What to Visit in Koh Phangan (island), Thailand ? – page 4

Note : You are on Page 4 about Koh Phangan. Start with Page 1.  

Maps – Orientation

Map 1 : Transport to the islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao)

Map 2 : Koh Phangan – Overview

Map 3 : Beaches and Attractions

Map 4 : Koh Phangan – Interactive Map

What to Visit in Koh Phangan ? – Second Part

This is the second part about what to Visit in Koh Phangan. Start with Part 1.

Beaches on the Right side of Koh Phangan

Let’s look at Map 2 :

The right side of the island is much less developed than the left side. There are horizontal small roads that lead to some beaches. There are beaches on the bottom- right side that can only be accessed by boat.

Thong Nai Pan + Thong Nai Pan Yai

This is the most developed zone on the right side of the island. There are a few hotels, cafés and restaurants.

This is a nice zone to stay (or just visit) because it is self sufficient. I saw even good looking croissants here (See Where to stay in Koh-Phangan).

The beach is nice

How to Arrive ?

Bottle Beach

You can make a small trek here to a viewpoint on a hill or just head to the beach.
Look at the following Map :

You can park your motorbike (on point 1 on the Map) and then walk to the beach (about 25 minutes). It is a descent.

The road to the beach is too steep for a motorbike, so you must walk. Instead of walking, you can use a service of Taxi, a Tuk-Tuk 4×4. There is a fee for using this Taxi, The way up (beach to starting point) costs a little bit more than the way down.

There is a viewpoint on an adjacent hill. You can arrive to it from the beach or from the main road (point 2 on the Map).

it is a moderately difficult trek. From the road to the viewpoint, it takes about 20 minutes (it is a climb). From the beach to the viewpoint, it takes about 40 minutes (it is a climb).

The viewpoint is on big rocks. There is not a lot of space here, you don’t sit comfortably.

There is a nice view over bottle beach.

I arrived to the viewpoint from the road and descended to the beach. Also descending is a little challenge.

The beach is nice and there is a modest restaurant. This is what I can eat as a Vegetarian in a non sophisticated restaurant.

How to Arrive ?

Haad Sadet Beach

The beach is located in an area that is considered a “Natural reserve”. So if you want to access the beach, you have to pay an entry fee. It is 100 Baht (at the time that I am writing).

The beach is nice, but not extraordinary. It is at the same level of beauty as other beaches in Koh Phangan

There are some rocks on the side. I got very wet here from sea waves that surprised me.

If you climb some stairs beside the rocks, you have a nice view over the beach

How to Arrive ?

Pho Darng Waterfall

Just before the Haad Sadet Beach, on the road, there is a sign to a waterfall.

10 minutes walk

And you arrive to a waterfall

This is the intersection on the road, towards Sadet Beach.

How to Arrive ?

Haad Rin area

You will arrive here anyway, even if it is not a full moon. The village of Haad Rin is full of activity in the night.

Also the beach is full of activity

Of course that you can make yourself a Tattoo here

Take note of the other beach in Haad Rin, the one near the pier (Rin Nai Beach).

It is very nice here and a potential zone for the Hotel (see Where to Stay in Koh Phangan).

On the road towards Haad Rin, there is this nice temple

See about the full moon parties in Haad-Rin, on page 3.

How to Arrive ?

Thongsala area

Here are some attractions that are close to the town :

Wat Rat Charoen

Located in the town of Thongsala, 500 meters from the sea, beside the road. You will see it every time, that you enter the town from the inland.  Not very special in the look.

How to Arrive ?

Wat Maduea Wan – Temple

This temple looks different. It  has a long tower.

There are interesting stairs to climb

Upstairs there are a few benches and it is super calm. You can meditate

There are also nice tombs in the compound

How to Arrive ?

Zoo Café

It is a small animal farm

You need to buy a drink and then you can sit and watch the animals.

There are a lot of turtles

Really a lot

Also this strange animal. An animal in the size of a mouse but looks like a pig

How to Arrive ?

Waterfalls

I Have mentioned already 2 waterfalls that are very easy of access. Wang Sai – Waterfall and Pho Darng Waterfall. There are more waterfalls in Koh-Phangan, waterfalls that require some trekking in order to reach them. Read the comments of the visitors on Google Maps and decide if you want to do it.

Phaeng Noi Waterfall

Located relatively close to the town  of Thongsala. Very close to the Zoo Café.

There is an entrance fee. It is considered a Natural Reserve.

How to Arrive ?

Paradise Waterfall

Located near Chaloklum Beach. Requires just a little walk to reach the pond. Entry price is low.

How to Arrive ?

More Waterfalls in Koh-Phangan :

Boat Trips

Note : If you are going to visit also Koh Tao, you will probably do a boat trip there.

Yes, there are boat trips for a few hours from Koh Phangan.  Especially popular is a trip to Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park. (This excursion exists also from Koh Samui).

In Koh Phangan, the boat excursions depart from the pier in Haad-Rin.

How to Arrive ?

Elephant Camps

There are less elephant camps here than in Koh Samui. Only 2 (at the time that I am writing). Like in Koh Samui, there is one elephant camp that claims to be more respectful towards the elephant. You won’t ride an elephant here but only pass an experience with them (wash them). They wont let you see the elephants, unless you pay an elevated entry price.

They are called : Phangan Elephant Sanctuary. See location on Google Maps. It is not far from the main town Thongsala.

The other elephant camp is on the right side of the island on the road to Haad Sadet Beach. They don’t appear on Google Maps. I wonder if they have more than 1 elephant. They call themselves “Bantai Elephant Camp”.

Return to Page 1 – Basic Info about Koh Phangan

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