Haad
Rin is situated on the south east of Koh Phangan. There are 2
parts: Haad Rin Nai and Haad Rin Nok, curved into 2 shapes for
length 2 kms. Haad Rin Nok (sunrise)
Haad Rin Nok is the full moon party beach on the sunrise side of
the cape. Here is good for sunbathing during the day and full of
night life during the night. Food and drink here seem to be
pretty higher than other beaches. Haad Rin Nai (sunset)
Haad Rin Nai is the west side, fulfilled with several high-end
resorts, more private. The beach is usually fairly deserted with
the length of 1 km, suitable for sun bathing. Haad Rin Nai is
near pier to the pier: Big Buddha of Koh Samui, usually 4 trips
a day.
Sarikantang Beach or Haad Leela is a pristine white sandy beach
lining the western end of the Haad Rin cape. This provides a
peaceful alternative to the bustle of Haad Rin centre. You may
walk about 15 mins from Haad Rin. The beach is long white sand
with mangrove trees along the coastline. This spot hosts some
old and new resorts amidst the palms. It is good for swimming
especially during Dec - Jan every year: the sea water looks
crystallized.
Ao Hin Kong is a
narrow bay with a 2 Km undeveloped beach, located at the west of
Koh Phangan. There are only a couple of bungalows mainly rented
for long-staying. The coral reef lies about 300 meters off the
beach and the bay is not good for swimming, but suitable for
hiring a boat to Koh Ma, Koh Kong or off for fishing. Mangrove
trees line the beaches and give the place a real untouched feel,
great for catching a sunset in solitude.
Thongsala is a hub
of Koh Phangan. Located is the Ferry pier from Koh Samui, speed
boat, bus station from Suratthani. There are also shops, bars,
restaurants, medical clinics, banks, post office, etc. Thongsala
is the centre of Songkran (water) festival for both Thais and
foreign tourists.
If you would like to stay these comfortable places as well as
convenience of the pier, accommodation at Thongsala is
recommended. It consists mainly of large impersonal hotels and a
couple of laid back guesthouses.
Thong Nai Pan Noi
and Thong Nai Pan Yai are twin coves that form a scenic double
bay and are the most popular beaches in the east and sunrise
side of the island. Tong Nai Pan has been a major on the
travelling circuit for many years with beautiful landscape,
great vibe and unique islander hospitality that can only reach
here. Both beaches are the image of paradise with softly curved
white sand bays surrounded by mountains covered in rich tropical
rain forest.
Thong Nai Pan Yai:
The beach is longer but very quiet with white sand, good for
swimming along the coastline. Thong Nai Pan Yai also has a
decent set of rocks for experienced climbers.
Thong Nai Pai Noi:
The beach is immensely beautiful and with great swimming. There
is a trekking concrete path to mangrove forest. This side of the
island is still pretty wild, and the surrounding jungle is haven
for many exotic tropical creatures.
It is possible to swim at both beaches all year round. There are
also some decent waves for body surfing. Both beaches have a
bohemian vibe and small villages with cool bars and restaurants.
Baan Tai is a
village near Thongsala pier, among coconut plantation. Ao Baan
Tai is the middle section of the long sunset beach, on the
South-East coast. Water is clear but shallow. At Baan Tai in a
far view, you may see Koh Samui, Koh Tan Nai and Koh Tan Nok.
Koh Tae Nok is a small
island, located near Thongsala on the south coast of Koh Phangan. Koh
Tae Nok is a great local boat dive, with reef fish, hard corals and the
odd small reef shark.
Tharnsadet means
"river of visited by Royals" and it is the place where King
Churalongkorn, The Great Rama V came to many times to walk up
the wondrous waterfalls and bath in its pools. King Prajadhipok,
the Great Rama VII also visited as has the current King Bumipol
Aduldej, the Great Rama IX. Tharnsadet has recently been
declared a National Park due to its great historical importance
and abundant wildlife.
Tharnsadet Beach is small-sized one from Tharnsadet Waterfall
through the sea. Beach is white and good enough for swimming.
The waterfall are more like huge stepping stones and can be
approached from numerous places either from the magnificent
beach of Haad Tarnsadet or on the road into Tharnsadet.
Accessing here is recommended by experienced motorcyclists only
or hiring a jeep or a boat.
Haad Khuad or Bottle
beach is a half-circle beach on the north of Koh Pha Ngan. Named
Bottle Beach for its protected cove, and known for quiet
isolation on an island known mostly for its riotous Full Moon
Party.
The beach is most easily reached by a long-tail boat from the
northern end of the island, though this is not possible in bad
weather. There is also a poorly marked mountain trail leading to
the beach and primitive road which the owners of the beach's
guest houses will drive you down if the boats are not running.
Good viewpoint is 30 minutes by trekking to the top, you will
find Koh Tao and the wide blue ocean.
Chaloklum is a fish
man village with a numbers of dried and fresh sea food mainly
fish and squid. Nearby is seafood restaurant but the price is
pretty high. The beach is about 2 1/2 km long, not good for
swimming.
Haad
Yao is 1-km long scenic secluded bay with white sand and very
clear waters. Haad Yao is suitable for sunbath, swimming, and
watching sunset. Luckily, you may see a big school of fish.
Mae
Haad is a best coastal snorkeling sites on Koh Phangan. It is
located about 3 kms from Chaloklum on the west coast corner of
the island. It is very nice and wide beach linking to Koh Ma.
Nowadays, Mae Haad has greatly improved road connections and
there is a village building up behind it. There are many resorts
with enough rooms for solitude. Underwater is rich in marine
life: turtles and small reef sharks. The beach has a soft white
sand extending out into the sea. When the sea water levels down,
you can walk along the sand bar (150 meters) to Koh Ma.
Situated of the
northwest of Koh Phangan, Salad Beach is unspoiled, deserted and
so peaceful. The beach is pure white sand, fringed with coconut
palms. Its area start from the 250m-wide pleated on the hill,
slopping through the sea. It is good for snorkeling.
Haad Son is located
on their own secluded white sandy bay on the popular sunset
coastline of Koh Phangan.
Haad Son beach is in north west of Koh Phangan. It presents a
perfect picture of an idyllic desert island cove. The complex
occupies the north end of the beach and the central and southern
areas are completely uninhabited, leaving a 300 meter long
stretch of tropical beach fringed with shady coconut palms.
Koh Ma is a small
picturesque island, linked to the North west coast of Koh
Phangan. Due to Elnio disaster, the coral got a lot of damage in
the wide range. Here is the best for snorkeling and scuba diving
on this private area. There are a lot of school of several types
of fish: barracuda and banner fish with depth 24 m.
Ao Nai Wok or Nai
Wok Bay is suitable for swimming in some parts of the beach,
with a lot of coconut trees. Ao Nai Wok is the long bay
extending North from Thongsala pier. There are a number of
resorts along the beach and rocks start to break up the
coastline. Photographers love taking a photo of the sunset at
this beach.
Ao
Wok Tum is a mostly undeveloped and quite bay. The beach is
about 1.5 kms far from Kao Noi Temple. The coral reef lies about
300 meters off the beach which extend to 700 meters. Mangrove
trees line the beaches and give the place a real untouched feel,
great for catching a sunset in solitude.
Ban
Kai is a small village located between Thongsala and Haad Rin.
Ban Kai is a great spot of seeking solitude and great view over
to Koh Samui. The beach is wide and flanked by coconut palms
inserted by a number of bungalow-style resorts. Ban Kai men
"camping village", derived from the old day when gold miners
used to spend their nights camping here.
Ao Srithanu is the beach along
the road with 800m length. It is one of the beautiful beach,
good for swimming and watching sunset. Srithanu is a local
village and small fishing port. There are a fair price of
food in a market and Thai restaurants.
Ao Chaopao is
just a few minutes from Ao Srithanu. There are several cool
beach bars, a pub and a few restaurants: Laem Son Lake, a
freshwater pine shaded paradise. The beach is white and
suitable for swimming with 800 meters length along the
coconut plantation.
