13 Best Beaches in Koh Phangan

For many people, Koh Phangan is only known as the location of the original Full Moon Party. For those seeking serene beach escapes, Koh Tao next door usually comes to mind instead. But I assure you, Koh Phangan is home to a number of AMAZING beaches you don’t want to miss. Whether you are doing a short trip or planning to spend a couple weeks on Koh Phangan, you can experience the wonderful beaches of this island if you follow this guide. Here are the 13 BEST beaches in Koh Phangan.

13 Best Beaches in Koh Phangan

Northern Side

In my opinion, the northern shores are home to the best beaches on Koh Phangan. It’s also where the dive centers are located, so if you wish to do some diving, this is going to be your prime area for days on the beach and days under the water.

Secret Beach

Rating: 9

Starting off the list with my personal favorite, is Secret Beach. Unlike the name suggests, it’s not really a secret anymore. The beauty of this beach has become more known in recent years, and the fact that it has its own beachside restaurant attracts a lot of people here.

But the fact remains, that this is a heavenly place and honestly never gets really crowded. The sand is soft and powdery, while the water is shallow and calm. There’s even a snorkeling area with loads of colorful fish right off the shore of the restaurant. You can rent a snorkel or bring your own.

But what makes this beach special is the restaurant. This place is magical night and day, and is decorated in maximum beach-jungle vibes. It even has some swings right over the water. I loved coming here and overpaying for a coconut or beer. You can even sit right along the water’s edge from here and watch the sunset with a Thai curry, under the trees.

The only downside to this beach is that there are some small but sneaky rocks in the water. Be careful not to cut your foot. Also, because of the many trees there are mosquitoes, so bring bug spray if you plan to stay past sunset.

Mae Haad Beach

Rating: 8

This beach is amazing for those who just want some sand and sea. There isn’t much here, beside the resort nearby and Koh Ma island across the beach. But the beach is a long stretch of soft sand, and there are basically no rocks in the water. It’s also pretty shallow, so you can walk pretty far out.

The best part is that when the tide is low, the sand bar is exposed, which leads to Koh Ma, the little island off shore. Even if the tide isn’t low you can easily walk through the water or swim across. It’s a wonderfully natural little island that’s covered in small trees, and offers a great view of Mae Haad Beach. You’ll love coming here for sunset with a Chang beer.

Haad Salad

Rating: 7

This beach is somewhat popular, but never feels crowded. The sand here is ultra-fine and oh so soft to walk on. The water is also quite calm and shallow. I even often saw people walk up to 50 meters off shore and still sit down with their head above water! This beach is long but narrow, so you can sit near the water but have some shade from the palm trees if you please.

However, I must warn that although the sand is very soft, there are a few sharp rocks in the water. I cut my foot pretty badly once here, so be sure to test where you’ll step before applying your full weight.

Haad Yao

Rating: 7.5

This beach is nearby Salad Beach, and honestly pretty similar. Some people do feel that it is slightly better though, because the water is a bit clearer and there aren’t any rocks in the sand. Like Haad Salad, this beach is also characterized by powdery soft white sand and super clear pristine waters.

Apart from one resort and a couple restaurants, this beach feels pretty secluded and natural. You’ll find a few swings hanging from the coconut trees on the beach, that make great fun or a good photo spot. The only downside, is the beach is not very wide, so sometimes when the tide comes up, it can be hard to find a spot to keep your towel and stuff dry. While here, keep your belongings a safe distance from the shore, just to be safe.

Haad Kuad (Bottle Beach)

Rating: 8.5

This beach is regarded by some as topping the list for best beaches on Koh Phangan. It is a bit of a mission to get to, as you can only access this beach by boat. To access it, you must take a taxi boat from Chaloklam, the northern town where the PADI diving center is also located.

Because of it’s remote location and difficulty to access, it remains a very secluded and quiet beach despite the popularity. But it’s worth the effort as it really is a beautiful beach, with soft and smooth sand on a wide beach, with very clear turquoise waters. Behind the beach are palm trees and greenery, all in their unspoiled glory.

There is at least one resort on the beach, so if you wish to spend more time here, opt to stay overnight so you won’t have to take the taxi boat over and over.

Western Side

The beaches on the western shore have the advantage of being close to Thongsala pier and town. If you are wanting to stay in a more lively area, you’ll probably stay around here, as it’s the most inhabited part of the island. They aren’t the best beaches on Koh Phangan, but they do have the best sunsets on the island.

Zen Beach

Rating: 7

If you are coming to Koh Phangan to take part in a yoga retreat, you’ll likely be staying in this area. Luckily, you aren’t far from some amazing beaches, one of which is Zen Beach. This beach offers possibly the best views of the sunset on the entire island. During the day the beach is a beautiful stretch of soft sand and shallow, calm waters.

During the evenings or before sunset, the beach becomes very lively, as it attracts a spiritual or yogi type crowd. You can find people hanging out, doing yoga and playing music here. At night, sometimes there are beach parties.

Depending on your preference, this beach may be too crowded for your liking. It’s a good place to be around people, not the best beach for peace and quiet.

Srithanu Beach

Rating: 8

Not far from Zen Beach, but quite different, is Srithanu Beach. This beach was still somewhat of a hidden gem, despite having a large beach restaurant and being closely loacted to the yoga studios. However, it’s been said that recently it’s become more crowded.

This beach has soft sand and shallow clear blue waters. However, my particular favorite part of this beach is the fact that there are some small trees found right in the sand. These make great natural shady spots, which you’ll appreciate during midday when it can be uncomfortably hot on Koh Phangan.

Hanging Palm Tree

Rating: 6

This is not really a beach at all, but an infamous photo location on Koh Phangan. You can’t swim, and it isn’t even ideal for chilling on the beach since there are a lot of rocks and a very narrow shore. However, it’s close to Thongsala, so you can easily do a quick stop here to have a look at a very intriguing coconut tree. This particular tree seems to defy gravity and the laws of nature itself. Instead of growing vertically, it’s almost completely horizontal.

Keep in mind, you are no longer permitted to climb on the tree, likely for it’s protection. If you are interested in photography, this place is an awesome place to shoot, especially during sunset when the sun is directly setting behind it.

Baan Tai

Rating: 7

This beach is somewhat popular because it’s the closest beach to Thongsala, near the pier. Depending when you go you may see people here, or it may be completely empty. The sand here is incredibly soft, and the water is among the bluest I saw on Koh Phangan. The beach is very shallow, so you can walk all the way out and the water still wont past your midsection.

This beach is very long, and in some areas there are trees located right on the beach. The positive is that these make natural shade, and are great for afternoon napping. The downside is that the twigs and branches that fall from the tree litter the beach, ruining its otherwise smooth white appearance. It can also get really windy in this part of the island. For wind surfers, that makes it ideal, but for sunbathers, not so much.

Southern Side

The southern shore is where most people coming to Koh Phangan end up, because it’s where the Full Moon Party is. If you are among this crowd, you’ll be glad to know that you’ll have easy access to nice beaches in this area. These are ideal for recovering from hangovers or relaxing between partying.

Leela Beach

Rating: 9

This is the best beach on the southern side, hands down. The sand is soft, the waters are good for swimming, and it has an overall secluded feel to it. There is also a swing here, hanging from two coconut trees overlooking the sea that is an iconic photo spot.

If you are coming here any time of the month, it’s usually never crowded and can even feel very private and peaceful. However, during the days that surround the Full Moon, the tourists that come exclusively for the Full Moon Party make this beach more crowded than usual. Avoid this beach during this time of the month, unless you want to compete for a place to sit.

Haad Rin

Rating: 7.5

This beach is home to the famous Full Moon Party. Depending what type of experience you want, you may love staying at this beach during the Full Moon. It’s filled with backpackers and party people, and if you’re looking to meet people and have a good time, this is not a bad place.

However, if you are looking for peace or are a couple looking for romance, this may not be your beach. But I will mentioned it, because all things equal, this is still a stunning beach. When it’s not during the Full Moon, it gets a lot less crowded and can be a lot more tolerable.

This beach is one of the biggest on Koh Phangan, with a wide and long sandy shore. The beach feels really spacious and there are a number of resorts, bars and restaurants on site for easy access to anything you may need .

Eastern Side

The eastern shore is the most quiet area on the island. This is partly due to its remoteness, and also the fact that it’s just far from everything. The roads to get here aren’t the best on the island, and if you’re coming by motorbike it may be a pain in the butt (literally). But you’ll be rewarded by the most authentic and best beaches in Koh Phangan, with little crowds.

Thong Nai Pan Yai

Rating: 7

This beach is long and has a very laid back vibe, perfect for the ultimate in relaxation. Unlike many of the beaches on Koh Phangan, this beach does get deeper not too far offshore. This makes it ideal for those who actually want to swim.

Surrounding this beach, is lush greenery that appears highly unspoiled and wild. The only downside to this beach it that it has no reef at all, so if you come for snorkeling you will be disappointed. Almost all other beach on Koh Phangan have some reef, just not this one.

Tong Nai Pan Noi

Rating: 8

This beach is located right next to Thong Nai Pan Yai. It is slightly more lively than its neighboring beach, as it does have some restaurants, shops and bars. In comparison to Thong Nai Pan Yai which can feel deserted at times, it has more going on and feels less “boring” in a way.

The beach is equally beautiful and offers a relaxing vibe to allow one to forget the world. The only downsides to both of these beaches is how far they are from everything. If you make the journey all the way over here, opt to spend a night or two to make it worth the effort.

Where to Stay

North Side

The northern shore is home to the best beaches in Koh Phangan. It’s much quieter than the south or west, so depending on your preference, it may seem boring or too quiet. However, if you want to enjoy beach days galore, get your PADI certification, go diving, or just have a peaceful island getaway, the north is the best area.

If you want to feel “in the action” you can stay in Chaloklam village where the diving centers are. Truth be told, it’s still fairly quiet here but for some of us some peace and tranquility is exactly what we prefer.

West Side

If you want to be around more people and have the most access to conveniences, you should opt to stay on the west. Namely, Thongsala and the areas around it are closest to the pier, where you’ll likely arrive. It’s also the main town on Koh Phangan with the most shops, restaurants, atms, bars, night market and “taxis”.

Staying in almost any other area, doesn’t have many of these conveniences. If you are planning to stay without renting a motorbike, you’ll likely rely on the taxi shuttles. It’s convenient to stay in this area for that reason, as well as having the shops and markets neabrby.

South Side

If you are coming for the Full Moon Party, or just like being around other backpackers, this is where you’ll likely want to stay. Luckily, this area does have it’s own fair share of nice beaches, so you don’t even need to leave this area. If you are coming for just a few days, and will attend the Full Moon Party, it’s enough to spend your entire trip around the south.

East Side

I personally would not recommend this area for staying more than a couple days, especially for solo travelers. It is the least frequented area for tourists, and if you are alone sometimes it can feel boring or lonely for longer stays. However, if you are coming as a couple, crave seclusion, or want to steer clear from crowds, this area is your best bet.

The area around Thong Nai Pan Noi is much livelier than the beach next door, so opt to stay in the little village here instead. It has enough restaurants and shops to fulfill anything you’d need out of your stay.

Where to Eat

Mae Haad Treehouse Bar

This restaurant and bar are located in a treehouse-like structure, situated high up. It offers one of the best views of the sunset and beach from the cafe, and even has it’s own pool for you to enjoy the view from!

This place is never crowded during the day and you can really relax and soak in the views in peace here. There are even some hammocks and cushions to take a nap from. If you’ll want to eat, they have a small menu of snacks and pad thai, which you’ll eat sitting on the floor of the treehouse itself.

It does get a bit crowded during sunset, but once you see the view at this time of day, you’ll understand why.

Located: here

Secret Beach Restaurant

This restaurant has an amazing vibe like no other. Located right along the water’s edge, but also in the jungle, you’ll find yourself sitting under the trees, sipping coconuts, and maybe napping in one of the overwater hammocks.

There’s a full bar here as well, so you can order a cocktail or coconut while watching the sunset. At night they have tree lanterns to create a very cozy vibe for dinner. It is somewhat overpriced for Koh Phangan, but it’s worth the splurge at least once during your trip.

Located: here

Other Tips

Cover Up off the Beach

The locals are fairly conservative on Koh Phangan. A few times I walked off the beach to buy some fruit at the stall right next to it. Locals did not appreciate the fact that I was still in my bikini. You don’t need to dress modestly, but just put clothes on when you aren’t at the beach.

Eat Street Food

Sometimes eating street food in Southeast Asia can end in disaster, especially for those who are sensitive to foreign foods. As someone who is sensitive in the tummy, I found that luckily, on Koh Phangan the street food is pretty unproblematic. This includes food from the night market, fresh fruit form the road side markets, and the outdoor local restaurants. Take this with a grain of salt, but you are probably safe to eat local and street food here.

Check out the Night Market

The Pantip street market in Thongsala is a great place to get some amazing food or a fresh fruit smoothie any day of the week. Every evening they open the nightly market from 4PM until 11 PM. This is where you’ll find the best prices on the best food on the island.

On Saturdays, they kick it up a notch by hosting a weekly night market on the main street. This street will transform, and you’ll find it lined with food stalls and people out and about.

The best part of the night markets, are the fact that they are relatively cheap. I do believe some stalls raised prices since becoming more popular for tourists, however a standard meal can still cost as little as 80 baht (less than $2). You’ll find authentic thai food, as well as vegan food, western food and lots of fruit smoothies. Do not forget to get some mango sticky rice!

Drink Coconut Everyday

After traveling Southeast Asia for a while, you’ll come to realize that not all coconuts taste the same. Some are definitely better than others, and on Koh Phangan they are leaning that way. The coconuts here are a little sweet and really hit the spot on a hot day (which is every day in Koh Phangan). They aren’t the cheapest in Asia, but if you buy a coconut from a roadside market instead of a restaurant, they can be pretty darn cheap.

Plan Your Transport

Getting around Koh Phangan can be an issue. If you are like most travelers, you may opt to rent a motorbike for the duration of your stay. Unfortunately for those of us who, I don’t know, had a traumatic experience on a motorbike, we may not want to do that.

That leaves taking the taxi rickshaws as your only option for getting around. These are primarily coming from Thongsala the hub, so if you stay around there, you’ll have no issues. However, if you are staying elsewhere, or when coming back to Thongsala, you will need to consider your transportation.

In general, you can usually go to any hotel or resort, and ask them to call and organize a ride for you. For me, I was able to organize a taxi pick up through the hotel next to my Airbnb.

Skip the Full Moon Party (Maybe)

I did not like the Full Moon Party, plain and simple. I can see that it probably used to be an amazing experience, but today it seems super cheesy and like a cheap way to milk as much money out of tourists as possible. The music is horrible, buying drinks takes a long time, and the crowd is very young (like Australians out of high school on a gap year young).

When I went in 2019, I was still a huge party animal, and yet this party just did not do it for me. Would I go again? Absolutely not. However, even if I knew it would be terrible, I probably still would have went to experience it once. It’s infamous after all, and you can decide for yourself if it’s worth the hype.

Bring a Lot of Bug Spray

There are a ton of mosquitoes on Koh Phangan ready to eat you alive once the sun sets. Even on the beaches you aren’t safe, and many restaurants are outdoors surrounded by trees which means, more mosquitoes. Bring bug spray and thank me later.

When to Go

The best time to visit Koh Phangan is between the months of January to April. Any time before or after this is considered part of the monsoon season. Although summers on Koh Phangan aren’t usually hit as badly as other parts of Thailand, it will be considerably more humid, and you will still receive downpours at least some of the time.

Many consider February the absolute best month to visit Koh Phangan, as it is the least hot and the most dry, meaning no rain and minimal humidity. If you visit closer to April, this is easily the hottest month in Thailand, so prepare for that. However, you can experience Songkran in this month, which is Thai new year. The celebration isn’t as big as elsewhere in Thailand, but they do celebrate it.

I don’t recommend visiting in October or November, as this is when Koh Phangan gets hit the hardest by monsoon season. A local and a traveler even told me a horror story about some years ago when the island flooded in this season. Long story short, avoid it if you can.

And that wraps up this list of the absolute best beaches in Koh Phangan. Have you been to Thailand? What’s your favorite beach here? Let me know below!

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