Koh Phangan travel guide and hotels
Koh Phangan has long been an essential stop-off for backpackers seeking that quintessential tropical island paradise, but has now taken on a second identity with high-end resorts, wellness centres and spas. Discover what inspired the Hollywood blockbuster The Beach with awe-inspiring natural beauty, diverse marine life and the ultimate in hedonism – the monthly Full Moon Party.
Explore Koh Phangan with this comprehensive 50-page travel guide, start planning and book your visit here.
Koh Phangan is becoming more exclusive every year with great value resorts offering superb hospitality, including world-class restaurants and extensive facilities. But budget travellers have not been overlooked, with simple bungalows on sand as well…search and book here.
Koh Phangan made its name in the 1970s when long-haired hippies would congregate at Haad Rin to dance the night away. Things are a lot more organised today, but the same bohemian vibe remains at the world’s biggest beach party…click and read more.
Koh Phangan has stunning white sand all around its rocky coastline, so there are dozens of picturesque coves and inlets to explore. Choose from developed beaches with watersports facilities or deserted pockets of paradise with nothing but the sound of the ocean…click and read more.
Traditionally considered a destination for younger travellers, Koh Phangan offers a wide range of watersports, both on and under the waves. Try scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing, or really get the adrenaline pumping with a kitesurfing course...click and read more.
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Hospitality
Gone are the days when the only Koh Phangan accommodation was rickety shacks on the sand. In the last two decades some of the biggest names in Asian hospitality have opened up luxurious Koh Phangan resorts and spas to rival anywhere in the world. Plus there is a growing sleuth of long-term expats opening international restaurants on the island with authentic Italian, French, Spanish and Japanese cuisine amongst many others. But never fear, as budget travellers can still find those ‘real Koh Phangan’ rustic beach-huts for only a handful of dollars.
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Highlights
Koh Phangan is best known for its raucous Full Moon Parties, but there is a great deal more to the island than unbridled indulgence. With dozens of spectacular beaches, waterfalls stunning enough to warrant royal patronage, plus offshore reefs teeming with colourful fish and coral, Koh Phangan is the complete tropical island destination. Relax in blissful spas after long days lounging on the sand or hiking up to jungle viewpoints, or perhaps take a scuba diving or wakeboarding course. Koh Phangan is truly where life is lived.
