Koh Pha Ngan Travel Guide
The beautiful little island of Koh Pha Ngan is a fantastic holiday destination in the centre of the Gulf of Thailand. Coconut exports and fishing have long been the mainstay of the locals, but in recent years tourism has become increasingly important, as visitors flock in on ferries, lured by the island's magnificent beaches and the legendary monthly Full Moon Parties. Once a month, up to up to 30,000 people flock to the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin on the island's south-east corner, and as dusk falls thousands of lamps are lit on tables along the beach and the music is cranked up, sending party-goers into a frenzy under the rising orb of the moon.
Visitors on holiday in Pha Ngan generally stay in one of many thatched bamboo bungalows that line the island's beaches. Those after more luxury can choose from the many holiday resort hotels. Wherever visitors stay, the holiday is wiled away pleasantly with snorkelling, swimming or relaxing on the white sands.
The interior of Koh Pha Ngan has rutted roads that run through coconut plantations, and past crystal waterfalls, viewpoints and little villages, and cries out to be explored on hired motorbikes. The Pang Waterfall National Park offers beautiful walking trails, and those looking for a more spiritual holiday experience can visit the renowned temple and meditation complex of Wat Khao Tahm, between Thong Sala and Haad Rin, where there are courses and retreats.
The enticingly warm waters off the white-sand beaches that surround Koh Pha Ngan are the main source of fun for visitors, who enjoy boat rides, snorkelling through coral reefs, or just bathing in between spells of soaking up the sun. Scuba diving in Koh Pha Ngan offers a range of dive sites suited to beginners and advanced divers. The west coast has the highest concentration of dive sites, but there are sites to the north as well. The waters around Koh Pha Ngan have abundant corals, and divers can expect to see damselfish, stingrays, sea anemones, barracuda, angelfish and cuttlefish. Haad Khom is a popular site for snorkelling in Koh Pha Ngan Bay due to an extensive shallow coral reef system.
Facilities in the Koh Pha Ngan town of Thong Sala are limited, but there is a bank, a police station, a clinic and pharmacy. Motorcycle taxis can be waved down or mountain bikes hired to explore the more remote beaches, though some beaches can only be reached by sea. Water taxis are available in the town.
Most nights in Koh Pha Ngan's remote bungalow resorts are fairly peaceful, with a few beach bars playing music to serenade the incredible sunsets. At full moon, however, Haad Rin is the place to be, when a dozen or more sound systems blast, and the beach becomes packed with thousands of hedonistic party animals. Along with visiting top class DJs, the entertainment is enhanced by jugglers, fire-eaters and frenzied dancers of all descriptions, while beach traders keep everyone fed and lubricated. The notorious Pha Ngan Full Moon parties are the ultimate experience.