Chaloklum Koh Phangan – Visitor’s Guide 2025

Chaloklum is a beautiful and peaceful town situated on the north coast of Koh Phangan. This calm bay experiences some of the nicest conditions on the island.

We massively recommend that you, whether you are spending a few days or a few months in Koh Phangan. There are plenty of beautiful, fun, and intrepid things to do in and around Chaloklum. 

In our opinion, Chaloklum offers the perfect balance between nature, tranquility, and some conveniences and luxuries. It is possible to find affordable, delicious local Thai food. Or if you love a good coffee, there are several stylish boutique coffee shops. You can even find Indian, Mexican, and Italian food in Chaloklum. In this article, we will go in depth sharing some of the best things to see, do, and eat in Chaloklum.

Very helpful map of Chaloklum 

Hint – click on the pins for information about each gem

What is it like to live in Chaloklum as a full time travel family?

How do you get to Chaloklum?

There are several ways to get to Chaloklum, but the most convenient and cost-effective way to travel from Thong Sala to Chaloklum is to rent a motorbike and ride. The journey takes around 30 minutes by motorbike. You need to follow the main road heading north out of Thong Sala and cross the middle of the island. There is one main hill to get over in this journey. There is a range of shops, cafes, and restaurants along the way. If you’re riding a bike along this route, be careful of traffic; this road can be busy and is relatively fast. Bike rental starts at around 150 baht per day (£3 or $4) in Koh Phangan.

If you are not confident riding a bike in Koh Phangan, you can also rent a car on the island. In order to rent a car, we recommend having a driver’s license. If possible, obtain an international license before you travel. There are several places to rent cars on the island; car rental starts at around 300 baht per day (£6 or $8). It is much easier to work out a cheaper deal if you are renting a car for longer.

Alternatively, you can also take a taxi. Chaloklum Koh Phangan has a shared taxi service called Songthaews. The blue Songthaew buses travel between Thong Sala and Chaloklum. Expect to pay around 200 – 300 baht per person (£4 – £6 or $5 – $8). It is always worth bargaining with your driver before you jump on. It may cost more to travel in the evening or at night.

Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to the best ways to get around in Koh Phangan

Things to do in Chaloklum

1 Visit Paradise Waterfall

Paradise waterfall? Sound amazing? Paradise Waterfall is a beautiful jungle waterfall on the way into Chaloklum. The waterfall itself is not the most impressive, but Paradise Waterfall has a 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 round (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.

2 Take a trip to Bottle Beach

If you’re looking for adventurous and fun things to do in Chaloklum, we highly recommend taking a visit to Bottle Beach. Bottle Beach is a beautiful and remote beach situated a few kilometers to the east of Chaloklum. This lovely beach has soft golden sand and several resorts, cafes, and restaurants situated on the beachfront. There are two ways to get to Bottle Beach from Chaloklum. Firstly, you can go by taxi boat; secondly, you can walk to Bottle Beach along a jungle trail. If you plan to take a taxi boat, you can take the boat from the beach (a few hundred meters to the east of the pier in Chaloklum). 

You can also take a taxi boat from Haad Khom Beach – a short drive from Chaloklum. Here are the phone numbers for one of the taxi boat operators in the area: +66 62 4154328 and +66 93 6294725. Alternatively, you can walk to Bottle Beach following a very beautiful jungle trail. If you’re planning to do this walk, we recommend preparing well with good shoes and light, loose clothing. Remember to bring plenty of water; the walk to Bottle Beach is a few kilometers and is likely to take an hour or two, and it is quite steep, challenging terrain.

3 Explore the Sunday Night Market

One of our favorite things to do in Chaloklum is visit the Sunday Night Market. Every Sunday afternoon at around 4:00 p.m. the pier area is closed off and becomes a walking-only street. There is a wide range of food available at the Night Market; options include classic Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, seafood omelets, fried chicken, and barbecue fish.

They also have some international options, including Indian food, pizzas, cakes, and even burgers. Food and drink prices are very reasonable at the Chaloklum Night Market; most options range between 50 baht – 150 baht. This is a very unique and lovely night market; there are tables and chairs set up along the pier, and you can also rent mats to sit on the floor. There is a lovely, relaxed, friendly atmosphere at this market, and this is a particularly nice place to enjoy the sunset and some tasty local food.

4 Try Diving 

There are many diving schools in Koh Phangan. This is a great place to take an open water diving course or to do some fun recreational dives. The diving schools in the area generally depart from the pier in Chaloklum and visit a popular dive site called Sailrock, which is around an hour’s boat ride north of the island. There are plenty of diving schools to choose from; you can even learn to free dive in this area. The cost of diving courses and recreational dives depends on the school that you choose. 

Expect to pay around 1,000 baht – 2,000 baht (£20 – £40 or $25 – $50) for a recreational dive. Open water courses are likely to cost 5,000 baht – 10,000 baht (£100 – £200 or $120 – $240). If you are really passionate about diving, it is worth considering a visit to Koh Tao; the diving schools tend to be a little bit cheaper, and the water conditions tend to be better around Koh Tao. You may notice that we have not recommended swimming or snorkeling in this area. Sadly, there are many box jellyfish encounters in the waters around Koh Phangan, and this often ends in fatalities.

5 Take a Muay Thai Class

For a relatively small town, there is a surprising amount to do in Chaloklum. If you are looking for something active and challenging, why not take a Muay Thai class? One of the best Thai boxing gyms is situated in Chaloklum. We highly recommend taking a class at Rittisak Muay Thai Gym, which is located on the main road just before you drive into Chaloklum (from Thong Sala). If you know anything about Muay Thai, you will be aware that the Thai people are as hard as nails.

Rittisak is one of the best Muay Thai gyms around. They employ fantastic trainers and instructors who are supremely skilled and dedicated. They also have an excellent range of equipment and some very innovative and challenging training techniques. So, if you want to unleash your inner beast, get yourself booked into a class or two. The prices are also very reasonable, and you can just show up for the morning classes at 8:00 a.m. No prior experience needed. It costs 350 baht for a 2-hour class or 2,800 for 10 classes (need to be used within a month)

What are prices like in Chaloklum?

Prices in Koh Phangan are slightly higher than prices in mainland Thailand; on average, things cost around 20% more. These additional prices apply to the whole island and are due to the increased cost of transportation and the more limited supply of local produce on the island. We also noticed that food prices in Chaloklum are slightly higher than Thong Sala. This difference is particularly noticeable at the low budget end if you are buying local street food and fresh fruit and vegetables. Local food in Chaloklum often costs around 20 baht more than equivalent food in Thong Sala (this is around £0.40 or $0.50). This may not sound like a lot, but it does add up if you are living on a budget and staying in the area for a while. Here are some specific examples to give you a feel for prices in this area:

• One-hour massage: 400 baht
• A local soup such as seafood green curry: 80 – 120 baht
• Barbecued fish: 50 baht
• BBQ chicken: 40 baht
• A latte in a coffee shop: 80 – 120 baht
• A bunch of bananas: 50 baht
• A fresh coconut: 40 baht
• A fruit shake: 40 – 50 baht
• A meal in a nice restaurant: 200 baht

How developed is Chaloklum?

Chaloklum is developing fairly quickly. Everytime we visit there are more shops, hotels and amenities here. The good news? It is still beautiful and has lovely chilled vibes. In our opinion, Chaloklum has the perfect balance of development, luxuries, and peaceful tranquility. Here is a summary of the main amenities in Chaloklum:

• Good phone signal, including mobile data
• Many restaurants, cafes, and most accommodation have fast internet
• Some coffee shops and restaurants have air conditioning (but not all!)
• There are several self-service laundry places and also some laundrettes (pay by the kilo)
• There is a petrol station just outside Chaloklum
• There are three 7-Eleven convenience stores
• There are a few ATM machines outside 7-Eleven (east side of town)
• That is a good range of cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants
• There are several tattoo studios
• There are several spas offering massages and a range of Thai treatments
• That is a taxi boat service to other beaches, including Bottle Beach and Haad Khom
• It is normally very quick and easy to find a taxi in the area
• The electricity supply in the area is stable and consistent
• There are no hospitals, doctors, or clinics in Chaloklum; the closest hospital is situated in Thong Sala
• There are several diving schools situated in Chaloklum
• There is a very good range of accommodation in the area for both short and long-term rentals
• There are a few small markets selling fresh fruit and vegetables
• That are several freshwater dispensers in town
• There is an excellent Thai boxing gym just outside of the town

As a full-time travel family with young kids and a baby, we found Chaloklum an amazing place to live and work. This town has everything we need and more.

What are the best places to stay in Chaloklum?

Mandalai Hotel Price Range: £20 – £55 Mandalai Hotel is also situated in a great location, a short walk from the beach. Nice rooms and outdoor pools. Not far from shops, cafes, & restaurants. You can book Mandalai on Agoda and on booking.com

Red Pearl Resort Price Range: £35 – £85 Pictured above. Stunning tranquil resort with lush gardens, stylish villas, private beach, and outdoor pool. Beautiful location and lovely staff. Best if you have a car or bike. You can find Mandalai on Agoda and also on booking.com

Malibu Beach Bungalows Price Range: £45 – £90 Beautiful beach bungalows surrounded by jungle and palm trees. On the pricey side for what you get but great if you want to be close to the sea and not too far from town. Find Malibu Bungalows on Agoda and also on booking.com

Silan Residence Price Range: £80 – £140 Large, spacious, stylish, and luxurious private homes by the beach in a fantastic location. Easy access to beach cafes and restaurants. Reserve Silan on Agoda or on booking.com

What are the BEST places to eat in Chaloklum?

1 Mythai – Gourmet Burgers 

If you love a good burger, then you really need to visit this place. Mythai makes some of the best burgers that we have ever tried. They have an innovative menu and only serve the best, freshest food. The beef patties are handmade, and the brioche bread buns are home-baked. We are particularly impressed with the delicious, fresh, tasty fillings, which include imported ingredients such as German spices, blue cheese, and even delicacies like truffles. Not only are the burgers absolutely outstanding, the prices are also very reasonable, with burgers ranging between 150 baht – 250 baht. They also have a very tempting selection of side dishes, salads, and desserts. Situated in the jungle to the west side of Chaloklum, this delightful burger joint really is a hidden gem.

2 Kaif – Coffee Shop & Restaurant

If you’re missing your home comforts, then we have good news for you. Kaif is a wonderful coffee shop and restaurant situated right in the center of Chaloklum. This beautiful coffee shop and restaurant is on the Beach Road and has direct beach access. Kaif has both indoor seating areas with air conditioning and an outdoor seating area with an ocean view. We are super impressed by the creative and varied menu; the quality of the food is particularly high at this coffee shop, and the prices are very reasonable. They also serve a wide range of hot Drinks cold drinks and attempting selection of cakes and pastries. The fresh tasty food is prepared using both local ingredients and imported ingredients. The menu includes delicious, decadent breakfasts with specialties such as eggs benedict, cooked English breakfast, and smoothie bowls. They also serve very tasty burgers, seafood, and pastas.

3 The World’s End Cafe

There is also another fantastic coffee shop located directly in front of the pier in the center of Chaloklum. The World’s End Cafe serves a tasty menu including specialties like the breakfast burrito and pancakes. They also serve delicious coffees and tempting treats. We have been particularly impressed by the brownies at The World’s End Cafe. The prices at this cafe are also very reasonable.

4 Lea’s Indian Food

If you are a fan of Indian food, then you’re in luck. Chaloklum has one of the best Indian restaurants on the island. Actually, it is some of the best Indian food that we have had in Thailand! Lea’s Indian Food is a small Indian restaurant run by a lovely Thai lady who has a talent for cooking outstanding Indian food. There is a very impressive and creative range of options, including jackfruit curries, barracuda masalas, and classics such as vindaloo and butter chicken masala. Most curries range between 100 baht and 200 baht. In our opinion, this is outstanding value for money when you consider the quality of the food here.

If you miss the restaurant Lea also runs a lovely little stall on the Sunday Night Market (pictured above)

5 Madam Saak Thong Thai Food 

If you’re just after some high-quality Thai food, there are plenty of options around Chaloklum. One of the best local cafes for high-quality Thai food is situated on the back road. It is called Madam Saak Thong Thai Food. This place has a very local feel with wooden seating and tables and covered open-air dining. The food at this cafe is more expensive for Thai food. For example, Seafood Tom Yum or a green curry costs 120 baht. In Thailand, this would normally cost around 50-60 baht. So the prices are pretty high by Thai standards. However, the quality is also high. So, if you don’t mind paying above the odds for local food and you’re looking for somewhere that has delicious Thai food, then Madam Saak Thong is a great choice.

6 Beach Gardens 

If you are really looking to splash out on something special, then check out Beach Gardens. This stylish restrobar is situated right next to the pier overlooking the beach in the heart of Chaloklum. This is a very upmarket and pricey restaurant that serves a range of gourmet cuisine, including Asian and European dishes. We were particularly impressed by the standards and quality of the sushi; however, the prices are very high. Beach Garden is open in the evenings and has a lovely relaxing ambiance with beautiful lighting and feel-good music. They also have a bar serving a range of beers, wines, and cocktails.

What are the disadvantages of Chaloklum? 

If you have read the article up to this point, you will probably see a theme. Chaloklum is an amazing place, and we really love it. However, there are a few disadvantages and challenges of this area. We do want to share some of these negative points to help you understand the area better.

Firstly, it is very important to recognize that the oceans around Koh Phangan are not safe for swimming. Sadly, there are many lethal jellyfish encounters in the waters each year in Koh Phangan. These include regular jellyfish sightings and accidents with box jellyfish. Box jellyfish are extremely dangerous and have been seen in Chaloklum bay. This is a disadvantage of this region of the world in particular and not just Chaloklum.

Secondly, this may seem like a very trivial point, but we wanted to mention this. Chaloklum is not a great spot for sunrise and sunsets. The east and west sides of the bay are both obscured by hills, so it is not possible to see the sun dip below the horizon. However, sunrise and sunset time in Chaloklum is very beautiful. The sky often lights up with an array of stunning orange, pink, and red colors.

Thirdly, and finally, Chaloklum is slightly too remote and under-developed for some people. If you love the convenience of city life, you may find Chaloklum pretty basic. There are no malls, the shops are limited, and only a few cafes and restaurants actually have air conditioning. For many people, these tranquil rural vibes offer the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, but we appreciate this is not for everyone.