green trees near body of water under blue sky and white clouds during daytime

Koh Phangan

A Gulf of Thailand island where you can join a beach party one night and spend the next on a quiet bay, with yoga and wellness retreats in between.

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Koh Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, part of Surat Thani Province in southern Thailand. Most visitors reach it by ferry from Don Sak on the mainland, or by speedboat from Koh Samui. The island is best known for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin Beach, held monthly around the full moon and drawing large crowds from many countries.

Away from the party calendar, the island has quieter coasts on the east and north, yoga and wellness retreats, and forested interiors with steep roads. Plan at least three to five nights to see more than one coast, and expect to rely on ferries, taxis or a scooter to move between them. The calmest, driest months are January to March, while the heaviest rain usually falls from October to December.

Koh Phangan in five

Check the ferry times with the operatorBoats from Don Sak on the mainland and speedboats from Koh Samui both reach Thong Sala, but schedules change and rough weather can cancel sailings. Confirm your boat the day before.Getting around
Carry baht cash for small placesATMs cluster in Thong Sala and Haad Rin, and many bungalows, food stalls and taxi drivers prefer cash. Take out enough before you reach the quieter coasts.
Check your motorbike licence before you rideRiding legally needs a valid motorcycle licence, and insurers can refuse a claim after a crash if you did not have one. Read the policy before you rent a scooter.Travel insurance
Set up an eSIM before the ferryLoad data before you land so you can open maps and booking confirmations on the way. Signal can be weak on the steep roads between the coasts.Phones and eSIM
Avoid drinks from strangers at Haad RinOn Full Moon nights, drink spiking and large shared buckets are the main risks. Keep your drink in sight and get a taxi or songthaew home rather than riding a bike.Full Moon Party guide

Things to do in Koh Phangan

See all attractions in Koh Phangan

Temple · Koh PhanganWat Chaloklam

Park · Koh PhanganNamtok Than Sadet National Park

Temple · Koh PhanganWat Phu Khao Noi

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Koh PhanganPut the places you like in Koh Phangan on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Baht (THB)
Entry: Visa exemption or visa on arrival for many passports; check current rules Read more
Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance, 199 fire
Tipping: Not required; small tips for good service are welcome
Time: UTC+7, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Dry, calm seas
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry, calm seas
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Dry, warm
AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, Songkran
MayRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, humid
JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Showers, busy
JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Full Moon crowds
AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Some showers
SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Wetter, windier
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rain season
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Rain, rough seas
DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Rain, holidays

Average daily high and low in Ko Pha-Ngan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Koh Phangan

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 32°
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 91%

Koh Phangan

07:55 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today29°27°91%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 91%.
Wed30°25°90%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 90%.
Thu28°25°88%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 88%.
Fri29°25°84%Friday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
Sat29°24°90%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
Sun28°24°98%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
Mon28°24°100%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 05:08 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Koh Samuiabout 30 to 60 min by speedboatThe larger neighbour, with an airport and more shops and restaurants.
Koh Taoabout 1.5 to 2 hours by ferryA diving island to the south, an easy trip if you want to dive or snorkel.
Thong Sala marketa short drive from most coastsLocal food stalls and fruit sellers near the pier.

Before you go to Koh Phangan

eSIM for ThailandData on landing, before the ferryRead the guide

Insurance for scootersCheck the cover and licence rulesRead the guide

Where to stay on the islandFive coasts compared by noise and accessRead the guide

Ferries and getting aroundBoats, roads and bikes to each coastRead the guide

Rules for Koh Phangan, checked

Check current entry rules and your passport validity on the Royal Thai Immigration website before you fly.Source
Riding a motorbike needs a valid motorcycle licence, and police check licences and helmets at roadside stops.
Public nudity and topless sunbathing are illegal in Thailand. Cannabis rules are set by the Thai government and change, so check before you buy.
Cover shoulders and knees at temples, and take off your shoes before going inside.

All Koh Phangan guides

a sandy beach with lawn chairs and umbrellas

Head to headKo Pha-Ngan, Ko Tao or Ko Samui? Which Gulf island suits youChecked Oct 1, 2026

How toFull Moon Party on Ko Pha-Ngan: dates, where to sleep and how to stay safeChecked Oct 1, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay on Ko Pha-Ngan: five coasts from Haad Rin to Thong Nai PanChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Koh Phangan

Ferries and island transport

Getting to the island and around it by boat, road and bike

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry rules and documents for a Thailand trip

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical prices across the island

Read the guide

Koh Phangan FAQ

How do you get to Ko Pha-Ngan?

Ferries run from Don Sak on the mainland to Thong Sala, and speedboats come from Koh Samui. Boat schedules change, so check the operator before you book.

How many days do you need on Ko Pha-Ngan?

Three to five nights covers two coasts without rushing the boat transfers. Stay longer if you want a quiet bay and a scooter trip around the island.

Is the Full Moon Party safe?

It is busy and loud, and drink spiking happens. Keep your drink in sight, avoid shared buckets from strangers, and get a taxi or songthaew home rather than riding a bike.

Can I ride a motorbike on Ko Pha-Ngan?

Yes, but you need a valid motorcycle licence, and the roads are steep and unlit at night. Read your travel insurance before you rent one.

Which beach is best for a quiet stay?

Thong Nai Pan is a good choice for calm bays, but the road is rough. Srithanu on the west side is quieter than Haad Rin and has small cafes and bungalows.

Do I need cash on Ko Pha-Ngan?

Yes, carry baht for food stalls, small bungalows and songthaew fares. ATMs are concentrated in Thong Sala and Haad Rin, so withdraw before you leave them.