Soft white sand, crystal-clear water and perfectly lined with beautifully shaped palmtrees – on Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand the dream of a perfect, paradisiacal beach becomes true.
With over 30 beaches to choose from, it’s up to you whether you want some chilled vibes and music to go with your sunbath or a more secluded spot to recharge your energy.
Fortunately, this tropical island has it all! In this Travel Guide I’ll introduce you to the best beaches on one of my favorite islands in the world: Koh Phangan in Thailand.
If you’d like to visit as many beaches as possible, you’re better off renting your own scooter.
This way you can easily jump from one cool place to the other without having to rely on a more expensive songthaew taxi.
What else to do on Koh Phangan? Find here my Ultimate To-Do List for the time of your life!
BEACH GUIDE KOH PHANGAN: TOP 8 BEACHES (+ TRAVEL TIPS)
1. Long Beach (Haad Yao)
Haad Yao, better known as Long Beach, lives up to its name and is the longest beach on the island. Due to its length it offers the perfect setting for expanded beach walks in powderlike soft sand as well as a big variety of beach bars to watch an epic sunset.
That’s why it is considered to be a perfect allrounder for every day.
Travel Tip 1: Does the combo of vegan pizza at a stylish Ibiza-like beach bar plus a front-row seat for an unforgettable sunset sound good?
Then check out Coco Locco Beach Restaurant & Bar.
Travel Tip 2: Are you a fan of electronic music? Then head to Seaboard Bungalows at Long Beach on a wednesday night.
Their weekly design & food market is accompanied by changing DJ’s with a very good sound system, chilled atmosphere & nothing but good vibes.
2. Secret Beach
Not so secret anymore, but worth a visit!
This rather small cove with fine white sand feels more secluded than other beaches on the island while still offering enough possibilities to get a cold coconut or something to eat when needed.
It’s never overly full and I’ve always found a nice spot to enjoy life. But bring enough sunscreen and a hat as spots in the shadow are rare.
Good to know: Because the way down to the beach is pretty steep, I’d highly recommend to park your scooter up on the main road.
You’ll see plenty of others doing the same. Just go down, turn left and you’ll walk straight to Secret Beach.
Travel Tip: Secret Beach is ideal to go snorkeling. If you don’t have any snorkeling equipment, don’t worry!
On the far North end of Secret Beach, you’ll find Koh Raham Beach Club, a waterfront restaurant & beach bar with rental gear for only 150 Baht per hour.
3. Salad Beach (Haad Salad)
What can I say? Salad Beach is regarded as one of the best beaches on Koh Phangan and the first beach, where literally my jaw dropped!
This palmtree-lined beach has the finest, silk-soft sand and the water is as clear as it can get.
Although almost the entire bay consists of resorts, it doesn’t feel very crowded but rather laid-back.
In the evenings, you’ll find more than a handful of good & reasonably prized restaurants, some of them with beautiful dinner setups in the sand. If you’re up for live music at night, check out Crystal Day or Jack’s Bar.
Travel Tip: Salad Beach doesn’t have a “public” entrance. But you can park your car or scooter at Haad Salad Resort and walk past the pool area until you’ll see the beach.
Normally it’s for free, but sometimes they collect a parking fee (20 Baht/scooter, 100 Baht/car).
4. Thong Nai Pan Beach
Thong Nai Pan is one of the few beaches on the remote eastcoast of Koh Phangan and a peaceful hideaway with an idyllic surrounding.
If you’re after some party & beats: this is not the right place!
Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful setting for long beach walks and romantic dinners at one of the beach restaurants with plenty of illuminated lanterns that create a tranquil atmosphere.
Honeymoon feeling at its best!
Travel Tip: When you’re in this area, make sure to visit Hide on High bar & art jewellery store.
This funky bar is a very unique place, offering good plant-based iced coffee, beer or whatever drink you fancy + good reggae music and a fantastic view of Haad Sadet Beach.
5. Haad Rin
“Isn’t that the beach, where usually the Full Moon Party takes place?!”, I hear you wondering. Yes, you’re right. 🙂
But at daytime it’s a totally different story. Clear water & seriously the softest sand make you feel like you’re in heaven.
Fun-filled Haad Rin pleases everybody, from groups of friends, families, couples and those, who want to have quality time by themselves.
There is a good range of restaurants and very cool bars at the beach promenade, so you won’t be looking for a cheeky beer for too long.
6. Haad Chao Phao
Although no beach on Koh Phangan is an insider tip any more, this would be the closest one to get this title.
Haad Chao Phao is situated right between Secret Beach and Zen Beach, but not as crowded as its popular neighbors.
Here you’ll find couples, individuals and yoginis from next door’s yoga center Samma Karuna enjoying the peacefulness.
And how beautiful is this leaning palmtree swaying in the wind? I really love this place and even celebrated my birthday picknick right underneath it… Only the BEST memories!
Since it doesn’t have a public parking area nor an actual entrance, it’s only accessible by one of the beach resorts.
Travel Tip: Park your scooter at Benjamin’s Hut and combine your beach stroll with a delicious (also vegan) breakfast.
Or just park it at Paragon Resort (entrance right behind 7/11) and walk to the beach.
7. Zen Beach
Very chilled and zen (pun intended 😉 ) at daytime, but even more amazing in the evening.
At dawn, you’ll find crowds of expats and hippies gather to watch a cracking sunset, play instruments, dance, chitchat or just enjoy their cold beverage while listening to good electronic music.
Zen Beach is the place to be to get to know new people or just soak up some positive vibes.
8. Bottle Beach
Paradisiacal Bottle Beach is located in the northeast of the island, beautifully secluded with stunning turquoise water and white sand.
Getting there is more difficult than to any other beach, but definetely worth the effort. There are no roads leading to it, so you have different options.
Getting to Bottle Beach
Either take a longtail boat taxi from Chaloklum fishing village or – if you are into a little bit of adventure – take one of the Bottle Beach hikes.
There are two options, the jungle trekking route (slightly shorter!) or the more scenic but longer coastal route. Both starting from Haad Khom in the north.
Travel Tip: There is also a Bottle Beach Viewpoint with magnificent views of the cove. If you’d like to know how to get there, check out my detailed Travel Guide.
When hiking please remember to bring plenty of water as well as sunscreen and wear sneakers.
As you may know, Thailand can get real hot and walking through the jungle is not just a walk in the park! After your strenuous hike you can choose between four resorts for some tasty lunch and a refreshing coconut.
I hope you enjoyed reading it. Feel free to contact me on Instagram (@eat.travel.flow) if you have any travel related questions or simply leave a comment below. 🙂
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