Overview to Koh Pha Ngan: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
Like its neighbour Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan is one of Thailand’s larger islands and has become something of a backpacking mecca. Travelers from all over Southeast Asia make a point of stopping off at the island for its mix of wild partying and gorgeous beaches.
Visitors are dropped off on the dock at the main town of Thong Sala on the south coast. From here, most people keep going until they reach the southernmost top of the island, which is lined on either side by Sunrise Beach (Hat Rin Nok) and Sunset Beach (Hat Rin Nai).
Of these, Hat Rin is the location for that huge travel institution: the Full Moon Party. An orgy of drink, drugs, raving and fire-wielding performance artists, Hat Rin’s Full Moon parties are the stuff of legend.
The island is slightly less built-up to the west and much more sedate. Hat Yao has a pleasant stretch of beach and a few bars and, a little further north, Ao Mae Hat (a national marine park) is perhaps the best place to go diving or snorkeling.
To the north of the island, meanwhile, Ao Chaloaklam is the longest stretch of sand on the island, while there’s more good snorkeling at Hat Khom. Further east, and backed by waving coconut trees, the chilled out Ao Thong Nai Pan is one of the most attractive bays.
Inland, the island’s two bumpy roads (and countless tracks) wind their way through thick jungle that’s great for trekking. There are also a couple of fantastic waterfalls to investigate such as Thaan Praphat (to the east of the island) and Thaan Prawet (to the north). All in all; it's a pretty spectacular proposition...
