Ko Phangan is an island off the west coast of Thailand that is famous for its monthly Full Moon Party. This boisterous, full moon party, which is also tied to the full moon, attracts revelers to its southwestern peninsula, Haad Rin. Most festivities center around Sunrise Beach, with its white sandy beaches attracting a larger, more casual beach crowd.
On the north side of the island, lies quieter, peaceful beaches like Hat Khuat and Hat Thian, where you'll find many families enjoying the pleasant weather on vacation. If you're looking for a little more excitement, visit Ton Sai, which offers some excellent snorkeling. Other beaches worth visiting include Nathon, Maenam, Bophut, and Koh Racha. You may even want to consider the island of Ko Pha Ngan, which offers an exciting range of water sports.
There are many places in Ko Pha Ngan, where one can experience the island's natural beauty. Here, you'll have the opportunity to go deep-sea fishing or parasailing. The entire region is rich in culture and heritage, and each town is unique in its history, architecture, and culture. It's also where you'll find some of the best diving in all of Thailand.
While on the island, you might want to visit the marine sanctuaries. Ko Pha Ngan enjoys several important ones. The Pha Nang Waterfall is the largest waterfall on the island. The Waterfall is so large, that it takes a team of experts just to build the drop! If you want to see the underwater world of Ko Pha Ngan, you can visit the Underwater Wonderland, where you'll view many different creatures from fish to whales.
As you travel from town, you'll find that the landscape gradually changes. Pine forests take on shades of brown. Waterfalls and other features with interesting rock formations will become more prominent as you journey into the interior of Ko Pha Ngan. You may even come across some old-growth forests, which are exotic and offer a sense of serenity.
While you're here, you'll find that you have a number of options for sightseeing. You can ride along on a Jeep tour or go hiking in the tropical forests. Kayaking is another option, especially if you want to do it on your own. The possibilities are endless. When you're done exploring, you may even want to go back to Phuket, where you can stay in one of the many beachfront guesthouses, or perhaps even sample the cuisine of this amazing area.
If you're looking for something a bit more challenging, consider hiring a helicopter or airplane. These tours provide an experience that's not available everywhere else. The only downside is that you won't be able to see everything, which means that you'll have to focus on certain parts of the island. This can be difficult, but if you're up for the challenge, you'll appreciate it. Plus, you won't have to deal with crowds; you'll be flying over some of the most beautiful sites on Phuket, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
If you're ready for a great adventure, there's no shortage of it in Ko Pha Ngan. You'll find that all of the activities and destinations are within hours of each other, making it easy to mix it up and never get bored. You can even arrange a trip to Thailand itself if you want to combine your vacation with a trip to the country itself. No matter what you plan to do, you'll find that you can't go wrong when you choose to go to Ko Pha Ngan.
Another option that you have for your Ko Pha Ngan vacation is scuba diving. This is a great way to get a closer look at some of the sea life that you'll find in Ko Pha Ngan. You'll be able to look deep enough under the water to see octopuses and sharks. While you're diving, you can also visit the Lopburi Reef, where you can see the remains of ships that sunk many years ago. If you're lucky, you may even spot a rare turtle during your visit.
If you'd prefer to do something a little less strenuous on your vacation, you might also enjoy taking time to tour the island. There are a few options for you to do this, depending on your level of skill and willingness. You can hire a car to drive you around, take a tour bus or simply hang out at one of the island's many shophouses (the term is also used for bars and clubs). If you enjoy drinking, you may even want to try your luck at the island's most popular bar, Maenam. It has all the amenities you'd expect from a bar (including TVs), and the bartender who works there can make you a few special drinks in the process.
Your Ko Pha Ngan vacation may not be complete without a trip to the island's beaches. Phuket Beach is perhaps the most famous, and it's also one of the most crowded. Still, if you're willing to put in a bit of research and some legwork, you should be able to find a beach that's both clean and relatively deserted. That way, you can truly enjoy yourself while getting a tan.
