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If you’re trying to decide whether the stay on Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao there are a few essential things that you need to consider in 2026
. Trying to work out which is better Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao can be difficult if you cannot picture the islands. We have travelled both and LOVED them and are super excited to share our experience with you.
Both Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are beautiful islands with lots to do. However, the size, price, geography, activities and vibe of each island is quite different. So which is better? Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao
Time to visit both? Don’t miss our Step-by-step guide Koh Phangan to Koh Tao
ALSO, don’t miss our guide on the BEST areas to stay in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao: Getting to grips
Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are part of the Chumphon archipelago in the south of Thailand. The largest island (and closest to the mainland) is Koh Samui. Koh Samui has a big town, an airport and a shopping mall. Koh Phangan is around 30 minutes north of Koh Samui (on a fast boat). Koh Tao is around 1 hour north of Koh Phangan on a fast boat.
Koh Phangan is most famous for full moon beach parties and Koh Tao is best known for diving. Koh Samui is the most developed island. If you’re looking for an island with a more remote and natural feel we recommend Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. So which island is best to visit? Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao
Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao: What things can you get on the islands?
All of the islands have taxis – but they are much more expensive than the mainland and are unlikely to barter. Expect to pay 100 – 500 baht for most taxi journeys on the islands. You can also rent bikes on all of the islands.
All of the island have ATM machines that accept foreign bank cards. They all have at least some convenience stores (seven eleven) selling drinks, snacks, toiletries, nappies and more. All of the islands have laundry services where they can wash and dry clothes for around 40-50 baht per kg (roughly £1 or $1.30 per kg) and laundry normally takes around 24 hours.
All of the islands have bars, restaurants and larger resorts. The picture above is Beach Garden restaurant in Chaloklum, Koh Phangan. They serve a range of decadent fine european food and amazing fresh sushi.
You can also find street food on all of the islands but it is more expensive than the mainland (for a dish that would cost around 50 baht on the mainland, expect to pay 80-100 baht on the islands). All of the islands have shops selling fresh fruit and veggies and it is easy to find fresh fruit shakes and coconuts on the islands. People on all of the islands generally speak very good English and are used to foreign tourism.
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan (Roughly pronounced “Koh Pan-yang”) is larger than Koh Tao. Koh Phangan attracts many short term travelers who come for the full moon party and stay for a few days. However, more people are starting to stay for longer – attracted to the beautiful lifestyle and stunning scenery that Koh Phangan has to offer. Koh Phangan also has lots of stunning hotels and resorts – you wont believe what you can get for your money on Koh Phangan
Notable attractions: Koh Ma island (connected with a sandbar), Haad Rin full moon parties, bottle beach and viewpoint, paradise waterfall (can swim here), Than Sadet national park, island hopping to Ang Thong Marine park.
Koh Phangan summary
- Closer to Surat Thani – cheaper journey (Raja cheapest ferry company)
- Several ferry companies travel here including Raja (only company that can take cars and bike)
- Bigger island – get around using car rental, bike rental or taxis (more expensive than mainland)
- Several towns and settlements
- Lots of convenience stores (seven elevens) and a few big supermarkets
- Slightly cheaper food and accommodation
- Trekking, waterfalls (rainy season) and a few viewpoints
- Several diving schools
- More shops and restaurants
- Full moon parties / other beach parties
- Night markets in Thong Sala and Chaloklum
- More long term / slower travelers (expats and families)
- Chilled hippy vibes
Koh Tao
The aptly named Koh Tao (เกาะเต่า) translates “turtle island”. It is often possible to see turtles swimming in the waters around Koh Tao – especially around shark bay.
For a small island there is LOADS to do in Koh Tao. Koh Tao is the smallest and most remote island. Koh Tao attacts many short term travellers who come to do diving courses. This is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive and there are many diving schools to choose from.
Notable attractions: John Suwan viewpoint (double bay), Nang Yuan island and viewpoint (sandbar islands), Diving, Snorkeling day trips, Shark Bay (black tip reef sharks and turtles) and Sairee Beach
The view points on Koh Tao are genuinely some of the most impressive that we have seen. The John Suwan viewpoint (pictured above) is on a cape to the south east of the island. It costs 100 baht to enter. A steep rocky trail leads up to the view point. Below you can see the beautiful Nan Yuang view point which must be accessed by boat. There is also an entrance fee of 250 baht for the Nan Yuang island. You can take boats to Nan Yuang island from the north side of Sairee bay for around 200 – 300 baht per person return (this is around £4 – £6 or $5 – $8)
Koh Tao summary
- Further from Surat Thani – longer and more expensive journey
- Only access using Lomprayah Catamaran or speedboat
- Smaller island – can rent bikes. If you’re staying on Sairee beach don’t necessarily need car or bike rental – most places close enough to walk
- One main town
- A few convenience stores (seven elevens) and one supermarket
- More expensive food and accommodation (although there are a couple of cheap places to stay)
- Water is more expensive here as there are not any cheap street side water fillers.
- A couple of viewpoints and and some shorter treks
- Lots of diving schools (slightly cheaper diving courses)
- Less shops and restaurants (but still plenty)
- Fire dancers and bars along Sairee Beach
- No night markets
- More short term travelers (backpackers)
- Slightly more transient vibes – people staying for diving courses then moving on
Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao – which island is best to stay on?
Which is better? Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao? It depends what you really want to do. If you’re not strongly set on anything specific – you just want to relax somewhere beautiful, then Koh Phangan may be a better choice (slighly cheaper and more choice of resorts, restaurants and more beaches to choose from). But if you have some specific goals for your trip, then you need to weigh up what each place has to offer:
- If you want to learn to dive we recommend Koh Tao (although you can also learn on Koh Phangan).
- If you want to experience the full moon party then Koh Phangan is the best choice.
- If you’re interested in doing a cheap snorkeling tour – Koh Tao has a very affordable one day round the island trip (500 – 800 baht which is £10 – £16).
- If you’re attracted to iconic view points – Koh Tao view points are more impressive and iconic (John Suwan viewpoint and Nang Yuan island)
- If you want to take a day trip to the Ang Thong Marine Park then Koh Phangan is the best location (this will cost around 2,000 baht per person which is around £40).
An amazing place to stay in Koh Tao
If you’re looking for somewhere to splash out in Koh tao check out the Koh Tao Resort Paradise Zone on a hill overlooking Chalok Ban Kao Bay. If you would like to stay here try to book early as this place can fill up.
This hilltop resort boasts an epic infinity pool with a view and rooms with private bath tubs and even a Jacuzzi suite with an amazing view. This epic room is listed on Agoda as the Family Sea View Suite.
