The Magic of Koh Phangan Beyond the Full Moon Party

koh phangan beyond the full moon party

Koh Phangan Beyond the Full Moon Party: A paradise island for yogis, digital nomads and party people

I’d seen alot of Thailand but it took me till my 4th visit to visit the island of Koh Phangan.

To be honest, I’d kind of been avoiding it on previous trips as I imagined it just to be an island full of gap year backpackers getting trashed at the Full Moon Party.

But I discovered that there is so, so much more to Koh Phangan than the Full Moon Party and I really feel in love with the magical island and even ended up moving here for a while!

Why I came to Koh Phangan

You might find this a strange thing for a travel blogger to say but it was never really my goal to travel to every country in the world, I travel to be free and to learn more about myself, the world and other people and really all I’ve ever wanted to do is just to find my happy place, and a place that I can call home. (More about why I travel here)

At the moment, home for me is Goa. I love Goa but there’s several things that make living there difficult – my main problem with Goa is that the internet sucks, which is a huge problem when you work online. See more here about the reality of being a digital nomad in Goa )

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I also hate rain, (that’s one of the reasons why I left the UK) and so I don’t like to stay in Goa during monsoon as most things are closed, the power is off a lot and most of my friends leave.

So I need another ‘home’ for monsoon at least. I have been looking for another place like Goa for a while. I went to Bali for a month and although I loved the island it didn’t really feel like home – I missed the party scene and I still missed Goa so when one of my friends from Goa moved to Koh Phangan I thought it was about time I checked it out for myself.

Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Koh Phangan
Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Koh Phangan

I actually timed my first visit not to coincide with the full moon party as the island is busy and accommodation is more expensive and even though it was low season and sometimes rainy there were still plenty of people to met, yoga classes to attend and parties to go to.

6 months later I returned and rented a house on Koh Phangan and did attend the full moon party but I thought it was overrated, and enjoyed the numerous other parties more.

Why I Loved Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is really a gorgeous island and my photos really don’t do it justice.

The beaches have soft white squeaky clean sand, the ocean is clear, turquoise and teeming with tropical sealife and great diving and snorkeling and the interior of the island is jungly, mountainous, magical and mysterious dotted with mesmerising golden temples and waterfalls.

Driving around the island on a motorbike if fun and a bit like being on a roller coaster with all the ups and downs and curving corners.

Wat Maduea Wan.
Wat Maduea Wan. Steps leaving up to a temple in the jungle. I had the place to myself apart from these 2 dogs.

Something that I look for in a place is a mixture of hedonism and spirituality. It also has to be warm with beautiful nature, affordable, easy to rent a house and have an expat community (it gets so tiring getting to know new people every couple of days who then move on.

Not that there’s anything wrong with traveling but I feel I’m at a stage now where I want to build meaningful, lasting friendships and relationships which is impossible if you are traveling to a new place every few days)

Hanging out at Koh Raham, Secret Beach, Koh Phangan
Hanging out at Koh Raham, Secret Beach, Koh Phangan

I just loved Koh Phangan – it was exactly what I was looking for.

Even though Koh Phangan is a beautiful, tropical paradise island there’s still plenty to do and explore. I avoided Haad Rin where the full moon party is held and stayed by the beach in Sri Thanu (a popular place for yogis)

I stayed at Laemson Resort (one of the nicest and cheapest options right on the beach but the beds were a bit hard) so I preferred See Thanu Bungalows. I also stayed near Thong Sala, the island’s main town, which has a great food market and is a good base to explore the island. If you like to party Baan Tai is a good choice.

I also really liked the beaches in the North, especially Secret Beach, Haad Yao and Haad Salad, Malibu, Bottle Beach, Than Sadet and the 2 beaches up at Thong Nai Pan are probably my favourite. Haad Yuan, Just around the corner from Haad Rin, is also lovely and is home to The Sanctuary yoga retreat as well as some of the best parties on the island.

Read More: Where to stay in Koh Phangan (for all areas and all budgets)

Koh Ma Beach, Koh Phangan

The Thai people, other travellers and expats are really friendly, there’s plenty of yoga, meditation and workshops as well as good parties pretty much every night. It’s easy and affordable to rent a nice house and motorbike, most houses come with wifi, it’s easy to get a sim card and the network is consistently strong and the power doesn’t go off all the time.

Wisdom Eye Beach Bungalows, Sri Thanu, Koh Phangan
Wisdom Eye Beach Bungalows, Sri Thanu

There are even co-working spaces,  Beach Hub is right on the beach in Sri Thanu and there’s Koh Space in Baan Tai which offers co working and co living, and 24 hour supermarkets and no creepy men.

Traveling Thailand is so much easier, cleaner and less hassle than India. There are a couple of options to reach Koh Phangan. You can take a flight to the neighbouring island of Koh Samui or a cheaper option is to take a train or bus and ferry combination. (You can book transport through Thailand easily online at Bookaway.)

Of course I still miss the magic of India and of Goa but it’s nice to relax and have an easier life from time to time!

Secret Mountain Bar. Could there be any better place to watch the sunset than in a swimming pool on top of a mountain
Secret Mountain Bar. Could there be any better place to watch the sunset than in a swimming pool on top of a mountain

Koh Phangan has something for everyone – yogis, digital nomads, backpackers and party people will all feel at home here. Even families and honeymooners would enjoy the island’s serene beaches in the North.

Koh Phangan also has an incredible, magical energy – I can’t really describe it on here so you’ll just have to visit to feel it for yourself. Apparently is has something to do with the island being made from a giant powerful rose quartz crystal.

I spent a month here on my first visit and a couple of months when I returned only 6 months later. The time just flew by and I only left due to visa and as I had a mediation retreat in Nepal booked, I left feeling like Koh Phangan is one of my 2nd homes now. There’s still so much for me to explore on Koh Phangan so it’s not goodbyeI have a feeling I’ll be back!

If you’re considering visiting Koh Phangan as part of a bigger trip around the country check out my ideal 2 week Thailand itinerary!

For the latest entry requirements for Thailand and more info go to Fan Club Thailand 

Have you spent time on Koh Phangan? How was your experience?

More Koh Phangan blog posts:

Pick your pleasure on Koh Phangan- This American Girl

Koh Phangan Party Island – Drifter Planet 

Koh Phangan Guide – Phanganist

How to rent a house on Koh Phangan

My Cost of Living in Koh Phangan

Best Yoga Retreats in Koh Phangan

Yoga Teacher Training in Koh Phangan

Confession – I hated the Full Moon Party

6 Best Backpacker Hostels in Koh Phangan

Exploring the quieter side to the party island of Koh Phangan – Telegraph Travel

The Ultimate Thailand Itinerary and Backpacking Route

Where to stay in Koh Phangan (for all areas and all budgets)

 

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8 comments

Simon May 20, 2018 at 8:37 am

I only went to koh Phangan for the full moon 11 years ago when I was also into wild parties and crowds. I would like to explore more of the island off full moon season. It sounds like another incredible Thai experience.

Reply
Anna May 20, 2018 at 3:04 pm

Yes there so much more to KPG than the full moon party – I avoided it! I loved the yoga side of the island and exploring the jungle and remote beaches. You’ll have to visit again for the full Koh Phangan experience!

Reply
The Ultimate 1 Month Thailand Itinerary & Backpacking Route - Global Gallivanting Travel Blog April 12, 2022 at 5:36 pm

[…] south is home to various party islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi, as well as laid back islands like Koh Lipe, with its secluded white sand beaches. […]

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The Best Places to Stay in Koh Phangan, Thailand: The Best Areas and Hotels for all Budgets - Global Gallivanting Travel Blog October 2, 2022 at 12:38 pm

[…] Koh Phangan.  Mostly renown for its world famous monthly Full Moon parties, this gem of an island has so much more to offer, with it’s growing reputation for it’s numerous vegan cafes and an ever expanding yoga & […]

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Confession – I hated Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party - Global Gallivanting Travel Blog October 13, 2022 at 11:45 am

[…] a friend moved there and encouraged me to come and visit her and I found out that actually Koh Phangan is so much more than just the Full Moon Party. It’s a beautiful, spiritual island with a jungly, unexplored interior and a special healing […]

Reply
7 Best Backpacker Hostels in Koh Phangan, Thailand - Global Gallivanting Travel Blog October 16, 2022 at 3:36 pm

[…] Koh Phangan beyond the full moon party […]

Reply
My Pick of the 6 Best Yoga Teacher Trainings in Koh Phangan, Thailand - Global Gallivanting Travel Blog October 16, 2022 at 3:37 pm

[…] your YTTC – some of the most popular places are Rishikesh and Goa in India and Bali but the tropical Thai island of Koh Phangan is quickly turning into another yoga mecca with many amazing yoga retreats and yoga teacher […]

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My Cost of Living in Koh Phangan, Thailand - Global Gallivanting Travel Blog October 24, 2022 at 12:37 pm

[…] Koh Phangan is a great place to live for party people, yogis and digital nomads. The island is picture postcard beautiful with soft white sand beaches, clear turquoise oceans and a lush green jungly mountainous interior complete with many waterfalls to explore and some great hikes to stunning viewpoints. Even though Koh Phangan is mainly famous for the Full Moon Party this beautiful tropical Thai island has so much more to offer! There is great nightlife and many exciting parties all throughout the month, not at full moon time. […]

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