koh phangan | The Adventure Travel Site

Take a Boat to Koh Phangan – Sail Into Your Island Adventure!

To reach Koh Phangan in the Gulf, you’ll need to take a ferry, as the island lacks its own airport. The closest airports are Koh Samui and Surat Thani on the mainland, with regular ferries departing from Koh Samui’s Big Buddha Pier and Nathon, as well as from Donsak Pier near Surat Thani to Koh Phangan. Here are some of the ferry rides you can take to Koh Phangan.

Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

Ferries regularly depart from two main piers on Koh Samui – the Big Buddha Pier and Nathon Pier. The journey to Koh Phangan takes approximately 20-30 minutes. These rides are quite inexpensive and depending on the ferry service you select, quite comfortable and convenient. Getting to the island fast should be your goal, as there are so many things to do on Koh Phangan and you don’t want to waste a second.

Surat Thani

Ferries depart from the Donsak pier near Surat Thani on the mainland. The journey to Koh Phangan takes around 2-3 hours. You can arrive at the Surat Thani Airport and either take a ferry to Koh Phangan right away or go to Donsak’s wider ferry piers. Upon arrival, you can arrange methods of transport with your resort, such as Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas, or head over to it via taxi, tuk, or public transport.

Koh Tao

Ferries connect Koh Tao to Koh Phangan, offering a scenic ride between the islands. The journey usually takes around 1.5-2 hours. Koh Phangan is a mere 44 kilometres away from Koh Tao, and the only mode of transportation between them is by ferry since there are no airports on these islands. This absence of air travel has contributed to Koh Tao’s tranquil ambience.

Bottle Beach Koh Phangan

Bottle beach is revered as one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing and laid back time in Thailand – Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan is where you need to be!

Overview

The remoteness and tranquillity of Bottle Beach is one that plenty of visitors enjoy. Most of the visitors visit the beach just as a day trip, but to truly savour everything this location has to offer – a longer stay is recommended.

Christian Fernandez Gamio (Golfer70), Koh Phangan BottleBeach 22, CC BY-SA 3.0

How to get to Koh Phangan

This beautiful island doesn’t have its own airport, which means that you’ll have to reach the island through a boat trip. Otherwise, you can try travelling to Surat Thani by bus or train and then get to the island through a boat. Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry are a few of the service providers you can opt for!

What to expect

Despite being quite difficult to reach, it’s the most rewarding beach in Koh Phangan! The beach is quite secluded, except for a handful of resorts as not many people make the journey to this spot. The sand is as soft as it gets and the water is extremely clear, even on gloomy days! With enough effort and help from your hotel in Koh Phangan, the likes of Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas, this treasure isn’t too hard to find!

The Best things to do in Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan offers everything from beachside bliss to pulsating parties that make for unforgettable adventures day or night! Here are some of the top things to do on a holiday to this Thai island.

Spend Time at the Beaches

There are some amazing beaches to visit on the island including Haad Rin Beach where the famed Full Moon Parties take place each month. Other well-known coastal hotspots include Tong Nai Pan Noi Beach home to Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas, Mae Haad Beach and Leela Beach.

Image Credit: Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas

Enjoy Water Sports

Those wanting to do more than just laze on the sand in front of their Koh Phangan resort can try a number of water sports; snorkelling is popular as is diving at nearby Sail Rock. Kayaking is a great way to do some exploring, while activities such as wakeboarding and jet skiing offer more speed-induced thrills.

Explore Ang Thong Marine National Park

Koh Phangan is an ideal base from which to head off on excursions to the Ang Thong Marine National Park. Made up of 42 islands, this nature reserve offers lots to experience; explore secluded beaches and jungles, snorkel above pristine coral reefs and kayak amidst stunning backdrops of limestone cliffs.

Visit the Thong Sala Night Market

A “must visit” for foodies, the daily Thong Sala Night Market is one of the best spots to savour relatively cheap local dishes. Come the weekend, the Thong Sala Saturday Night Market is also worth heading to for not only food but to buy crafts, clothes and more.

Koh Phangan Travel Guide

Backpackers deem Koh Phangan to be the backpackers’ paradise! From things to do to places to stay, this island has everything you need! Given below are a few things you can do if you do happen to visit this island.

Bottle Beach

If you are looking for an isolated shore with pristine shores and clear blue waters, Bottle Beach is what you are looking for! The beach here is fringe by thick jungle with palm trees lining the shores. Haad Khuat is known to have some of the finest white sand in Thailand.

The full-moon party

Koh Phangan famous the world over for its wild full-moon parties each month! Koh Phangan might seem like a calm and quiet place to relax, but the full-moon day, all those party goers get wild! Hit the shores on a full-moon day and you are sure to be struck by the party vibe too.

Per Meistrup, Full-Moon-Party-2016 DSC03418cropw, CC BY-SA 4.0

Accommodation

Many a Koh Phangan resort is equipped with some of the best luxury facilities in the country. Hotels such as Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas are designed for maximum satisfaction where contemporary comforts are concerned. All you’ve got to do is focus on having a relaxed holiday.

Food markets

When in Thailand, something that absolutely cannot be missed is the night market experiences. Koh Phangan offers some of the most amazing authentic Thai food as the Thong Sala night market on this island! Be greeted by the magical aroma of food cooking in over 20 different stalls lined up on the streets.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Safari in Koh Phangan

Travellers in search of the finest Koh Phangan Resorts in Thailand will be more than pleased with the stylish Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa. Providing guests with the crème de la crème in spa facilities this luxury rest offers scenic villa accommodation for holidaymakers and families on vacation.

Regarded as one of the most intriguing corners of Thailand, Koh Phangan is a natural wonder worthy of deep exploration. Blessed with white, sandy beaches and lush mountainous and forested regions the island packs in the best of both worlds with plenty of wildlife and natural attributes littering its fringes. Frequented by nature lovers from around the world this veritable paradise on earth is best discovered on safari tours across land and water. Tailor made to the requirements of specific travel groups the plethora of safari options on offer allows visitors a rare glimpse in to the true beauty and majesty of this lesser known island wonder.

Among the island’s most popular safari adventures is its elephant trekking safari which sets of from the fishing village of Caloklum in the northern fringes of Koh Phangan. The duration of the tour varies from half an hour to an hour with visitors taking in the magnificent sights of Koh Tao which includes face time with the island’s infamous gentle giants. The Rainforest Adventure Tour is equally engaging for nature lovers as it involves adrenalin pumping activities such as zip lining across a tropical forest, visit to an elephant camp and village, snorkeling in Koh Ma Island and swimming in the natural pool beneath Phaeng Waterfalls.

Those who wish to explore all that Koh Phangan has to offer on one safari excursion can opt for a safari boat adventure which takes visitors from the meeting point at Thong Sala to breathtaking Bottle Beach. Elephant rides and kayaking adventures in Koh Tae Nai Island are also part of the itinerary which includes snorkelling in Haad Khom.

Safari boat excursions to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan in Koh Phangan are also popular with snorkeling and water sports enthusiasts as the itinerary involves exploring the stunning coral reefs at Sairee Bay, Hin Wong, Mango and Tian Nok as well as a tour of famed Koh Nangyuan.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Trekking Khao Ra

If you love adventure, making treks into the wilderness and discovering tropical getaways, then make sure to plan a trek up Khao Ra when next in Koh Phangan. Before embarking on your excursion up the island’s highest peak, look to find accommodation at Koh Phangan hotels or resorts that are ideally located by the sea, letting you fully experience a holiday in the sun, sand and surf. One of the leadingKoh Phangan resorts, Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa is one option worth considering and also has a spa in which to unwind after your mountain hikes.

Situated around 630 metres above sea level, Khao Ra provides a fascinating trek for those looking for some outdoor adventure. One can make the journey alone or hire guides from the nearby Phaeng Waterfall. The trail itself is not that hard to traverse though it can get a bit hard in some points. You will pass scenic jungles as you make your way to the top and the pathway is shaded in most parts as well. On reaching the top, one will be greeted by breathtaking views of the surrounding areas including vistas of Thong Nai Pan and Chaloklum. The trek takes about one and a half to two hours and you can plan to stop by Phaeng Waterfall on your way down and cool off in its natural pool.

Kayaking in Koh Phangan

How does a kayaking trip around the beaches of Koh Phangan sound? If this is what you seek to accomplish in Koh Phangan then you are surely in for a treat. Koh Phangan resorts such as Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa would be a good place to stay from where you could hire a kayak. These Koh Phangan hotels would lead you to having the time of your life surrounded by calm seas and warm sunshine.

The area of Koh Phangan itself is linked with major fun-filled water sports activities out of which kayaking holds a special place. The waters off the west coast should be where one must go to in order to get the very best of kayaking experiences. One must be watchful so as to not get caught up with any ocean current for it is quite a battle to come out of. Areas such as Koh Ma and Wok Tum are the best places to start at while a trip to Haad Thian, Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach would certainly prove to be worth the trip. Be sure to not head out during the latter part of the day for the seas could make it extremely arduous to get back to shore.

Finding your Way

Koh Phangan, off the coast of southern Thailand is known for its idyllic bays, beaches and coves and the tropical landscape in its centre that is part coconut plantation and undisturbed stretches of rainforest. These natural features provide interesting jungle and beach walks.

Hiking is possible all over the island and there are many interesting trails. The central part of the island with its tropical canopy has barely visible mountain paths that are popular with hikers as are trails on the eastern part of the island that is still relatively underdeveloped. One popular trail runs from Haad Rin north to Haad Yuan on to Haad Thien, up to Thong Nai Pan and onto Haad Khuat or Bottle Beach. The route can become difficult in some spots and there is always the possibility of getting lost. An alternative is to ride a motorbike to the end of the concrete road at Haad Khom and then hike through the jungle and steep terrain to Bottle Beach. On the return, hikers can ride back to Chalok Lam in a taxi boat, take a 30 minute walk uphill to Haad Khom to pick up the bike or walk all the way from Chalok Lam. There is a good hike up to Phaeng waterfall in Phaeng National Park that is a steep 250 meter climb up a jungle trail. Walking up hill for about 15 minutes more takes hikers to Domesila look out that offers fantastic views. Khao Ra viewpoint, at 600 meters the highest hill on the island, can be accessed if hikers continue on this trail. The trail can be dangerous and difficult to follow. However there are GPS tracks to Khao Ra. Two trails lead to the top. The eastern trail seems to have fallen into disuse. This is a beautiful trail through jungle with big trees and waterfalls. The western trail goes through a cloud forest towards the top. Other interesting hikes to attempt is walking up 3 km, the full length of the Thaan Sadet waterfall in the north eastern part of the island as it is like a series of stepping stones. Thaan Prawet waterfall also in the north eastern part can be accessed from Thong Nai Pan Noi beach but the climb gets tougher as the trail moves further up. Several lovely spots on the way offer places to cool off and to take breaks. Wat Khao Tam lookout between Thong Sala and Haad Rin can be accessed via motorbike ride part of the way after which a short hike takes visitors up to the temple and the look out. Another interesting hike is to the lookout at Chalok Lam on the road to Haad Khom.

Things to remember when hiking, carry enough water and wear bug repellant, carry a GPS and map and return before sunset.

Savour the informal relaxing vibe at Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa that offers an idyllic tropical getaway complete with palm trees, stretches of white sandy beach and blue sea. As one of prominent Koh Phangan hotels guests have a choice of accommodation comprising of suites and villas all with plunge pools and private spaces, the best places to start a laid back holiday experience. As one of much lauded Koh Phangan resorts all those who stay here will experience services and facilities that are considered amazing and go a long way to make that perfect holiday experience.

Koh Phangan Elephant Trekking

A perfect way to explore the wilds of Koh Phangan, elephant trekking provides a truly unforgettable adventure that lets you get up close with these gentle giants as well. Travellers should look to stay at Koh Phangan hotels or resorts that let you enjoy the very best the island has to offer including elephant treks. Among the leading Koh Phangan resorts, Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa is one such option and is ideally located right by the pristine sands of a beach.

Home to lush tropical jungles and mountain landscapes, Koh Phangan and its rich natural scenery is best explored on elephant back. Taking place at locations such as the coastal village of Caloklum, elephant trekking gives you a chance to ride these animals along paths one may otherwise not get to traverse. A mahout sits up front on the elephant’s neck and will be your guide on this memorable excursion that will take you past picturesque scenery and some truly breathtaking vistas. Best of all you get a better appreciation of these creatures and can interact with them on your journey of discovery.

Kiteboarding in Koh Phangan

Koh Phanang is indeed one of the prime locations for this much-enjoyed water sport that thrives on superb winds for its best outcome and enjoyment. Indeed, the thick coral reefs protecting the area from frothing waves, and the shallow waters make it a kite surfers paradise. Ergo, it is no wonder that this golden beach in Thailand is considered to be among the best sites in the world for this exciting water sport.

Accordingly, numerous instructing schools and services have sprung up to cater to the eager and enthusiastic beginners as well as more practiced performers. Among these, it is comforting to find world-class schools as well as shops selling highly standardized equipment that are needed to pursue this fascinating sport in the safest of conditions. Most travelers find the instructors extremely friendly and easy to get along with and the lessons are of such calibre as to be easy for the learner, thus prompting a quicker learning curve. The strong winds that the area experiences during the year present the ideal conditions for kite surfing. The site of the kites flaying against the sky as their riders gallantly surf below is a common and pleasant site in this coastal area of Koh Phanang. It is definitely one of the beaches in Thailand that offers this superb variant of water sports, thus distinguishing itself slightly from the cluster of lovely tropical beaches that are confusingly numerous in this country.

Even when it comes to heavenly residential options that take your breath away from the moment you step in, Koh Phangan resorts are ahead of many others in creating the perfect ambience of holiday mood that appeals to any vacationer, young or old. With just steps away from the sea and yet nestling quite closely with lush plantations, one finds the Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa whose numerous suites are an example of fine architectural and interior designs, with strong but earthly colours merging to create unique indoor spaces. With its distinct architecture, its superb location and world class services, this venue stands ahead of the rest of Koh Phangan hotels and is a venue where time stands still for many a traveller as they soak up the prime luxuries offered to them so charmingly within such elegant interiors.