Koh Phangan Travel Guide (2026): Best Beaches, Full Moon Party Tips, Where to Stay, and Top Restaurants

Koh Phangan (also spelled Ko Pha-ngan) has a reputation that travels fast: turquoise water, jungle-covered hills, and a beach party so famous it became a global rite of passage. But here’s the secret longtime visitors love—Koh Phangan isn’t just the Full Moon Party. Yes, Haad Rin still lights up once a month. And yes, you can absolutely dance until sunrise with your feet in the sand. But between the party nights, the island slows down into something almost dreamy: snorkeling over coral gardens, quiet coves with palm shade, waterfall hikes, sunset dinners, yoga classes, and little beach towns where time forgets to hurry.

This updated Koh Phangan guide covers what you need for your first trip: the best beaches, best parties, where to stay, what to do beyond nightlife, and great places to eat—plus practical tips to help you plan.

Why Koh Phangan is worth it (even if you’re not here for Full Moon)

The Full Moon Party is still the island’s most famous headline act—held on Haad Rin Beach (Haad Rin Nok / “Sunrise Beach”). Full Moon Party Thailand But Koh Phangan’s story has expanded over time. Travel reporting in recent years has noted how the island’s identity has been diversifying beyond “party-only,” with more wellness, families, and higher-end stays alongside the classic backpacker scene.

In other words: you can come for the nightlife and leave with a camera roll full of empty beaches and jungle viewpoints.

Best time to visit Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is fun year-round, but your experience changes a lot depending on weather and whether you arrive during Full Moon week.

Dry-season vibes: generally clearer skies and calmer seas (great beach days, boat trips, and snorkeling).
Rainy-season vibes: fewer crowds and lush jungle scenery, but storms can affect boat schedules and visibility.
Full Moon week: the island gets busier, prices rise, and many hotels require minimum stays—especially around Haad Rin.

Also: Full Moon dates can shift due to local rules and holiday timing. The official schedule is published online, and cancellations do happen occasionally (for example, a scheduled party date on Nov 5, 2025 was reported as cancelled).

How to get to Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan has no airport, so you’ll arrive by boat.

Option 1: Fly to Koh Samui + ferry

Fast and convenient (but usually pricier).
Ferries and speedboats connect Samui to Koh Phangan; operators include Seatran Discovery. Sea Tran Discovery

Option 2: Mainland (Surat Thani / Donsak) + ferry

A popular budget route from Bangkok via bus/train + ferry.
Operators include Raja Ferry and Lomprayah (high-speed). Raja Ferry Port

Most ferries arrive at Thong Sala Pier, the main hub for arrivals, rentals, and onward transport. Ferry Samui

Getting around the island (the fun way)

Scooter rental is the classic choice—easy, affordable, and perfect for beach-hopping. (Wear a helmet and take hills seriously.)
Songthaews / taxis are common, especially on party nights.
Boat taxis can be the easiest way to reach beaches like Haad Yuan and nearby coves.

Best beaches in Koh Phangan

Southern Thailand is stacked with beautiful beaches, and Koh Phangan holds its own with dozens of coves—some lively, some quiet, some “how is this real?” gorgeous.

Haad Rin (Sunrise Beach)

This is the island’s most famous strip of sand—home to the Full Moon Party and plenty of daytime action. Outside the party nights, it’s still a lovely crescent bay with restaurants, beach bars, and easy services. Full Moon Party Thailand

Haad Yuan

Close to Haad Rin but with a different mood: more laid-back, more “barefoot bungalow,” and often quieter. It’s commonly reached by boat taxi or a jungle hike.

Bottle Beach (Haad Khuad / Haad Khuat)

Bottle Beach is one of Koh Phangan’s most “worth the effort” beaches. It’s more remote than most—often approached by boat from Chaloklum or via rougher inland routes—and it rewards you with a calm bay and that tucked-away feeling travelers chase. (You’ll see it spelled a few ways, but “Bottle Beach” gets you there.)

Haad Salad

A west-coast favorite for clear water and relaxed beach days. It’s also near plenty of food options and popular wellness/yoga areas.

Mae Haad + Koh Ma sandbar

One of the island’s most photogenic spots: a narrow sandbar connects Mae Haad to Koh Ma, with snorkeling on both sides.

Thong Nai Pan (Yai + Noi)

A beautiful area for sunrises, with a more tranquil, “escape mode” vibe. Great if you want slower evenings and scenic mornings.

Best parties and nightlife (beyond Full Moon)

Let’s be honest: if you’re coming for nightlife, Koh Phangan delivers.

Full Moon Party (Haad Rin)

The iconic monthly event—held on Haad Rin Beach—remains the island’s biggest night.
Pro tip: dates can move, and crowds are biggest when the date falls on a weekend or peak travel season.

Half Moon Festival

Still running and actively promoted via official channels, often drawing travelers who want the “festival” feel in a jungle setting. Halfmoon Festival+1

Jungle Experience (Ban Tai)

A major pre-/post-Full-Moon-week staple with an official site and published schedule. jungle-experience.com

OXA Beach (weekly jungle party scene)

OXA publishes upcoming events directly on its site, including December 2025 dates. OXA Koh Phangan

Waterfall Party / Waterfall Festival

A long-running jungle party concept with an active official site and listings on major travel platforms. waterfallpartykohphangan.com

“Moon” parties: Black Moon / Shiva Moon / Quarter Moon

These names pop up a lot online, but they’re not always consistently scheduled year to year. For example, “Shiva Moon” has a Facebook presence, but recent posting activity has been uneven.
If you’re planning your trip around one of these, check current event calendars before booking.

Full Moon Party tips (so you have fun and wake up happy)

A few warm, practical tips that make a big difference:

Wear closed-toe shoes (broken glass happens).
Bring a small waterproof pouch for phone/cash.
Set a meetup point with friends (signal + crowds can be chaotic).
Hydrate early, not just at 2 a.m.
Respect the beach (trash bins exist—use them).

And if you’re not in the mood for the chaos? No problem—stay elsewhere on the island and visit Haad Rin in the daytime.

Food in Koh Phangan: what (and where) to eat

Koh Phangan has a surprisingly great food scene—Thai classics, international comfort food, bakeries, and plenty of post-beach “I need carbs now” options.

Near Haad Rin (party zone)

The Rock Bar & Restaurant – known for its views and Haad Rin area vibe.
Mama’s Schnitzel – a long-running Haad Rin classic for quick comfort food.

Thong Sala / central eats

The Masons Arms – pub-style comfort food and a familiar atmosphere. Phangan Life

West coast / Sri Thanu area

Jumpahom Restaurant – well-known for Thai food (especially curries).
Crave / CRAVE Restaurant & Lounge – frequently mentioned in island dining guides; note that online listings can be inconsistent over time, so confirm current name/location locally.

Thong Nai Pan area

Again & Again – this name appears in older listings for Thong Nai Pan Noi, but I couldn’t find a clearly current official page or reliable recent listing to confirm it’s operating under that exact name—treat this as “check locally” rather than a guaranteed stop. Ao Thong Nai Pan

Other spots (status notes below)

Paprika (Israeli food) valentinothailand
Valentino Restaurant and Wine Bar
The World’s End
Ando Loco
Nira’s Home Bakery OpenRice Thailand

National parks and big nature days

Phaeng Waterfall + viewpoints

Phaeng Waterfall is a popular nature stop with hiking trails and viewpoints; travelers frequently pair it with Dom Sila / Domsila Viewpoint.

Ang Thong National Marine Park (day trip)

This marine park in Surat Thani Province is famed for limestone islands and scenic overlooks—and the name “Ang Thong” is commonly translated as “bowl of gold” / “golden basin.”
Trips run from the Gulf islands; consider going with an experienced operator and bring sun protection and plenty of water.

Where to stay in Koh Phangan (pick your vibe)

Koh Phangan is easiest when you choose a base that matches your trip style:

Haad Rin: for Full Moon convenience and late nights
West coast (Haad Salad / Sri Thanu): sunsets, chill beach days, yoga/wellness
Thong Nai Pan: quieter, scenic, more “hideaway”
Thong Sala / Ban Tai: central access for exploring

A note on “Le Palais Hotel”

Le Palais is known online for its striking, temple-like architecture and has been covered in Thai media in the past.
However, current status is unclear: some sources describe it as abandoned/closed while some booking-style listings still show it. I would not plan a stay here without directly confirming with the property. Phangan Life

Other worthwhile activities (beyond beaches and buckets)

The Challenge Phangan – an adult obstacle-course style attraction that is actively operating and promoted via its own site.
Orion Healing Centre – a well-known wellness and yoga hub with an active official site. Orion Healing
Slip N Fly – a daytime water-park/slide-party concept; TripAdvisor and the venue’s social channels indicate it operates around festival periods, though some directories have conflicting info—check the latest opening dates before you go.
Wat Pho herbal sauna – a popular “reset button” after late nights. Phangan Life

Things to know before visiting Koh Phangan

Budgeting: Full Moon week usually means higher room rates and stricter booking policies near Haad Rin.
Safety: Thailand is widely traveled and generally welcoming, but the usual common-sense travel rules apply—especially late at night.
Respect local culture: Dress modestly away from the beach, be mindful around temples, and keep the island beautiful for everyone.