Koh Phangan island

Holiday

Why visit Koh Phangan

• Go crazy and dance the whole night long on the Full Moon Party
• If this was not enough, how about the jungle party during the Half Moon Festival? And how about Black Moon, anyone?
• An abundance of yoga retreats, healing centers (talking about extremes!), and wellness conscious hippy locals sharing Sabai-Sabai (easy-easy) lifestyle
• Snorkel around Haad Yao, Haad Salad, Chao Phao, and Koh Ma
• Explore 20 dive sites within easy reach by boat
• Watch majestic whale sharks freely wandering around Sail Rock
• Enjoy outdoor adventure thrills, including kitesurfing and wakeboarding, hikes and jungle canopies, and discover hidden waterfalls like the most popular Than Sadet
• Tour the island by motorcycle from south to north, between palm trees and tropical vegetation, discover all secret beaches
• Visit incredible islands during a day trip, including Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, and Ang Thong National Marine Park
• Immerse yourself in a vibrant local culture by visiting a night market in Thong Sala and try delicious local specialties.

How to reach Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan island sits between Koh Samui and Koh Tao in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Thailand. It is easily accessible via Koh Samui international airport, followed by a 20 minutes private boat transfer or a regular ferry service. You can also reach Koh Phangan from Surat Thani mainland by ferry, arriving at Surat Thani international airport prior. Koh Phangan island is easy to get around, spanning a 40km perimeter on all sides.

Ridden with intriguing beaches of its own, Koh Phangan is as beautiful to see on land as it is from the air. Koh Phangan is one of those islands in Thailand big enough to lose yourself and avoid tourist crowds; while having everything on your hands. Koh Phangan holiday experience promises an array of exciting sights, fantastic beaches, packed markets, intriguing waterfalls, and the chance to explore neighboring islands in-depth. These include boat day trips to Ang Thong National Marine Park, Koh Tao, and Koh Nang Yuan.

Best time in Koh Phangan

The best time to visit Koh Phangan is when dry weather prevails in full swing in the Gulf of Thailand. The hottest months are March and April. During this period, the surrounding waters are very calm, and visibility is just excellent. June through September promises warm and bright days with just the right temperature to support lounging on the beaches and islands. At the same time, Koh Phangan snorkeling season starts in March and lasts until September. There is a higher chance of snorkeling with whale sharks in nearby Koh Tao around April-May. Luckily, other famous islands within easy reach from Koh Phangan follow the same snorkeling seasonality.

Rainy season in Koh Phangan

Rainy season in Koh Phangan starts from October to January. And although there are many sunny days, there is also a higher chance of intense storms and rains. The sea tends to be rough and not suitable for swimming and snorkeling across the eastern shores of Koh Phangan. You are guaranteed a better chance of ticking all the activities off your bucket list if you avoid traveling to Koh Phangan when monsoon season prevails.

Koh Phangan or Koh Samui

What makes Koh Phangan very different from Koh Samui is in how both locations have been developed. Over time, Koh Samui has been recreated with the needs of tourists in mind, eliminating most of the natural scenes which are still in abundance at Koh Phangan. If you were going for a more modern island feel, Koh Samui would undoubtedly win here. For a more authentic experience that takes you closer to nature, you can never go wrong with Koh Phangan.

Koh Phangan or Koh Tao

Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands share more in common, but the little differences are loud, so to speak. Both islands are primarily tranquil and serene. They are both laid back areas that give you a peek at what a natural habitat is supposed to be. When the full moon comes around, though, Koh Phangan sheds its shell and becomes a frenzied location. This dual personality makes it more desirable to those looking to have a blend of calm and the occasional life of the party. At the same time, Koh Tao clearly leads as a diving haven in the first place.

Koh Phangan or Koh Chang

The first thing to note here is the weather – the seasonality could be quite the opposite for Koh Phangan and Koh Chang that is protected by the mainland. Koh Chang is a much larger island with plenty of jungle experiences, including elephants and wild monkeys. Yet it is not as beachy and pristine as Koh Phangan. Both islands can be quiet and serene, too, leaving little to separate them with. However, Koh Chang doesn’t enjoy the extensive bordering on all sides, which Koh Phangan promises. That makes Koh Phangan be a better place for travelers who like easily accessible island hopping.