easily combine Wat Pa Saengtham with the Kuan Yin Temple next door.

The Best Markets and Food Courts on Koh Phangan

Strolling through local markets is simply part of any Thailand trip. And Koh Phangan has some great ones. Food courts are also a highlight in their own right here.

Here are three markets and food courts that rank among our top Koh Phangan picks.

Pantip Market in Thong Sala

What you need to know: Just before dusk, the Pantip Market square fills up with countless stalls every evening. That’s when you can sample delicious Thai specialties at the night market: rice or noodle dishes, meat skewers, fresh sushi, tasty juices, and sweet desserts. During the day, you can also grab affordable dishes at the permanent food stalls.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! We came here almost every evening and kept discovering new treats — and it’s seriously great value. There are plenty of seats too, so you can enjoy your food at a relaxed pace. Alongside the food stalls, you’ll sometimes find vendors selling pretty souvenirs and jewelry.

Saturday Walking Street Market

What you need to know: Every Saturday, the Walking Street Market takes place just south of the ferry pier. Along about half a kilometer, you’ll find a colorful mix of food, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs. In addition to the street stalls, the shops along the road are also open.

Is it worth it? For us, this market is a real standout on Koh Phangan. We bought beautiful fabrics with Thai motifs here and a cool coconut bowl — and when it came to food, we tried a little bit of everything! The atmosphere is relaxed, even though the market has gotten pretty touristy by now.

Our tip: Feel free to haggle on clothing, décor, souvenirs, and the like. There’s often a discount if you buy more than one item.

Fish Market

What you need to know: Looking for an authentic, less touristy market on Koh Phangan? Take a stroll through the fish market. This is where locals shop for fresh vegetables, meat, spices — and of course fish, everything from clams and shrimp to squid.

Is it worth it? It was a nice change of pace to walk through a genuinely local market. Everything here is a bit more down-to-earth, and the occasional corner is a little grimy — but that’s part of the charm. It shows the real life of Thai people. Genuinely authentic.

Our tip: Right in the middle is the restaurant La Ceviche’s, one of our favorite spots on the island. From here, you can watch all the action of the market.

Phangan Food Court

What you need to know: There’s even more food to be had at the Phangan Food Court in Thong Sala. It’s a pretty large, covered market where you can enjoy great food from 11 AM to 9 PM. In addition to Thai food, you’ll also find tasty Vietnamese dishes, as well as fries and burgers. The Phangan Food Court is also a great call on rainy days during the wet season.

Is it worth it? We loved coming here for lunch and eating leisurely on the benches — the food was delicious as always! In addition to the food stalls, there are sometimes vendors selling clothing, sunglasses, and more. That said, if your accommodation isn’t in Thong Sala, there’s no need to make a special trip just for the food court.

The Most Beautiful Beaches on Koh Phangan

The beaches are of course among the most important things to see on Koh Phangan. And the island truly has a lot of them — and really stunning ones at that! Here are Koh Phangan’s eight best beaches.

Bottle Beach

What you need to know: All the way in the north of Koh Phangan lies Bottle Beach. A long, white sandy beach, turquoise-blue shallow water, and a palm-lined jungle backdrop — a total dream beach! On-site there are four small restaurants where you can get delicious Thai food or a cold coconut.

Is it worth it? Bottle Beach is our favorite beach on Koh Phangan and honestly one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Thailand. You really feel like you’re in paradise here. You can easily combine it with the Bottle Beach Viewpoint too.

Our tip: Spending a night in a bungalow right on Bottle Beach is also an unforgettable experience.

Important: Getting to Bottle Beach isn’t all that easy. Don’t try to drive down on a scooter — it’s genuinely too dangerous. We hiked from the Bottle Beach Viewpoint through the jungle to the beach, but you can also get there by taxi or water taxi. The boats depart from Chaloklum and cost about $5 per trip.

Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach

What you need to know: From the Thong Nai Pan Yai Viewpoint, you can already look down on part of the stunning Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach. The beach is divided into two longer stretches within a small bay. Unlike the beaches in the south and west, there’s hardly anyone here — you can truly unwind and enjoy complete peace and quiet.

Is it worth it? Definitely! Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan. The sand is fine, the water shallow and calm. We also recommend this area if you want a quiet place to stay and get away from all the hustle — here you experience a completely different side of the island.

Our tip: On a small hill at the end of the beach sits the C2 Bar. From up here, you have a breathtaking view over the bay. The food and drinks are really good, and the atmosphere is super cool! The Thai Iced Tea with milk tastes especially great here.

Haad Sadet Beach

What you need to know: Another beach that should be on your list of best things to do in Koh Phangan is Haad Sadet Beach. It’s a small, idyllic bay surrounded by lush jungle, somewhat hidden on Koh Phangan’s east coast. There’s a small restaurant and a parking lot with enough space even for cars.

Is it worth it? It’s a romantic and truly beautiful beach — especially for couples. In the off-season, we practically had the whole place to ourselves. During peak season it can get a bit busier, but since there are hardly any hotels nearby, it usually thins out again by late afternoon.

Note: In peak season, you’ll need to pay 100 Baht on the way to the beach, as it’s located within a national park.

Haad Rin Beach

What you need to know: One of the most famous beaches on Koh Phangan — and in the world — is Haad Rin Beach. Not because of the beach itself, but because of the legendary Full Moon Party, which takes place here once a month. Haad Rin Beach is at the very south of the island, and along the beach you’ll find plenty of bars.

Is it worth it? Around the Full Moon Party, and during peak season in general, there’s always something going on here. It’s crowded, loud in the evenings, and during the day — especially after the big parties — there’s a lot of trash. In the off-season without the Full Moon Party, however, the beach is surprisingly clean and actually really beautiful!

Our tip: If you want to be at Haad Rin for the Full Moon Party, book your hotel months in advance — especially if you don’t want to be too far from the beach.

Leela Beach

What you need to know: Very close to Haad Rin Beach is Leela Beach. In contrast to the party scene next door, it’s quiet here — most visitors are guests at one of the luxurious resorts. Palms lean almost into the water, with pretty swings hanging from them — a classic Thailand scene. The sand is nearly white and very soft.

Is it worth it? Leela Beach is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan. We love the laid-back atmosphere and the turquoise-blue water. A real highlight is the walkway that runs along the rocks — from here, you get a seriously great view of the beach.

Our tip: Definitely bring a tripod if you’re traveling solo. The photo spots on the swings here are really cool and an absolute must for any Thailand traveler.

Mae Haad Beach

What you need to know: On the west side of Koh Phangan lies Mae Haad Beach. The standout here is the small offshore island of Koh Ma, which you can simply walk to at low tide. Tucked between the rocky areas are some beautiful coral reefs — perfect for snorkeling!

Is it worth it? Mae Haad Beach is also lined with palms and all kinds of green plants. But we didn’t quite feel the tropical vibe here, and the other beaches somehow appealed to us more. The restaurant with a view of the island didn’t look inviting at all, unfortunately.

Our tip: Definitely form your own opinion about Mae Haad Beach — for many people, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan.

Salad Beach

What you need to know: A dreamily beautiful beach on the west coast is Salad Beach. There’s always something going on here, but never too much — the vibe is really relaxed. The bay is lined with several restaurants where you sit right in the sand and feel the soft, white grains between your toes.

Is it worth it? Of all the beaches on the west coast, Salad Beach is our favorite. At high tide, the beach section is relatively small, but that means you’re sitting in the restaurants almost right in the water — really cool! The sea is shallow and calm, making it perfect for families, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Our tip: It’s worth staying until sunset — the sunsets on the west coast are absolutely breathtaking!

Our restaurant tip: We had a really delicious Thai coconut soup at the restaurant of the Coral Beach Bungalows.

Secret Beach

What you need to know: Secret Beach isn’t all that secret anymore — no surprise there, it’s a gorgeous beach on Koh Phangan. The water is usually crystal clear, and behind the beach a deep-green jungle rises on a small hill. It’s located about 3 kilometers south of Salad Beach.

Is it worth it? The beach itself is really beautiful, but the real draw at Secret Beach these days isn’t the sand — it’s Koh Raham. A super popular hippie-style beach bar where you can chill in hammocks, sip tasty cocktails, and enjoy good Thai dishes. From the bar, you have the perfect view of the beach.

Our tip: The best plan is to spend the afternoon on the beach and head to Koh Raham for sunset. The atmosphere is just magical at that time — just be prepared for it to get crowded during peak season.

Our Restaurant Tips on Koh Phangan

Just like everywhere in Thailand, Koh Phangan has some truly great and authentic restaurants where you can get incredibly delicious food.

Here are our 5 favorite restaurants.

• Aunties Restaurant: Super delicious and authentic Thai food. An older woman cooks almost every dish herself. It’s located right on the main street in Thong Sala.

• Whum Noi Noi: We had a really delicious Massaman curry here! The restaurant is part of Beck’s Resort and in the evenings you can sit and eat right on the beach.

• Colorful Hut: One of the few restaurants with exclusively vegan food. Small menu and a stunning ocean view. Right next to Whum Whum Noi.

• Siri’s Island Café: A small, family-run restaurant on the southern west coast. Also serving super delicious Thai cuisine, and the shakes are really good too!

• La Ceviche’s: Admittedly not Thai food — ceviche originally comes from Peru. But the fish dish here is really delicious, and you can watch all the action at the fish market in Thong Sala.

In addition to the restaurants, there are also plenty of bars on Koh Phangan. Our favorite is the C2 Bar near Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach — great views, cool atmosphere, and delicious food!

For beautiful sunsets, the best bars are on the west side of the island. Very popular options include the Amsterdam Bar and of course Koh Raham at Secret Beach.

Our Hotel Tips: Where to Stay on Koh Phangan?

When it comes to accommodation, Koh Phangan has something for every type of traveler: quiet spots on the beach, party areas, or something in between — relaxed, but with a little action.

We’ve laid out exactly which areas we recommend in our Koh Phangan hotel tips article. There you’ll also find our best hotel recommendations.

Our top pick is the Colorful Hut. Here you’ll sleep in super cozy beach bungalows, with the sound of the ocean included! Every morning there’s a free yoga class, and breakfast is completely vegan. We felt right at home!

The Colorful Hut is a 30-minute walk from Thong Sala — the main town is, in our opinion, the best area if you want to tick off lots of sights on Koh Phangan or are only on the island for a short time.

3 more top hotel picks for Koh Phangan:
Green Papaya Beach Resort: Perfect for the ideal mix of beach vacation and sightseeing. It’s located on the beautiful Salad Beach and the cottages feature a stylish Thai design. Also great for families.

Vannee Golden Sands Beachfront Resort: A luxurious hotel right on the beach, also with a modern Thai design. Ideal if you want to stay close to the Full Moon Party.

Sand in My Shoes Beach Loft: The most beautiful boutique hotel on Koh Phangan. It’s located in the quietest part of the island and is super stylish and modern. Breakfast is served right on the beach.

Good to know: The standard of hotels on Koh Phangan is comparable to accommodations in Chiang Mai. The level of luxury you’ll find in some hotels in Bangkok or resorts in Phuket is relatively rare on the island.

Getting to Koh Phangan

To get to Koh Phangan, you’ll always need to take a ferry. There are two places in Thailand from which you can catch one:

#1 Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

Many tourists combine the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan as part of an island-hopping trip or a round trip through Thailand. Koh Samui is a great starting point because the island has its own small airport.

You can fly from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket to Koh Samui without any hassle, then take the ferry from there to Koh Phangan.

Important: Koh Samui has six ferry piers! The Bangrak Seatran Pier is closest to the airport — you could theoretically even walk the 3 kilometers. To all other piers, you’ll need to take a taxi.

#2 Ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan

Flights to Koh Samui are often relatively expensive — a good and more affordable alternative is flying into Surat Thani. This city also has a ferry terminal with direct ferries to Koh Phangan.

This option is also great if you don’t want to visit Koh Samui at all. Keep in mind, though, that it’s still about 100 kilometers from the airport to the ferry. You can also plan an overnight stop in Surat Thani.

Where can you book the ferry?

Whichever option you choose, we recommend booking the ferry online in advance through the website 12Go. All departure times are clearly laid out there.

If you land at Surat Thani Airport, you can also book a combo ticket that includes the ferry and a minibus that takes you directly to the ferry terminal.

In the off-season, you can often get ferry tickets on the spot. In high season, however, ferries fill up quickly — so we recommend booking well in advance!

Book tickets on 12Go

Getting Around Koh Phangan

Besides walking, there are three ways to get from A to B on Koh Phangan:

#1 Rent a Scooter

We recommend renting a scooter for your time on Koh Phangan. You’ll find scooter rental shops on every corner, and many accommodations offer them too. Scooters cost between 300 and 400 Baht per day (roughly $8.50 to $11.50).

A scooter is the best, fastest, and most affordable way to get around, whether you’re traveling solo or as a pair. Most roads are in great condition, and parking is generally easy to find everywhere.

Important: Most rental shops won’t ask for an international driver’s license — or any license at all. Legally, however, you do need at least an international driver’s license. If you’re pulled over by police without one, you’ll have to pay a fine, though there are usually no further consequences.

#2 Taxis and Water Taxis

Of course, there are also taxis on Koh Phangan. They’re easy to spot — typically semi-open, blue pickup trucks with bench seating in the back, also known as songthaews in Thailand.

They work like a shared taxi of sorts. When you arrive by ferry, plenty of taxis will already be waiting at the pier. Otherwise, just flag down a passing taxi or have your accommodation call one for you.

Compared to scooters, taxi prices are relatively high. For the ride from Bottle Beach to the road — about a ten-minute trip — we paid 200 Baht (around $6).

As mentioned above, you can also take a water taxi to some beaches. The route from Chaloklum to Bottle Beach costs about 200 Baht ($5) per trip.

#3 Rent a Car

Renting a car can also make sense on Koh Phangan, especially for families. There aren’t many car rental companies on the island, so you won’t find listings on major booking platforms.

We haven’t rented a car on Koh Phangan ourselves, so we have no personal experience to share. One provider with good reviews is kohphangan.org – Car & Jeep Rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions