What to do on Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand’s paradise island? Here’s our selection of 10 must-do activities to make the most of your trip!
Ko Pha Ngan (or Koh Phangan) is an island in southeastern Thailand, about 650 km from Bangkok. Part of the Surat Thani province, it attracts many tourists all year round, thanks to its idyllic beaches and famous Full Moon Parties.
So what is there to do in Ko Pha Ngan? What are the must-sees on Thailand’s coveted island? Discover our selection of things to do and see for a trip you won’t soon forget!
1. Explore the island on a scooter
Photo credit: Flickr – Eugene Zagidullin
If you want to visit Ko Pha Ngan, you’ll soon need a means of transport. Renting a scooter is a fun, practical and inexpensive way to visit the island! The best thing to do is to have some experience of scooters: there’s nothing very complicated about them, but beware of the recklessness of some Thai drivers… And be sure to report any visible scratches when you rent your scooter: they could cost you a lot of money when you return it, especially as scooter hire companies keep your passport as a deposit. Now that you’ve been warned, don’t hesitate to take the plunge and make the most of this great experience!
2. Sunbathing on heavenly beaches
Photo credit: Unsplash – Necip Oguz Serbetci
As Koh Phangan is an island, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to putting down your towel! Magnificent beaches of white sand and turquoise water line the entire island.
If you prefer lively beaches with restaurants and water sports, take a look at Nai Pan Yai beach or Koh Mah, north of Ko Phangan. If you prefer tranquillity, head for beaches like Chaloklum or Coral Bay. You can also visit Salad Beach, a small, shady cove with a family atmosphere and great charm.
And if you’re wondering what to do on Koh Phangan’s beaches (apart from perfecting your tan!)… Then it’s time to get out your mask, flippers and other waterboards for unforgettable kitesurfing or snorkeling sessions!
3. Visit Ang Thong reserve
Photo credit: Flickr – junaidrao
If you stay on the island long enough, you may have the opportunity to visit the surrounding area. We recommend an excursion to Ang Thong National Marine Park, located near Koh Phangan. This is a group of some forty islets, most of them completely unspoilt.
The only difficulty is to avoid peak periods, because, as you can imagine, a place like this is bound to attract tourists! So you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of monkeys, toucans and dolphins… Once again, take the opportunity to snorkel during your excursion. And if you’re more in the mood for walking, head to Koh Mae Ko, an islet with a magnificent emerald-colored lagoon.
4. Take part in the Full Moon Party
Photo credit: Flickr – maurizio chialastri
For party-goers wondering what to do in Ko Phangan, look no further than the Full Moon Party ! Every month, depending on the full moon, this ultra-famous party attracts tourists from all over the world. It takes place on Haad Rin beach, in the south-east of the island.
You’re in for one of the most incredible evenings of your life, with fluorescent colors, pyrotechnics, dancers and wild music. There will be plenty of food and drink stalls to keep you energized and dancing the night away! In short, you’ve got it: if you like to party, make sure you follow the Full Moon Parties calendar, because you won’t want to visit Ko Phangan without taking part in these anthological evenings!
5. Diving
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Chaloklum Diving
Want to see Ko Phangan from every angle? Then set off to discover its seabed! Book your first dive: it’s a great way to discover the richness of Thailand’s aquatic life, while enjoying the gentle turquoise waters. Many diving centers offer half-day or full-day diving courses. Often, you can opt for a package including boat trip + meal + dive. You can even choose a French provider if you want to make communication easier!
6. Attend a Muay Thai Boxing match
Photo credit: Flickr – Joe Stump
Muay Thai boxing is Thailand’s most popular martial art, combining both technique and strength. During your stay in Ko Phangan, why not attend a fight for an evening? If you’re a fan of combat sports, you’ll love the electric atmosphere! And if you’d like to discover this sport for yourself, several training centers offer « all-inclusive » courses. An excellent way to combine pleasure and physical effort if you’re wondering what to do in Ko Phangan.
7. Discover the waterfalls
Photo credit: Flickr – cat_collector
The vast majority of Ko Phangan island is covered in forests and lush vegetation. If you like hiking, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of the island’s many waterfalls! The most famous is the Than Sadet waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand. It has numerous natural pools in which you can swim all year round.
Another waterfall not to be missed is the Phaeng waterfall, the largest on the island. It is located in Thansadej National Park, in the center of the island.
8. Visit Wat Pho temple
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Леонид Каратасков
As everywhere in Thailand, you can discover Buddhist temples during your stay on Koh Phangan. If you have to visit just one, choose Wat Pho temple. It attracts Buddhists and tourists alike, and with good reason: it has the particularity of housing a traditional sauna where natural herbs are heated to diffuse a pleasantly scented steam. A visit to this sauna is sure to relax you and leave you feeling totally zen!
9. Enjoy local street food
Photo credit: Flickr – C&M Study Center Koh Phangan
One of the pleasures of traveling in Thailand is savoring the local street food: very affordable and rich in flavor, it will leave an unforgettable (if sometimes very spicy) impression on your taste buds! In the island’s capital, Thong Sala, there’s a local market where you can sample a wide range of Thai dishes: chicken soup, pad thai or sautéed prawns, let yourself be surprised by all the tastes and colors!
10. Sea kayaking
Photo credit: Flickr – soma-samui.com
What to do in Ko Phangan for less? Rent a sea kayak, of course! The advantage? With this activity, there are no big tourist groups: you rent on your own, so you can sail wherever you like! Although it’s a fairly physical activity, sea kayaking is a great way to enjoy the sea in a different way. You’ll find rental stands all over the island.
How to get to Ko Phangan
To get to the island, there are no flights from France. To get there, you’ll need to take a flight to another city, such as Bangkok or Koh Samui. Several airlines departing from France are available on the website of our partner Ulysse.
Once you’ve landed in Thailand, the main way to reach the island is by ferry. The proposed routes depend on the city you’re in. While the options are many and varied, we’ve selected the main ones for you:
– From Koh Samui: from the port of Maenam, Lomprayah boats (the most popular in the area) run several trips a day to Koh Phangan. Please note, however, that it’s advisable to buy your ticket the day before: last-minute boats are legion in high season, which can affect the so-called « timetables ».
– From Bangkok: for a quicker journey, we recommend flying to Koh Samui via the two unique airlines Bangkok Airways and Thai Airwayspour. Once in Koh Samui, take the ferry to the island of Koh Phangan (see previous paragraph).
For a lower-budget trip, you can opt for a bus to Surat Thani. Once you’ve arrived at the port, board an overnight boat to Koh Phangan.
– From Surat Thani: as with Koh Samui, there are regular ferries here. If you’re already here, all you have to do is get your ticket and board one of the ferries to Koh Phangan.
Where to stay in Ko Phangan?
From guesthouses to luxury hotels, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation on Ko Phangan. For more than reasonable rates, you can sleep in very clean, spacious and pleasant rooms. On the other hand, if you’re staying on the island during the Full Moon Party, make sure you choose a hotel away from the party if you prefer to be in the quiet! Take a look at this hotel comparator to find the best deal for you, at the best price.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Ko Pha Ngan,th