Things to do on Koh Phangan
Obviously, one of the main things to do on Koh Phangan is to get drunk at one of the parties, such as famous Full Moon party on Haad Rin sunset beach, Half Moon party in Baan Tai jungle or Black Moon Culture on Baan Tai beach. Or at least this is what everyone does, basically. But for me the best thing on Koh Phangan is to be lazy at one of the best beaches that the island can offer you.
But there is much more to do on this stunning island than just to sunbath and swim at the beach. And get ready to fall in love with the island even if you are not a party person.
Things to do on Koh Phangan
Visit temples
– Wat Khao Tam temple is the oldest temple on the island. It has a great view of the west coast, even better one than from the highest peak of Koh Phangan, Khao Ra.
– Wat Khao Noi is a temple almost inhabited these days, but there used to live a monk who became friend with Jamiroquai and they were visiting each other. Then he left and we are still not sure why. Nowadays, the temple is still a nice place to see, especially the mosque for praying if you are into it and want some piece and quiet.
– Chinese temple – Wat Paa Sang Tham is a temple built in a Chinese style so completely different from all the others in the area. Very colourful, with statues of Chinese men holding their long beard in the left arm and great view of the mountains. Khao Ra with its 627 m above sea level can be seen from the temple on the right side.
– Wat Srithanu – close to the Laem Son lake, is a very beautiful temple with many tombs around it. The monks really do take care of this temple.
– Wat Pho temple – offers a traditional massage, herbal steam sauna and treatments for your hair, skin and face.
Koh Phangan waterfalls
There are 7 waterfalls around Koh Phangan island: Sramanora waterfalls, Phaeng, Thaan Prapaad, Thaan Sadet, Wangsai, Paradise and Thaan Prawes waterfalls. It is nice to visit the waterfalls but be sure there is going to be some water in them as during the dry season it is very possible you will see just the amazing scenery around the place where there is usually a waterfall.
It was like this when I visited Phaeng waterfall in the second half of October, it was just all dried up. But anyway you should come to the national park and hike from Phaeng waterfall around 20 minutes up to Domesila viewpoint to get to see the whole Western coast of Koh Phangan anyway, even in the dry season.
Other things
Check out Drop in club hotel – it was probably the first hotel built on Koh Phangan, it is kind of big but looks very very old now. It is still famous so many tourists book a room in it which is kind of illogical as there are so many nice places around the island. Check it out just to know where not to stay.
Visit the Baan Tai Pier – where you can get a very nice view of the sea, Koh Samui island on the horizon, beaches on your left and right side and some very cute traditional Thai boats.
Pay a visit to Thongsala festival – Chak Phra festival every year in late October (it was from the 18th to 28th October 2011 when I was there) – great to try some local dishes, listen to live concerts, just hang around the Walking street Soi Krung Thai and buy some stuff or just to enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
Take a ride on a motorbike from Thongsala to Haad Rin – the road is all the time up and down the hill, so always on the top of the hill on your right you will get the best view of the whole southern coast of Koh Phangan and together with Koh Samui island on the horizon.
Shopping in Haad Rin and Thongsala – if you need any swim wear, summer clothes, flip flops or souvenirs, you should take a look in the shops in Haad Rin town or Thongsala as both of them are full of them for good prices.
Thai boxing – there is a boxing stadium right in the center of Thongsala and if you have a chance, just go there because the real Thai street atmosphere will get under your skin. I was completely in a different world when there. I didn’t even breathe until the match was over. It is nothing like watching boxing on TV.
Muay Thai lessons – courses to get to know more about the national sport of Thailand and learn how to box. Here is my article about 10 reasons why to learn Muay Thai.
Archery – there’s an Arrow club on the way from Paradise waterfall North to Ao Chaloklum beach.
Jungle trekking – the middle part of Koh Phangan is still covered up with the jungle full of palm trees, durian, jack fruit and some other trees you have never seen before, so it is a nice experience to visit the jungle as it’s completely different from the coast of Koh Phangan.
Canopy tour with zip-line and dancing bridges – is available for you to enjoy the rainforest of more than 300 m above sea level. You can do it near Baan Tai on the mountain road going to Thong Nai Pan.
Khao Ra trek – around 3 hour trek to the highest point of Koh Phangan for experienced hikers. From the summit in the good weather you will see Koh Tao and the Northern coast of Koh Phangan.
Diving and snorkeling – the Koh Phangan West coast beaches together with Haad Khom in the North, Angthong Marine National park and the Sail Rock area half way to Koh Tao, are the best places to get to know the underwater life close to Koh Phangan.
Yoga retreats, massages, Buddhist meditation and much more – can be done at more places around the island to nourish your body, soul and mind.
Thai cooking lessons – to learn how to cook traditional Thai meals.
Phangan home-made ice cream – on the way North from Thongsala to Chaloklum, before Phaeng waterfalls, there’s this Phangan home-made ice cream where an old lady makes the ice cream. You can get 2 scopes in a coconut and even drink the coconut milk afterwards. It is orgasmic! The prices are kind of European, 110 baht for 2 scopes in a coconut, but definitely worth it!
Mama Poh’s restaurant – a small restaurant next to the road from Thongsala North to Chao Phao beach. It is run by an old woman who doesn’t speak English so you have to write the number of the dish you want on the paper so then she can check it out in her Thai menu and cook it.
The restaurant is actually also the place where she lives at so it looks a bit messy there, but it is a traditional Thai restaurant with the best food I’ve ever eaten. The portions are just so huge and everything tastes amazing! The menu is really long and you can order a lot of Western dishes in here for 2 or 3 euros. For sure, my favorite restaurant on Koh Phangan. And the ‘mama’ always smiles at you in such a nice way!
Chaloklum restaurants – the best place to eat some sea food is in Ao Chaloklum as it is the main fishing port of Koh Phangan.
Food market in Thongsala – to dine out in Thongsala is very easy and cheap. You can choose from plenty of Thai dishes at the food market that opens every day at 5 pm.
Lucky resort – if you want to swim a little bit in a swimming pool for free and even have some coktails inside the pool and the place you are staying at does not offer this, you should visit the Lucky resort then which is situated on the West coast between Haad Gruad beach and Haad Salad. The swimming pool is always clean and empty and overlooking the sea.
Koh Ma island – a small island connected to Koh Phangan with a sandbar. Take a walk along the sand bar or go snorkeling somewhere close.
Secret unfinished resort – when you go to Utopia resort in the North-west of Koh Phangan, but at the parking lot you head off to the left through the grass instead of going to the right to the Utopia resort, you will come to a resort without a name that is just half-built. The best time to come here is for sunset as you will see the whole Koh Ma island on your right side and the sunset at the Haad Mae Haad beach on your left. It is a must see! There are cute Flinstone wooden chairs for you to sit and enjoy the sunset.
The biggest tree of Koh Phangan – located close to Wat Pho temple is a nice spot for a picture.
Laem Son lake at Srithanu – a picturesque lake close to the beach on the West coast where you can try rope swing for free.
Kayaking, kiteboarding, wakeboarding and windsurfing – all these water sports can be done at one of the beaches of Koh Phangan.
Fire competition – there are some done at hotels at the beach.
Doesn’t matter which one of the activities on Koh Phangan you choose, you will not be happy to leave. Honestly, Koh Phangan is holidays that never end.
David
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I only went to Koh Phangan for the full moon party 5 years ago when I was also into wild parties and crowds. Would like to explore more of the island off full moon season. It sounds like another incredible Thai experience there :)
Jo (The Blonde)
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Good post and great pictures, but please do not advertise elephant trekking. It is a cruel practice. I am surprised you didn’t know about it.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Vincent:
Hey Vincent! I am so happy to hear that, really appreciate you found my information helpful and you had a great time on Koh Phangan :)
Vincent
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I wanted To thank you for your for your very insightful blog! When my boyfriend and i got to Koh Phagnan, we were a bit bummed out by the location of our hotel and had no idea what to do on this ‘party’ island when their is no party! I found your blog and we decided to follow your advice! We rented a scooter, drove all around the island, went elephant riding and saw the waterfall, we drove to Koh Ma and tried Mama Pooh, s restaurant! You made our journey through Koh phagnan a memorie that will stay with us forever!
THANK YOU
Vincent xo
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ gautam:
It is a very unique experience for sure, but I did not like it was super short and not really worth the money. Check out the one in Kanchanaburi for volunteering, this would be fun :)
gautam
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Comment@ crazy sexy fun traveler:
Oh i thought it would be a very good experience to spend time with the tigers. Always found them very fascinating creatures. in fact i was thinking of becoming a volunteer for a month in one of these temples. Any suggestions?
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ gautam:
Yes, I visited Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai and was not very happy with it.
gautam
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Comment@ Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler:
Oh thats really sad that u wont be there for the full moon bash :( lol
So Whats next on your travel agenda?? And did u happen to visit the tiger temple in Thailand :)
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ gautam:
I can imagine how busy you are and I’m happy to see that you still manage to travel that much :) I won’t be in Thailand by the end of 2012 for sure but enjoy the Full Moon party and be careful with personal belongings.
gautam
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Comment@ crazy sexy fun traveler:
Hi Alex.. been following ur website for a while.. great stuff.. love to read ur travel experiences.. i am also an avid traveler, though only travel for a couple of months in a year due to my hectic work schedule…Anyway i am also goona be in thailand in dec 2012 for the full moon party ,,, hope to cu thr :) lol
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Daniel:
Haha thankfully I didn’t need any post party meals, just proper huge meals every day!
Daniel
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Without doubt, mama shnitzel on haad rin served the best post party meal :)
Beautiful island and awesome people
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Sarika:
There are many more parties on Koh Phangan, always :) And check out my other posts to see what else to do there ;)
Sarika
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Comment@ crazy sexy fun traveler:
I will be in Koh Phangan for next week’s full moon party.
Will there be other parties after the full moon? What else to do there and what to eat? I dont know much around in Koh Phangan!
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Tom:
I hope to go back soon too, but don’t think it will be in 2012!
Tom
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yeah Mama Poh’s restaurant!! i like it. have fun on your next trip!
i prefer to stay in Hut Sun Resort on the westside.
hope i can go back to the island next year.
Nomadic Samuel
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It’s great to be reading your posts about Thailand. I honestly miss it there so much these days. There is a good reason I’ve been there over 10 times :P
crazy sexy fun traveler
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That many times? Wow, it’s like me going to Barcelona :) It was my first time in Thailand now but already in December going back there :)