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Here is the ultimate guide on Things to do in Koh Phangan. In a world changing so quickly it can be hard to find relevant, accurate, fresh and up to date travel information. Never fear. We have traveled around Koh Phangan extensively to bring you the very best things to do in Koh Phangan in 2026.
Koh Phangan is well known for its full moon parties with neon body paint and buckets of alcohol. But there are also stunning beaches, waterfalls, viewpoints and much much more. There really are so many epic things to do in Koh Phangan. We will recommend and review a range of activities and experiences. From trekking, relaxing on a beach, visiting vibrant markets to adventurous activities. There are also loads of things to do in Koh Phangan for families.
If you’re looking for great places to eat in Koh Phangan check out our Koh Phangan Restaurant guide
Also we will recommend some amazing places to stay in Koh Phangan too. If you’re planning a trip to Koh Phangan please do book through our links. This enables us to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. And as ever, drop us a comment if you have any questions.
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY?
Don’t miss our guide on THE BEST Resorts in Koh Phangan
Map of things to do in Koh Phangan
To help you navigate around all the amazing things to do in Koh Phangan here is a super helpful travel map….
Where should I go? Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao compared
There are loads of amazing things to to in Koh Phangan and the surrounding islands. Here is a summary of the three islands to help you plan you trip to this lovely part of the world:
Koh Samui: Comercial vibes, resorts, restaurants and even a mall and airport. Most built up and most expensive for accommodation. Most convenient and easy to access from the mainland.
Koh Phangan: Hippy / New age vibes. Weekly night market for food (Thong Sala Saturdays and Chaloklum on Sundays). Small resuaurants and coffee shops. Great for parties, quiet beaches and viewpoints. A few diving schools. Island hopping tours to Ang Thong Marine park.
Koh Tao: Small restaurants and coffee shops. Lots of diving schools, affordable island snorkelling tour, turtle spotting and a couple of amazing view points. More expensive for commodities and food. A few cheaper options for accommodation.
How do I get around Koh Phangan?
If you’re planning things to do in Koh Phangan it is important to consider how you will get around the island. It is not so easy to get around in Koh Phangan. The normal Taxi apps (Bolt and Grab) don’t operate in Koh Phangan. If you don’t have your own transport taxi buses are often the best option. It normally costs between 100 baht and 500 baht to get around the island depending on the distance of the journey (£2 – £10 or $2.50 – $13). You can flag these taxi buses at the side of the road.
The cheapest way to get around is motorbike rental in Koh Phangan. There are lots of rental shops around the island. Prices normally start at 150 baht – 200 baht per day (roughly £3 – £4 or $4 – $5) and you can normally negotiate a better deal for longer rental periods. Most places ask for a passport as a deposit, although some places may be willing to take a cash deposit of around 5,000 baht. Petrol costs around 40-50 baht on the island. Alternatively you can find car rental in Koh Phangan. Expect to pay 1,000baht or more per day, depending on the season and availability.
Find out more about the best ways to get around in Koh Phangan
The Best things to do in Koh Phangan in 2022
1 Trek to the Phaeng waterfall and viewpoint
If you’re looking for adventurous things to do in Koh Phangan consider a jungle trek to an interpid waterfall…
If you love jungle scenery, make sure you take a visit to the Phaeng Waterfall and viewpoints. Phaeng waterfall is located on the route between Thong Sala (the main town) and Chaloklum. It is best accessed by motorbike – but you can also take taxis here too. To visit the Phaneng waterfall you need to purchase a National Park permit that costs 100 baht (around £2 or $2.50). From the ticket office you need to walk past the National Park office buildings and then follow the small trail up the hill.
The waterfall is best appreciated during rainy periods (October – December are the wettest months). You can follow a steep trail up the hill alongside the waterfall. It is also possible to keep walking up the hill and follow a loop walk past a stunning viewpoint. We recommend being well equipped for this trek. Good walking shoes are essential and we recommend loose light fitting clothing. It is also important to bring plenty of water, snacks and mosquito repellant. If you plan to trek to the viewpoint it is likely to take a couple of hours. This is one of our favorite intrepid things to do in Koh Phangan. After visiting the Phaeng waterfall there is also a zoo cafe located near the ticket office. The animals appear to be well looked after but we weren’t particularly impressed with the small size of some of the enclosures.
2 Rent a kayak
One of our top pick things to do in Koh Phangan is to rent a Kayak. Kayak Rental is a great way to explore the stunning coastlines of Koh Phangan. This would also be a relatively affordable way to access some of the more secluded and stunning snorkeling spots around the north east of the island (e.g between Haad Khom and Bottle Beach). If you do try a snorkeling kayak trip make sure you go with a buddy for safety and to look after the Kayak. Another way to enjoy a Kayak trip in Koh Phangan is to rent a Kayak along the west coast at sunset time (normally 6pm – 7pm). Many resorts and restaurants around the coast of Koh Phangan offer Kayak rental. It is normally done on an hourly basis. Expect to pay around 100 – 150 baht for one hour (this is roughly £2 – £3 or $2.50 – $4). Make sure you agree on a price and check the time when you rent the Kayak. You can get Kayak Rental for 100 baht per hour from the Koh Ma Resort on the north west tip of Koh Phangan (Mae Haad beach).
3 Take a boat to Bottle Beach
Visiting bottle beach really is one of the best things to do in Koh Phangan. And taking a taxi boat to bottle beach is the most exhilarating ways to get there. Bottle Beach (or Haad Khuat, หาดขวด เกาะพะงัน) is a clean beautiful golden sand beach located on the serene north coast of Koh Phangan. The boat journey follows the north coast around allowing you to enjoy some epic scenery. The journey takes around 15 minutes and boat drivers generally speak very good English.
You can take a taxi boat from either Chaloklum (east of the main pier) or from the east side of Haad Khom Beach. The price should be 150 baht per person each way (this is around £3 or $4). You may need to wait for a boat. Boats tend to wait on Bottle Beach and then travel back to Chaloklum and Haad Khom approximately every hour. Here are a couple of phone numbers for a boat driver: +66 62 4154328 and +66 93 6294725.
Don’t worry about arranging your return trip. It is very easy to find a taxi boat at Bottle Beach – they tend to wait in this area and depart roughly every hour. The price is fixed at 150 baht per person each way and the drivers seem to be very unwilling to barter.
If you don’t want to go by boat, you can also visit Bottle Beach by trekking from the small car park above Haad Khom. There is also a road to Bottle Beach from the south of the island but this requires a suitable vehicle for an unpaved road.
Don’t miss our FULL guide on getting to Bottle Beach Koh Phangan
4 Trek to the Bottle Beach viewpoint
No list of things to do in Koh Phangan would be complete without some amazing viewpoints. If you do take a visit to Bottle Beach, don’t miss the amazing Bottle Beach viewpoint. The Bottle Beach viewpoint is a rocky outcrop on a jungle hill to the east of Bottle Beach. This viewpoint affords a panoramic view of the beach, jungle hills and the Thai Gulf ocean. It takes around 45 minutes to trek up to the Bottle Beach viewpoint from the beach. The trek follows a steep jungle path. We recommend wearing good footwear, mosquito repellant and bringing plenty of water for this trek. The trekking route to the viewpoint is relatively straight forward. Find the restaurant called “Bottle Beach 2”. From here follow the road inland a short distance away from the beach. Keep your eye open for a left turn. Turn left and look out for a small trail to the right (there should be a sign). Follow this trail up the hill through the jungle. When you actually reach the Bottle Beach viewpoint, be careful there are some big drops.
5 Learn Thai boxing
If you’re looking for challenging and active things to do in Koh Phangan, Thai boxing may be your answer. There are several Thai boxing gyms around the island offering a range of classes. You can find classes for beginners or experienced fighters. Most classes run for 1-2 hours. Muay Thai classes normally involve warm up exercises, technique training, bag work and sparring. If you’re looking for a good Muay Thai gym check out Rittisak Muay Thai Gym. This is located on the Thong Sala – Chaloklum road just before Chaloklum. First session price of 200 baht (around £4 or $5). A one week package costs 1,500 baht (£30 or $40) for one session per day and 2,500 baht (around £50 or $70) for two sessions per day. Monthly packages cost 5,000 baht (around £100 or $130) for one session per day and 7,000 baht (£140 or $280) for two sessions per day.
6 Enjoy a stunning tropical sunset
Enjoying the intense colourful sunsets is one of the MUST NOT MISS things to do in Koh Phangan.
The sunsets in Koh Phangan are very beautiful. To watch an amazing tropical sunset head to any of the beaches along the west coast. Some of the best spots are: Mae Haad Bay, Haad Yao and Ao Hin Kong beach. The sunset in Thailand is around 6 – 7pm throughout the year. Many of the beaches have cafes and resorts where you can buy food and drinks. It is also pretty easy to find places offering kayak and paddle board rental along the west coast. From Koh Phangan the sun sets over Ang Thong Marine park – a collection of small islands that can be seen on the horizon. By the way, this picture was taken at the beautiful red peal resort (the sun sets behind a hill here but it is still stunning!)
7 Swimming and snorkeling
This is one of our favourite things to do in Koh Phangan – enjoy the stunning sea life around the island.
Koh Phangan has some great spots for snorkeling and swimming in crystal clear waters around the island. The best season for snorkeling and swimming in clear calm water is from January to June – especially March and April. In calm clear weather there is less chance of seeing jellyfish and it is easier to spot them (although be aware that jellyfish can be encountered in the waters around Koh Phnagan at any time). Some of the bays in the north of Koh Phangan are more naturally sheltered and therefore have clearer and calm water. There are some great snorkeling spots around Haad Khom beach – the bay seems to create a natural shelter from wind and waves and in calmer periods the water is often still and crystal clear. The water around the south of the island tends to be a little more murky and some of the beaches on the south are also more exposed and can have bigger waves.
8 Have a drink at the 360 bar at Utopia Resort
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Koh Phangan definitely don’t miss the Utopia bar and viewpoint.
The Utopia Resort is located on the northwest of the island. A short walk up the hill from Utopia Resort (a few hundred meters), there is a bar with an impressive 360 view. From this vantage point you can see the beautiful Mae Haad bay and Koh Ma, the sandbar island. On a clear day you can also see Koh Tao in the distance. The 360 bar serves a range of drinks and food. As you would expect, prices are a little higher than buying drinks in the town. This really is a remarkable place to relax with a drink and gaze at the breathtaking view. They have a range of seats including tables, bean bags and a number of terraces. This is one of the best things to do in Koh Phangan at sunset time (this spot has a great sunset view)
9 Take a dip at Paradise waterfall
This is one of the lesser known things to do in Koh Phangan – but this spot is well worth a visit.
The aptly named Paradise waterfall is a beautiful jungle waterfall on the way into Chaloklum. The waterfall itself is not the most impressive spectacle. Rather, the attraction of Paradise Waterfall is the large jungle pool with a rope swing. This is the perfect spot to take a cooling intrepid dip in the jungle. The pool is pretty deep in sections. The great thing about Paradise Waterfall is that you can visit and enjoy this spot all year around (many of the waterfalls dry up in less rainy periods, especially January – July). Paradise waterfall is located on the road between Thong Sala and Chaloklum. Just before you get into Chaloklum there is a right turn (look out for the sign for Paradise waterfall). There is a rough unpaved road that leads up a steep hill for around 500m to a parking spot. From here it is a short walk up to the waterfall.
Entrance to the waterfall costs a humble 30 baht (around £0.60 or $0.80). And get this. The lovely lady will also give you a free 500ml bottle of water. You can also grab an inflatable ring for the waterfall. It’s worth knowing there isn’t anywhere particularly private to get changed, so bring a big towel or just rock up in your swimming kit. A swim at paradise waterfall may well be one of the most memorable things to do in Koh Phangan.
10 Walk along a sandbar to Koh Ma island
Walking to Koh Ma across the sand bar is one of the most unique things to do in Koh Phangan. If you go to Mae Haad beach on the northwest corner of Koh Phangan it is very easy to see the sandbar. BUT be warned. It is only really possible to cross the sandbar at low tide. We did see some brave souls wading chest deep in water – but with waves and currents we wouldn’t recommend anything like this. Another way to get to Koh Ma is to rent a Kayak from the Koh Ma Beach Resort (on Mae Haad beach). Kayak rental costs 100baht per hour (around £2 or $2.50). If you’re looking for iconic things to do in Koh Phangan – this one is for you.
11 Relax with a Thai Massage
Relax with a decadent Thai Massage. This is one of the most relaxing and invigorating things to do in Koh Phangan. Around the island you can find a range of small spas offering various treatments. The traditional Thai massage is a great way to release tension and work knots out of deep tissue. Traditional Thai Massage involves a range of stimuli including pressure, kneading, rubbing and stretching. If you like a strong invigorating massage this is a great choice for you. Thai massage normally costs between 150 – 300 baht per hour in small spas (this is £3 – £6 or $4 – $8). Oil Massages and other treatments may cost a little more. If you’re looking for a very unique jungle spa experience check out the Gaia Spa. They have a range of pools and treatments available. Another option is the Kanda Massage spa located in Thong Sala (the main town).
12 Experience a full moon beach party
No list of things to do in Koh Phangan would be complete without a crazy full moon beach party. This is one of the most iconic things to do in Koh Phangan. Many people visit Koh Phangan JUST for the full moon parties. AND yes – they are still running post-covid (woop woop!). If you want to go to a Koh Phangan world famous full moon party the first prerequisite is to visit Koh Phangan during the full moon (always happy to state the obvious here!) BUT watch out – the party lines up with the Buddhist calendar so it may not be on the exact night of the astronomical full moon. There are often several beach parties around the island. But the BIG event is always held at Haad Rin beach on the south east tip of the island. You do now need to pay 100 baht to attend the full moon party (around £2 or $2.50) and you do not need to buy tickets in advance. There are also occasionally parties at Baan Tai beach and Lost Paradise Beach (Haad Yao East).
13 Find your inner balance paddle boarding
Paddle boarding is a fun and unique way to enjoy the pretty Koh Phangan coast line. You can rent paddle boards from many resorts along the beaches of Koh Phangan. Paddle boading is a lot of fun. You can do it without any prior experience, and people can generally learn without requiring special instruction or lessons. It should normally cost around 100 baht per hour (roughly £2 or $2.50). If you’re struggling to find paddle board rental try the Shell Lounge on Ao Hin Kong beach. This is a lovely place for a drink and a nibble. They also offer paddle board rental. This is also a lovely spot to see another sandbar (located a short distance south of the Shell Lounge).
14 Nibble your way round the night market
Night markets are one of the many things we LOVE about Thailand. If you’re looking for things to do in Koh Phangan on a saturday or sunday evening – don’t miss the epic night markets. They serve a range of local food and foreign dishes. Prices are very reasonable and the experience is very enjoyable. The night market starts around 6pm on Saturday in Thong Sala (it runs along the street near the main pier and park). The Sunday night market starts around 6pm in Chaloklum near the main Pier. Top tip- get there early for the best range of foods. Also at Chaloklum they have tables and chairs along the pier – a very memorable place to enjoy your eclectic selection of night market nibbles.
15 Take an island hopping trip to the Ang Thong Marine Park
If you do want to do an island hopping trip of the Ang Thong Marine Park, Koh Phangan is the best option (compared to Koh Tao or Koh Samui). If you do an island hopping trip we recommend bringing swimming kit, a towel, suncream, sunglasses and trekking clothes (there is an amazing viewpoint that you can trek up to).
At the time of publishing this article there are not many companies offering tours of the Ang Thong Marine Park. We recommend Orion Boat tours for affordable group island hopping tours of the Ang Thong Marine Park. The prices are as follows:
- Island Hopping day trip, no Kayaks, including National Park fees 2,000 baht (around £40 or $50)
- Island Hopping day trip with Kayaks, including National Park fees 2,200 baht (around £44 or $55)
Children 4 -10 years old are half price and children under 4 years old are free. Prices include two way transfer from your hotel, snacks, water, lunch and snorkeling equipment. You can book trips online: https://www.phanganboattrips.com/ This is one of the more expensive things to do in Koh Phangan – but it is a super memorable day so is well worth a place on a list of the best things to do in Koh Phangan.
16 Visit Retro mountain
If you’re looking for things to do in Koh Phangan with kids check out Retro Mountain. Retro mountain is a bar, viewpoint and venue for family activities. They often host parties including paddling pools, games and movie nights. Show up in the day and you can enjoy a drink at this stunning viewpoint. There is even a small kids play park at Retro Mountain. The location is a little remote so you will need your own wheels to get here – alternatively arrange a good deal with a taxi driver in Koh Phangan. This is not ideal for very young kids and toddlers due to the height of the location.
17 Learn scuba diving
If you’re looking for epic things to do in Koh Tao, why not learn to scuba dive? Experience the magic of the underwater world, learn new skills and make new friends. Scuba diving courses typically take 2-3 days. They normally include equipment, training, lessons, practice sessions and diving trips to assess and practice your new found skills. The Koh Phangan diving schools tend to go to Sail Rock. This is a small rocky island around 1 hour north of Koh Phangan by boat. The water here is often relatively clear, and you can normally dive around the rock to see coral and fish. In places the water is pretty deep at this location (over 30m) which is deeper than the open water course permits. Expect to pay around 10,000 baht (roughly £200 or $260) for an open water course in Koh Phangan. It is always worth negotiating and shopping around for a course. Once you are qualified as an open water diver, it is possible to take fun dives and refresher dives with schools around the world. This is one of the most expensive things to do in Koh Phangan but we do think it is well worth it if you want to learn an amazing new skill.
Top tip: If you’re planning to travel to Koh Tao we recommend doing your open water scuba diving course there instead. There are more diving schools in Koh Tao and on average open water diving courses are a little cheaper in Koh Tao.
18 Explore a Buddhist temple
If you’re looking for cultured things to do in Koh Phangan consider a visit to the Guanyuin Holy Mother Shrine (ศาลเจ้าแม่กวนอิม). This is a temple located on the road between Thongsala and Chaloklum. There are several buildings, shrines and statues to explore. The complex is adorned with colorful southeast Asian artwork. It costs 40 baht to explore this temple. You could visit this temple on the way to or from paradise waterfall.
19 Eat BBQ fish and Mango Salad
No list of things to do in Koh Phangan would be complete without a mention of the AMAZING local seafood. We absolutely adore the local BBQ stalls. You can normally buy pretty impressive BBQ fish for around 80 baht (£1.60 or $2) BBQ chicken – depending on the size this is normally around 50 baht (£1 or $1.30) and spicy mango or papaya salads for around 60 baht (£1.20 or $1.50). Sticky rice is normally available for 10 baht (£0.20 or $0.25). So you can have an island feast for a few dollars – fresh, healthy and super tasty. We have pinned the location of a lovely little BBQ fish place on the map. It is located opposite to the seven eleven just as you come into Chaloklum from the south.
20 Learn to freedive at Sail Rock
One of my favorite things to do in Koh Phangan was learning to freedive with the Apnea freediving school. Free diving is the skill of diving long and deep without the assistance of compressed air canisters. Instructors teach you to hold your breath for extended periods of time (potentially over 3 minutes), to equalize in order to dive deeper. You also learn about equipment, preparation, safety, first aid and rescue techniques in the water. You can do exploratory courses for one day or you can qualify as a free diver on a two day course. Expect to pay around 6,000 baht for a free diver course (£120 or $150). The Apnea free diving school conduct free diving courses at Sail Rock – a fantastic spot to explore the underwater landscape and explore greater depths.
