Popular Beaches in Koh Phangan

 The island of Koh Phangan is a tropical paradise in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Phangan is well known for its full moon parties each month as well as its incredible beaches. Trying to pick just one beach on the isle is tough, because there are so many choices. It’s easy enough to get around Koh Phangan however, with songthaew taxis criss-crossing the island and plenty of motorbike rental shops. Whether you want drinks on the coast with music and friends or a secluded, quiet spot to unwind, this beautiful Thai island has it all. Let this be your guide to finding the best beaches in Koh Phangan. 

At more than half a mile long, Haad Yao is an impressive beach that attracts plenty of visitors in Koh Phangan. While you can stay at accommodation right on the beach, you can also get to Haad Yao easily by taxi or motorbike. Haad Yao is a well-known snorkeling and diving spot, thanks to a live coral reef just beyond the shoreline. There is also every kind of amenity you might want on the beach, including a range of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and even a massage parlor. If you’re hoping for a picture-perfect sunset, Haad Yao is an ideal place to be.

One of the most interesting beaches in Koh Phangan is Mae Haad. This wide and sandy beach is connected to a national nature preserve and marine park called Koh Ma. The island of Koh Ma is accessible on foot if you walk along a narrow strip of sand from Mae Haad. Kids and adults alike appreciate the fun adventure of walking to a small island and exploring it, and there are also opportunities to see a local village and go snorkeling. Although the sand of Mae Haad is far from the best on the island, it still remains a popular destination worth visiting.

Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai are two popular beaches at the East side of the island and form together a panoramic double bay. Both beaches have the image of a paradise with nicely rounded white sand bays bordered by mountains covered by a dense tropical rainforest.

The surrounding mountains make these beaches fairly inaccessible. The way to reach the Thong Nai Pan beaches overland is via a steep and bumpy dirt road; however it is definitely worth the “hassle”.