Haad Rin
PartyThe Full Moon beach.
Koh Phangan city guide
Things To Do In Koh Phangan
The Full Moon Party island, and far quieter than that suggests for the rest of the month: jungle, waterfalls, remote beaches reached by boat, and a big yoga and wellness scene.
62
Hostels in the city
8.2
Average, from 15,878 reviews
Monthly
The Full Moon Party
30 min
To Koh Samui
Oct–Dec
The rainy season
Full moon and quiet bays
Koh Phangan is a hilly, jungle-covered island in the Gulf of Thailand, between Koh Samui and Koh Tao. It is world-famous for the Full Moon Party, which draws tens of thousands to Haad Rin beach every month.
For the rest of the month, the island is surprisingly calm, with remote beaches on the north and east coasts, waterfalls in the jungle and a large community of yoga retreats and wellness centres around Srithanu.
Three to five days is right, timed around the moon if you want the party, or away from it if you do not.
Where to stay
Haad Rin, on the southern peninsula, is the Full Moon Party beach, with hostels and bars. Srithanu, on the west coast, is the centre of the yoga and wellness scene. Thong Nai Pan, in the north-east, has two quiet, beautiful bays.
Srithanu
YogaThe wellness scene.
Thong Nai Pan
QuietTwo bays in the north-east.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan, between Samui and Tao, is famous for the Full Moon Party, but the rest of the island is green, quiet and full of beaches.
The Full Moon Party takes over Haad Rin Sunrise beach every month, with thousands of people dancing to different stages of music from dusk to dawn; there is a small entry fee. Half Moon and Jungle parties are held around the island on other nights.
Away from the parties, Srithanu, on the west coast, is a centre for yoga, meditation and healthy cafés. Bottle Beach, in the north, is reached only by long-tail boat or a steep hike, and Thong Nai Pan's twin bays are among the island's prettiest. Than Sadet waterfall was visited by several Thai kings, who carved their initials into the rocks.
Ang Thong Marine Park, an archipelago of 42 limestone islands, is a day trip by boat, with kayaking and an emerald lake inside one island. Sail Rock, between Phangan and Tao, is one of the Gulf's best dive sites.
Free things
Free things to do in Koh Phangan
The beaches are free, and so is watching the sunset from the west coast. The waterfalls and viewpoints are mostly free or ask a small fee.
The Full Moon Party charges a small entry fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Koh Phangan
Phangan's food ranges from street stalls and Thai restaurants to Srithanu's vegan and healthy cafés. The Thong Sala night market, near the main pier, is the best place for cheap street food.
A meal is €2 to €6.
Nightlife
Going out in Koh Phangan
The Full Moon Party at Haad Rin is the biggest beach party in Southeast Asia, every month on or near the full moon. Half Moon and Jungle parties fill other nights, and Haad Rin's bars are busy year-round.
A beer is €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Koh Phangan
Ferries run to Koh Samui in about thirty minutes and Koh Tao in about an hour, with bus-and-boat tickets from Bangkok via Surat Thani.
The island's roads are steep and some are unpaved. Songthaews and taxis are safer than scooters, especially on party nights.
Costs
What Koh Phangan costs
Koh Phangan is mid-priced. Dorms start around €8 and a careful day is €20 to €35, and prices rise around the Full Moon Party, when hostels may set minimum stays.
Ang Thong day trips are €40 to €60, and the Full Moon Party entry a few euros.
The currency is the baht (THB), at roughly 37 to 40 baht to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Thai ATMs charge foreign cards about 220 baht per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts. Cards work in cities and resorts; street food is cash or QR payment.
Safety
Staying safe in Koh Phangan
Full Moon Parties need care: go with friends, keep your valuables at your hostel, watch your drink, avoid the sea at night and stay away from fire-skipping ropes.
Drugs are illegal and penalties are severe; undercover police are active around the parties. Since June 2025, cannabis flower has been a controlled substance: visitors may not buy or use it without a prescription from a licensed Thai doctor, even though some shops still operate.
Scooter accidents injure more travellers in Thailand than anything else. Only ride if you are licensed and insured for it, and always wear a helmet.
On the Gulf islands, the rainy season runs from about October to December, the opposite of the Andaman coast.
Since 15 September 2026, eligible visitors get 30 days visa-free, for tourism only, extendable once by 30 days at an immigration office, and fewer nationalities qualify, so check whether you now need a visa. All visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within three days before arriving.
Tourist Police: 1155. Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance.
Day trips from Koh Phangan
The dive island, limestone islands and a remote beach.
Koh Tao
The dive island.
Ang Thong Marine Park
Limestone islands.
Koh Samui
The biggest Gulf island.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Full Moon Party happens every month.
16 May – 11 Nov
Saturday Walking Street
The Saturday Walking Street at Thongsala Pier invites you to enjoy a lively evening stroll through the heart of Thongsala. You’ll find a variety…
9–23 October
OXA Jungle Party
OXA Jungle Party invites you to a night of vibrant music and tropical atmosphere on Koh Phangan. The event features three distinct dance floors…
6–21 November
OXA Jungle Party with 3 Stages
OXA Jungle Party invites you to a night of vibrant music and tropical atmosphere on Koh Phangan. The event features three distinct dance floors…
16 May – 11 Nov
Bluerama Saturday Sunset Pool Party
The Bluerama Saturday Sunset Pool Party brings a vibrant island atmosphere with panoramic views and a lively poolside soundtrack. You can enjoy a smooth…
31 October
OXA Jungle Party: Halloween Special
The OXA Jungle Party invites you to a night of vibrant music and tropical atmosphere on Koh Phangan. Experience three distinct dance floors featuring…
15 May – 10 Nov
Friday Night Reggae Vibes
Friday Night Reggae Vibes at Rasta Home brings a lively evening filled with reggae music, live band performances, and DJ sets. You’ll enjoy a…
Hostels
Where to stay in Koh Phangan
The top-rated places to stay in Koh Phangan right now, live from Hostelworld.
Leo Hostel
Dorms from €3 a night
See dates and book
Na-Tub Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
MBar Hostel Haad Rin
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Bunkhouse Koh Phangan
Dorms from €13 a night
See dates and book
The 10 Club Hostel
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
Bigmoon Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Kohmunity Hostel
Dorms from €4 a night
See dates and book
Tiki Beach
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Hideout Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Eclipse Hostel and Bar
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
Domingo Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Kiko's Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
When to go
January to August is best in the Gulf. October to December is the rainy season.
Jan
Drying out
Feb
Good
Mar
Excellent
Apr
Songkran
May
Good
Jun
Good
Jul
Busy
Aug
Busy
Sep
Good
Oct
Rains begin
Nov
Wettest
Dec
New Year party
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in baht locally; these are euro equivalents. Beds near Haad Rin cost far more around the full moon.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Koh Phangan travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is the Full Moon Party?
Every month, on or near the full moon; check the dates, as they shift around Buddhist holidays.
Is it safe?
With care: go with friends, watch your drink and keep valuables at your hostel.
Is there more to Phangan than parties?
Yes: yoga in Srithanu, quiet bays and waterfalls.
How do I get there?
By ferry from Samui or Tao, or bus and boat from Bangkok.
How many days do you need?
Three or more.
When is the best time to visit?
January to September; October to December is rainy.
Are drugs tolerated?
No; penalties are severe and undercover police are active.
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