Koh Phangan is the large, mountainous island that fills the horizon north of Samui. It is known around the world for the Full Moon Party, an all-night beach party held each month on Haad Rin Sunrise Beach, at the island’s south-eastern tip.
Away from Haad Rin, Phangan is a different place: quiet west-coast beaches with sunset views, remote coves such as Bottle Beach in the north, waterfalls and jungle in the interior, and a large yoga and wellness community. With ferries taking around half an hour, it is an easy day trip from Samui — or a second stop on the same holiday.
Top things to do at Koh Phangan
Go to the Full Moon Party
Thousands of people gather on Haad Rin beach around each full moon, with sound systems, fire shows and bucket cocktails until dawn. From Samui you can take a night speedboat transfer and come back the same night. Dates occasionally shift for Buddhist holidays, so check the calendar.
Cruise the quiet coast
A full-day boat cruise from Samui visits bays that are awkward to reach by road, with swimming and snorkelling stops and sunset on the way home.
Explore on your own
Take a morning ferry to Thong Sala, hire a driver or a songthaew and visit the west-coast beaches, a waterfall and a viewpoint before the late-afternoon boat back.
How to get to Koh Phangan
- By ferry: high-speed catamarans and ferries leave from piers on Samui’s north coast (Maenam, Bang Rak and Big Buddha) for Thong Sala or Haad Rin, taking roughly 20–50 minutes depending on the boat and route.
- By car ferry: slower vehicle ferries also run between the islands.
Insider tips
- At the Full Moon Party, wear shoes (broken glass in the sand is common), keep valuables to a minimum, watch your drink and stay out of the sea.
- Only use licensed boats with life jackets, and never board an overloaded speedboat — there have been serious accidents on the night crossing.
- Book ferries and beds well ahead for the days around the full moon.
Best tours & tickets for Koh Phangan
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Koh Phangan:
Full-day boat cruise from €93 Koh Samui: Koh Phangan Island Full-Day Cruise with Sunset
A slow, small-boat day along the coast of Koh Phangan — the side of the island day-trippers on the ferry never see. It is one of the best-reviewed cruises from Samui, and priced accordingly.
- Quiet bays on Koh Phangan’s coast
- Swimming, snorkelling and paddling stops
- Sunset on the way back
Ferry ticket from €9 Koh Samui: High-Speed Ferry Transfer to/from Ko Pha Ngan
A pre-booked seat on the high-speed ferry between Samui and Koh Phangan, with options that add a road transfer at the Samui end. Useful in peak season and around the Full Moon Party, when boats fill up.
- Fast crossing between the two islands
- Options with hotel or airport transfer
- Thousands of reviews
Return boat transfer from €37 Koh Samui: Full Moon Party Transfer by Speedboat
A night-time return transfer for people who want the Full Moon Party without moving to Koh Phangan. Reviews are mixed — crowded boats and long waits for the ride home are the usual complaints — so read them, and never board a boat that looks overloaded or has no life jackets.
- Return speedboat to Haad Rin on party night
- Sleep in your own bed on Samui
- No need to find a room on Koh Phangan
