THINGS TO SEE & DO
PARTIES
The parties on Koh Phangan follow the cycle of the moon: full moon, half moon, black moon, half moon and back again. Each month  the beach of Haad Rin is transformed into a huge party zone during the Full Moon Party . Blacklights, fluorescent colours and thousands of people dance and party under the light of the full moon. The very popular and well organized Half Moon Party takes place twice a month, a week before and a week after the Full Moon Party and is held on a beautiful location in the Ban Tai jungle. The Black Moon Party is held on the beach of Ban Tai and attracts up to 1,500 people each month. Click here for party information and dates
DIVING
What many people don't know is that from Koh Phangan you have shorter trips to the most attractive dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand like Sailrock and Anghthong National Marinepark. Koh Phangan is also a perfect place to learn diving. The courses here are offered for some of the best rates in the world and the waters in the bays around the island are shallow which makes it easy for you to take your first breath from a regulator.
NATIONAL PARKS & WATERFALLS
Koh Phangan has two protected National Parks with waterfalls and nice jungle trekking routes: Phaeng Waterfall National Park in the centre of the island and Than Sadet Waterfall National Park on the east side of the island. Best time to visit the waterfalls is during or after the wet season or right after rain.
Phaeng Waterfall National Park
Phaeng Waterfall National Park is located in the village of Madua Wan. The Park has a nice waterfall close to the entrance and some trekking routes to mountaintop viewpoints, including a long winding foot trail leading up to Koh Phangan's highest mountain peak Khao Ra (630m). The trail can be steep and difficult to follow at times, so it is recommended to hire a guide at the entrance of the park. After all the exercise you can treat yourself on a delicious home-made ice cream on the way to Thong Sala opposite the school.
Than Sadet Waterfall National Park
Than Sadet waterfall or "Royal Stream" is the largest waterfall on the island, a 3km run of rock pools and streams with a royal emblem, since it was visited by several Kings of Thailand, including the reigning monarch, H.M. King Bhumibol (Rama IX). There are inscriptions on boulders near the river bed made by each of the Kings. The park has several nice jungle trekking paths as well.
HEALTH, SPA & MEDITATION
Koh Phangan is known for its relaxed atmosphere and still has a lot of secluded beaches and areas. It is therefore a good choice if you like to do yoga, meditation or get a massage or spa treatment.
 Massage & Meditation
At most towns, resorts and beaches you can get a traditional Thai or oil massage. Koh Phangan also has a couple of retreat centers offering various courses in Thai massage, meditation, fasting and cleansing programs, chakra healing, pilates, Reiki and reflexology.
Wat Pho Herbal Sauna
This traditional herbal steam sauna is run by monks at the Wat Pho temple in Ban Thai (on the road to Thong Nai Pan). The sauna uses traditional methods by heating natural herbs such as lemongrass and tamarind leaves on a big log fire. The herbs have many health and skin benefits. It is run on donations, so please don't forget to make a donation after using the sauna. It should be remembered that ladies have to wear a sarong outside the sauna and men their shorts.
Chinese Temple
 On the road between Thong Sala and Chaloklum the Chinese Temple is located. The temple is the result of the dream a woman had in 1990 in which the (Chinese) Buddha spoke to her and asked her to build a firelight for the people.
ACTIVITIES
If you don't want to be lazy in your hammock or on the beach all day, there are many different activities you can do on Koh Phangan.
Trekking
Koh Phangan has many nice trails and view points so is ideal for some adventurous walking and climbing. Check one of the free guide books for maps and suggestions. See also above at “National parks & waterfalls”.
Mountain biking
The road along the coast from Ban Tai to Haad Chao Phao is relatively flat and all concrete. If you go further north to Haad Yao, Chaloklum and Mae Haad the road has a couple of big and sometimes pretty steep hills. Going of the road or on dirt tracks can be an adventure but be careful and we recommend you to wear a helmet. Mountain bikes can be hired at many different places.
Snorkeling
If diving  is a bit too adventurous for you, then snorkeling is a nice way to get a glimpse of the beautiful underwater world around the island. There are many great snorkel spots on the island, especially on the Northwest coast. One of the best spots is around the little island of Koh Ma ('Horse Island'), off Mae Haad beach at the Northwestern tip of Koh Phangan.
Boat trips / kayaking
Boat trips around the island or to other islands can be arranged at most resorts and travel agencies. Kayaks can be rented at most resorts and at beaches. A boat trip is a great way to see the island from another side. By boat it is possible to go to nice secluded beaches or snorkelling spots.
Wakeboarding & Kiteboarding
Wakeboarding is offered by Phangan Adventure in Chaloklum. They also offer many other activities like kayaking-, sailing- and big game fishing trips, sunset boat trips and mountain bike trekking. Kiteboarding or kitesurfing is offered by Cuttlebone Kiteboarding Center near Ban Tai.
Elephant Trekking 
Just outside Chaloklum you can enjoy an elephant ride through Koh Phangan's jungle.
Paintball
Just outside main town Thong Sala you can find “Paintball Warfare” where you can play paintball in the jungle with a group of friends. The neighbouring restaurant Big Mango serves good food and occasionally organises a party.
Thai boxing
Koh Phangan has three Muay Thai stadiums in Thong Sala, one in Haad Rin and one in Thong Nai Pan where regularly events are being held. Go there to experience a night of Thailand's most popular sport. You can learn the art of Muay Thai yourself at the Jungle Gym in Haad Rin and Thong Sala.
Fitness
If you like to exercise, some resorts offer fitness equipment. You can also go to the Jungle Gym in Haad Rin or Thong Sala.
Apart from all the activities above you can also do a cooking or massage course at some places. A daily returning activity for everybody is of course is having food. Thai people love cooking and enjoy eating together. Their food is delicious and has an enormous variety so try it!.
DAYTRIPS
 Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong ('Golden Basin') is an archipelago made up of around 40 small, mostly uninhabited islands with limestone cliffs, caves, beautiful beaches, a giant emerald saltwater lake (also known from the movie The Beach) and dense tropical rainforest. You can either book an organized day- or camping trip or hire a speedboat with a group (usually minimum of 6 people) and plan your own trip.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is a well known destination among divers. The waters around the island offer very good diving and snorkelling. There are daily boats between Thong Sala and Koh Tao and the trip takes around 2 hours.
Koh Samui
Take a half hour boat trip to big sister island Koh Samui to go shopping at touristy Chaweng Beach or to visit the Samui Butterfly Garden, Snake Farm, the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo or the golden Big Buddha statue at Bophut.
|
