Koh Phangan: party island, stunning viewpoint and abandoned water park

As soon as you say Koh Phangan, many people will immediately think of the Full Moon Party. The monthly party which, as the name implies, takes place during the full moon is the main reason most vacationers want to go here.

Should you not like a party you can still have a great time on the island. What else there is to do besides the Full Moon Party you can read in this article!

Arrival on Koh Phangan

After you set foot ashore you will immediately find several scooter rental shops within a few hundred meters. I tried to rent one from several without having to give up my passport as a deposit, but without success. I toiled anyway and rented a fine Honda Click (125cc) for 250 Baht per day.

 

Should you not want to go by scooter, you can take a shared cab to your destination. On the cabs are the places where they will stop, the only drawback is that you have to wait until the cab is full and can start driving.

1. Walk "through the water" to Koh Ma island

Officially Koh Ma is a separate island, fortunately you don't need a boat to get there! During low tide you will see a sandbar, during high tide you will have to walk through the water covered sandbar. When I was there early in the morning I had no luck, neither later in the afternoon. To get there you will have to go through the Koh Ma beach resort, this is self-explanatory.

 

2. Bottle Beach & Viewpoint

Bottle Beach gets its name from the fact that lots of bottles washed up on this beach. It is not very easy to get there, so with any luck you will have the beach practically to yourself if you don't go too late in the day.

For a great view of the beach, the eponymous viewpoint is definitely worth a visit. On the large stones you look out over the beach, the forest below and the sea. If you have a drone then it is a real pleasure to capture images there!

    Visiting the viewpoint

     

    • From Bottle Beach: at the beachfront resort of the same name, you will find a sign that will direct you towards the viewpoint. The route from here speaks for itself, just make sure to bring mosquito spray for when you have to walk in the woods.
    • The easiest option is to navigate by scooter to the Bottle Beach Viewpoint on Google Maps, park your scooter and walk for about 10-15 minutes. One part is flat, the other part is a small climb. Do not wear flip-flops (mistake I made myself), as you will have little grip.

     

    Once you arrive at the viewpoint, you have to climb under a big rock, after which you can climb on the big rock (if you feel comfortable).

    3. Abandoned Water Park.

    Closed due to COVID-19 in 2021 and has not been opened since. The abandoned water park Slip 'n Fly is a fascinating place that was once a popular attraction but has now been left to nature. Slip 'n Fly was originally a water park with slides and pools set in lush green surroundings. It was a popular attraction among tourists and locals looking for adventure and water fun.

    The slides were known for their high speed and exciting descents, and the park was a favorite place for visitors to enjoy cooling off in the water and having fun with friends and family. Furthermore, and were plenty of games and challenges you could participate in and win drinks, among other things.

     

    Now the abandoned water park still stands there, overgrown by nature and covered with vegetation. The slides are rusted and dilapidated, the pools are empty and the once vibrant atmosphere has disappeared. In that respect, it is akin to the abandoned water park in Hue!

     

    Despite the abandoned state of the water park, it is still a fascinating place to visit for adventure travelers and urban explorers (like me). The overgrown slides and pools create a unique and mysterious atmosphere, and it's interesting to see the past glory of what was once a bustling attraction.

    Officially, the grounds are private property, but the entrance gates were "just" open and there were no warning signs anywhere. If you decide to visit Slip 'n Fly, at least make sure you are respectful of the grounds.

     

    4. Relaxing at the beach

    Beaches aplenty on Koh Phangan!

     

    • Haad Rin Beach: Haad Rin Beach is perhaps the most famous beach on Koh Phangan because of the legendary Full Moon Party that takes place here every month. The beach has a lively atmosphere with numerous bars, restaurants and stores. During the day you can enjoy the white sand and clear water, and at night the beach comes alive with music, dancing and fire shows.

     

    • Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach: This beach is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan. It is a quieter beach surrounded by lush green hills and with picturesque views of the sea. The beach has fine white sand and the water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
    • Salad Beach: Salad Beach, or Haad Salad, is a quiet and peaceful beach on the northwest coast of Koh Phangan. The beach has calm waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. It is also a great place to enjoy the sunset and relax in one of the many hammocks that line the beach.

     

    • Mae Haad Beach: One of the busier beaches on Koh Phangan, but still a beautiful place to visit. The beach has fine white sand and crystal clear waters, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. You can also enjoy a walk on the sandbar that connects Mae Haad Beach to the nearby island of Koh Ma, where you can snorkel and explore the colorful coral reef.

    5. Pantip market

    I love the Thai night markets! Besides delicious local (and a little bit of International) food, this bustling market also offers a variety of clothing, accessories, souvenirs and handicrafts. You can find unique items here, such as handmade jewelry, clothing by local designers, wood carvings and other crafts.

     

    By the way, they offer 100 different kinds of "smoothies" at some stalls, although it's more water with a fruit sugar syrup than an actual smoothie. Bit of a shame!

    6. Still want to party?

    Rearranging my schedule in southern Thailand was a bit tricky, so I arrived on the island a few days after the Full Moon Party. Nevertheless, I still saw plenty of posters along the road with events taking place on the island. The Waterfall Festival, the Half Moon Party and on and on. Of course, if you wish, you can also choose to stay at a party hostel, such as the Arena Hostel.

    7. Get to know the Thai culture

    Getting acquainted with the Thai culture can be done for example by taking a cooking course. On the island there are plenty of places where you can follow a cooking class. You want to know how you can make that delicious Pad Thai at home, right?

    To keep fit while traveling, a Muay Thai class is ideal. There are several Muay Thai schools where you can take a class, whether you are just starting out or already have some more experience with the martial arts from home. Rather not exert yourself and still be introduced to the sport? Then you can always go to a competition.

     

    Full Moon Party

    I heard from fellow travelers that accommodations are booked up early, with most also having a 3-day minimum stay. Due to the growing popularity of the party, the island is facing an accommodation shortage. That I have already heard from a number of people that they therefore "just" slept on the beach and then left the island again does not surprise me at all. Just so you know!

    From Koh Phangan you can go to: