Full Moon Party (Hat Rin)
The most famous beach party in Southeast Asia. On the night of each full moon, the beach at Hat Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach) hosts a continuous party from sunset to sunrise - multiple sound systems along the beach, fire shows, neon body paint, and bucket cocktails.
Hat Rin is a 10-minute walk from the main pier on the southeast tip of the island. The beach is small (about 600 metres) and becomes very crowded - standing room only at the bars closest to the water by midnight.
Practical notes for the Full Moon Party:
- Wear old shoes - the beach is covered in wristband tape and broken glass by 2am
- Accommodation in Hat Rin books out months in advance for full moon dates; book from the rest of the island and take a taxi boat (฿200–300 return)
- The Half Moon Festival and Black Moon Party are separate commercial events on other dates - not the original party
- Taxi boats from Haad Yao, Haad Salad, and Thong Sala run until 4am on full moon night
Thong Nai Pan
Two adjacent bays on the northeast coast - Thong Nai Pan Noi (smaller, calmer) and Thong Nai Pan Yai (larger, slightly more developed). The road from the main town is partially unpaved and steep - best by 4WD or motorbike.
Thong Nai Pan Noi is consistently ranked among the best beaches in the Gulf of Thailand: a near-circular bay, white sand, clear blue water, and a relaxed guesthouse scene without the commercialisation of Hat Rin. The bay is sheltered in most wind conditions. Several excellent mid-range guesthouses and restaurants look directly onto the beach.
The quietest stretch of the island’s beaches, best visited in the mornings before the handful of day-trip boats arrive from Koh Samui.
Yoga and Wellness
Koh Phangan has one of the densest concentrations of yoga schools and wellness retreats in Southeast Asia. The main centres:
Orion Healing Centre (northwest coast) - Detox and fasting programmes, yoga, and colonics. A long-running retreat centre with week-long structured programmes.
Samma Karuna - Yoga, meditation, and personal development courses ranging from weekend workshops to 3-week programmes.
Agama Yoga - One of the larger yoga schools; runs a 200-hour teacher training monthly.
Most schools are on the western or northern coast, away from Hat Rin. Drop-in classes: ฿300–500 per session. Residential retreat packages (1 week accommodation + programme): ฿8,000–20,000.
Snorkelling
Sail Rock (Hin Bai) - The best dive and snorkel site accessible from Koh Phangan. A solitary rock in the channel between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, with a vertical chimney (swimthrough) and schooling fish, whale shark sightings, and good coral from 5–40 metres. Day trip by speedboat: ฿1,500–2,200 including snorkel equipment.
Koh Ma - A small island connected to the northwest coast by a sandbar walkable at low tide. The reef around Koh Ma is the best accessible snorkelling from shore on the island - decent coral coverage and consistent fish density. Rent a scooter and ride to the Mae Haad beach area.
Ang Thong Marine Park - Full-day boat tours from Koh Phangan visiting the 42-island national park: sea kayaking, snorkelling in the emerald lake, and views across the gulf. ฿1,500–2,000 per person. Book an Ang Thong day trip or browse Koh Phangan tours including yoga retreat packages and island excursions.
Waterfalls
Than Sadet Waterfall - The most significant waterfall on the island, located inside a national park. Several Thai kings visited and inscribed their royal ciphers in the rocks - the waterfalls are protected by royal decree and the park around them is one of the few forested areas on the island without development. A series of cascades rather than a single dramatic drop. Entry: ฿200.
Phaeng Waterfall - A smaller waterfall in the centre of the island with a viewpoint over the east coast. 20-minute walk from the road. No entry fee.
Haad Salad and the West Coast
The quieter west coast beaches have better sunsets than the east coast. Haad Salad (northwest) is a sheltered bay with good snorkelling at the rocky northern point and a selection of mid-range bungalow operations. Haad Yao (west) is longer and more developed, popular with longer-stay travellers.
These beaches face west and are sheltered during the northeast monsoon - making them swimmable in some low-season months when the east coast is rough.
Practical notes
- Scooter hire: ฿200–300/day - essential for reaching the north coast and waterfalls; the interior roads are steep
- The main ferry pier is Thong Sala on the west coast; Hat Rin pier serves the southern ferries from Koh Samui
- ATMs are in Thong Sala and Hat Rin; elsewhere carry cash
- The full moon calendar for 2026: March 14, April 13, May 12, June 11, July 10, August 9, September 7, October 7, November 5, December 4
See also: Koh Phangan island guide · Koh Phangan beaches · Full Moon Party guide · Where to stay on Koh Phangan