Complete Guide to the Best Beaches of Koh Phangan
The gulf islands in Thailand are considered heaven on earth. One of the most beautiful islands is Koh Phangan, which is famous for its beaches. There are numerous beaches here, so it can be a little challenging to decide which one you want to enjoy first, or which hotel you want to check in, so you are close to your favorite beaches. The beaches are quite varied, some invite to relax and unwind with friends and music, and others are rather quiet areas with serene surroundings.
Find all about the best beaches in Koh Phangan in this article.
Malibu Beach
This breathtaking beach is located in the North of Koh Phangan. Malibu Beach, despite its increasing popularity, can offer a quiet retreat during the off-season.
The sea is crystal-clear, and the sand is dazzlingly white and there are many palm trees. As a bonus, the beach is set against the beautiful mountains of Koh Phangan. Malibu is still one of the best beaches on the island, despite the increasing number of tourists.
You can count on having a great time at Malibu Beach, and it’s well worth a trip there.
Haad Chao Phao
Haad Chao Phao is among the best beaches on Koh Phangan. The stunning beach of Haad Chao Phao is slightly hidden off the main road; you only have to pull over and go down an overgrown trail.
Although there are a few rocks here and there, large stretches of the beach consist of of clean sand. You can swim here at any time of the day or night, low tide or high tide, and the rocks provide an excellent snorkeling location. This is among the best beaches on Koh Phangan to go for a swim or scuba dive, courtesy of the variety of colorful corals and diverse marine life.
Haad Salad
Due to the popularity of Koh Phangan, it is becoming more difficult to find a quiet beach on the island. Haad Salad; to the tourist’s relief, is a great beach for those seeking natural beauty and peace.
The Haad Salad beach can be found in the small village of the same name on the west coast of Koh Phangan. Despite the presence of several resorts, the beach is rarely crowded.
There are lots of palm trees that shade the beach, making it more enjoyable on a hot day.
Haad Son (aka Secret Beach)
The beach at Haad Son, commonly referred to as Secret Beach, is also located on the island’s western coast. On the beach, there is a resort as well as a little restaurant; and the staff there is amazing, frequently entertaining guests with pleasant music and assorted activities.
The beach possesses a lot of charm. Swimming conditions are perfect, with the water being clear and the sand being snowy white. When the tide is low, you will need to walk a little further to reach an area where you can swim. You may also snorkel a bit further out or in front of the Koh Raham Bar at the Haad Son Resort.
Bottle Beach
One of the best beaches on Koh Phangan with the most limited accessibility is Haad Khuat, known by most as Bottle Beach.
The term Bottle Beach comes from the plastic bottles that are placed along the hiking trail to indicate the way to the beach. Watch out for the monkey on the way to the beach.
At the beach, there are a few nice resorts and dining establishments to choose from.
There is generally a low level of noise and is certainly less crowded. You can relax on the sand and swim in the sea at your leisure. There are usually few people at the beach, so you won’t have to deal with crowds too often.
Although Bottle Beach is accessible by road, many visitors choose to make a half-day trip: Hiking from the very north-east edge of Chaloklum, over the hill to Bottle beach, having lunch there, and then going back to Chaloklum by boat.
Thong Nai Pan
Among the popular beaches in Koh Phangan, this beach, known as Thong Nai Pan consists of two nearby resorts. The most well-known one is Thong Nai Pan Noi. At Thong Nai Pan Noi, you can stay in a traditional house or a luxury mansion, and the beautiful beach will be just in front of your door.
Thong Nai Pan Yai
The larger chunk of Thong Nai Pan Yai is located in the eastern part of Thong Nai Pan. This area is famous for its magnificent sunrises. It is an excellent spot for tourists looking for a location to stay where they can easily access the best beaches and go to adjacent natural wonders.
Haad Rin
Haad Rin is Koh Phangan’s busiest location every month at the full moon attracting a large number of tourists and visitors. During that day the beaches in Haad Rin are flooded with thousands of people. The rest of the month, Haad Rin is much quieter, with fewer tourists and good options to rent jet skis, walk along the long beach, or swim in the ocean.
Haad Yuan
When you look at the map, Haad Yuan beach is only two miles away from Haad Rin. However, Haad Yuan is much quieter because it is very difficult to reach by road. Haad Yuan can be reached via boat or a two-hour hike. Despite the difficult access, Haad Yuan has nice beach cottages, and bars, and every Saturday, there are beach parties.
Haad Yao
Koh Phangan’s Haad Yao beach is a tourist famous destination. Haad Yao’s coral reef is a popular snorkeling and diving destination. The beach has restaurants, bars, tourist shops, and massage services and offers picture-perfect sunsets.
Final Thoughts
Koh Phangan has more than 30 different beaches. These are 10 of Koh Phangan´s best beaches, each one offering its attractions and captivating serenity. If you’re ready to explore, Koh Phangan has some of Thailand’s best beaches, making it a must-see for tourists. If possible, rent a motorcycle on Koh Phangan. This will let you easily explore all the beaches of Koh Phangan.
