Koh Phangan Information

Koh Phangan climate

Koh Phangan has a tropical and highly humid climate with 2 main seasons. The hot season runs from January to April while the rainy season is between May and January. You can expect occasional rain and sunshine from May to September, then heavy monsoonal rain from October to December.

The temperature on Koh Phangan generally fluctuates between 24°C and 32°C. Occasionally, it can dip as low as 20°C and rise to 36°C. Despite the rather high temperatures, sea breezes keep things cool and enjoyable during the day.

How to get to Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is easily accessible by ferry. Overnight buses and trains connect land travellers to the ports at Surat Thani and further south at Don Sak, where ferries depart for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Koh Phangan has no airport, so passengers flying into Samui transfer to Maenam Pier (ferry) and Bohput Pier (speedboat).

Ferries from the mainland generally stop at Samui’s Nathon before continuing to Koh Phangan. They usually depart at 9 am and 11 am every day. The voyage takes around 45 minutes.

Good to know about Koh Phangan

• If you're planning to attend a full-moon party, try to arrive at least 2 to 3 days in advance – accommodation is often fully booked out on the day of the party.
• Insist on wearing a lifejacket when travelling by speedboat. Boats are usually overcrowded with very little regard for safety precautions. Electronic devices should be stored in a snap-shut and waterproof bag.
• Beware of pickpockets. It's best to leave your valuables at your hotel reception when you're heading to a full-moon party.
• Drivers and motorcyclists should note that the road just north of Haad Rin, heading for Thong Sala, is very precipitous. Stalled cars have been the cause of some bad accidents. The track over the spine of the island from Ban Tai to Thong Nai Pan is downright dangerous. Avoid driving at night.
• It’s very common to see bandaged and limping foreigners on Koh Phangan – the result of motoring accidents. Wear a helmet and protective clothing when riding a motorcycle.
• Koh Phangan is very laidback, with a slow pace of life. Service at restaurants and bars reflects this, so it's best to be patient and polite during your visit.
• Wear shoes at beach parties. Broken glass is pretty much inevitable due to the number of people attending these events and copious amounts of alcohol consumed.
• Penalties for illegal drug consumption are very steep in Thailand. Undercover and local police often patrol the full-moon parties of Koh Phangan, so just stick to your drink.