Before we went to Koh Phangan, we expected it to have just a few beaches. After all – for an island that’s only 125 square kilometers we didn’t expect it to have much coastline.
However, we found that it was quite the opposite. Koh Phangan has a TON of beaches.
And better yet, every beach on Koh Phangan has its own unique vibe. From long white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline to secluded beaches hidden in coves, the island has tons of amazing places.
During our time on Koh Phangan, we visited nearly every beach on the island – from the secluded bays to the bustling beach bars, to the hidden stretches of coastline where most people don’t hang out.
In this guide, we’ll share all the best beaches in Koh Phangan, including our personal experiences at every one of them.
Our Recommendations
Here are our top Koh Phangan beach recommendations based on what they excel at:
- Relaxing: Check out Salad Beach, Rin Nai, or Haad Chao Phao
- Couples: Thong Nai Pan, Thong Nai Pan Yai, or Salad Beach
- Families: Thong Nai Pan Yai or Salad Beach
- Food: In our opinion, Thong Nai Pan Yai has the best beach restaurants.
- Swimming: Head over to Haad Sadet or Bottle Beach
- Parties: Check out Haad Rin or Zen Beach
- Sunsets: Rin Nai, or any of the west-side beaches such as Haad Yao or Zen Beach
- Seclusion: Haad Yuan or Bottle Beach
Free Koh Phangan Google Maps Locations
Do you need a handy map with all our Koh Phangan locations? We’ve got a Google Map with all the Koh Phangan locations in this post (plus a LOT more). Sign up in the box below and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox, plus our top tips to help you plan your Koh Phangan adventure.
Best Beaches in Koh Phangan
Thong Nai Pan (Noi)
Thong Nai Pan is a long and scenic beach on Koh Phangan’s northeastern coast. It’s known for its long stretch of soft white sand and laid-back atmosphere.
Unlike the party-centric areas of the island, the area around Thong Nai Pan is home to more upscale resorts and boutique hotels. It’s a preferred destination for couples and families on a peaceful getaway.
The beach itself is spacious and rarely crowded, so it’s an excellent spot for relaxing. The water at Thong Nai Pan is generally shallow near the shore, and depending on the tide, it’s an ideal spot for swimming or just wading.
However, the sea can get a little choppy at times, especially during the monsoon season.
Thong Nai Pan Yai
If you’re looking for a peaceful beach with great food and a laid-back atmosphere, Thong Nai Pan Yai is the place to be.
Thong Nai Pan Yai is the larger of the two beaches in the Thong Nai Pan area, located just south of Thong Nai Pan Noi. The name “Yai,” meaning “big” in Thai, reflects its size. Despite being physically separated, both beaches have a similar relaxed vibe.
Thong Nai Pan Yai has a long, wide stretch of soft sand, making it easy to find a quiet spot even during peak season.
The area also has a great selection of beachfront restaurants, many of which offer some of the best food on the island. In our experience, the dining quality at Thong Nai Pan Yai surpassed much of what we found elsewhere in Koh Phangan.
One of the highlights of Thong Nai Pan Yai is its grilled fish dinners. Around sunset, we found beachfront restaurants setting up grills and cooking freshly caught seafood right on the beach.
On our last night in the area, we had an incredible red snapper at Nice Beach Restaurant. An amazing meal at an amazing place.
In our opinion, Thong Nai Pan Yai has some of the best-value restaurants in Koh Phangan. Every dining spot we tried in Thong Nai Pan Yai delivered an exceptional meal. We personally ate at and recommend Nice Beach Restaurant, Siam Beach Bar and Restaurant, and the beach bar at Thong Nai Pan Beach Resort.
Bottle Beach
In our opinion, Bottle Beach is the best beach for swimming in Koh Phangan. Most of the island’s other beaches tend to be shallow, but Bottle Beach has deeper waters close to shore. You don’t need to swim super far out.
Our favorite part about Bottle Beach is that it doesn’t have coral fragments or rocks in the sand. Of all the beaches we visited in Koh Phangan, Bottle Beach was the sandiest beach we walked on.
However, the biggest downside of Bottle Beach is getting there. It’s in a remote part of the island, and you can’t just drive right up to it.
The only land route to Bottle Beach is down a steep, rutted-out dirt road. I don’t recommend riding a motorbike down there. Instead, we took a 4×4 songthaew (shared taxi) down to the beach, which cost us 150 baht per person each way.
Alternatively, you can take a boat taxi to Bottle Beach from Chaloklum Beach. We saw several water taxis dropping off visitors while we were there, and this is often the best method if you don’t want to deal with the rugged road.
Read our full blog post: Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan: Complete Guide
Haad Sadet
Haad Sadet is one of the most out-of-the-way beaches in Koh Phangan. It’s located inside a national park and because of that, there’s a 100 THB entrance fee per person.
But in our opinion, the entrance fee is absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for a great swimming beach, Haad Sadet is a solid choice. Unlike many of Koh Phangan’s shallow beaches, the water there gets deep enough to swim comfortably without having to wade out too far.
During our visit, the current was mild, and the sand was clean with very few rocks. However, locals told us that the water can get a bit rough when the wind picks up, so it’s best to check conditions before diving in.
There are two beach bars in Haad Sadet. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend the whole day, lounging by the water with a cold drink in hand.
Or if you’re up for a little exploration, you’ll find a rickety wooden bridge on the right side of the beach. This leads to a trail that takes you to Haad Thong Reng, another small, hidden beach. It’s a nice short hike if you want to see more of the coastline.
Mae Haad / Koh Ma
Mae Haad is one of Koh Phangan’s most unique beaches. It has a natural sandbar that connects to Koh Ma, a small uninhabited islet just offshore.
If you cross the sandbar, wear your shoes because sharp coral fragments and broken shells are scattered across it. Also, keep an eye on the tide. The sandbar emerges at low tide, but if it comes back in while you’re on Koh Ma, you might need to swim back.
Mae Haad is also a snorkeling spot. At low tide, the water can be too shallow to swim comfortably, so it’s best to snorkel during high tide when there’s enough depth to explore. But watch out for sea cucumbers. There are lots of them. If you’ve never seen one before, they’re fascinating, but stepping on them isn’t exactly a pleasant experience.
Malibu Beach/Chaloklum
Malibu Beach gets its name from Malibu in California, and the name fits. The beach has a laid-back, social vibe with a few volleyball nets set up. It’s a great place to chill with friends and enjoy a classic beach day.
Our favorite part about Malibu Beach is that it has tons of shade. The beach is lined with trees so you can escape the heat or just lounge around while reading a book.
However, the sand at Malibu Beach is super fine, so it tends to blow around easily. Keep that in mind if you’re visiting on a windy day.
That said, the beach itself is the main draw, not the water.
The ocean at Malibu Beach is very shallow, making it unsuitable for swimming. If you’re looking for a place to swim, there are much better beaches on the island. But if you just want a scenic and comfortable spot to hang out, Malibu Beach is a solid choice.
Haad Rin
Haad Rin is the most infamous beach in Koh Phangan. It’s the location of the Full Moon Party. But the party atmosphere isn’t limited to once a month — it carries on every night of the year at the beach bars lining its shores.
As for the beach itself, in our opinion, it’s a mixed bag. The sand is coarse and scattered with coral fragments, so you should watch your step if you’re barefoot. The water can also get rough, especially on windy days, making it less than ideal for swimming.
But the biggest downside to Haad Rin is the trash. After every Full Moon Party, the beach is littered with bottles, plastic cups, and other debris. While cleanup crews do their best, it’s not uncommon to find little bits of plastic in the sand.
Overall, Haad Rin is one of the best places in Koh Phangan for nightlife and socializing. But if you’re looking for a beautiful, peaceful beach to relax or swim, there are better options elsewhere.
Haad Yuan
Haad Yuan is a secluded beach tucked away just over the mountain from Haad Rin. It’s known for its “get away from it all” vibe and is home to only a couple of bungalow-style accommodations.
It’s one of the few areas of the island that remains quiet… except for one night of the week.
That’s because Haad Yuan has its own style of nightlife. On the left side of the beach, a wooden boardwalk stretches over the rocks to Eden Bar. It’s an infamous spot that hosts a wild Saturday night party that goes until Sunday morning.
Eden Bar combines an afterhours-style party with a wild ride because getting to Haad Yuan is an adventure in itself.
The only way to get to Haad Yuan is by hiking or boat. During the day, most visitors hike over the mountain from Haad Rin, which is a challenging trek. That’s how we got there.
Alternatively, you can take a water taxi to Haad Yuan from Haad Rin for a more direct route. That’s what most people do on party nights.
Overall, Haad Yuan is a unique beach with a secluded atmosphere, and no matter which way you visit, you’ll have a story to tell.
Read our full blog post: Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike: Complete Guide
Rin Nai (Leela) Beach
In our opinion, Rin Nai Beach is the nicest beach in the Haad Rin area. It has a long stretch of sandy shoreline that’s perfect for a peaceful day by the water. Better yet, the beach faces west, making it a prime spot to watch the sunset.
Our favorite thing about Rin Nai Beach is the calmness of the water. While the ocean at Haad Rin can often be rough and choppy, Rin Nai is usually much calmer.
Rin Nai also has exploration opportunities, like the little lighthouse located just south on the left side of the beach.
We stumbled upon the Lighthouse by accident while following a wooden boardwalk along the far end of Leela Beach. The path wound over the rocky shore and eventually led us to a lighthouse — seemingly abandoned on the coastline.
At first, it looked like just another forgotten structure, but little did we know that this spot is actually a well-known landmark among locals.
Every Tuesday night, Lighthouse Bungalows hosts a weekly party, transforming the area into a dance floor at the island’s most southern point. Koh Phangan has a way of turning even the most unexpected places into party spots.
Haad Chao Phao
If you’re looking for a quieter beach with a laid-back neighborhood vibe, Haad Chao Phao is it.
We visited Haad Chao Phao both during the day and at sunset, and each time offered a different experience.
During the day, the beach gets plenty of sunlight, but there isn’t much shade, so be prepared for the sun.
But in the evening, Haad Chao Phao is an ideal spot for watching the sunset. It’s not a popular place and is much less crowded than other beaches on Koh Phangan’s west side.
The water at Haad Chao Phao is clear but shallow, with soft, fine sand that’s nice to walk on. The sand is mostly free of large rocks, but there are some coral pieces scattered around.
Haad Chao Phao is also a nice place to swim, if you go far enough out. When you hop in the water, you’ll notice patches of seaweed, but they clear up as you go deeper into the water. We saw many swimmers doing laps back and forth along the coastline.
The beach has a small rocky island just off the coast. Depending on the tide, you can either wade or swim to it. I swam to it and it was quite rocky and covered in pieces of dead coral. If you plan to swim there, wear water shoes to protect your feet. I learned the hard way.
Salad Beach
Salad Beach is an awesome spot to chill out and relax at. The beach has plenty of trees lining the coast, so it’s easy to find a shady spot to set up. The beach itself is sandy with very few rocks, so it is comfortable to walk on.
But what sets Salad Beach apart is its length. It stretches far and wide. Beach bars line its shores, so you can get a drink or have lunch while enjoying the views.
Now let’s talk about its water. The ocean at Salad Beach is calm, making it easy to take a swim. While the water is a little shallow near the shore, it’s still deep enough for swimming, and the conditions are generally pleasant.
And if you swim further out, you might come across the source of the beach’s name: underwater “salad” or seaweed. When we visited, some of the seaweed was floating around in the water. Just be aware that it’s present, and in our opinion, it doesn’t take away from the beauty of the beach.
Haad Yao
Haad Yao is a massive beach on the west side of Koh Phangan. It’s perfect for swimming during high tide. But during low tide, the water becomes quite shallow.
The main attraction of Haad Yao is that it has tons of accommodations and restaurants right along the beach. It’s a great place to enjoy a meal and kick back a drink while watching the sunset.
Haad Yao is also famous for its Bizarre Bazaar. It’s a market held at Seaboard Bungalows every Wednesday evening.
So what’s this Bizarre Bazaar you might ask? It’s basically if Burning Man had a market. Vendors from the island’s free spirit community gather at the Bizarre Bazaar to sell their goods. Think handmade jewelry, eclectic clothing, and mind-altering substances.
We visited the bazaar on a Wednesday evening and the atmosphere was fun and lively. After browsing the stalls, we spent the rest of our time at the bazaar’s dance floor listening to underground house and techno music played by a DJ.
Secret Beach (Haad Son)
Despite its name, Secret Beach isn’t exactly a secret anymore. But it’s still one of our favorite spots on the west side of Koh Phangan for swimming.
When we visited Secret Beach, the water was calm and perfect for lounging in the sea. Although it can get busier at times.
We visited Secret Beach during high tide, and though there were a few larger coral pieces, the water was mostly sandy and clear. At low tide, the beach may have more exposed coral, so check the conditions before heading in.
We’ve also heard that seaweed can sometimes wash up on the beach, especially if the currents are strong. But during our visit, the water was clean.
For a drink, there’s a beach bar right at Secret Beach. But if you’re craving something more, make your way to Koh Raham next door.
Koh Raham is a one-of-a-kind restaurant built across wooden decks that extend out over the ocean. The restaurant is decorated with marine debris. Fishing nets, floaters, and ropes are draped over every corner. It’s one of the most scenic restaurants on the island and is a must-visit in our opinion.
Zen Beach
The beach stretches out nicely, but during high tide — especially at sunset when most people head there — it can get a bit narrow. So, finding a good spot can get tricky if you’re not quick.
Zen Beach is a long beach with shallow water. But the real attraction isn’t the swimming. It’s the beach itself and the events that take place there.
From sunset yoga sessions, to DJ dance parties, to a Friday evening drum circle, Zen Beach is pretty much the gathering place for Koh Phangan’s free spirit culture.
We visited Zen Beach for the Friday drum circle and it was packed! Finding motorbike parking was a challenge but luckily we rode into a large lot that seems to be reserved for events such as this.
When we stepped on the beach, we found a circle of people playing instruments while others danced barefoot in the sand, completely immersed in the music. The energy was infectious, and for a moment, it felt like the whole island had come together to celebrate.
The most popular time to go to Zen Beach is on Friday evening for the sunset drum circle.
Hin Kong Beach
Hin Kong Beach is a laid-back spot on the northwest coast of Koh Phangan. The beach itself is narrow, with not much to do in terms of activities.
However, Hin Kong Beach is most known for its T-shaped sandbar that appears during low tide. When the sandbar is exposed, it’s a great opportunity to walk out into the bay and explore.
While Hin Kong isn’t the best beach for swimming due to shallow water, it has a few beach bars along the shore so you can grab a bite to eat or enjoy a drink. That’s what we did one day at Castaway Bar while enjoying the beach’s quiet atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Koh Phangan
Although Koh Phangan is a small island, choosing where to stay isn’t straightforward, especially for first-time visitors. The island has several areas, each offering different experiences.
During our 10 days in Koh Phangan, we stayed in four different areas and covered all sides of the island. This gave us a solid understanding of what each location has to offer in terms of accommodation, atmosphere, and accessibility.
Here’s our take on the different areas to stay in Koh Phangan and what to expect from each one.
- Haad Rin: Home to the infamous Full Moon Party, Haad Rin is the place for nightlife. The entire area revolves around the party scene, with bars, clubs, and hostels catering to those looking to drink and dance until sunrise. If you’re looking for a social, high-energy atmosphere, Haad Rin is the place to be.
- Baan Tai / Thong Sala: Baan Tai and Thong Sala are centrally located to the rest of the island and are the most convenient base if you plan to explore Koh Phangan by motorbike. While Baan Tai and Thong Sala don’t have much in terms of sightseeing, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, markets, and essential services there.
- Thong Nai Pan: If you’re looking for a quiet, upscale retreat with great food, Thong Nai Pan is the best area to stay. It’s a peaceful place ideal for couples and families looking for a relaxing beach vacation. It’s far from the party madness and has calm, scenic beaches and a laid-back vibe.
- West Koh Phangan: The entire west coast of Koh Phangan has a free-spirited vibe. It’s a popular gathering place for expats who live on the island. This is where you’ll find yoga retreats, meditation centers, and vegan cafes, making it the island’s hub for health and wellness. It also happens to have some of the island’s most beautiful beaches.
What to Pack for Koh Phangan
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Koh Phangan.
- Crocs: During our time in Koh Phangan, we visited 15 beaches, and almost all of them had one thing in common: rocks in the water! I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when swimming.
- Sunscreen: We ran out of sunscreen while in Koh Phangan, so we went to the store to buy it and it was super expensive! Don’t be like us. Bring plenty of sunscreen because you will need it!
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures in Koh Phangan, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Koh Phangan! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Free Koh Phangan Google Maps Locations
Do you need a handy map with all our Koh Phangan locations? We’ve got a Google Map with all the Koh Phangan locations in this post (plus a LOT more). Sign up in the box below and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox, plus our top tips to help you plan your Koh Phangan adventure.
Are You Following Our Koh Phangan Blog Series?
We spent 10 days in Koh Phangan and found so many things to do there—from waterfalls to beaches, temples, and hikes. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our Ultimate Guide to Koh Phangan: 16 Incredible Things to Do in Koh Phangan
- Our Koh Phangan accomodation/area guide: Where to Stay in Koh Phangan
- Our Koh Phangan Beach Guide: The 15 Best Beaches in Koh Phangan
- How to plan your trip to Koh Phangan: 3 Days in Koh Phangan: The Perfect Koh Phangan Itinerary
- The Bottle Beach Viewpoint is Koh Phangan’s most epic vantage point
- We did the Haad Rin to Haad Yuan Hike over a mountain to a secluded beach
- Our favorite temple in Koh Phangan is the Kuan Yin Chinese Temple
- Our favorite waterfall in Koh Phangan: Pho Darng Waterfall
- How to get to Koh Phangan: Surat Thani to Koh Phangan by Ferry
Heading to Koh Phangan? Pin Our Guide for Later!
We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best beaches in Koh Phangan! Feel free to drop a comment below if you have any questions and we’ll be glad to answer them 🐸
