Where to stay in Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan sits between Koh Samui and Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, and it has two quite different reputations. One is the Full Moon Party, which fills the beach at Haad Rin once a month. The other is a slow, green island of yoga schools, jungle waterfalls and quiet bays, where plenty of visitors never go near a party at all.

Which of those you get depends largely on where you sleep. The island is hilly and the roads to its far corners are long, so a bed in Haad Rin and a bed in Thong Nai Pan can feel like two different holidays. Most places we list are small and independently run: beach bungalows, guesthouses, hostels and modest resorts. Filter them below, or start with the area guide.

Getting there
By boat only: ferries and catamarans from Koh Samui, Koh Tao and the Surat Thani mainland
Main pier
Thong Sala, on the south-west coast
Nearest airports
Samui (USM), then a boat; or Surat Thani, then a bus and ferry
Getting around
Songthaews, taxis, scooter hire and longtail boats to the remote beaches
Wettest months
Usually October to December

Places to stay in Koh Phangan

17 hotels

Resort in Chaloklum, Mae Haad & the north

Wang Sai Resort

Balcony rooms a minute from Mae Haad Beach, opposite the islet of Koh Ma

  • free Wi-Fi
  • free parking
  • air-conditioning
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Resort in Thong Sala & the south coast

La Plage Resort

A small beach club with a pool and a French-leaning kitchen on the south coast

  • pool
  • beachfront
  • garden
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Hostel in Thong Sala & the south coast

Phangan Barsay Hostel

Dorms, a shared kitchen and social evenings a short walk from Thong Sala's markets

  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
  • free parking
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Hostel in Thong Sala & the south coast

The Nomad House

A social hostel close to Thong Sala pier, with trips and party nights

  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
  • free parking
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Bungalows in Thong Sala & the south coast

Jamaica Inn Bungalow

No-frills beach bungalows on the quiet stretch between Thong Sala and Haad Rin

  • beachfront
  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
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Bungalows in Haad Rin

Rainbow Bungalows

Sea-view and garden bungalows with a Tree House restaurant on the Sunset Beach side of Haad Rin

  • garden
  • terrace
  • air-conditioning
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Resort in Haad Rin

Sonic Hill

Air-conditioned rooms and a garden a couple of minutes from Sunrise Beach

  • garden
  • air-conditioning
  • family rooms
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"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Where to stay in Koh Phangan, area by area

Thong Sala and the long south coast hold the island's practical centre and many of its beds. Haad Rin, on the south-eastern tip, is the party peninsula. The west coast leans towards wellness and sunsets, the north towards quiet fishing villages, and the east is the most remote.

Haad Rin

Best for the Full Moon Party and nightlife

A narrow neck of land on the south-eastern tip, with a beach on each side. Haad Rin Nok, known as Sunrise Beach, is where the Full Moon Party takes over the sand every month; Haad Rin Nai, or Sunset Beach, on the other side of the village is calmer. Between them is a compact grid of bars, restaurants, hostels and shops.

Outside party week it is a lively beach village rather than a non-stop festival, and some boats from Samui's Big Buddha area run straight to Haad Rin pier. Around full moon, expect crowds, noise and high demand for rooms.

Thong Sala & the south coast

Best for ferry connections and getting around

Thong Sala is the island's main town and main pier, with banks, supermarkets, scooter rental, a busy night food market and a Saturday walking-street market. It's the handiest base for boat connections and for exploring the whole island.

East of town, the south coast runs through Ban Tai and Ban Khai towards Haad Rin. The beaches are long and shallow, with sunsets towards Samui, and the stretch has plenty of beach clubs, cafés and small resorts: close to Haad Rin for a party night, but away from the noise.

Srithanu & the west coast

Best for yoga, wellness and sunsets

The west coast faces the sunset and has some of the island's prettiest swimming beaches, including Haad Yao and Haad Salad. Srithanu village is the centre of Koh Phangan's yoga and wellness scene, with retreats, vegetarian cafés and a laid-back, long-stay feel.

Thong Sala is a short drive south, but evenings here are about sunsets and dinner rather than nightlife.

Chaloklum, Mae Haad & the north

Best for snorkelling and quiet village life

Chaloklum is a working fishing village on a wide northern bay, with seafood restaurants and longtail boats to Bottle Beach (Haad Khuad), a secluded cove that is otherwise reached by a hilly jungle trail. Haad Khom, just beyond the village, is a small snorkelling beach.

To the west, Mae Haad looks across to Koh Ma, an islet joined to the shore by a sandbar that is often walkable at low tide. Evenings in the north are quiet.

Thong Nai Pan & the east coast

Best for getting away from it all

On the north-east coast, the twin bays of Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi have soft sand, a small village and a mix of simple bungalows and upmarket resorts. They are reached by a winding road across the hills, so many people stay put once they arrive.

Further south, Than Sadet has a waterfall once visited by Thai kings, and the small beaches of Haad Yuan and Haad Tien are easiest to reach by boat from Haad Rin.

Questions about staying in Koh Phangan

Which area of Koh Phangan is best for the Full Moon Party?

Haad Rin, if you want to walk to the party and back. Rooms there are in high demand around full moon, so many people stay in Ban Tai or Ban Khai and take a taxi or songthaew for the night. Some places set minimum stays over party dates, so check the conditions before you book.

How do I get to Koh Phangan?

By boat. Most visitors fly to Koh Samui and cross from there, either to Thong Sala or on the boat from Big Buddha to Haad Rin. From the mainland, joint bus and ferry tickets run via Donsak, near Surat Thani, and catamarans also link the island with Koh Tao and Chumphon. Timetables change with the season, so check them close to your travel date.

Is there an airport on Koh Phangan?

No. An airport project was started on the island but has not opened, so travellers fly to Koh Samui or Surat Thani and continue by boat.

Do I need a scooter on Koh Phangan?

Not if you stay in Thong Sala or Haad Rin, where shops and restaurants are walkable and songthaews and taxis are easy to find. Elsewhere a scooter gives you freedom, but some roads are steep and winding, so only ride if you're experienced and insured.

When is the best time to visit Koh Phangan?

Like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan usually has its heaviest rain from October to December, when crossings can be rougher too. From about January to August it tends to be drier.

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