What to see and do in Koh Phangan
People rarely come to Koh Phangan without wanting to indulge in some serious over-indulgence, and letting your hair down with a beach party seems to be an obligatory party of every visitor’s itinerary. But this is not the only thing to do on Koh Phangan, and the island’s recently-acquired boutique status has seen a raft of new pursuits set up stall here.
Naturally for a tropical island, watersports take up a large chunk of Koh Phangan activities with scuba diving and kayaking within nearby Ang Thong Marine National Park particularly popular. But wakeboarding, kitesurfing, sailing and big game fishing are also massive draws. And Koh Phangan is developing a reputation as a wellness centre, with yoga courses, cooking schools and meditation centres generating good reviews.
 | Dive coursesLearning new skills is all part of coming away on vacation, and for diving enthusiasts taking an extra qualification allows one to further explore the diverse marine life of the Thai Gulf...more |  | Scuba divingScuba diving on Koh Phangan is growing in popularity with the unspoilt majesty of nearby Ang Thong Marine National Park competing with offshore reefs perfect for novices and snorkellers...more |
 | Activities & adventureKoh Phangan has a wide variety of pursuits for all ages and interests, from yoga courses, cooking schools and herbal saunas to elephant trekking and canopy tours through the treetops ...more |  | WatersportsVisitors to any tropical island spend the majority of their time around the water, and Koh Phangan is no different with a wide range of activities from wakeboarding to sailing...more |
 | SightseeingKoh Phangan may not have the history or weather of tourist attractions of Bangkok, but there are a number of interesting sightseeing options from temples and waterfalls to viewpoints...more |  | KayakingThe stunning caves, caverns and tunnels of nearby Ang Thong Marine National Park are perfect for exploring by guided kayak excursion, but the island's hidden coves are also worth visiting...more |
More on what to do on Koh Phangan
There are dozens of scuba diving schools on Koh Phangan, and many enthusiasts are choosing to stay on the island and reach popular dive sites normally associated with neighbouring Koh Tao – such as the infamous Sailrock – from here instead.
This is a good option for those short on time, with rapid transfers around the Thai Gulf by speed boat and cheap PADI courses making Koh Pha Ngan scuba diving ever more popular.
There are also many decent reefs near to the island’s coast – especially in the south, west and north – so diving courses and snorkelling trips are easy to arrange and offer a diverse marine life.
Kitesurfing is a mushrooming watersport in Southeast Asia with Koh Phangan becoming one of the best places to learn in Thailand. Beginner courses take around a week to get participants bombing across the waves, so those looking to take part should leave enough time to pursue their goals.
Koh Phangan is a beautiful tropical paradise and there are numerous hiking trails to waterfalls, viewpoints and deserted coves all over the island. Taking a longtail boat around the coast will review dozens of hidden inlets, while kayaking from one beach to the next offers a unique view of the limestone landscape.
