Joanna James
Offering more than just sublime beaches, the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand offers much to experience for adventurous travellers. From cultural discoveries and thrilling water sports to partying under a full moon and holistic wellness, there is much to enjoy on a holiday here.
If you want your holiday to include cultural sightseeing, then you can plan visits to some of the key sacred sites and temples in Koh Phangan. Attractions such as the Kuan Yin Chinese shrine dedicated to Kuan Yin or the Goddess of Mercy and the Wat Koh Tham provide fascinating insights into the island's religious heritage. Of course, equally well-known is the lively nightlife on offer; this includes the famed full moon parties each month at Haad Rin and the Thong Sala Night Market where shopping and foodie adventures await!
Those needing to re-balance themselves after months of being in a lockdown can also look forward to a rejuvenating wellness retreat in Koh Phangan. Resort spas provide a wealth of treatments to choose from featuring both traditional Asian and contemporary western healing therapies amidst idyllic coastal backdrops. Be it for relaxation, as part of a beauty regime or for detoxification, there are many spa rituals on offer. To gain complete healing, certain resorts also offer private or group yoga classes including Hatha yoga sessions that help one find than inner bliss.
If you are after a holiday where you can just spend your days lazing on the sand, working on that perfect bronzed look, then the beaches of Koh Phangan are ideal too! For those after a relatively quiet stretch of shore to soak up the sun, Mae Haad Beach and Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach home to Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas is worth heading to. Other places to consider if you are looking to enjoy some beach hopping include Leela Beach, Chaloklum Beach, Chao Phao Beach and Salad Beach.
Travellers in search of a more action-packed holiday have plenty of water sports in Koh Phangan to try as well. Amongst the best ways in which to witness the spellbinding underwater beauty surrounding the island is to embark on snorkelling or diving excursions; for the latter, the famed Sail Rock nearby is a diving hotspot not to be missed. For more thrills on the water, there is canoeing, kayaking, jet-skiing, wakeboarding and sunset fishing with sustainable catch & release policies too.
Nature lovers have much to look forward to when exploring the island as well. One of the most popular natural attractions in Koh Phangan is the Than Sadet National Park which is blessed with pristine scenery, various wildlife and enchanting waterfalls including the well-known Nam Tok Phaeng. For more nature-based discoveries one can plan an excursion to Ang Thong Marine National Park an ideal spot for snorkelling, diving and kayaking; here you will find paradise-like island getaways with jungles and beaches that showcase truly unspoiled beauty.
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