Planning a trip to Koh Phangan means choosing between two islands. The first is the island of the Full Moon Party, which draws thousands of visitors to Haad Rin beach every month. The second, far larger, is made up of quiet bays in the north and west, jungle-covered hills, waterfalls and yoga centres. Between Koh Samui and Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, the island works just as well for partying as for relaxing. What to do on Koh Phangan, when to go, where to stay and how much to budget: this Koh Phangan travel guide covers the essentials, with the official climate normals of the Thai Meteorological Department.
Koh Phangan at a glance
ProvinceSurat Thani, Gulf of Thailand, north of Koh Samui
Time zoneUTC+7, no daylight saving · detailsLocal time now: –:–
Airportsno airport with scheduled service on the islandFly to Koh Samui (USM) or Surat Thani, usually via Bangkok, then take a boat
EntryUS and UK: visa-exempt up to 30 days per entry, tourism only, since 15 September 2026; TDAC arrival card required; passport valid 6 months · tatnews.org · travel.state.gov · GOV.UK
Electricity220 V, type A, B, C and O plugs; US plugs usually fit, UK travellers need an adapter · plugs
The best time to visit Koh Phangan is from February to September. The island shares the climate of Koh Samui, its neighbour about 20 km (12 mi) away: a rainy season from October to December and a fairly dry period the rest of the year. It is the opposite of the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi), which has its monsoon from May to October. The Thai Meteorological Department publishes no station for Koh Phangan: the table uses the official normals for Koh Samui.
Month
Avg max
Avg min
Rain
Rainy days
Verdict
January
29.0 °C (84 °F)
24.2 °C (76 °F)
127 mm (5.0 in)
8.5
⚠️ End of the rains
February
29.4 °C (85 °F)
24.9 °C (77 °F)
64 mm (2.5 in)
4.3
✅ The driest month
March
30.4 °C (87 °F)
25.4 °C (78 °F)
116 mm (4.6 in)
4.7
✅ The sunniest
April
31.8 °C (89 °F)
26.0 °C (79 °F)
83 mm (3.3 in)
6.1
✅ Hot and dry
May
32.9 °C (91 °F)
25.7 °C (78 °F)
132 mm (5.2 in)
11.0
✅ The hottest, quiet
June
32.7 °C (91 °F)
25.3 °C (78 °F)
134 mm (5.3 in)
10.3
✅ Brief showers
July
32.3 °C (90 °F)
25.1 °C (77 °F)
117 mm (4.6 in)
10.7
✅ Summer holidays, lively island
August
32.4 °C (90 °F)
25.1 °C (77 °F)
102 mm (4.0 in)
10.5
✅ Very busy
September
31.9 °C (89 °F)
24.8 °C (77 °F)
118 mm (4.6 in)
10.6
✅ Quiet, low prices
October
30.6 °C (87 °F)
24.3 °C (76 °F)
295 mm (11.6 in)
15.8
⚠️ The rains arrive
November
29.7 °C (85 °F)
24.1 °C (75 °F)
445 mm (17.5 in)
16.5
❌ The wettest
December
29.3 °C (85 °F)
24.0 °C (75 °F)
263 mm (10.4 in)
11.6
⚠️ Still rainy
Temperatures, rainfall and rainy days: 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ko Samui station, Thai Meteorological Department, published by the World Meteorological Organization; the station next to Koh Phangan.
February to April: the dry season
February is the driest month (64 mm / 2.5 in) and March the sunniest. This is high season, with high prices, especially around the Full Moon Parties.
May to September: the sweet spot
32 to 33 °C (90 to 91 °F), usually brief showers and moderate rainfall (102 to 134 mm / 4.0 to 5.3 in a month). May, June and September are quiet and cheaper; July and August draw many summer-holiday travellers, while Phuket is in the monsoon.
October to December: the rainy season
Heavy rain, peaking at 445 mm (17.5 in) in November, rough seas on the north and east coasts and muddy tracks. Boats to Bottle Beach or Ang Thong may be cancelled. Rates are at their lowest, except over the year-end holidays.
In the island’s southeast, the Haad Rin peninsula is packed with bars and accommodation and has Sunrise Beach, where the Full Moon Party is held on the night of the full moon or a nearby date (it is sometimes moved to avoid Buddhist holidays): check the official calendar before booking. Haad Rin accommodation often requires a minimum stay on those dates. Other parties (Half Moon, Jungle Party) take place during the rest of the month. Keep your belongings safe, never leave your drink unattended and do not swim after drinking. Thai drug laws remain very strict, and checks do take place.
Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach
In the northeast, the two bays of Thong Nai Pan (Noi and Yai) have pale sand and calm water in the dry season, with more upscale hotels. Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat), in the north, is an isolated beach reached mainly by water taxi from Chaloklum, or on a hiking trail.
The west coast: Haad Yao, Haad Salad and Srithanu
The west coast, facing the sunset, is lined with calm, shallow beaches. Haad Yao and Haad Salad are good for snorkelling and families. The village of Srithanu is the island’s hub for yoga, meditation and vegetarian food.
Waterfalls and Than Sadet National Park
Than Sadet waterfall, on the east coast, was visited by several Thai kings, who had their initials carved into the rocks. Easier to reach, Phaeng waterfall, in the centre of the island, continues along a trail to a viewpoint. The waterfalls carry more water at the end of the year, but the trails are slippery then.
Thong Sala and its markets
The main port is also the island’s shopping centre. Its night market is a cheap way to taste Thai food; a pedestrian street also comes alive on certain evenings of the week. Check the days locally.
Ang Thong Marine Park and Sail Rock
Day trips go to Ang Thong Marine Park and its limestone islands (kayaking, snorkelling, viewpoint). Divers head to Sail Rock, between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, one of the best-known sites in the Gulf. These trips depend on sea conditions, which are often poor from October to December.
Itinerary ideas
5 days: Koh Phangan
Day 1: arrival in Thong Sala, check in on the west coast or in the north
Day 2: Thong Nai Pan, Than Sadet waterfall
Day 3: boat to Bottle Beach, or a day trip to Ang Thong
Day 4: Phaeng waterfall and viewpoint, Thong Sala market
Day 5: Haad Rin (on a Full Moon night, depending on dates) or a relaxing day in Srithanu
10 to 14 days: the three Gulf islands
Days 1-4: Koh Samui
Days 5-9: Koh Phangan
Days 10-13: Koh Tao for diving
Return via Chumphon or Koh Samui
For the other stops, see our Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Bangkok guides. From December to March, the Andaman coast is drier: Phuket or Krabi.
How much does a trip to Koh Phangan cost?
Indicative amounts per person per day, excluding flights:
Item
Budget
Comfort
Accommodation (based on a shared double room)
roughly 450–1,150 THB
roughly 1,700–4,900 THB
Meals
roughly 400–800 THB
roughly 950–1,900 THB
Transport (pick-up taxis, water taxis)
roughly 200–400 THB
roughly 600–1,100 THB
Activities (Ang Thong, yoga, parties)
roughly 400–600 THB
roughly 750–1,900 THB
Total per day
roughly 1,500–2,700 THB
roughly 3,800–8,400 THB
Indicative estimates; prices rise sharply in Haad Rin during the Full Moon Party.
Getting to and around Koh Phangan
From Koh Samui: regular boats to Thong Sala and Haad Rin, about 30 minutes by speedboat.
From the mainland: plane, bus or train to Surat Thani, then a ferry from Donsak (a longer crossing than to Samui).
From Koh Tao: speedboats, about 1 hour.
On the island: pick-up taxis (songthaews) with fares agreed in advance, water taxis for the isolated beaches.
Scooter: widely used but risky: steep roads, dirt tracks, night riding. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 12 October 2026) notes that Thailand has a high number of road accidents, particularly with motorcycles.
Where to stay on Koh Phangan
Area
Best for
Good to know
Haad Rin
Parties, Full Moon Party
Noisy, high prices on party nights
Thong Sala
Budget, convenience
Close to the port and markets
Srithanu and Haad Yao (west)
Yoga, peace and quiet, sunsets
Shallow beaches
Thong Nai Pan (northeast)
Couples, families
More isolated, pricier hotels
Chaloklum and Bottle Beach (north)
Peace and quiet, nature
Bottle Beach is reached by boat
Entry requirements, health and safety
US citizens (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, page updated August 20, 2026): pre-arrival online registration is required; a passport valid at least six months beyond arrival is strongly recommended; you may be asked for an onward or return ticket or proof of funds.
British citizens (FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 12 October 2026): passport valid at least 6 months after arrival with 1 blank page; from 15 September 2026, visa-exempt entry is up to 30 days for tourism only; land-border visa-exempt entries are normally limited to 2 per calendar year; you may need proof of funds (10,000 THB per person / 20,000 THB per family) and onward travel; overstay fine of 500 THB a day, up to 20,000 THB.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): mandatory for all foreign nationals since 1 May 2025; it can be completed within the 3 days before arrival.
30 days for US citizens too: The U.S. State Department page (last updated August 20, 2026) still mentions 60 days, but it predates the change: under the Thai rules in force since 15 September 2026, US citizens are also limited to 30 days (Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1 September 2026). Check with the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington before you travel.
Health: a yellow fever certificate is required only if you arrive from a country with a risk of transmission (UK FCDO); keep routine vaccinations up to date and protect yourself against mosquitoes (dengue). Drink only bottled water and sealed drinks: the UK FCDO reports deaths and serious illness from alcoholic drinks containing methanol. According to the U.S. Department of State, only basic medical care is available on the islands.
Safety: The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of southern Songkhla (Thailand–Malaysia border) and to areas within 20 km (12 mi) of the Cambodian land border (land crossings with Cambodia are suspended); the island is far from these areas. The main risks are the roads, alcohol and drugs at parties, theft and rough seas at the end of the year. The UK FCDO reports items taken from bags while passengers slept on buses and trains.
Emergencies: tourist police 1155; keep your insurer’s contact details with you.
February to September. According to the normals for Koh Samui, the neighbouring official station, February is the driest month and the rain is concentrated from October to December, peaking in November.
When is the Full Moon Party?
Once a month, around the full moon, on Sunrise Beach in Haad Rin. The date is sometimes moved to respect Buddhist holidays: check the official calendar before booking.
How many days should you spend on Koh Phangan?
Four to five days to explore the northern and western beaches, the waterfalls and Haad Rin; longer if you come for yoga or to relax.
How do you get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?
By speedboat, in about 30 minutes, to Thong Sala or Haad Rin. Several companies run the route every day.
Is Koh Phangan just a party island?
No: the partying is concentrated in Haad Rin. The north and west of the island are quiet, with sheltered bays, waterfalls and many yoga centres.
Thai Meteorological Department / World Meteorological Organization: 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ko Samui station, published by the World Meteorological Organization
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