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Looking to find the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan to unwind and relax on? Well, you’re in the right place as here you’ll find my complete guide to the 8 best beaches on this tropical island paradise!
The island of Koh Phangan is one of my favourites in the south of Thailand. It’s a beautifully tropical destination and gives you the feeling that you’ve found a real island paradise.
Koh Phangan has plenty of things to do and places to explore but discovering the incredible palm tree-lined and postcard-worthy beaches has to top the list!
Some of my favourite beaches in the Gulf of Thailand are found on this island. I’d even say they outshine those on the neighbouring Koh Samui and Koh Tao!
However, there is a vast amount to choose from and narrowing down a shortlist to visit on your trip may feel like quite a task.
But I’ve got you covered and put together this travel guide which details the best beaches of Koh Phangan.
This means you can spend less time figuring out which ones you should visit and more time soaking up that tropical island life!
Where to Find Koh Phangan’s Best Beaches – Koh Phangan Beach Map
Below is a map of Koh Phangan in which I’ve pinned all of the beaches mentioned in this list. This gives you a sense of where they are in relation to each other and where you’re staying.
Best Beaches on Koh Phangan
Whether you’re dreaming of secluded bays, beaches with some atmosphere, or the best beach to watch the sun go down, here are the 8 most stunning beaches to visit on Koh Phangan!
1. Chaloklum Beach
My favourite of all the beautiful Koh Phangan beaches.
The first beach on this list and my personal favourite is Chaloklum Beach.
This beautiful bay can be found on the north coast of the island. You can reach it by following the main road north from Thong Sala. This palm tree-fringed road is in great condition and driving along on your scooter is a real tropical vibe!
Once you arrive at Chaloklum Beach you know you’ve found a slice of paradise. You’re welcomed with a long stretch of incredible white sand and inviting turquoise water. It won’t be long before you’re diving in for a swim to cool off from the hot Thai sun.
Chaloklum is one of the quieter areas of Koh Phangan with a chilled vibe. It’s the perfect place to relax with a book, have a paddle, or throw a frisbee.
As you walk eastwards along the beach, you’ll come across an overhanging palm tree just perfect for an Instagram post. Make sure to snap a photo!
When we spent a month living on Koh Phangan it became a habit to drive up to Chaloklum Beach at every opportunity. It’s the best beach on Koh Phangan to relax and really make the most of the tropical island experience!
Recommended Stay: Enjoy the peace and quiet at Red Pearl Beach Resort
2. Haad Rin Beach
The place to be for a lively beach holiday atmosphere.
Haad Rin was a huge surprise (in a good way). I wasn’t expecting to be ranking it as one of Koh Phangan’s best beaches.
This is because Haad Rin hosts the famous Koh Phangan Full Moon Party. And as such, I thought for sure it would be bottom of the pile when it came to choosing a beach to relax on.
How wrong was I!
Haad Rin is actually one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan. It’s also a bit more sheltered than some of the others as it’s tucked nicely into a bay.
Found on the southern tip of the island, it’s also one of the most popular places to stay on Koh Phangan. Many people choose to base themselves here to be just steps away from the soft white sand.
However, if your accommodation is in Thong Sala or in another area further north then you can reach the beach with an easy, albeit sometimes steep, scooter/taxi ride along the main road south. You’ll catch some epic coastal views from this road as you near Haad Rin!
The beach is also one of the liveliest on the island and has a great beach holiday atmosphere. There are volleyball nets and lots of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance. Although I have to say it’s not anywhere near the tourist trap I was expecting!
Recommended Stay: Overlook the white sand beach at Phangan Bayshore Resort
3. Bottle Beach
Perfect for anyone looking for Koh Phangan’s most secluded tropical paradise.
Bottle Beach on Koh Phangan is one of the most remote beaches on the island. This beach is only accessible by 4×4, a 1-2 hour sweaty hike or a taxi boat from nearby Chaloklum Beach.
Now, this may sound like an unnecessary effort when there are so many other beaches on the island with much easier access. But I can assure you that if you make the journey then you will be rewarded with a slice of secluded, tropical paradise!
Bottle Beach has powdery white sand and is lined with palm trees. There are picturesque coastal boulders at either end of the bay and you have Koh Phangan’s mountainous jungle interior as an epic backdrop!
There are a few bungalow resorts right on the beach with restaurants to grab some lunch or a coffee. Or you can be like us and visit 7-11 beforehand to have a beach picnic.
Recommended Stay: Wake up on the beach at Haad Khuad Resort
4. Salad Beach
My top pick of Koh Phangan’s magazine-worthy northwest bays.
In the northwest of Koh Phangan there is a selection of great beaches but my favourite is Salad Beach.
It’s yet another stunning bay that’s often calm and protected from the wind. This makes it a beautiful and peaceful place to rent a paddle board and enjoy the sunset from the water.
There are two roads you can follow to reach Haad Salad. The first is the main road from Thong Sala towards the most north-westerly point of the island. Look out for a small sign indicating the left turn you need to take and then follow the road straight until you reach one of the beach-front resorts where you can park up.
Alternatively, you can take the coastal road that runs parallel past several other northwest beaches until you reach Haad Salad at the top.
The beach is quiet and relaxed with a family and couples holiday atmosphere. It’s the ideal spot to enjoy a treatment at one of the massage parlours overlooking the beach.
Recommended Stay: Soak up the tropical island view at Cookies Salad Resort
5. Zen Beach
The prime sunset spot on the island.
I had to include Zen Beach on this list as it’s the best beach on Koh Phangan for watching the sunset. It has such a great atmosphere, complete with a beach bar, live music, chairs, and bean bags. Or you can just pick your spot along the beach to watch the sun drop over the horizon.
Zen Beach is located in Srithanu which you can reach by following the same northwest coastal road towards Haad Salad. As you drive north through the town there is a left turn which is signposted for Zen Beach. This dirt track takes you along to the beach’s large car park.
This really is a great place to chill out after a day of exploring or enjoying the hot Thai sun. So kick back, grab a beer and activate your zen mode!
Just be aware that almost everyone who visits the island knows that this is Koh Phangan’s best sunset spot. So don’t expect to be the only one there!
However, while I normally prefer quiet spots, I’d say the large crowd actually adds to the vibe. Just make sure to remember where you parked your scooter!
Recommended Stay: Fall asleep listening to the waves at Nice Sea Resort
6. Leela Beach
The perfect place for a chilled beach day in the south of Koh Phangan.
Leela Beach is up there with the most picturesque Koh Phangan beaches. Here you’ll find some of the whitest sand on the island.
It’s located close to Haad Rin on the southern tip of Koh Phangan and you can access it through one of the resorts. It’s the perfect quieter alternative to the lively Haad Rin.
Leela Beach is a great option if your accommodation is in the south of the island and you’re dreaming of a chilled beach day as it’s mostly just resort guests who will be enjoying the beach!
Don’t forget your camera! At the northern end of the beach there’s an Instagram-worthy swing between two palm trees. It makes for a perfect photo opportunity and shows off the incredible white sand and turquoise water in the background.
Recommended Stay: Relax on the idyllic shores at Sarikantang Resort & Spa
Related Post: Best Cafes And Coffee Shops On Koh Phangan
7. Malibu Beach
A small slice of a pristine white sand paradise.
While it may be small in size, there’s no denying how stunning Malibu Beach is.
You can find it in the western end of Chaloklum town with parking located right next to the 7-11. You can access the beach by walking through the resort.
You’ll be greeted with a strip of stunning white sand, enticing blue water and an impressive view of Koh Phangan’s mountainous coastline!
A great option is to combine visiting Malibu Beach with close-by Chaloklum Beach. I recommend spending the day enjoying two of the best beaches on Koh Phangan!
Recommended Stay: Discover a paradise hideaway at Malibu Beach Bungalows
8. Haad Yao
A quieter alternative to Zen Beach for sunset.
The northwest of Koh Phangan has a more relaxed, family and couples holiday atmosphere compared to the bustling south.
However, Haad Yao is the beach with the most going on in the area. It has the most options for beach restaurants and cafes, beach bungalows and resorts. It also has the biggest stretch of golden sand in the northwest.
Haad Yao is easily reached along the same coastal road towards Haad Salad. Immediately after the town’s 7-11 shop there is a small dirt path that takes you to the beach with space to park up your scooter.
If crowds aren’t your thing then Haad Yao is the sunset spot for you. It’s a much quieter alternative to the mega-busy Zen Beach.
During my one month living in Koh Phangan, I would often drive up here for sunset and enjoy throwing a frisbee while watching the sun disappear over the sea.
Recommended Stay: Enjoy panoramic sea views and an infinity pool at High Life Bungalow
Related Post: The Ultimate Guide To The Chinese Temple On Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan Beaches FAQ
Best Beach on Koh Phangan
Each beach is popular for different reasons so this answer is subjective. It depends if you want to sunbathe, float in the calm water, drink a sunset beer, go snorkelling or party the night away. I’d recommend visiting them all and seeing for yourself!
However, I think the best beach on Koh Phangan is definitely Chaloklum Beach. With its calm bay, crystal clear blue water and quiet atmosphere – it’s the definition of postcard-worthy!
Best Snorkelling on Koh Phangan
The best places to go snorkelling on Koh Phangan include Haad Salad, Koh Ma and Mae Haad, Haad Yao, and Haad Son (Secret Beach).
To reach the coral reefs you will need to swim out to them offshore. These are only safely accessible half of the year due to the strong trade winds coming from the West. Always check weather conditions before entering the water!
Best Beach For Swimming on Koh Phangan
All things considered, Chaloklum Beach has to be the best beach on Koh Phangan for swimming.
Thanks to the large protected shallow bay and clear water, it is perfect for swimming or floating on an inflatable beach lilo. The beach is never overcrowded and it feels like a tropical oasis. Just remember to stay away from the long tail boats that are dotted along the beach.
To Finish
Koh Phangan is nothing short of a tropical paradise with an overwhelming choice of beautiful, palm tree-lined beaches.
I hope this article makes planning your dreamy Koh Phangan beach days easier so you can spend more time enjoying the sun and topping up your tan with a coconut in hand!
If you have any questions about Koh Phangan leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
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