Home Page / Koh Phangan / Beaches
Beaches on Koh Phangan Island
Koh Phangan Beaches
Coconut-lined Koh Phangan, in the tropical south of Thailand, still has plenty of remote beaches. Boasting white sand and azure seas it is the simple beach lifestyle that attracts most visitors to the island. Swimming is best on the east coast whereas snorkelling is generally better on the west. Each beach has its own individual characteristics and attributes, creating a different vibe on every beach.
Ao Nai Wok
About 1km west of Thongsala Ao Nai Wok is a long bay extending north from Thongsala, the main town on the island. This quiet beach is just a short stroll from town and there are plenty of bungalows both on the beach and up on the hillside.
Wok Tum
At this small fishermen's village you can watch long tail boats being repaired and constructed. The area is undeveloped, has and untouched feel and is beautiful around sunset. There is plenty of open beach and some fairly good spots for snorkeling, though the water is very shallow.
Hin Kong
This long bay remains mostly undeveloped. Mangroves line the coast and locals collect shell fish at low tide.
Sri Thanu
Fishermen use this harbour to shelter their boats from the monsoon winds. This is a good spot for fishing. It is a quiet place and the colourful fishing boats make a pretty view.
Haad Chaophao
Swimming is better here than at neighbouring beaches. Haad Chaophao is a softly curved bay with fine white sand and good snorkeling.
Haad Son
Haad Son is a small and scenic palm-fringed cove. There is plenty of white sand.
Haad Yao
Haad Yao, on the west coast of the island, is a beatiful beach. The wide cove boasts 1 km of perfect white sand flanked by rocky peninsulars. It is a popular beach and has quite a good drop off for swimming. Haad Yao is considered to be one of the best beaches in Thailand, perfect for beach sports and parties. There are many great resorts and restaurants located here.
Haad Tian (West)
Haad Tian on Koh Phangan's west coast is small and secluded. The sand is courser, and swimmimg is only an options during the high tidal season.
Haad Salad
Haad salad is like a smaller version of Haad Yao. There is a good coral reef for snorkelling. It is a very pretty bay, beautiful around sunset.
Mae Haad and Koh Ma
This is one of the best coastal snorkeling sites on Koh Phangan. Mae Haad, located about 3 km west of Chaloklum has several bungalow resorts and a small village where you can buy snacks and basic goods. Connected to Mae Haad by a sand bar, the island of Koh Ma has a beautiful white sandy beach.
Chaloklum bay
This is a large, attractive semicircular bay. Chaloklum is the island's main fishing port and there are racks of squid drying along the 1 km beach. You can shop for basic provisions at the village, and catch taxis back to Thongsala.
Haad Khom
At the eastern end of Chaloklum bay, enveloped in its own cove, is Haad Khom. Taxi boats arrive from the pier in Chaloklum and there is also a road. There is a small coral reef and it is a great place for swimming, snorkelling and fishing.
Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat)
This lush mountainous cove tucked along the north coast of the island is an isolated beach with simple bungalows. Arrive at Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat) by taxi boat from Chaloklum pier to the west, or hike 3 km along a jungle trail. It is a picturesque bay with a golden shoreline, and is one of the most popular hideaways on the island. Bunglaows on Bottle Beach close during monsoon season (September - January).
Thong Nai Pan Noi
Thong nai Pan is located on the northeast coast of Koh Phangan about 13km from Ban Tai village, at the end of a rough dirt road through the jungle. The bi-semicircular cove, comprises two unspoilt beaches seperated by small cape. This a a popular beach, with fine white sand, clean water and swimming year round. There is a spacious and laid back atmosphere. There are many bungalows along the beach to choose from.
Thong Nai Pan Yai
Home to the village of the region this is the quietist of the two unspoilt beaches which make up the bi-semicircuklar cove of Thong Nai Pan. Just south of Thong Nai Pan Noi, Thong Nai Pan Yai has lots of bunglaows, bars, weekly parties and an old school Koh Phangan vibe.
Than Sadet
About 5km off the road to Thong Nai Pan, Than Sadet (a favourite bathing spot of Thailand's kings) is Koh Phangan's most famous series of waterfalls. Known as the 'Royal Stream' the river comes down through jungle national park. It is a place to relax far from crowds. There is a beach at the estaury with simple huts and a bohemian feel. It is a small and quiet beach, good for swimming.
Haad Naam Tok
Haad Nam Tok or Waterfall beach has some small resorts and an old school feel. There is a small trail up to Prapad Waterfall.
Haad Yao (East)
Haad Yao (east) is a scenic and secluded bay. It really has that desert island feel. Accommodation is closed during monsoon season as big waves mean the taxi boats cannot stop on the beach.
Haad Whynam
This small bay is great for swimming and snorkelling. Haad Whynam is within easy walking distance of Haad Yuan and Haad Tien.
Haad Haad Tien
Good for swimming and snorkelling this pretty bay, north east of Haad Rin is home to 'The Sanctuary' (an alternative healing resort) and Horizon Thai Boxing Camp as well as a few other bungalow resorts. Haad Tien is a remote beach that can be reached only by boat or steep jungle trail. Taxi boats ply the route between Haad Rin and Haad Tien throughout the year.
Haad Yuan
This white sandy beach is great swimming all through the year. There is an old school atmosphere with some very nice rooms. Still has old-style bungalows. Arrive by taxi boat from Haad Rin or hike 1 1/2 hours along a steep jungle trail. On the east of Koh Phangan, Haad Yuan is within easy walking distance of Haad Tien and Haad Whynam to the north.
Haad Khontee
This small beach close to Haad Rin was almost deserted until recently.
Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise)
On each side of the cape at the southeast corner of Koh Phangan Haad Rin Nok (sunrise beach) is the most popular and most well known beach on the island. It is the location of the famous Full Moon Parties held every month. Restaurants and bars line th beach. It is a good beach for swimming and snorkelling, and is usually crowded with poeple. This is a party place, so its residents tend to be late risers. The beach is beautiful and empty first thing in the morning.
Sarikangtang (Leela Beach)
Located on the Haad Rin headland Sarikangtang (or Leela Beach) has a relaxed atmosphere and white sand. It is just a 10-minute walk from Haad Rin.
Haad Rin Nai (Sunset)
On the west side of the Haad Rin peninsular Had Rin Nai (better known as Haad Rin sunset side) is usually deserted. There is a pier where boats arrive from Koh Samui and depart for Haad Tien during the monsoon season. This beach is close to the action for the Full Moon Party but quieter than Haad Rin Nok. There is a good selection of bungalows here.
Ban Kai & Ban Tai
Eight kilometres of uninterupted beach stretches along the entire length of Koh Phangan's south coast from Thongsala to the west to Haad Rin on the east. Behind the beach are flat coconut plantations containing resorts all the way along. Although there are plenty of rooms, they do tend to fill up around the full moon. The old way of life continues along the coast here, and local people can be seen searching for crabs and shell fish. Fishermen cast their nets and coconut are being processed. Sunset views across to Phangan's sister island, Koh Samui, are extraordinary. This is a perfect area for beachwalking.
