After an intense month travelling through China and some days shopping in Kuala Lumpur, it’s finally time to relax! For that, we decided to go to Thailand – not the most original destination but here beautiful beaches, great food and a relaxed atmosphere coexists! It’s certainly a place to recharge your batteries.
We were not in the mood for island hopping but for some relaxed days in a hammock. Koh Phangan was our choice, although known as Thailand party HQ, the island is not only about the madness of the Full Moon Party. Actually, it’s much more tranquil here than at its neighbour Koh Samui. Most of the youngsters come here to spend a couple of days to party (and sleep) at Haad Rin beach but after that, they leave.
We have been in Thailand a couple of times (6 in total) and after “living” 11 days in Koh Phangan we consider ourselves almost locals 😉 So this time, instead of asking a local which beach is his favorite and why we decided to rent a motorcycle, explored most of the island’s beaches and rated them ourselves.
Check out our Koh Phangnan beaches review and pick your favourite!
We rated and classified as follows:
Beach Tranquility: 1 = Scene out of Tom Hanks’ Cast Away | 5 = Busy as Copacabana Beach on New Year’s Eve
Sand Thickness: 1 = Soft as baking powder | 5 = Rocky as walking on Lego
Beach Cleanliness: 1 = Spotless | 5 = Junkyard
Wave Intensity: 1 = Bath-like | 5 = Apocalypse
Beach Facilities: 1 = Pee against a tree | 5 = Everything from A to Z
Beach width: 1 = It’s a Marathon to the sea | 5 = Water touching your toes when laying
Haad Khom
Remote beach reachable by motorbike. Rocky sea (strongly advisable to wear water shoes). Very green.
Beach tranquillity: 1
Sand thickness: 3
Beach cleanliness: 1
Wave intensity: 1
Facilities: 2
Beach width: 3
Haad Salad
Beach in a cove with vegetation around. Some rocky parts in the water.
Beach tranquillity: 2
Sand thickness: 2
Beach cleanliness: 2
Wave intensity: 2
Facilities: 2
Beach width: 4
Ao Chaloklum
Large Beach with a pier and a road parallel to it – you can expect noise.
Beach tranquillity: 3
Sand thickness: 2
Beach cleanliness: 1
Wave intensity: 1
Facilities: 4
Beach width: 4
Haad Yao
Our favourite beach! Very tranquil yet with all the facilities. Green surroundings and clear sea water.
Beach tranquillity: 2
Sand thickness: 1
Beach cleanliness: 1
Wave intensity: 1
Facilities: 4
Beach width: 2
Haad Mae
Large beach connected to Koh Ma. There is some construction work going on which disturbs the views and tranquillity. Green surroundings.
Beach tranquillity: 3
Sand thickness: 3
Beach cleanliness: 3
Wave intensity: 2
Facilities: 3
Beach width: 2
Ao Nai Wok
Small beach close to Thongsala.
Beach tranquillity: 2
Sand thickness: 3
Beach cleanliness: 2
Wave intensity: 2
Facilities: 2
Beach width: 3
Ao Bann Tai
Large beach at Thongsala, close to supermarkets, 7 Elevens and port. The dirtiest beach we visited.
Beach tranquillity: 3
Sand thickness: 3
Beach cleanliness: 4
Wave intensity: 2
Facilities: 3
Beach width: 4
Haad Rin
Famous for hosting the Full Moon Party. Busy with jet skies and taxi boats.
Beach tranquillity: 5
Sand thickness: 2
Beach cleanliness: 3
Wave intensity: 2
Facilities: 5
Beach width: 2
Haad Yuan
Only accessible by taxi boat (from Haad Rin) or 4×4.
Beach tranquillity: 3
Sand thickness: 2
Beach cleanliness: 2
Wave intensity: 2
Facilities: 4
Beach width: 2
Conclusions
The south-west beaches are less interesting and closer to busy areas and roads. In the north-west beaches, you can enjoy more tranquil, green and cleaner beaches.