Koh Phangan Travel Blog by James Cutajar
I’m a Maltese travel blogger living in various parts of Thailand including Koh-Phangan, Koh-Samui, Chiang-Mai, Bangkok (my favorite city) and even Phuket. My first adventure in Koh Phangan was in 2019 when I was traveling around South East Asia. The draw was the full moon party but I quickly realized that Koh-Phangan was so much more than just a monthly wild night on a tropical beach.
Koh Phangan is a really polarizing destination because on one side there’s the wild party scene but it’s also a place known for it’s wellness retreats, yoga classes, ice baths have blown up in popularity after Wim Hof visited and obviously a vibrant vegan food scene. I’m not into this type of lifestyle but I have to make an exception for Koh Phangan.
Overview
Since you’re here you may want a quick overview that covers the basics about Koh Phangan. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or not the information below will be useful for you to plan your Koh Phangan vacation with ease. From things to do in Koh Phangan, choosing the area to stay that best suites your travel style, and general information, everything is below.
Koh-Phangan Weather
Koh-Phangan is a year-round destination. Even during the wet months (October – Mid December) it usually rains in short bursts in the afternoon.
Finding Things to Do in Koh-Phangan
Visualize activities and be inspired by things to do in Koh Phangan. →Viator offers a wide range of activities in destinations around the world. You could book a tour and have your day sorted. Or use the platform for inspiration and to make a list of things you want to do.
If you plan doing any boat trips however, I suggest booking in advance.
How to book Hotels
Finding your dream hotel in Koh Phangan is easy with →Agoda thanks to its user friendly platform. With such a wide range of accommodation options for any budget, you’re sure to find something that meets all your requirements.
You may also want to know where in Koh Phangan you should base yourself. In that case, scroll down for an overview about the various areas around the island
Where to stay in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is relatively large with various seaside neighborhoods dotted around the island. Some places are lively while others offer more tranquility. Below is detailed description about where to stay in Koh Phangan.
Haad-Rin
Haad Rin is the most famous beach in Koh Phangan. It’s arguably the nicest beach with crystal clear water and is also where the full moon party is held each month. It’s a ralatively small area with loads of restaurants and bars within walking distance. Avoid around the full moon party dates if you want peace and quiet.
Thongsala
Thongsala is the main town in Koh Phangan and the most developed part of the island. By no means does that mean it’s crowded or extremely busy. It’s also where the ferries arrive and there is everything from restaurants, bars, cool cafes, local eateries and even a night market.
Sri Thanu
A short drive from Thongsala, Sri Thanu is the hip and trendy part of Koh Phangan. Wellness retreats, yoga classes, ice baths, vegan cafes, well those things. I’m not into these sort of things, but it’s a pretty cool place and every Friday there’s an instrumental party at nearby Zen beach.
Chaloklum
Chaloklum is the answer if you’re looking for laid back tranquility. It’s a fishing village in north Koh Phangan with just a handful of places to stay, a number of restaurants focusing on local cuisine and obviously seafood at really good prices. Chaloklum is a charm seaside village that has just about enough amenities.
Getting to Koh-Phangan
There’s a few options to get to Koh-Phangan including land or air transport followed by a ferry from either Chumphon, Surat Thani or the nearby island Koh Samui. Below are your options ⤵
Bus + Ferry – Joint tickets
The bus and ferry joint tickets are by far the easiest way to get to Koh Phangan for anyone on a budget. Unlike regular buses which terminate the journey far from the ferry piers, these joint tickets are organized by the same company offering a seamless connection from bus to ferry.
Train + Ferry
If you’re coming from Bangkok train travel is an option followed by a ferry. Take the train from Bangkok down to Chumphon. Then from Chumphon take one of the ferries. Make sure to book train tickets in advance as the air-conditioned carriages sell out in advance. Preferably the ferry is also booked in advance especially if you have fixed travel dates.
Flight + Ferry
Another option is →flying to Koh Samui airport and then taking a →30 minute ferry to Koh Phangan. There’s regular flights to Koh Samui from Bangkok, →Phuket and →Krabi. Alternatively, flights to →Chumphon or →Surat Thani are a lot cheaper as Koh Samui airport is owned by Bangkok Airways.
Where to eat in Koh Phangan
in Koh Phangan you’ll find a range of cuisine from cheap local eateries, western restaurants and steakhouses, cool vegan places, hip cafes and beachfront restaurants. Below are my favorite places.
Panthip night market: For a range of cuisines at affordable prices including local food, grilled meats, fish, vegan in an open air market.
Mama market Srithanu: The best place to hang out in the trendy Srithanu area. There’s cheap beers and various food stalls in a laid back setting.
Night Market Cafe Vintage: A cool night food market located between Baan Tai (between Thongsala and Haad Rin). There’s a mix of cuisines including local, western, European and Japanese.
Deli Devi: I am no vegan but this place really knows how to make really good food only using vegetables.
Flamingo Beach Bar & Restaurant: Located directly on the beach and just 2 minutes walk to the famous Zen beach. The food is simple, affordable and really good.
Walu breakfast and Cafe: A small cafe in the Baan Tai area serving really good and healthy salad bowls, among other choices.
Outlaws Saloon: Arguably the best steak house in KPH and also famous for its traditional Sunday roast. Booking in advance is recommended especially for Sunday lunch and the entire weekend.
How to get around Koh Phangan
The easiest and most fun way to get around Koh Phangan is by scooter. The island is rather chill and traffic isn’t really a thing which makes it ideal. Another option is to rent a car in Koh Phangan. Make sure to reserve in advance however as there aren’t that many car rental shops on the island. Click here to reserve a car rental.
Scooters are widely available around Koh Phangan. In most cases there will always scooters available even during peak season. However, during the busy months the best shops and scooters are often either reserved or rented out. I rented my scooter from Sea Mew Bike&Car (contact →+66957426789). The owner is nice and unlike many other rental places who keep passport as collateral, this place asked for a deposit of THB5000. Never leave your passport as deposit.
Check out my other website Bangkok on my list and The Travel Deck for Asian destination guides.
Quick Resources ⤵
Book your dream hotel and find the best deals in Thailand. Wether it’s the beach or the city, Agoda offers a wide range of hotels at the best prices all on an easy to use booking platform.
Plan transport with ease on the 12Go platform. Just enter origin and destination. Bus+ferry combo tickets are also an available hassle free option to reach the famous islands.
Explore more of Thailand and be inspired with Viator. Book unique experiences and create lasting memories. Just enter the destination in the search and find the best tours either join in or private.
HEY, just so you know…
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