Haad Yuan Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

There’s no doubt that Haad Yuan is an extraordinary beach. Located only 5 km from the around-the-clock partying at Haad Rin, it provides a unique ambience of remote beach.

This white sandy beach is great swimming all through the year. There is an old school atmosphere with some very nice rooms. Still has old-style bungalows. On the east of Koh Phangan, Haad Yuan is within easy walking distance of Haad Tien and Haad Whynam to the north.

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Haad Yao Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Haad Yao or "Long Beach" is picture postcard material, with a one kilometre beach that is wide enough to play football on, sunset views, beautiful vistas and more than enough space to allow for it's ever expanding popularity; many consider it the "perfect" beach. Had Yao has developed over the years in harmony with the beautiful surroundings, retaining its natural splendor and laid back vibe that drew the first travellers here.

Due to its longstanding popularity, the beach has developed to accommodate both budget and high end tourist markets making it a vibrant and busy beach in high season (December to March). Virtually all the resorts have good restaurants which means that Had Yao has a great selection to choose from. Check out the Hideaway Bakery for fresh breads and cakes! For night time for can hang out in the snooker hall or at the variety of beachfront bars including the infamous two-storey Eagle Pub built into the rocks at the southern end of the beach is a cool nightspot with a steakhouse and DJs playing tunes to suit every mood. There are also many more bars and restaurants to visit down the coast and the nearby Hin Kong Club is one of the islands biggest and best clubs on the island.

If you're looking for things to do and see around Haad Yao, the west coast of Koh Phangan has something for everyone. The rich coral reef that surrounds the south and west coast of the island is a haven for marine life and the stretch that runs from Ao Chao Phao up to Koh Ma is considered the best on Koh Phangan, making the region a hotspot for divers and snorkeling enthusiasts alike. Nearby Koh Ma is a small island just off the north-west coast of Koh Phangan with a sandbar that links the two islands and is the only National Marine Park within Phangan's waters. Here it possible to spot turtles, harmless reef sharks and swim amongst shoals of colorful tropical fish.

The region is fairly mountainous away from the coast, and there are a number of mountain trails and walks to follow; and with the large concentration of beaches in the west, it is possible to beach hop up and down the coastline. Wang Sai waterfall is within easy reach and Laem Son is a popular freshwater lake, shaded by tall pine trees with giant rope swings!

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Haad Salad Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Known to Thais as an oldtime pirate hangout where booty was loaded onto ships before setting sale for trading ports, Haad Salad in the northwest of Koh Phangan, was a sleepy and relatively undeveloped beach until the past decade or so when resorts and bungalow operations have sprung up across the full length of its white sands and up the surrounding hills. Several budget spots still offer simple rooms to backpackers with mosquito nets, hammock-strung balconies and little else while a couple of fancier resorts with all the bells and whistles help visitors unload more booty. One advantage of this development is that several markets, internet cafes and travel agencies have sprung up as well.

Nonetheless, this remains a peaceful and mostly quiet spot with an abundant selection of restaurants and accommodations to choose from for travellers of all stripes. Old-timers could be disappointed, but nearby and much smaller beaches provide a little more peace and quiet.

The soft white sand rimmed with palms for shade is great for laying out or sunset strolls, and a lovely reef with a plethora of colourful tropical fish and hard and soft corals lies about 150 metres offshore providing some of the island's best snorkelling. Swimming is best from November to April when the tides are higher, but the sea provides some nice splashing opportunities year round.

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Haad Rin Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Haad Rin is the most popular spot on Koh Phangan, largely for its thriving nightlife, with a long strip of clubs along Sunrise Beach that pump out the techno jams for drunken tourists to dance until dawn every night. This is also the home of the infamous Full Moon Party held once a month on or around the full moon. Tranquility-seekers are advised to stay in town or on Sunset Beach, or better still on a different beach altogether.

Haad Rin remains one of the best-known beaches in Thailand - with a long, wide swath of squeaky white sand and sea deep enough for good swimming even during lower tides, there's many reasons to come here apart from the party.

In season, Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach) is packed much of time by jet skis and hundreds of sunbathers, volleyballers and various other fun-seekers and sun-worshippers. Haad Rin Nai (Sunset Beach) is more peaceful and the resorts more reasonably priced, but the beach is not anywhere near as pretty. The much longer and narrower strip of sand is generally rougher, and the water is much shallower - really too shallow to swim in the lower tidal seasons (May to July).

Don't expect an authentic Thai experience here, but rather hordes of young western backpackers crowding the streets, watching movies and sitcoms in the restaurants by day and partying till they drop come the evening.

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Chao Phao Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Chao Phao Beach has beautiful sunset views and softly curved bay that is the image of paradise. The sand is white and fine and the sea shelf is steeper before the reef, thus it is possible to swim whatever the tidal conditions. The reef is about 100 metres from the beach and once crossed the rich coral and vibrant sea life are an attraction for divers and snorkellers.

The beach along this gently curving bay isn't quite as pretty as some further north with a relatively narrow strip of sand, but it's still a very good choice for swimming and sunbathing and is generally a very relaxed place. The water gets deep faster here than at most nearby beaches, so the swimming is better regardless of the tide. The laid-back and mostly inexpensive lodging here attracts a good mix of people and a lot of repeat customers.

Old style family-run bungalow setups are popular among backpackers, but some fancier and better-equipped options have recently developed here as well. The food is a particular draw card, with a couple of great bungalow restaurants, including wonderful fresh seafood, plenty of vegetarian options, and delicious authentic Thai food at good prices. The deeper water and coral reef about 100 metres offshore beyond which lie a lovely variety of corals and sea life make this a popular spot for divers and snorkellers as well.

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Chaloklum Bay Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Chaloklum is Koh Phangan's second port and also a major fishing village. Despite it having a selection of budget and midrange accommodations, Chaloklum has not been influenced by the influx of tourists in the same manner as other parts of the island and the village maintains a very authentic, almost charming, Thai atmosphere.

The central part of the bay is dominated by a couple of piers, stacks of fishing boats and that authentic fishy sea smell you either love or hate. Due to the fishing boats, the water around the central area gets a bit murky and it's not great for swimming. Head to either the east or west extreme for much better beaches and water conditions. The western beach is peaceful and quite lovely with plenty of tree cover bordering the sandy beach, and an offshore breakwater provides a good deal of shelter. To the east, the beach is even better, and here you will find the majority of Chaloklum's guesthouses and beach bungalows.

The town has a handful of very good Thai seafood restaurants, so if you stay in the area, be sure to wander into town at least once. There isn't much night life to speak of - the bars are primarily small and simple, frequented mostly by locals and fishermen, but several of the bungalow operations provide good drinks in a relaxed atmosphere right on the beach. The Chinese temple just to the south of the village, on the road to Thong Sala is worth checking out as well, with its colourful Chinese architecture and several beautiful Buddha images.

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Ban Tai Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Ban Tai is a long stretch of white sand with a lovely sunset view and you are like to have the beach to yourself at many spots.

There is also a small marina at Ban Tai Beach where boats can be rented and fishing trips arranged.

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