Sine Samui island has become a popular tourist destination is quite crowded these days, tourists who want to find quieter places and beaches that are more peaceful have traveled to other nearby islands like Pha-ngan Island, which has now also become a popular tourist destination in its own right .it has called the Gulf of Thailand’s second heaven for holidaymaker. Pha-ngan Island, like Samui, is an administrative district of Surat Thani Province. Its size and geography are quite similar to Samui.

When you first step off the ship and into this fascinating destination of Koh Pha-ngan you will find the port town is packet with crowded guesthouses, restaurant, and all kind of stores and shop on many narrow streets. The majority of the population seems to be young foreigners with a very cool and casual style of dress. It is really mind blowing for those who go there the first time. It gives you a sense of living in another community where people are ultra relaxed. They spend their lives unconditionally, which is very close in meaning to “doing noting,” but enjoying each moment of life. Some are obviously here to do and deal with in the busy business world outside.

Pha-ngan’s main claim to fame is probably the notorious “Full moon parties,” “Half moon festivals,” “Black moon Event,” and many more parties that are attended by hip people form all over the world . In short, it is a paradise island for party animals. At twilight, small tables are lined up on the beach and thousands of lampas are lit. As the evening progresses, the beach explodes into a dancing frenzy. There is something for everyone here: trance, techno, drum and bass, commercial dance and reggae. You can have the time of your life as you dance tili dawn.

For tourists who don’t enjoy this kind of party, there are plenty of other beautiful beaches awaiting them. The island is till pure and unspoiled with natural coconut trees, white powdery sand beaches and the green turquoise sea. Apart form the gorgeous beaches, Koh Pha-ngan has many other attractions like lakes and waterfalls and local cultural sites as trekking activities in the jungles and hilly areas.

The native people in Koh Pha-ngan live an easy, worry-free lifestyle. Traditionally they grew coconuts and fished, but many of them have turned to making their living through the tourism industry by working at hotels and restaurants or in the transport business.

Must-sees on Koh Pha-ngan

Haad Rin Island

It is the most popular beach on Koh Pha-ngan where the famous Full Moon Party takes place every month. It’s about 12 kilometers from the town of Thongsala. Actually, it consists of two beaches, one on each side has a better beach, which is good for swimming as well as snorkeling along the coral reefs at both ends of the beach, while the west side has a greater selection of bungalows.

Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach

On the northeast coast of Koh Pha-ngan, if you travel about 13 kilometers from Baan Tai Village at the end of the rough dirt trail through the jungle you will find these two wide and beautiful unspoiled beaches.

Salad Beach

Salad Beach features about 800 meters of white sandy beach, abundant with shallow-water coral reefs, which start from Haad Tien. The beach is ideal for swimming as well as snorkeling. There are many residences available. If you are not very certain where to start looking for a place to stay, just work around.

Yao Beach

The semicircular beach stretches into thick coconut trees, under which lovely bungalows offer a quiet, clean, relaxing and friendly atmosphere. There is also a coral reef for diving and snorkeling. The beach, located in the west of the island, is the most beautiful, second only to Haad Rin. However, this beach is more peaceful than Haad Rin. Many competitive services and facilities have sprung up along the beach to welcome the number of tourists that is increasing day by day.

Ban Khai Beach

Ban Khai Beach starts where the Hadd Rin hills stop and is part of the long unbroken stretch of beach that runs all the way up to Thong Sala. The beach of Ban Khai Bay is quite broad in places and countless coconut palms populate the lowland plains of the area.

Ban Tai Beach

Ban Tai Beach is located in the middle section of the long sunset beach that runs the length of the southeast coast of the island, The sunset views sometimes be spectacular, with views up and down the coastline and out Koh Samui. The village’s primary industry is fishing, thus there is a small marina in the center of Ban Tai where you can commission boat and fishing trips.

Sri Thanu Beach

The small beaches around Sri Thanu are close the coral reefs, leading to virtually year-round swimming. It’s also a good spot for beach fishing.

Naiwok Beach

Naiwok Beach is the long bay that extends north from Thong Sala after the main pier. At the top end, within walking distance from town yet far enough away to never notice it, a number of resorts populate the beach and rocks start to break up the coastline. The bay is fairly shallow, thus swimming is best in high tide season (November to April).

Wok Tum Beach

Located in the southern section of the wide bay that joins with Ao Hin Kong is a beach lined with mangrove trees that give it a real untouched feel. Wok Tum  Beach is great for catching a sunset in solitude. Most of the bay is undeveloped as the coral reef lies about 300 meters off the beach and it is only good for swimming in high tide season (November to April).

Best time

Similar to Samui Island, the best time to get perfect sea views on Pha-ngan and Tao island is from November through April after the monsoon season stops.