Koh Phangan (also spelled as “Ko Pha-ngan”) is one of three popular islands in the Gulf of Thailand and known for hosting the original Full Moon Party. While people come from all around the world to experience this massive beach party, there are plenty of other fantastic Koh Phangan attractions to check out.
As the second largest of the three islands, Koh Phangan offers plenty of hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, picturesque beaches, and quirky attractions. We here at Road Affair don’t want you to miss out on any of it, so we’ve created a list of the best things to do on Koh Phangan. This way, you can plan your itinerary without worrying that you’ve skipped any of the great places to visit on Koh Phangan.
Hike to Bottle Beach Viewpoint
If you’re looking to get out and enjoy nature on the island, you can’t go wrong with a hike to Bottle Beach Viewpoint, which is easily one of the best free things to do on Koh Phangan. The out-and-back trail takes about 30 minutes for the hike up, leading you through the jungle and rocky cliffsides on the north of the island.
Start your hike from the road. You can find the parking area by entering “Bottle Beach Scooter Parking” in Google Maps, but if you aren’t confident driving on the sand, you can park a bit farther down before the road turns to sand. From there, you’ll find a well-marked trail that leads through the forest, passing several hammocks in case you need a rest.
While this is a peaceful and relatively easy nature walk, the hike and viewpoint are not suitable for children or those who easily lose their footing. The viewpoint is essentially one large rock without any rope guards or marked paths, so you’ll have to scale around a bit until you find a spot where you can perch and enjoy the panoramic view of the island and ocean. We recommend bringing plenty of water and good hiking shoes!
Spend a Day at Bottle Beach
Bottle Beach is easily one of the best beaches on Koh Phangan, but it’s not the easiest to reach. We strongly advise against driving to the beach by scooter, and you’ll see several signs on the way that say the same. If you go to Bottle Beach, rent an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or take an island taxi there instead.
Once you reach this quaint beach village, you can settle on the soft sand for a day of sunbathing and swimming. There are also several beach restaurants where you can grab lunch or a cold brew.
Rent ATVs and Tour the Island
While scootering around the island is fun, nothing beats the rush of driving an ATV through the jungle. In fact, ATVs are safer for cruising around the island, as they handle the sandy roads better than scooters can.
There are several places on the island where you can rent an ATV. If you’ve already rented a scooter, you can drive directly to Jungle Flight Adventure Park and rent a quad bike for a guided tour of the jungle. The park also has a zip line for you adrenaline junkies seeking fun things to do on Koh Phangan.
Watch a Muay Thai Boxing Match
Thailand is known for its fun Muay Thai (or Thai boxing) matches, so why not catch a fight while you’re on the island? The country officially started using this strategic fighting style in the mid-19th century, putting two boxers in a ring to battle it out with stand-up striking techniques. A Muay Thai match is a must-see in Koh Phangan!
The Muay Thai Stadium puts on thrilling matches. You can get a stadium seat ticket for as low as 800 baht (about $23) or go all out on the VIP ringside experience for 1,500 baht.
Go Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling
Kayaking around the island is a great way to spend a day or afternoon, giving you a different perspective of Koh Phangan. The island’s clear blue waters also offer fantastic conditions for you to see lots of sea critters while kayaking or snorkeling.
You can rent your own kayak or book a kayak and snorkeling cruise with one of the island’s tourist shops. Full-day tours start at around 2,000 baht.
Go Diving or Get Your Dive Certification
The Gulf of Thailand offers some incredible dive sites for beginners and advanced divers alike. Many divers come from around the world to swim with whale sharks or explore the wrecks and coral reefs near the islands.
If you’re new to the sport, consider earning your open-water diving certificate on Koh Phangan. The program takes three or four days and certifies you to dive 18 meters deep. We recommend booking lessons and fun dives with Chaloklum Diving or Sail Rock Divers.
Watch the Sunset at a Viewpoint Bar
Koh Phangan has no shortage of fantastic restaurants and bars where you can catch the sunset or enjoy an ocean view. One of the popular restaurants close to the Thong Sala Pier is Secret Mountain Viewpoint, which offers a fantastic observation deck for sunset, along with tasty dishes and fresh coconuts. It even has a pool where you can spend the afternoon with an amazing backdrop for photos and plenty of sunbathing spots.
For a more energetic vibe, head over to Apichada View Point Bar. You can enjoy the sunset and some of the island’s cheapest drinks while listening to the upbeat DJ music, and there are still plenty of lounging spots.
Spend an Afternoon Poolside at Amsterdam Bar
Amsterdam Bar is one of the most popular places to enjoy the sunset and fantastic views of the island. We recommend getting there in the afternoon, when it’s a bit quieter, and setting yourself up by the pool to enjoy a relaxing dip. Grab a bite to eat and a few drinks, then snag one of the best seats in the house for sunset. Sunset is the most popular time, so grab your spot early!
Hang Out on Thong Nai Pan Beach
Thong Nai Pan is easily one of the island’s nicest beaches to camp out on for a day. The picturesque white sand and blue waters offer a classic Thailand feel, and there are several bars and restaurants where you can enjoy lunch. It’s also relatively quiet for a Koh Phangan beach, and you won’t get hassled by beach vendors.
The beach is on the northeast side of the island, where the calmer waters are excellent for snorkeling and swimming. You can even finish off your day with a beach massage!
Explore Haad Rin Beach
The town of Haad Rin Beach is best known as the host of the Full Moon Party, but it’s also an excellent place to spend a day sightseeing on Koh Phangan. The beach itself boasts calm waters and white sand, along with a great selection of bars and restaurants. Spend the morning hiking up to the Haad Yuan Beach Viewpoint or over to the Haad Rin South Viewpoint before parking yourself at the beach for a day of relaxation in the sun. In the evening, stroll along the village streets and shop for souvenirs before choosing a dinner spot!
Tip: Be careful driving to Haad Rin, as there are often monkeys on the hilltop road! While fun to see, these long-tailed macaques are wild and dangerous, so don’t stop to interact with them.
Get Lunch at Pantip Market
If you love finding good food on vacation (and who doesn’t?), visit Pantip Market for lunch or dinner! This open-air food court has plenty of stalls where you can sample not only Thai food, but also Mexican, Indian, American barbecue, and much more. After a bite to eat, you can shop for clothes here as well. Pantip Market is open daily from noon to 10 p.m.
Attend a Beach or Jungle Party
If you’re looking to party it up, Koh Phangan is the right island for you. It hosts not only the famous Full Moon Party and the Halfmoon Festival, but also various other events and parties throughout the week. One of the more popular events is the Jungle Party at Jungle Experience, but you’ll also find advertisements for weekly parties all over the island. Ask your hotel or hostel for more information on the upcoming parties!
Hike Khao Ra Mountain
Another excellent hike to complete is to the highest point on the island, Khao Ra. Starting near the scenic restaurant of Khao Raa Terrace, the trail is well marked but steep and takes about an hour and a half, so wear good hiking shoes. We also recommend bringing bug spray!
Several points on the trail offer fantastic views of the island and Chaloklum Bay. After your hike, head over to Phaeng Noi Waterfall for a refreshing swim.
Note: This is not a looped route; it is an out-and-back hike. Do not follow the route marked on the Maps.me app, as this is an abandoned trail.
Take a Boat Trip to Mu Ko Ang Thong
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is a stunning nature sanctuary that boasts incredible coral reefs, untouched jungle, and fantastic water activities. You can arrange full-day tours to take you on the 45-minute speedboat ride to the park from Koh Phangan or Koh Samui. These guided tours will even pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation.
Get a Thai Massage
If you’re wondering what to do on Koh Phangan to wind down amidst all the hiking and sightseeing, try a famous Thai massage! This local style mixes assisted yoga poses with the techniques of a traditional (clothed) massage. It will definitely get all your kinks out from your strenuous activities on Koh Phangan! You can get a Thai massage on the island for around 300-400 baht.
Take a Yoga Class
Koh Phangan has several fantastic yoga studios, some with a more down-to-earth vibe and others with a more luxurious feel. Some of them even offer instructor training for those of you who want to become yoga teachers! For yoga, sound baths, and ice baths in a forest setting, check out Aum Sound Healing Center. For a more upscale vibe, try The Yoga House.
Learn Muay Thai Boxing
If you’ve ever wanted to take a martial arts class, why not learn where one of these sports originated? Koh Phangan has several top-notch Muay Thai gyms that even offer monthlong training camps. You can sign up for one class or a few – and even fight in a match when you’re ready! Two of the island’s most popular gyms are Diamond Muay Thai and M19 Muay Thai.
Hit the Saturday Night Market in Thong Sala
Like most Thai towns, Koh Phangan has an awesome night market, which is open from 4 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays. The Thong Sala Night Market by the pier is a great place to shop for souvenirs, browse local artwork, nibble on market favorites, and haggle with clothing vendors.
Visit the Wat Maduea Wan Buddhist Temple
Wat Maduea Wan is a wonderful tourist attraction on Koh Phangan for admiring the architecture of Buddhist temples and snapping an Instagram-worthy photo (as long as you’re respectful during worship!). Climb the iconic Naga staircase and meditate at the top, chat with a monk, or simply take in the temple’s beautifully ornate details.
Cool Off at a Waterfall
The Thai islands are known for their incredible waterfalls and lush jungles, so why not escape the heat at one of these natural wonders? You may have already visited Phaeng Noi at the end of your Khao Ra hike, but you can visit several other waterfalls on Koh Phangan. Though some of them get quite dry if it hasn’t rained recently, Wang Sai Waterfall in the northwest and Paradise Waterfall near Chaloklum Beach are nearly always good for a swim.
Now that you’re locked and loaded with all the best things to do on Koh Phangan, what are you waiting for? Get out there and make some memories! Just make sure to pack some sunscreen so those memories don’t leave you with a nasty sunburn.
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