Joanna James
Koh Phangan is more than just crazy full-moon parties! This beautiful island is the complete package with beautiful beaches, cultural sites, great food, and natural beauty. It is the ultimate island paradise!
Saturday is the day you should hit the market. Open from 4pm to 10 pm, Saturday Walking Street Market is on Thong Sala's Chinese Street. The atmosphere is great, with plenty of food options, clothes, keepsakes, handicrafts, and much more.
Koh Ma has some of the best snorkelling in Koh Phangan, Thailand. The tiny island is linked to Mae Haad beach, and you can usually walk towards it at low tide. The water is crystal clear and shallow, although visibility will differ at times. The best days to visit this island are sunny days when you can spend ages exploring the coral and other marine life. In Koh Phangan, spa treatments are pretty affordable like the rest of Thailand. Treating yourself to a spa treatment is a great way to unwind after a day of exploration!
This fresh food market is filled with veggies, tropical fruit, Thai flavours, treats and all types of goods. You can find lots of prepared food to have a Thai feast. It is the best and most popular of all the food markets on the island, so don't give it a miss. Some of the vendors there are perhaps among the best cooks in Koh Phangan!
Found in Haad Mae, Haad Thong Lang is sometimes called the Golden Deserted beach. Its beach has little infrastructure surrounding it, which makes it all the more appealing. The small bay has a spectacular coral reef, which is also suited for snorkelling and swimming even during high tide.
This 500-metre stretch of coastline is a wonderful location to unwind. It is also perfect for snorkelling. Chao Pao has a stretch of coral, which is around 100 metres from the shore and extends to Koh Ma. It has a depth of 12 metres, and you can see various delicate coral life, nudibranchs and spotted stingrays.
This marine park is a cluster of 42 islands. You can also uncover a stunning saltwater lake, and have the chance to dive into earth's pristine seas. The beaches, exquisite and isolated are ideal for some quiet relaxation. Camping is also allowed!
Also dubbed the Chinese Temple, this interesting temple site is located within deep jungle terrain, surrounded by mountains. With amazing architecture, and breathtaking vistas of the encircling jungles.
Koh Phangan hides multiple waterfalls within its terrain including Than Sadet Waterfall near Thong Nai Pan Beach and Paradise Waterfall. Than Prawet Waterfall is near Thong Nai Pan Beaches. Than Praphet waterfall, and Waterfall Beach is towards the southeast coastal line of the Koh Phangan.
Also called Ra Mountain, Khao Ra towers over Koh Phangan providing picturesque vistas of the Andaman Sea. The main road runs through the island from Ban Tai to Thong Nai Pan Beach, towards the northeastern area of Koh Phangan.
One must take a proper offroad vehicle like a dirt bike, 4x4, or cab. Do not try to drive up yourself in a regular car! The likes of Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan villas are among the best options for those seeking accommodation close to this attraction.
Referred to as the 'temple of the small mountain', Wat Phu Kao Noi is the oldest temple on the island. You can find many meditation retreats taking place here. It is among the most serene locations on this lively island.
Visitors must keep silent when retreats are taking place! Posing with your back to the image of the Buddha is forbidden, and it is also vital to dress modestly when visiting the temple.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
