The Top 4 Beaches on Koh Phangan
If you’re going to the south of Thailand, then you definitely don’t want to miss these top Koh Phangan Beaches. With these four great beaches, your fellow travelers will think you’ve been living on the island for years!
The Full Moon Party has made Haad Rin Beach overcrowded, overdeveloped, overpriced, and just dirty. All that said, it is not really the beach you want to be spending your time on while in the beautiful south of Thailand.
The following Koh Phangan beaches are for lying back on the sand with a fresh coconut and a spicy Green Curry. Here you will enjoy the true serenity of southern Thailand.
Baan Tai Beach
Baan Tai is a peaceful, laid-back beach on Koh Phangan’s west coast. You can enjoy great sunsets here, with Suratthani on the horizon. The beach here seems to stretch on forever. If you are on Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party, then I suggest this is the best alternative to Haad Rin Beach. It is only a 10-minute motorbike or songtaew ride to the party, but much, much nicer,
Along the beach, and opposite the road you will find lots of budget guesthouses. Try the Phangan River Sand Resort for only 500 THB per night. You’ll get a nice bamboo bungalow and a double bed, only 50 meters walk from the water!
It’s good to note that most resorts on Baan Tai Beach are much cheaper (and nicer) than those in Haad Rin and Thong Sala.
Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach
Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach is on the east coast of Koh Phangan. It is one of my favourite beaches on the island and actually reminds me of the beautiful white sany beaches on Koh Lipe.
It is a 45-minute motorbike ride from Haad Rin. The road here will take you over the huge mountain in the center of the island where you’ll pass through the jungle, a crazy zip line, and an amazing lookout point.
When you arrive at Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach you will find a quiet street and a deserted looking village. Don’t be fooled, just a few more meters and you will reach the amazingly clear water at this clean, uncrowded beach.
To stay here overnight and enjoy the sunrise, check out Pen’s Bungalows, located right by the water with a nice small beach bear.
Chaloklum Bay
Chaloklum Bay is located on the far northern end of the island. This is a relaxed bay where boats depart and arrive for day trips around Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Chaloklum Bay is one of my favorite sunset locations on Koh Phangan, and a great place to buy some fresh grilled seafood.
Koh Ma and Maehaad Bay
Koh Ma is a small island located at the far north-west of Koh Phangan. Yeah, that’s right, an island off an island!
Koh Ma is right beside Maehaad Bay. You can actually get here by walking across the sandbar at low tide. The Maehaad Bay area is popular for snorkeling tours with plenty of small fish swimming around the shallow waters.
There are also plenty of boutique guesthouses available here starting from 1000 THB per night. Try the popular Phangan Utopia Resort.
Other Great Beaches on Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is filled with so many more great beaches that have not been listed here such as; Haad Khuad, Haad Yuan, and Haad Yao. If you really want to make the most of Koh Phangan get out your map, or print off the one below, get on your motorbike and explore the island!
Another great spot to consider is the Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine National Park. It is an easy day trip from Koh Phangan or Koh Samui. Islands like Koh Wua Ta Lap and Koh Mae Ko will leave you speechless!
2 thoughts on “Top Koh Phangan Beaches”
Hi Josh
We’re heading to Koh Phangan for 3 weeks next week so great timing to come across this post. Thanks for the tips. No doubt we’ll visit most of them as we have enough time!!
Any other general tips about the island??
Thanks again
Hi Paul, sounds great! The interior of Koh Phangan is quite nice too, lots of jungle and mountains. If you’re confident with a motorbike then I suggest hiring one on a longer-term rate for the few weeks and explore as much as you can!