Koh Phangan, Thailand - A Travel Guide
Last Updated: October 5, 2025
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The Original Full Moon
Koh Phangan, or Koh Pha Ngan, is a small island with a circumference of 25 miles in the Gulf of Thailand.
Famed for its legendary Full Moon Party in the stunning backdrop of Haad Rin, this once-in-a-lifetime event is something you have to experience.
Nevertheless don't be mistaken to think that's all the island has to offer. There's also the Half Moon Party, Waterfall Party, Jungle Party... I think you can see where this might be going.
Away from the parties on the south coast, Koh Phangan offers a look into a jungle utopia, pristine beaches private coves and perfect diving locations.
Within this travel guide to Koh Phangan, we'll look at how to get here, where to stay, what to do and of course, the parties.
Furthermore, we'll look at your safety on the island and what you can expect from the tranquil days as well as the naughty nights.
Koh Phangan, Thailand offers so much to so many. What will it mean to you?
What's Koh Phangan, Thailand Like?
The central jungles of Koh Phangan spread uninterrupted to where golden coves meet the gentle clear waters to the east. Numerous trees clamber over each other fighting for the light whilst rivers crash through the rocks below. Bursts of colour shine oranges, pink, purple, reds and yellows as the tropical flowers bloom against the greenery and bluest of skies.
Fresh fruits grow beneath the layered jungles and crashing waterfalls, whilst the inviting seas gently lap along the immaculate sandy shores.
If I were to judge Koh Phangan as a miss world, Koh Phangan would take the crown without needing to do the embarrassing speech. It's the Garden of Eden before Eve picked the forbidden fruit.
It's peaceful, blissful and awe-inspiring.
As night falls and the blaze of red dips from the sky over the horizon creating world-beating sunsets, the coastal towns come alive.
Koh Phangan wakes. The Garden of Eden's fruit has been picked and the devil comes out to play.
Fluorescent paints and clothing flash in the moonlight, and the music booms and beckons you out to play. The smell of sizzling food and alcohol fills the air.
No matter the location you head in a translike state to the party and the wild atmosphere you've been hiding roars into action.
The night is full of parties, alcohol, and naughtiness. You can't stop it, so you join in and hope to make it back to paradise in the morning.
That's Koh Phangan!
How to Get to Koh Phangan, Thailand
Koh Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand a few miles north of its neighbour, Koh Samui.
Sadly, the island isn't large enough for an airport. Therefore, if you want to go from either Phuket or Bangkok to Koh Phangan, you'll need to fly into Koh Samui and get a boat over.
Ultimatley, this means if you want to visit Koh Phangan, Thailand, you will need to catch a boat to one of the island's piers.
There are two main piers you'll be docking at on Koh Phangan. They are;
- Thongsala Pier - The largest and busiest pier on Koh Phangan.
- Haad Rin Pier - A smaller pier in the party town of Haad Rin (full moon pier).
A couple of smaller piers on Koh Phangan offer taxi boat rides around the island and sightseeing tours.
How to get from Bangkok via Koh Samui Airport to Koh Phangan
If you are flying to Koh Samui and connecting to Koh Phangan, things are pretty easy.
On Koh Samui, there are two piers near the airport (both walkable, but easier to pay a driver). They are Bangrak Seatran Pier (30 min walk) and Haad Rin Queen Fairy Pier (40 min walk). Both piers are on Bang Rak Beach.
If you are going to Haad Rin for the Full Moon Party you need to get a boat at Haad Rin Queen Fairy Pier. Here a fast boat and a slow boat leave for Haad Rin. The fast boat costs 500เธฟ (ยฃ11.71) and leaves at 3pm daily, while the slow boat sails twice a day and costs 200เธฟ (ยฃ4.68).
For those heading to Thongsala Pier on Koh Phangan, you'll need to take the boat from Bangrak Seatran Pier. The journey will take forty-five minutes and cost 350เธฟ (ยฃ8.19) for adults and 250เธฟ (ยฃ5.85) for children. Again, it leaves twice daily.
With either journey, booking online is recommended, but be sure to have a paper ticket and arrive half an hour before departure.
How to get from the south/west of Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
The quickest and easiest way of getting to Koh Phangan from Koh Samui's west coast is to take the forty-five-minute boat from Nathon Pier to Thongsala Pier. It will cost 300เธฟ (ยฃ7).
Once at Thongsala, numerous taxis will meet you and can whisky you across the island. However, it's best to check if your accommodation does pick-ups. Often they will be cheaper.
Again, booking online is recommended and have a paper ticket with you and arrive half an hour before departure.
How to get from Koh Tao to Koh Phangan
Once again, things couldn't be easier. On Koh Tao's west coast is Mae Haad Pier.
Here you can get a boat to Thongsala Pier for around 600เธฟ (ยฃ14). As always, have your paper ticket with you and arrive half an hour before your departure time and as above, from Thongsala Pier taxis are available to take you across the island.
How to get from Thailand's mainland to Koh Phangan
If you're not going to fly into Koh Samui (see above) and get the boat across from there, your only other option is to take a boat from Don Sak Pier in Surat Thani.
With the reliable Seatran Ferry, the journey will take roughly three hours and docks at Thongsala Pier on Koh Phangan's southwest coast. It will cost 500เธฟ (ยฃ11.71). Again, have your paper ticket to hand and arrive half an hour before your departure.
For an in-depth look into my journey around these parts, check out my Travelling through Thailand blog.
Timing Your Trip
How Long Should You Spend Visiting Koh Phangan, Thailand?
I know many people who come to Koh Phangan for two days, one on either side of the Full Moon Party. I stayed for five days and visited almost every party. Weirdly, I thought that was a little too long.
Therefore, like a decent-sized tourist city, I'd suggest four days in Koh Phangan is about right.
The Best Time Of The Year To Travel To Koh Phangan, Thailand
Firstly, you want to avoid the monsoon season, October to December. After all, you don't want fluorescent paint running off your face halfway through the party.
That said, by the end of December the rains should have dried up and the warm dry weather is perfect for exploring the island.
This brings me to the second point to consider. If you're visiting Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party, do your research and book your trip to coincide with a full moon. It sounds obvious, but I know many people who have arrived and have been disappointed to discover that the party requires a full moon, not a crescent.
Hence, like Koh Samui, my advice is to visit between mid-December and June. Although the crowds only start to die back around April, so maybe aim for the later part of that period, April to June.
Where to Stay Whilst Backpacking Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan, Thailand is a fairly large island that appeals to almost everyone.
With wild party scenes younger backpackers land on the island in their droves, whilst honeymooners arrive looking for paradise.
Therefore, Koh Phangan has a wealth of accommodation to suit everyone and every eventuality
Hostels and small resorts, such as Islandlife Bungalows house backpackers often looking to stay as cheaply as possible, spending money on activities and alcohol.
However, due to the sublime, beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, honeymooners and families look to the four and five-star hotels which magically blend into the surrounding paradise.
Ultimately, the Full Moon Party is why there are so many places to stay in Koh Phangan, Thailand. For example, during the New Year's Eve Full Moon Party, the island can expect around 30,000 tourists who all need somewhere to stay.
Therefore, if you're visiting during a Full Moon Party, you should book to avoid disappointment. However, if you're visiting the island outside the Full Moon, you do not need to pre-book to guarantee accommodation. Nonetheless, it's still best to get it booked up.
As you can imagine when that kicks off, the island needs to accommodate an extra few thousand tourists.
If you're here for the Full Moon party, stay in or close to Haad Rin in the southeast. If you're here to avoid the Full Moon the northwest is best.
So let's look at what I thought about where I stayed.
Islandlife Bungalows
- What: Chilled beachfront hostel/resort.
- Where:ย On the beach near the southern port town of Thongsala. (map)
- Why:ย There's a swim-up bar a refreshing and clean pool and it's on the beach.
- Why Not:ย You want more from a room than just a bed and a toilet.
Since my visit, things have changed, but for the better. The resort looks more modern, tidier and cleaner.
Although, sadly, I don't think Islandlife Bungalows do a scuba and Padi certificate anymore.
While most changes have improved Islandlife Bungalows, we haven't yet returned to give it the Far Out Travel seal of approval! That said, here's my thoughts on the place.
Firstly, Islandlife Bungalows is more of a hostel. There are a lot of younger people here, and whilst not too loud it feels more like a hostel than a hotel or bungalow place, which is the vibe I'm getting from their site.
It's perfectly located on a gorgeous beach, which, in my opinion, gives some of the best sunsets I've ever seen. The beach is beautiful for swimming during high tide and gorgeous for walking during low tide.
Likewise, it's a short taxi from Thongsala Pier and close enough to Haad Rin that a group can share costs on a taxi to the Full Moon Party.
One of the best things about the resort is the small but stunning pool. You could lose days in there and they'd be days well spent, especially if you're at the well-stocked swim-up bar.
The rooms are clean, cosy and comfortable if not a little basic. However, for the price, you can't expect much more.
In January 2025 a room for two adults for three nights costs 1,867เธฟ (ยฃ191), which works out at ยฃ31.83 each a night.
Further Accommodation
As always, I don't expect anyone to jump into my grave and stay in the same place as me.
After all, the island has hundreds of places to stay.
You know why you're on the island and what the best accommodation in Koh Phangan is for you.
Hence, below are links to my top three accommodation sites I use, Airbnb, Booking.com and the mighty Hostelworld.
Between the three of them, you will find the perfect place for you, in the location that best suits you.
Best Things to do in Koh Phangan, Thailand
Due to Koh Phangan's size, you can cover the island fairly quickly. Nothing is too far from anything, which makes getting about a doddle.
That said, there are two main things people come to Koh Phangan for, partying hard or relaxing in peace. Luckily, the island caters to both, and whilst small, it is large enough that the two can coincide without bothering each other.
Nevertheless, there are a couple of other activities in Koh Phangan, Thailand, but I'm diving straight into the wild nights and fluorescent clothing. If you can only attend two parties, I'd go for the Full Moon Party and the Waterfall Party.
- Go Feral at the Full Moon Party
- Drink yourself silly at the Half-Moon Festival
- Uncover your Wildside at the Jungle Party
- Party Hard at the Waterfall Party
- Become a Pirate at the Loi Lay Party
And the rest of the best things to do in Koh Phangan, Thailand.
Go Feral at the Full Moon Party
- Why: It's going to be the craziest night of your life.
- Where: On Haad Rin Beach to the southeast of Koh Phangan, Thailand. (map)
- How long: All night (if you can). Technically, it is from sunset to sunrise.
- How much: A ticket at the gate costs 200เธฟ (ยฃ4.69). This money is used to clean the beaches and help the local area.
Most of you have probably heard of the Full Moon Party, maybe even been to one.
However, Koh Phangan boasts the biggest, best and more importantly, the original Full Moon Party. And I can say that it has to be the craziest party I've ever been to!
Imagine a beach with white sands, clear warm waters teeming with colourful fish and palm trees everywhere. Then add countless bars selling cheap beer, cocktails, spirits and whatever your heart desires.
On top of that, there are games and events, the sound of music blasting from every direction, fire lighting up the beach, lasers shooting into the night sky... and under it all, are thousands and thousands of drunk, wild and excitable people living their best lives.
And all dressed head to toe in fluorescent paint and beach wear.
Accept this now, you will get separated from your mates, you will get lost, and you will have the best night of your life.
It's utter chaos.
Drink Yourself Silly at the Half-Moon Festival
- Why: Because you'll have a wicked night in the forest.
- Where: At the Halfmoon Magic Forest. (map)
- How long: You gotta party all night, from around 9:30pm to sunrise.
- How much: A little more pricey than the Full Moon at 1,900เธฟ (ยฃ44.50) online or 2,200เธฟ (ยฃ51.52) at the gate. (tickets)
Firstly, there is a day event and a night event.
You have to buy tickets for both or get a combined ticket which costs slightly more than stated above, although, I think you'll agree the price is already fairly inflated.
Other tickets are available with more add-ons but again, they cost more.
So, let's address the price.
Firstly, you get a free drink, fluorescent paints and access to a mental night of absolute carnage. Is it worth it?
Honestly, no. Other parties in Koh Phangan are far cheaper and better.
Every other week this crazy event is set amid beautiful clearings on the outskirts of the forest. You cannot knock the location it's superb. A lot of effort has gone into the setup and again there are magical lighting displays and the stages are all fantastic.
Furthermore, there are a couple of different areas for different genres of music, and not all trance, which is cool.
However, with excessive ticket and drink prices, I cannot, hand on heart, say do it. I'd rather go to a couple of other parties.
Uncover your Wildside at the Jungle Party
- Why: Again, it's a magical night of partying.
- Where: A few minutes north of the Half Moon Festival. (map)
- How long: A night of jungle fever is from 10pm to 6am.
- How much: Basic tickets cost 850เธฟ (ยฃ19.91) but I'd go for the 1,200เธฟ (ยฃ28.11). Group and VIP tickets are also available. (tickets)
This techno fan's wet dream is held every first and tenth day before the full moon.
Despite not being my style of music at all, where the same beat belted out all night and I had no clue when one song started and one finished, I found there was more to this event than the music itself.
The Jungle Experience offers a carnival atmosphere, with numerous events in every direction and everything is lit in bright colours in the night sky.
All the little random figurines and statues, the different bars and stages made it feel like a festival, not a party. Other than the location, that was the difference between the Jungle and the Full Moon Party.
As with the Full Moon Party, you can expect fire shows and displays, bars, food huts, and, of course, face and body paints. If you opt for the 1,200เธฟ ticket, you can even enjoy Muay Thai fights in the area too.
Furthermore, the Jungle Experience is set amid the most beautiful scenery and is by far the best location you can have for a party.
Some say it's better than the Full Moon Party. I wouldn't go that far, but it's bloody good fun.
Party Hard at the Waterfall Party
- Why: You haven't had enough to drink yet.
- Where: Just north of Ban Tai Road, a dirt bike riding area, amid the Ban Tai Jungle. (map)
- How long: From 9pm to sunrise. However, it doesn't get going until after midnight.
- How much: Basic entry tickets online cost 900เธฟ (ยฃ21.03). Pay at the gate costs 1,000เธฟ (ยฃ23.43). (tickets)
This madness happens every two days before and two days after the Full Moon Party and you have to attend one of them. If you book early enough online you can get tickets for 700เธฟ, which is also a deal you might get when people hand out flyers.
Again other tickets are available which include additional freebies, but the price goes up. So yeah, they're not free.
All the staff are happy, friendly and kind, and there never seemed to be any issues with getting to a bar or being rushed. This is, by far, the friendliest party on the island.
Like the other parties, it's set within a beautiful backdrop with incredible stages and funky little statues throughout and the whacky fire shows. Again, it's all lit to perfection and you can't help but smile. The most noticeable difference to the previous two is that you get a much wider selection of music, and the food and drinks are cheaper and much better.
You can't beat the all-night BBQ.
It's probably the most tricky to get to and around, but it's worth it.
Become a Pirate at the Loi Lay Party
- Why: A chance to join a boat party.
- Where: On the south coast within the Huatean Marina. (map)
- How long: From whenever you arrive to sunrise. They call that 6am.
- How much: Thankfully it's free before 10pm. After that, it's 350เธฟ (ยฃ8.20).
Loi Lay party is one of the least well-known parties in Koh Phangan, Thailand.
Loi Lay is a small party, held on a boat every Sunday. They specialise in house, techno and trance.
I'm going to be honest and say I didn't go, it's my idea of hell and not my scene. Whilst I can deal with larger events in the jungle blasting out trance music I can't deal with it in a confined area.
That said, a floating boat party in the marina is cool. If you are into that sort of music, it's a no-brainer.
Apparently, it's a massive night.
Snorkel or Learn to Dive with the Marine Life
- Why: The underwater plant and wildlife are insane, and you can pick up a cheap Padi course.
- Where: There are many options around the island for both. For diving, I'd recommend Blue Horizon Diving. (map)
- How long: Again, it depends on who you go with and what experience they offer. Roughly half a day.
- How much: A first-time divers experience costs from 2,000 (ยฃ46.85). An SSI Open Water course costs from 10,900 (ยฃ255.34).
For those interested in Snorkelling you can pretty much do this on any part of the coastline. If you've got a mask and are happy and confident in the water you are in for a treat. However, if you don't, you will find many places to either buy or rent a mask across the island.
The waters offshore are teeming with stunning, colourful and vibrant wildlife and the coral reefs are considered to be some of the best in Thailand. You don't even need to go too far out or too deep to find them.
Nevertheless, if you want to find bigger marine life, you will need to go a little further out, which often means scuba diving.
The diverse wildlife you could encounter is among the most beautiful, not just in Thailand, but the world. This includes the mesmerising Whale Shark, which is on My Bucket List. Alas, it is still something I'm desperate to tick off!
There are numerous companies on the island offering similar packages, but Blue Horizon are about the best out there. Professional, fun and amazing people who cater for all your needs, including hotel pick-ups from across most of the island. They will do everything in their power to get you to where you want to be, location-wise and diving standard.
Relax on one of Koh Phangan's Best Beaches
- Why: Because if you've been to Phuket or Bangkok recently or one of the parties here, you'll need it.
- Where: Well, it's an island, so anywhere on the coast. One of the best has to be Thong Nai Pan Beach. (map)
- How long: You do you. Take as long as you need.
- How much: Beach days are free, the food, drinks and sunloungers may not be.
There are some exquisite beaches, coves and bays in Koh Phangan, Thailand and the further from the southwest you go, the quieter and more peaceful they become.
Whilst each is different, they all come with jaw-dropping, captivating, calm and clean waters, either golden or white sands and luscious green trees and palms.
Outside monsoon season, the weather is normally perfect for a relaxing day on one of these magical beaches. Likewise, most of the beaches have plenty of decent food and drink choices too.
Again, the further from the southwest you go, the more natural the beaches are, but as a compromise, you will lose some food and drink options.
Likewise, most beaches have amazing sea life close to the shore and are perfect for swimming or snorkelling.
Discover the Magic of Koh Ma
- Why: Ultimately it's a beautiful offshore island, and you can swim in the mangroves and relax on its sands.
- Where: In the far northeast of Koh Phangan, Thailand. (map)
- How long: A few hours should do the trick.
- How much: Once there, the island is free to access.
Ko Ma is a small tidal island, encircled by white stoney sands and luscious green trees.
The beautiful outcrop has a rocky centre, and it only takes about 15 minutes to swim the circumference. At high tide the narrow strip of sand leading from Koh Phangan to the island becomes submerged, leaving the island exactly that, an island.
The crystal waters make for brilliant snorkelling, especially in the deeper waters and swimming in the shallows, whilst being close enough to the beach bars and resorts on Koh Phangan.
My advice is, if the tides are on your side, get here in the early afternoon, walk out to Koh Ma and snorkel in the Mangroves, relax on the beach and climb around the island. Once the tide starts to come in, head back to Koh Phangan and go up to a sunset bar nearby and watch the sun set over Koh Ma.
It's best to have water shoes as the sands are fairly sharp.
Where to Eat When Backpacking Koh Phangan
I'm sorry but I don't have any recommendations on where to eat in Koh Phangan, Thailand.
Every day I ate at my accommodation or bought food from the shops or a street vendor.
However, I had good reasons.
Firstly, I had a swim-up bar with cheap bucket cocktails. Secondly, we saved every penny we had for the parties.
Thirdly, and the main reason, was this!
There was a guy who worked at the resort, who we nicknamed โMr Smileyโ. He explained how he managed to look after his family for about 50p a day. However, that 50p a day didn't always stretch to him eating as well.
Regardless of whether he'd eaten, he always had a smile on his face and was laughing and joking with us. We ate there every day so we could buy extra, purely to make sure he ate. Mushrooms were his favourite.
He was such an inspiration. Equally, a reliable source of good food on-site was helpful as we'd heard plenty of stories of sickness from nearby restaurants.
Where to Party when Backpacking Koh Phangan, Thailand
In truth, most younger partygoers and backpackers are here for the Full Moon, Half Moon, Jungle and Waterfall Parties.
On average Koh Phangan has a major party at least every other night. Therefore, most people, us included, didn't head out to the bars. Instead, we bought drinks from the shops and pre-drank in our rooms before heading to whatever party was on that night.
The days were for recovery and gentle buckets at our accommodations swim-up bar.
That said, I did head to a couple of bars, mainly 'by mistake' after an activity such as snorkelling around Koh Ma or a long beach walk.
I highly recommend trying out a sunset bar on the west coast, especially to the north around Koh Ma.
Both Mae Haad Tree House Bar and 420 Club Phangan provide stunning and relaxing locations to kick back and watch the sunset, whilst Mae Haad Sunset Beach Bungalow delivers pretty beach vibes with a delicious sunset.
Is Backpacking Koh Phangan, Thailand Safe?
Koh Phangan, Thailand is considered to be very safe for tourists.
Other than the typical governmental and police corruption, crime rates in Koh Phangan are low across the board.
Overall, I found Koh Phangan completely safe, and if anything, the locals were extremely friendly and would do anything to help. My mate got lost and got a free lift from a local who kindly brought him back, halfway across the island, for free.
However, no matter how friendly an island is, if you're attending one of the nightly wild parties, you should keep an eye on your belongings. There are people out there who work the party scene looking for drunk vulnerable victims carrying a lot of cash or expensive jewellery.
As I'd say in any travel blog, be aware of your surroundings and don't show off your cash or bling, and you'll have a safe and worry-free time on Koh Phangan.
Regarding natural disasters, Koh Phangan and its neighbour, Koh Samui, are protected within the Gulf of Thailand.
Therefore, the island doesn't often suffer from tsunamis and even avoided the devastating, 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. However, during the monsoon season, Koh Phangan can suffer from floods, which expose loose soil and potentially can wash away buildings.
Whilst in good condition, the roads on Koh Phangan can be a little hazardous. Sweeping climbing bends are difficult to navigate at times. The locals know the roads and how to drive them. Nevertheless, when you add Westernised driving styles, it makes things a little hair-raising.
If you're driving in Koh Phangan, don't drive drunk after a wild party, and keep your wits about you. Luckily outside Haad Rin and the port town of Thonsala, the roads are fairly quiet.
Nothing I've seen or heard would put me off revisiting Koh Phangan, Thailand.
Leave a Comment
Thanks for reading my travel guide to Koh Phangan, Thailand. Get your fluorescent paint, fluorescent vests and fluorescent shorts ready and join the most outrageous and original Full Moon Party.
Hopefully, this Koh Phangan blog has you buzzing for the Full Moon Party, but know there's more to this island paradise. There is a mix of things here on the island and they swing back and forth between relaxation, wellness and peaceful chillouts to the most outrageous parties amid the jungle, on beach fronts and in smashing waterfalls.
All that's left for me to say is thanks for reading and I hope you've found this guide to Koh Phangan useful. Please let me know in the comments if you've used it to help you plan your trip.
Similarly, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Koh Phangan and if you think I've missed something or got something wrong. After all, your views make this blog what it is. I appreciate all feedback, good and bad.
Thanks
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