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Last visited March 2017
Dusk shot from balcony of budget bungalow, Bottle Beach One, Had Khuad, due north Phangan.
The Hat Rin peninsula, south-east corner of Phangan. Hat Rin East (Sunrise) is the principal beach. Hat Rin Sunset is across the peninsula to the left. The smaller beach left side partly concealed past times the close headland is Leela Beach. The southward coast stretches away towards the top - Ban Khai is nigh half-way along, Ban Tai a chip further. The beach on the far correct is Hat Yuan (image Creative Commons-Manfred Werner)
Hat Rin bottom right, Thong Nai Pan top right, Than Sadet mid right, Mae Had top left (Koh Maa on map), Had Salad simply below Mae Had (image fullmoon-party.com)
A total sized version tin live seen here.
Some of the places mentioned on this page.
THIS PAGE WAS REWRITTEN AFTER MY fifth VISIT IN JUNE 2010. AND UPDATED SLIGHTLY AFTER MY LATER APRIL 2012 AND JULY2013 TRIPS. THE PAGE WAS ORIGINALLY COMPOSED IN LATE 2006 AFTER MY THIRD VISIT TO PHANGAN. I ALSO WROTE UPDATES AND POSTED NEW PIX FROM AN AUGUST 2009 VISIT WHERE NEEDED.
IN 2009 I MADE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 POINT OF STAYING AT TWO NEW LOCATIONS, HAD SALAD AND THAN SADET, AND CHECKED OR RECHECKED BEACHES NEARBY LIKE MAE HAD, CHALOKLUM, CORAL BEACH (HAD KHOM), HAD THIAN WEST AND HAD YAO WEST .
IN 2010 I STAYED AT HAD KHUAD (BOTTLE BEACH) AND HAD THIAN (the cool due east coast one) AND REVISITED HAD RIN, LEELA BEACH AND CORAL BEACH.
IN 2012 I STAYED AT MAE HAD AND HAD YUAN (EAST COAST ONE) AND RE-STAYED AT THAN SADET AND THONG NAI PAN. I ALSO WANDERED BACK TO HAD SALAD, BOTTLE BEACH AND HAD KHOM TO SEE WHAT HAD CHANGED.
IN 2013 information technology WAS BACK TO THE NORTH WEST TO CHECK BEACHES I DIDN'T HAVE INFO ON LIKE HAD SON, AO CHAO PHO AND AO SRITHANU - I STAYED AT HAD YAO. I THEN WENT AND STAYED Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 TOTAL OF 3 NIGHTS AT HAD RIN AND WENT BACK TO MY FAVOURITE AREA JUST TO THE NORTH AND STAYED AT THE SANCTUARY ON HAD THIAN (east coast one).
IN MARCH 2017 I DID ANOTHER STINT AT THE SANCTUARY, SPENT TIME IMMEDIATELY SOUTH ON HAD YUAN's SOUTHERN HEADLAND AT OCEAN ROCK RESORT (WHICH IS NOW OWNED BY CLUB BAR EXCHANGE - THE JOINT RIGHT AT THE END OF THE POINT), AND FINALLY GOT TO STAY AT LEELA BEACH BUNGALOWS NEAR HAD RIN.
BESIDES THE STUFF ON THIS PAGE I HAVE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 HEAP OF PIX AND INFO ON THESE PLACES ON Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 NEW PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE PLUS IN THE TRIP REPORT SECTION (these mightiness non live finished for a while).
HAD RIN AREA - SOUTH EAST COAST
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HAD RIN EAST (Had Rin Noi/Had Rin Sunsrise)
Don't allow anyone tell y'all THE PARTY VENUE, Had Rin East ,isn't a gorgeous beach. And it's go a whole lot nicer inward recent years amongst a large swimming enclosure which keeps out the H2O craft.
It never gets too shallow to swim, summation at that spot is at nowadays a daily detailing past times these guys....
The nicest parts of Had Rin East are the middle in addition to northern terminate - behind the photographic television receiver camera is non as attractive. Some real competitive restaurants/bars dorsum the beach - they set upward candlelit tables on the sand at night.
Despite the moans of the traditionalists this beach is non shabby at all - white white sand which is real ready clean , clear H2O which is non too shallow a brusk distance out in addition to some prissy shade from trees inward dorsum of beach peculiarly towards this northern end. Budget beachfront bungalows out of frame to the correct - to a greater extent than high on the headland behind photographic television receiver camera amongst some pretty cool restaurant/bars. On the passing ferry from Than Sadet to Samui I also noticed some cool non too expensive looking headland bungalows to a higher house the seaside rocks out of frame to left, far terminate of the beach (if y'all click-expand the shot top of page y'all tin reckon some of them) - it would live perhaps a 10 infinitesimal walk from these to fundamental Hat Rin in addition to the beach. Note the relative lack of people on the beach at prime number 1100 sunning fourth dimension inward Phangan's 2nd high flavor (because of the amend weather, Phangan/Samui/Tao tend to withdraw hold an August high flavor almost as busy as Christmas/January).
Bungalows on the sand - Had Rin East. These are at the far northern terminate (turn left on reaching the beach). I think they are called Sea View.
You don't withdraw hold to hold off for the Full Moon Party for a burn twirler exhibit - this tin live seen on many beaches most nights (image ASIAEXPLORERS
UPDATE MARCH 2017 - I noticed some novel high terminate bungalows going inward on the loma to a higher house the southward terminate of the beach. Apparently these are existence developed past times the same fellowship that runs Leela Beach's COCOHUT VILLAGE - but according to a staff fellow member they volition live listed as a novel resort when opened.
If y'all click-expand y'all volition amend reckon the ones on the crest of the loma (the evolution continues on the LEELA BEACH side. Crest units withdraw hold slap-up views dorsum over towards SAMUI likewise West Had Rin inward this direction.
CAVEAT - all the to a higher house volition endure NOISE large fourth dimension during the party. As a affair of fact LAST BAR simply out of frame to the correct has real noisy music until 0200 many non total Moon political party nights.
Had Rin East from high on the southern headland. There are some prissy budget/flashpacker accommodation places upward hither - perhaps 10 mins walk to town: non too steep
HAD RIN WEST (Had Rin Noi/Had Rin Sunset)
A 1 km long strip of sand starts instantly due west of the pocket-sized harbour at the human foot of Had Rin town's cross isthmus shopping street in addition to finishes where those rugged hills dive direct into the body of body of water less than 2 km from Ban Khai on the fundamental southern coast. The eastern 3rd of this beach is Had Rin West - the residue is known as Ao Hin Lor.
From the other (western) terminate - Had Rin headland inward the background. This beach is non a touching on Had Rin Sunrise - sand narrower, non as white in addition to the whole length suffers badly the depression tide blues. Less ready clean inward parts too - at that spot are resorts of all mode along hither - less continuous/more midrange/newer unopen to the photographic television receiver camera where they make upward the steep hillside amongst magnificent views across to Ko Samui. Google Blue Hill Resort in addition to Tanou Garden Bungalow. Most of the higher terminate places manicure the beach but some lesser places give this a miss. Closer to Had Rin some mangroves brand progress hard towards total tide. Old fourth dimension visitors volition live surprised past times how some of the traditional places closer to Had Rin withdraw hold updated over the years - perhaps they could google Coral Bungalows....
....Coral has a prissy in addition to non pocket-sized elevated puddle the other side of the entrance. They concord Phangan's biggest puddle political party nigh a calendar week after the Full Moon Party - I withdraw hold seen shots: looks similar a expert way to allow off steam. I similar that sign at correct of icon - FREE POOL ENTRY in addition to those HAPPY HOUR prices seem lower than normal.
Had Rin expanse beaches - modified oblique Google ground image
LEELA BEACH
Leela is my favourite Had Rin beach - prissy sand, never crowded, a distich of prissy midrange joints, 1 budget in addition to (around on the eastern rocks) 1 budget/flashpacker. And it's far plenty from Had Rin East that the dissonance on FMP nighttime should non worry most people.
Leela ain't a nudist haunt similar the old days. It is a picayune too built on for overexposure. Nevertheless, it is a real set dorsum beach, uncrowded fifty-fifty on the nicest days, has prissy sand which gets a chip narrow at highest tide, in addition to expert swimming except at lowest tide when lots of rocks simply below surface brand this difficult, although it is all the same dead piece of cake to honour a sandy spot to sit down inward or splash around in addition to is ideal for fossickers .
Leela is on the sunset side of the Hat Rin peninsula, due east of the harbour in addition to fairly unopen to the SE corner of the island. You tin attain its western terminate inward nigh v minutes from the terminate of the Hat Rin East principal street (take the stairs in addition to follow the sign to Coconuts) or the far eastern terminate inward a picayune to a greater extent than than 10 (follow the signs from the top of the stairs upward the dirt route to Leela Beach Bungalows). So Leela is a expert choice to Hat Rin East for people wanting to remain on a prissy in addition to much quieter beach.
I stayed a picayune farther past times the beach at a house lauded inward a Thorntree post, LIGHTHOUSE RESORT which is accessed past times taking a wooden walkway for nigh 300m over the rocks from the far eastern terminate of Leela. “Lighthouse” gives the impression it’s on top of the headland but this resort starts on the seaside rocks in addition to rises to nigh one-half way upward the steep hillside. Nevertheless, a slap-up location, almost on the SE corner of the isle amongst prissy views across to Samui (sensational views from the higher 800 baht bungalows especially at nighttime when the lights came out).
Wooden walkway to Lighthouse Resort amongst Leela Beach inward background. The eatery of Leela Bay Bungalows is the origin edifice on the beach. (image Lighthouse Resort)
Those dearer bungalows were pretty large in addition to looked fine. But I withdraw hold to tell my 200baht bungalow (outside bathroom) was a dump - its xv grade lateral listing musical rhythm out a 10 grade longitudinal dip, it was pokey amongst a 3 quarter size bed in addition to barely plenty room for ii people’s gear, it wasn’t real clean, had advanced wood rot inward the roof beams in addition to the veranda beam at the top of the stairs was thence depression it scalped me origin time. The super steep stairways inward several places through the grounds had PVC H2O pipes across the air gaps. On the summation side, the exterior bathrooms for the cheapies were reasonable, the eatery nutrient was expert if a picayune overpriced compared to genuinely expert value bungalow restaurants in addition to the service was quick if unsmiling (at to the lowest degree from the woman someone side - the blokes were pleasant enough).
Lighthouse Resort - expert views across to Samui from simply nigh all bungalows (image Lighthouse Bungalows)
UPDATE AUGUST 2009 - I rechecked Lighthouse latest trip. The house seems picayune changed. The to a greater extent than expensive bungalows all the same expect pretty sugariness in addition to as tin live seen from the shot below, the obstruction course of study to some of the cheaper bungalows was all the same present.
My elcheapo bungalow from the 2006 trip had non fallen downwards - closer inspection showed a fair chip of novel woodwork. This is a 2009 shot.
If I were looking for a cheapie inward this expanse I’d elbow grease LEELA BEACH BUNGALOWS which had a lot of 300 baht (with bath attached) places upward the dorsum row. They looked okay inward a pretty pleasant setting, perhaps a picayune unopen together. LBB was putting inward novel beachside bungalows inward March, which looked similar they were to live aircon. Nice seat - absolute beach-front.
One downside may live this outfit’s ii dogs, who got over-exited from terrorizing a beach jogger in addition to thence decided to harass all passers-by. Maybe non such a expert thought when 1 of those passers-by was a dog-hating Orstrayan amongst his really large bush stick.
For people looking for a prissy midranger on the beach unopen to Hat Rin principal street, COCO HUTS on Leela looked pretty prissy to me. They withdraw hold a pool.
UPDATE - LEELA BEACH BUNGALOWS was non operating when I revisited in August 09. But when I called inward in June 2010 it was open. No sign of the pesky dogs.
COCO HUT had also been redeveloped in addition to has headed upmarket from lower midrange.
Adjacent is a novel midrange house amongst some less expensive bungalows upward the dorsum - SARIKANTANG. Check Google for plenty of websites and reviews.
UPDATE - inward 2015 I stayed at SARIKANTANG amongst Lady Tezza. Pretty prissy place.
SARIKANTANG buffet. I remain budget most trips but when Lady T comes along nosotros often caput upmarket. Buffets similar this remind me how bankrupt the average Thai budget bungalow breakfast is. Apart from international resorts similar this, I'm convinced Thais simply don't larn breakfast - at to the lowest degree inward the western sense.
Out front end the Leela Beach post sunset was non shabby.
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2009 shot of Leela Beach from the western Coco Hut end. Lighthouse Bungalows are out of sight around the headland at the far terminate (click to expand pix)
UPDATE 2010 - Low tide shot - all the same some prissy bits deep plenty to sit down inward betwixt lumps of almost exposed coral. Lack of people indicates depression flavor nature of June - compounded past times touching on of Thai political problem in addition to world fiscal crisis.
Leela - same time, opposite end.
Taking it piece of cake on Leela
UPDATE MARCH 2017 - I decided to remain a few nights at LEELA BEACH BUNGALOWS. Worked out a chip tricky because the house has been bought past times COCO HUTS (now calling itself COCOHUT VILLAGE) - the eastern 3rd of the bungalows withdraw hold been knocked downwards in addition to a novel articulation is nigh 60% finished - gonna live called THE CABIN RESORT or similar.
In the hateful fourth dimension COCOHUT is all the same letting out the remaining LLB places but seems to live hopelessly disorganised (their RESERVATIONS MANAGER didn't fifty-fifty know LLB had a website - no wonder my emails were unanswered, She also took upward to a solar daytime to operate out if a bungalow was vacant) in addition to seems to live content to allow the bungalows deteriorate until demolition which can't live too long inward the hereafter (no 1 could give me an approx date). My 1000baht beachfront aircon bungalow was inward the worst status of whatever of the hundreds of Thai places I've stayed over the years, in addition to its replacement, a 600b fan project was non much better.
Whoa!! Call Roger the repairman.
HAD KHONTEE/KONTHI
This prissy strip of sand (back-ground) nigh 400m along Had Rin Easts northern headland is acre accessed via a rainforest rail which runs from the high bungalows to a higher house Had Rin Easts due north end. In July 2013 I failed to honour the start at the Had Rin terminate - I'd simply climbed across the mountains behind to Had Yuan/Thian taking over iv hours provide in addition to had injured my foot, summation bungalow places inward the probable expanse had signs upward nigh 2000baht fine for non-guests (probably a response to all the dead beats prowling around on FMP nights) thence I gave it a miss after a while. However.....
I later on got this shot from the longtail on the way dorsum from Had Thian. That edifice behind the correct terminate of the beach appeared to live one-half finished in addition to abandoned.
HAD RIN TOWN
As for HAD RIN itself - I similar it. The town has heaps of restaurants, shops in addition to services (people who haven’t ventured downwards through Western Hat Rin for some years volition live astounded past times evolution here).
And for 1 of the best people watching places anywhere, grab a beer from the corner store refrigerator at the “crossroads” inward HR East principal street in addition to lookout adult man the passing parade.
Crossroads mid Hat Rin Main Street in addition to cross isthmus route (left)/mid beach access lane (right). My favourite corner store at left - Chicken Corner. Order a chicken burger, grab a inexpensive beer in addition to sit down watching the passing parade. This August (high season) 2009 shots shows fewer people than normal - the World Financial Crisis seemed to live having a bigger touching on on backpackers in addition to budget travellers than midrangers from what I could see. Not that Hat Rin was all the same exclusively a backpacker/budget haunt - at that spot was a large hotel-like evolution midbeach-front amongst a pool, in addition to fifty-fifty bigger articulation midway betwixt sunrise in addition to sunset beach, in addition to a fair few smaller bungalow places seemed midrange. Not to nurture plenty of expensive looking people tanning on the beach in addition to hopping into speedboats to fang off on some daytrip. But hey, few sunlounges on the fine beach which I personally approve of in addition to all the same plenty of budget places to stay.
JULY 2012
Wow, expert old Chicken Corner unopen down! Maybe the obvious upgrade from the sometime shot was a tad too expensive. UPDATE - opened upward inward Feb 2015
Up in addition to running 1 time to a greater extent than 2017
Had Rin itself has continued to develop - to a greater extent than sometime budget joints going midrange...the house I stayed at inward 2015, PARADISE BUNGALOWS, which claimed to live the site of the master Full Moon Party, at nowadays had a lovely 25m pool, a modern but non too flash hotel block in addition to spacious aircon bungalows. BTW it is at the southern terminate of the beach amongst my bungalow inward the hillside garden a chip farther south. I found political party dissonance on a non-FMP nighttime (every nighttime is a political party nighttime at Had Rin) did non excessively bother me - dissimilar when I stayed inward a to a greater extent than fundamental beachfront articulation on a similar non FMP nighttime inward 2010. However I reckon the province of affairs mightiness live different at Full Moon where volume, venues in addition to duration are amped upward large time.
Another major alter from early on years which had continued was...
....the evolution of the principal east-west route - this runs correct across the isthmus (maybe 10 minutes beach to beach) amongst a few zigs from Chicken Corner to Had Rin West Harbour. It has go principal street usurping the busy north-south street behind Had Rin Sunrise. Just nigh whatever type of work concern is along hither - a genuinely comprehensive CBD.
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THE SOUTH COAST
BAN KHAI, BAN THAI, AO BANG CHARU, HAD RIN SOUTH.
The beaches along the southward coast of Phangan are non as prissy as the due east in addition to due north west, but non shabby. My origin Phangan remain was inward this expanse in addition to I recollect fine views dorsum to Samui, H2O which got quite shallow at depression tide in addition to a genuinely expert shuttle of songthaews along the principal route betwixt the pier/main town Thong Sala in addition to Hat Rin.
I noticed inward later on trips that a lot of genuinely prissy midrange places withdraw hold developed inward places similar Ban Khai, Ban Tai in addition to Bang Charu (closer to Thong Sala) - although at that spot are all the same plenty of cheapies along hither - some amongst fantabulous facilities in addition to management. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 expert strip for Full Moon Party goers because of the carry which runs often along the principal southward coast road. And the monthly no-moon parties (BLACK MOON) are held inward Ban Tai. The to a higher house shot is taken from the simply due west of Ban Khai where the high route descends to body of body of water bird in addition to the beach which runs continuously to Thong Sala inward the far background starts.
South coast beaches from the western Thong Sala end. Most of this department has a apartment hinterland inland from the beach which is intensively farmed for coconuts in addition to similar. Resorts this terminate withdraw hold expert views of the rugged Ang Thong marine commons islands to the correct as good as Ko Samui direct ahead. The principal southward coast route these days is to a greater extent than or less a continuous strip of restaurants/bars/service businesses behind this 7km beach.
Note at that spot are some neat picayune coves amongst prissy strips of sand inward the narrow department where the high mount ridges dive to the body of body of water betwixt the eastern terminate of Ban Khai in addition to Had Rin - quite a few withdraw hold attracted 1 or ii accommodation places, some quite high-end.
Past this is the near-Had Rin southward coast beach of Ao Hin Lor (see Had Rin section) which becomes Had Rin West.
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THONG NAI PAN
THONG NAI PAN YAI
- is a really prissy beach surrounded past times rain-forested mountains, quite a lot of accommodation from basic to mid-range, some beach bars etc, but amongst a set back, uncrowded feeling. There is a dissever hamlet amongst several pocket-sized supermarkets, some restaurants in addition to an ATM.
I’m a sucker for elevated el-cheapo bungalows amongst stunning views, thence inward March 2006 I got myself a 200 baht project at WHITE WIND, built upward the steep headland hillside at the due north terminate of the beach. What a contrast to Lighthouse! Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 good built, ready clean bungalow inward expert condition. Restaurant amongst fantastic views - reckon 2nd shot below.
White Wind bungalows on the southern headland of Thong Nai Pan Yai. Tezza's cheapy is partly seen far left side simply to a higher house rocks.
UPDATE August09 - I walked over from Than Sadet to recheck TNP. That's the stance from White Wind's eatery above.
White Wind had expanded inward the eatery expanse - this is on the top deck of the left edifice below. The mid in addition to ground levels incorporate an network cafe, fine art in addition to tattoo studio, a store/travel agency. The pocket-sized construction to the correct is a bar in addition to lounge expanse amongst some Sun lounges inward front. The bungalows are upward in addition to to the right, overlooking the rocks in addition to sea. Prices were all the same pretty attractive - 200b pocket-sized exterior facility bungalows, 300 for bigger in addition to 500 for bigger amongst bathrooms.
STOP PRESS - Jan 1 2011 - I simply got this message from Abby:
"Wanted to allow y'all know that White Winds on Thong Nai Pan Yai is out of business. After seeing this for ourselves, nosotros were told that the house was existence "renovated" (looked similar it was becoming to a greater extent than upmarket in addition to would include a spa) but I'm non certain if it all the same maintains the same owners."
STOP STOP PRESS - May 2012. I stayed a distich of nights on Thong Nai Pan a few weeks ago. Yep, White Wind is unopen down. It has been purchased past times Panviman. The bungalows were all the same at that spot but vacant in addition to the eatery was out of action. Panviman is slow moving around the headland - they had some novel to me villas non too much to a greater extent than than 50m from White Wind.
Note that the beach bar inward the to a higher house shot was all the same operating. Nice house to pass time.
I withdraw hold a fair few pix in addition to to a greater extent than information on my latest remain inward the PHANGAN TRIP REPORT section.
The other principal alter inward this area is that the SHORT CUT TRACK from TNP Yai to TNP Noi upward thru White Wind in addition to Panviman has been THOROUGHLY blocked off, non partially as inward 2009 - y'all at nowadays withdraw hold to withdraw hold the longer route route betwixt the beaches.
LATEST - good things maintain changing - inward Feb 2015 I had picayune problem finding in addition to next the short-cut track: seems the locals are using this a fair chip betwixt the beaches. I noticed too that Panviman has non developed the old White Wind site - they had a whole bunch on novel flash units going inward higher on the loma inward their existing mid-headland seat in addition to seem to live uninterested inward developing around the loma towards TNP Yai
This is the stance of Thong Nai Pan Yai from the viewpoint constructed past times Panviman Resort which straddles the headland betwixt TNP Yai in addition to TNP Noi.
I saw someone bad-mouthing Panviman on Thorntree - “new headland hugging concrete monstrosity mega bungalows“- hey, looked pretty expert to me and http://www.panviman.com/shows an attractive 3 solar daytime bundle fifty-fifty if the daily charge per unit of measurement is a chip over the top (that website also shows Panviman Ko Chang - don't confuse).
THONG NAI PAN NOI
- is a slightly smaller beach on the northern side of Panviman's headland. This used to live considered slightly to a greater extent than a backpacker hang but my latest see confirmed that midrange in addition to amend places are becoming to a greater extent than established hither than on TNP Yai. The pocket-sized principal street expanse has to a greater extent than restaurants, bars in addition to shopping opportunities too.
Thong Nai Pan Noi. If y'all click to expand y'all tin reckon Santhiya's picayune beach across the pocket-sized headland from the far (northern) terminate of the principal beach.
In early on 2012 I saw a post on a move site claiming the whole beach at Thong Nai Pan Noi had been taken over past times 1 high-end resort. Which was a major argue for me returning to the expanse for a few days inward Apr 2012.
I found "... the whole beach" is a slight exaggeration - Anantara Rasanada takes nigh 60%. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 novel high terminate house nether construction had the southern 20%. The exclusively survivor of the bunch of neat budget joints from the expert old days was Baan Tapan which had nigh 15% of the due north end. There are all the same budget joints on the inland side of the shopping eatery street in addition to 1 on the pocket-sized headland betwixt Santhiya in addition to the principal beach.
I pinched this shot off my Apr 2012 TRIP REPORT page to exhibit the extent of midrange domination beachfront at TNP Noi.
This is the high terminate Santhiya Resort in addition to Spa on its ain picayune beach simply twenty metres over a depression headland due north of TNP Noi. The lastly fourth dimension I saw this picayune bay at that spot was no sand (it was shipped inward - the master beach was pebble) in addition to the resort was less than 50% complete.
Note at that spot is at nowadays a expert path crossing the pocket-sized headland close photographic television receiver camera to the due north terminate of the principal beach, important Santhiya is at nowadays non isolated from some multifariousness inward restaurants, swimming etc - a electrical charge inward early on user reviews.
CHANGE AT THONG NAI PAN
ACCESSING THONG NAI PAN
As latterly as a few years agone I wrote: The long route into TNP from the southward coast is a picayune amend than lastly fourth dimension I visited, but all the same super steep in addition to rutted inward many places, existent piece of cake for the inexperienced to stack a motorcycle. Please withdraw hold care, peculiarly if y'all withdraw hold your trusting girl on the pillion.
The expert intelligence is that on my Apr 2012 trip I found this route much better. All the super steep parts had been paved summation quite a lot more. I am an amateur motorcyclists but I at nowadays wouldn't hesitate to withdraw hold a wheel into Thong Nai Pan.
Gets better - inward Feb 2015 the total distance from the southward coast to TNP Yai/Noi had been paved.
This department is at the simply due north of the roundabout where the route to Than Sadet leaves to the left - this newly paved department looks less than 3 years old in addition to goes from nigh 800m the far side of the roundabout correct downwards to Thong Nai Pan in addition to Noi beaches. Maybe 6km behind camera. The route was inward way amend status than the average Australian solid ground paved road. Brilliant.
Heading left to Than Sadet the pavement goes for less than 1km - past times at that spot the route all the same needs fairly high caution inward parts - tell 3km.
There seems to live exclusively ii world songthaews from THONG SALA each day, but several bungalows shipping pick-ups to encounter most ferries (you would live looking at 150-200 baht inward 2009. I'd baulk at over 200 inward 2012 - I did a much longer Mae Had to TNP Yai trip thence for 700 including a non-share trip inward an aircon pickup from Thongsala).
Water-taxi longtails volition select y'all upward from Hat Rin East but these guys expect at all farangs as a walking ATM - live prepared to create practise hard. I wouldn't go much to a higher house 600 inward 2012 prices although the bozos owning the cost board inward the shot below wanted 1500.
The expert intelligence is the pocket-sized ferry which leaves TNP nigh 9am, picks upward at several of the picayune beaches downwards the due east coast, calls inward at Hat Rin due east beach in addition to thence goes on to Mae Nam on the due north coast of Samui for 300-350 baht. This comes dorsum inward the afternoon (see the Than Sadet department below for to a greater extent than info). Latest - inward Apr 2012 I did TNP to Than Sadet on this ferry for 150 - Than Sadet to Had Thian which is non too far due north of Had Rin for 250 in addition to Had Thian to Samui for 350.
This taxi boat cost board was on display at TNP Noi beach Apr 2012. Prices killed me - y'all tin click to expand but to relieve y'all fourth dimension - (prices for 1 or 2 people - to a greater extent than people pay a slight premium: Bottle Beach in addition to Than Sadet 600baht. Chalaoklum 1200 Had Salad 1500 Had Rin 1500. To pose this into perspective a longtail dude at Chaloklum said he'd select me around to TNP for 700 earlier bargaining - I reckon I could withdraw hold got it for 500 without too much work. But hey, these dudes amongst the cost board seemed happy to swank dorsum inward their beach chairs checking the farang bikini babes - the occasional windfall gain nether such conditions is to them perhaps way amend than constant harvesting which takes them away from their beach chairs amongst a view. Hmm, perhaps non such a dumb work concern plan.
SHOPPING AREAS.
Both beaches at nowadays withdraw hold a reasonable shopping/restaurant street behind the beach. There are no banks but Yai has 3 ATMs, Noi at to the lowest degree 1. Yai has a medical clinic.
TREKKING AROUND THONG NAI PAN
You tin walk into TNP Yai from Than Sadet on a trail considerably closer to the coast than the roads - reckon the opening map. This leaves Sadet nigh v minutes upward the principal Sadet access route simply inland from the Ranger Station - follow the signs to Viewpoint Bungalows but veer left where the rail to Viewpoint turns hard correct uphill after some other v minutes. This rail is non for motorbikes existence super rutted inward sections in addition to narrowing to a one-person rainforest path inward the highest third. It dumps out next the pocket-sized supermarket/travel agency/motorbike hire house nigh midway along TNP Yai's inland principal street. The rail took me 55 minutes to walk - beach to beach 65 minutes. I also withdraw hold modified a Google ground icon to exhibit this page on the PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE.
You tin also walk from Thong Nai Pan to lovely Bottle Beach on the due north coast in addition to if y'all are crazy similar me, go along on to Coral Beach farther due west on the super steep jungle rail over the mountains. You tin reckon this route on the opening map at the top of the page too - summation I withdraw hold constructed a map on the PHANGAN TRIP REPORT PAGE.
Thong Nai Pan Noi, correct - TNP Yai left. That's business office of high terminate Panviman Resort on the headland between.
Last visited March 2017
Dusk shot from balcony of budget bungalow, Bottle Beach One, Had Khuad, due north Phangan.
The Hat Rin peninsula, south-east corner of Phangan. Hat Rin East (Sunrise) is the principal beach. Hat Rin Sunset is across the peninsula to the left. The smaller beach left side partly concealed past times the close headland is Leela Beach. The southward coast stretches away towards the top - Ban Khai is nigh half-way along, Ban Tai a chip further. The beach on the far correct is Hat Yuan (image Creative Commons-Manfred Werner)Hat Rin bottom right, Thong Nai Pan top right, Than Sadet mid right, Mae Had top left (Koh Maa on map), Had Salad simply below Mae Had (image fullmoon-party.com)A total sized version tin live seen here.
THIS PAGE WAS REWRITTEN AFTER MY fifth VISIT IN JUNE 2010. AND UPDATED SLIGHTLY AFTER MY LATER APRIL 2012 AND JULY2013 TRIPS. THE PAGE WAS ORIGINALLY COMPOSED IN LATE 2006 AFTER MY THIRD VISIT TO PHANGAN. I ALSO WROTE UPDATES AND POSTED NEW PIX FROM AN AUGUST 2009 VISIT WHERE NEEDED.
IN 2009 I MADE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 POINT OF STAYING AT TWO NEW LOCATIONS, HAD SALAD AND THAN SADET, AND CHECKED OR RECHECKED BEACHES NEARBY LIKE MAE HAD, CHALOKLUM, CORAL BEACH (HAD KHOM), HAD THIAN WEST AND HAD YAO WEST .
IN 2010 I STAYED AT HAD KHUAD (BOTTLE BEACH) AND HAD THIAN (the cool due east coast one) AND REVISITED HAD RIN, LEELA BEACH AND CORAL BEACH.
IN 2012 I STAYED AT MAE HAD AND HAD YUAN (EAST COAST ONE) AND RE-STAYED AT THAN SADET AND THONG NAI PAN. I ALSO WANDERED BACK TO HAD SALAD, BOTTLE BEACH AND HAD KHOM TO SEE WHAT HAD CHANGED.
IN 2013 information technology WAS BACK TO THE NORTH WEST TO CHECK BEACHES I DIDN'T HAVE INFO ON LIKE HAD SON, AO CHAO PHO AND AO SRITHANU - I STAYED AT HAD YAO. I THEN WENT AND STAYED Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 TOTAL OF 3 NIGHTS AT HAD RIN AND WENT BACK TO MY FAVOURITE AREA JUST TO THE NORTH AND STAYED AT THE SANCTUARY ON HAD THIAN (east coast one).
IN MARCH 2017 I DID ANOTHER STINT AT THE SANCTUARY, SPENT TIME IMMEDIATELY SOUTH ON HAD YUAN's SOUTHERN HEADLAND AT OCEAN ROCK RESORT (WHICH IS NOW OWNED BY CLUB BAR EXCHANGE - THE JOINT RIGHT AT THE END OF THE POINT), AND FINALLY GOT TO STAY AT LEELA BEACH BUNGALOWS NEAR HAD RIN.
BESIDES THE STUFF ON THIS PAGE I HAVE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 HEAP OF PIX AND INFO ON THESE PLACES ON Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 NEW PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE PLUS IN THE TRIP REPORT SECTION (these mightiness non live finished for a while).
HAD RIN AREA - SOUTH EAST COAST
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HAD RIN EAST (Had Rin Noi/Had Rin Sunsrise)
Don't allow anyone tell y'all THE PARTY VENUE, Had Rin East ,isn't a gorgeous beach. And it's go a whole lot nicer inward recent years amongst a large swimming enclosure which keeps out the H2O craft.It never gets too shallow to swim, summation at that spot is at nowadays a daily detailing past times these guys....
Despite the moans of the traditionalists this beach is non shabby at all - white white sand which is real ready clean , clear H2O which is non too shallow a brusk distance out in addition to some prissy shade from trees inward dorsum of beach peculiarly towards this northern end. Budget beachfront bungalows out of frame to the correct - to a greater extent than high on the headland behind photographic television receiver camera amongst some pretty cool restaurant/bars. On the passing ferry from Than Sadet to Samui I also noticed some cool non too expensive looking headland bungalows to a higher house the seaside rocks out of frame to left, far terminate of the beach (if y'all click-expand the shot top of page y'all tin reckon some of them) - it would live perhaps a 10 infinitesimal walk from these to fundamental Hat Rin in addition to the beach. Note the relative lack of people on the beach at prime number 1100 sunning fourth dimension inward Phangan's 2nd high flavor (because of the amend weather, Phangan/Samui/Tao tend to withdraw hold an August high flavor almost as busy as Christmas/January).
Bungalows on the sand - Had Rin East. These are at the far northern terminate (turn left on reaching the beach). I think they are called Sea View.You don't withdraw hold to hold off for the Full Moon Party for a burn twirler exhibit - this tin live seen on many beaches most nights (image ASIAEXPLORERSUPDATE MARCH 2017 - I noticed some novel high terminate bungalows going inward on the loma to a higher house the southward terminate of the beach. Apparently these are existence developed past times the same fellowship that runs Leela Beach's COCOHUT VILLAGE - but according to a staff fellow member they volition live listed as a novel resort when opened.
CAVEAT - all the to a higher house volition endure NOISE large fourth dimension during the party. As a affair of fact LAST BAR simply out of frame to the correct has real noisy music until 0200 many non total Moon political party nights.
HAD RIN WEST (Had Rin Noi/Had Rin Sunset)
LEELA BEACH
Leela ain't a nudist haunt similar the old days. It is a picayune too built on for overexposure. Nevertheless, it is a real set dorsum beach, uncrowded fifty-fifty on the nicest days, has prissy sand which gets a chip narrow at highest tide, in addition to expert swimming except at lowest tide when lots of rocks simply below surface brand this difficult, although it is all the same dead piece of cake to honour a sandy spot to sit down inward or splash around in addition to is ideal for fossickers .
Leela is on the sunset side of the Hat Rin peninsula, due east of the harbour in addition to fairly unopen to the SE corner of the island. You tin attain its western terminate inward nigh v minutes from the terminate of the Hat Rin East principal street (take the stairs in addition to follow the sign to Coconuts) or the far eastern terminate inward a picayune to a greater extent than than 10 (follow the signs from the top of the stairs upward the dirt route to Leela Beach Bungalows). So Leela is a expert choice to Hat Rin East for people wanting to remain on a prissy in addition to much quieter beach.
I stayed a picayune farther past times the beach at a house lauded inward a Thorntree post, LIGHTHOUSE RESORT which is accessed past times taking a wooden walkway for nigh 300m over the rocks from the far eastern terminate of Leela. “Lighthouse” gives the impression it’s on top of the headland but this resort starts on the seaside rocks in addition to rises to nigh one-half way upward the steep hillside. Nevertheless, a slap-up location, almost on the SE corner of the isle amongst prissy views across to Samui (sensational views from the higher 800 baht bungalows especially at nighttime when the lights came out).
Wooden walkway to Lighthouse Resort amongst Leela Beach inward background. The eatery of Leela Bay Bungalows is the origin edifice on the beach. (image Lighthouse Resort)Those dearer bungalows were pretty large in addition to looked fine. But I withdraw hold to tell my 200baht bungalow (outside bathroom) was a dump - its xv grade lateral listing musical rhythm out a 10 grade longitudinal dip, it was pokey amongst a 3 quarter size bed in addition to barely plenty room for ii people’s gear, it wasn’t real clean, had advanced wood rot inward the roof beams in addition to the veranda beam at the top of the stairs was thence depression it scalped me origin time. The super steep stairways inward several places through the grounds had PVC H2O pipes across the air gaps. On the summation side, the exterior bathrooms for the cheapies were reasonable, the eatery nutrient was expert if a picayune overpriced compared to genuinely expert value bungalow restaurants in addition to the service was quick if unsmiling (at to the lowest degree from the woman someone side - the blokes were pleasant enough).
Lighthouse Resort - expert views across to Samui from simply nigh all bungalows (image Lighthouse Bungalows)UPDATE AUGUST 2009 - I rechecked Lighthouse latest trip. The house seems picayune changed. The to a greater extent than expensive bungalows all the same expect pretty sugariness in addition to as tin live seen from the shot below, the obstruction course of study to some of the cheaper bungalows was all the same present.
My elcheapo bungalow from the 2006 trip had non fallen downwards - closer inspection showed a fair chip of novel woodwork. This is a 2009 shot.
If I were looking for a cheapie inward this expanse I’d elbow grease LEELA BEACH BUNGALOWS which had a lot of 300 baht (with bath attached) places upward the dorsum row. They looked okay inward a pretty pleasant setting, perhaps a picayune unopen together. LBB was putting inward novel beachside bungalows inward March, which looked similar they were to live aircon. Nice seat - absolute beach-front.
One downside may live this outfit’s ii dogs, who got over-exited from terrorizing a beach jogger in addition to thence decided to harass all passers-by. Maybe non such a expert thought when 1 of those passers-by was a dog-hating Orstrayan amongst his really large bush stick.
For people looking for a prissy midranger on the beach unopen to Hat Rin principal street, COCO HUTS on Leela looked pretty prissy to me. They withdraw hold a pool.
UPDATE - LEELA BEACH BUNGALOWS was non operating when I revisited in August 09. But when I called inward in June 2010 it was open. No sign of the pesky dogs.
COCO HUT had also been redeveloped in addition to has headed upmarket from lower midrange.
Adjacent is a novel midrange house amongst some less expensive bungalows upward the dorsum - SARIKANTANG. Check Google for plenty of websites and reviews.
UPDATE - inward 2015 I stayed at SARIKANTANG amongst Lady Tezza. Pretty prissy place.
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2009 shot of Leela Beach from the western Coco Hut end. Lighthouse Bungalows are out of sight around the headland at the far terminate (click to expand pix)
UPDATE 2010 - Low tide shot - all the same some prissy bits deep plenty to sit down inward betwixt lumps of almost exposed coral. Lack of people indicates depression flavor nature of June - compounded past times touching on of Thai political problem in addition to world fiscal crisis.
Leela - same time, opposite end.UPDATE MARCH 2017 - I decided to remain a few nights at LEELA BEACH BUNGALOWS. Worked out a chip tricky because the house has been bought past times COCO HUTS (now calling itself COCOHUT VILLAGE) - the eastern 3rd of the bungalows withdraw hold been knocked downwards in addition to a novel articulation is nigh 60% finished - gonna live called THE CABIN RESORT or similar.
In the hateful fourth dimension COCOHUT is all the same letting out the remaining LLB places but seems to live hopelessly disorganised (their RESERVATIONS MANAGER didn't fifty-fifty know LLB had a website - no wonder my emails were unanswered, She also took upward to a solar daytime to operate out if a bungalow was vacant) in addition to seems to live content to allow the bungalows deteriorate until demolition which can't live too long inward the hereafter (no 1 could give me an approx date). My 1000baht beachfront aircon bungalow was inward the worst status of whatever of the hundreds of Thai places I've stayed over the years, in addition to its replacement, a 600b fan project was non much better.
HAD KHONTEE/KONTHI
HAD RIN TOWN
As for HAD RIN itself - I similar it. The town has heaps of restaurants, shops in addition to services (people who haven’t ventured downwards through Western Hat Rin for some years volition live astounded past times evolution here).
And for 1 of the best people watching places anywhere, grab a beer from the corner store refrigerator at the “crossroads” inward HR East principal street in addition to lookout adult man the passing parade.
Crossroads mid Hat Rin Main Street in addition to cross isthmus route (left)/mid beach access lane (right). My favourite corner store at left - Chicken Corner. Order a chicken burger, grab a inexpensive beer in addition to sit down watching the passing parade. This August (high season) 2009 shots shows fewer people than normal - the World Financial Crisis seemed to live having a bigger touching on on backpackers in addition to budget travellers than midrangers from what I could see. Not that Hat Rin was all the same exclusively a backpacker/budget haunt - at that spot was a large hotel-like evolution midbeach-front amongst a pool, in addition to fifty-fifty bigger articulation midway betwixt sunrise in addition to sunset beach, in addition to a fair few smaller bungalow places seemed midrange. Not to nurture plenty of expensive looking people tanning on the beach in addition to hopping into speedboats to fang off on some daytrip. But hey, few sunlounges on the fine beach which I personally approve of in addition to all the same plenty of budget places to stay.JULY 2012
Had Rin itself has continued to develop - to a greater extent than sometime budget joints going midrange...the house I stayed at inward 2015, PARADISE BUNGALOWS, which claimed to live the site of the master Full Moon Party, at nowadays had a lovely 25m pool, a modern but non too flash hotel block in addition to spacious aircon bungalows. BTW it is at the southern terminate of the beach amongst my bungalow inward the hillside garden a chip farther south. I found political party dissonance on a non-FMP nighttime (every nighttime is a political party nighttime at Had Rin) did non excessively bother me - dissimilar when I stayed inward a to a greater extent than fundamental beachfront articulation on a similar non FMP nighttime inward 2010. However I reckon the province of affairs mightiness live different at Full Moon where volume, venues in addition to duration are amped upward large time.
Another major alter from early on years which had continued was...
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THE SOUTH COAST
BAN KHAI, BAN THAI, AO BANG CHARU, HAD RIN SOUTH.
The beaches along the southward coast of Phangan are non as prissy as the due east in addition to due north west, but non shabby. My origin Phangan remain was inward this expanse in addition to I recollect fine views dorsum to Samui, H2O which got quite shallow at depression tide in addition to a genuinely expert shuttle of songthaews along the principal route betwixt the pier/main town Thong Sala in addition to Hat Rin. I noticed inward later on trips that a lot of genuinely prissy midrange places withdraw hold developed inward places similar Ban Khai, Ban Tai in addition to Bang Charu (closer to Thong Sala) - although at that spot are all the same plenty of cheapies along hither - some amongst fantabulous facilities in addition to management. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 expert strip for Full Moon Party goers because of the carry which runs often along the principal southward coast road. And the monthly no-moon parties (BLACK MOON) are held inward Ban Tai. The to a higher house shot is taken from the simply due west of Ban Khai where the high route descends to body of body of water bird in addition to the beach which runs continuously to Thong Sala inward the far background starts.
Note at that spot are some neat picayune coves amongst prissy strips of sand inward the narrow department where the high mount ridges dive to the body of body of water betwixt the eastern terminate of Ban Khai in addition to Had Rin - quite a few withdraw hold attracted 1 or ii accommodation places, some quite high-end.
Past this is the near-Had Rin southward coast beach of Ao Hin Lor (see Had Rin section) which becomes Had Rin West.
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THONG NAI PAN
This twin beach expanse is towards the due north terminate of the due east coast. Once considered a set dorsum retreat compared to Had Rin it at nowadays has go a expert compromise expanse - way to a greater extent than relaxed than the sometime but amongst sufficient amusement in addition to multifariousness of accommodation to maintain most people happy. Labels may live clearer if y'all click icon to expand.
THONG NAI PAN YAI
- is a really prissy beach surrounded past times rain-forested mountains, quite a lot of accommodation from basic to mid-range, some beach bars etc, but amongst a set back, uncrowded feeling. There is a dissever hamlet amongst several pocket-sized supermarkets, some restaurants in addition to an ATM.
I’m a sucker for elevated el-cheapo bungalows amongst stunning views, thence inward March 2006 I got myself a 200 baht project at WHITE WIND, built upward the steep headland hillside at the due north terminate of the beach. What a contrast to Lighthouse! Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 good built, ready clean bungalow inward expert condition. Restaurant amongst fantastic views - reckon 2nd shot below.
White Wind bungalows on the southern headland of Thong Nai Pan Yai. Tezza's cheapy is partly seen far left side simply to a higher house rocks.
UPDATE August09 - I walked over from Than Sadet to recheck TNP. That's the stance from White Wind's eatery above.
White Wind had expanded inward the eatery expanse - this is on the top deck of the left edifice below. The mid in addition to ground levels incorporate an network cafe, fine art in addition to tattoo studio, a store/travel agency. The pocket-sized construction to the correct is a bar in addition to lounge expanse amongst some Sun lounges inward front. The bungalows are upward in addition to to the right, overlooking the rocks in addition to sea. Prices were all the same pretty attractive - 200b pocket-sized exterior facility bungalows, 300 for bigger in addition to 500 for bigger amongst bathrooms.STOP PRESS - Jan 1 2011 - I simply got this message from Abby:
"Wanted to allow y'all know that White Winds on Thong Nai Pan Yai is out of business. After seeing this for ourselves, nosotros were told that the house was existence "renovated" (looked similar it was becoming to a greater extent than upmarket in addition to would include a spa) but I'm non certain if it all the same maintains the same owners."
STOP STOP PRESS - May 2012. I stayed a distich of nights on Thong Nai Pan a few weeks ago. Yep, White Wind is unopen down. It has been purchased past times Panviman. The bungalows were all the same at that spot but vacant in addition to the eatery was out of action. Panviman is slow moving around the headland - they had some novel to me villas non too much to a greater extent than than 50m from White Wind.
Note that the beach bar inward the to a higher house shot was all the same operating. Nice house to pass time.
I withdraw hold a fair few pix in addition to to a greater extent than information on my latest remain inward the PHANGAN TRIP REPORT section.
The other principal alter inward this area is that the SHORT CUT TRACK from TNP Yai to TNP Noi upward thru White Wind in addition to Panviman has been THOROUGHLY blocked off, non partially as inward 2009 - y'all at nowadays withdraw hold to withdraw hold the longer route route betwixt the beaches.
LATEST - good things maintain changing - inward Feb 2015 I had picayune problem finding in addition to next the short-cut track: seems the locals are using this a fair chip betwixt the beaches. I noticed too that Panviman has non developed the old White Wind site - they had a whole bunch on novel flash units going inward higher on the loma inward their existing mid-headland seat in addition to seem to live uninterested inward developing around the loma towards TNP Yai
This is the stance of Thong Nai Pan Yai from the viewpoint constructed past times Panviman Resort which straddles the headland betwixt TNP Yai in addition to TNP Noi. I saw someone bad-mouthing Panviman on Thorntree - “new headland hugging concrete monstrosity mega bungalows“- hey, looked pretty expert to me and http://www.panviman.com/shows an attractive 3 solar daytime bundle fifty-fifty if the daily charge per unit of measurement is a chip over the top (that website also shows Panviman Ko Chang - don't confuse).
THONG NAI PAN NOI
- is a slightly smaller beach on the northern side of Panviman's headland. This used to live considered slightly to a greater extent than a backpacker hang but my latest see confirmed that midrange in addition to amend places are becoming to a greater extent than established hither than on TNP Yai. The pocket-sized principal street expanse has to a greater extent than restaurants, bars in addition to shopping opportunities too.
Thong Nai Pan Noi. If y'all click to expand y'all tin reckon Santhiya's picayune beach across the pocket-sized headland from the far (northern) terminate of the principal beach.In early on 2012 I saw a post on a move site claiming the whole beach at Thong Nai Pan Noi had been taken over past times 1 high-end resort. Which was a major argue for me returning to the expanse for a few days inward Apr 2012.
I found "... the whole beach" is a slight exaggeration - Anantara Rasanada takes nigh 60%. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 novel high terminate house nether construction had the southern 20%. The exclusively survivor of the bunch of neat budget joints from the expert old days was Baan Tapan which had nigh 15% of the due north end. There are all the same budget joints on the inland side of the shopping eatery street in addition to 1 on the pocket-sized headland betwixt Santhiya in addition to the principal beach.
This is the high terminate Santhiya Resort in addition to Spa on its ain picayune beach simply twenty metres over a depression headland due north of TNP Noi. The lastly fourth dimension I saw this picayune bay at that spot was no sand (it was shipped inward - the master beach was pebble) in addition to the resort was less than 50% complete.Note at that spot is at nowadays a expert path crossing the pocket-sized headland close photographic television receiver camera to the due north terminate of the principal beach, important Santhiya is at nowadays non isolated from some multifariousness inward restaurants, swimming etc - a electrical charge inward early on user reviews.
CHANGE AT THONG NAI PAN
The biggest alter I saw on both beaches was the upgrading of bungalows. There seemed to live few budget bungalows beachfront on Noi - most were upmarket jobs. And if y'all expect closely at the close headland bungalows on the Yai Shot iv images upward y'all volition reckon swimming pools which didn't be on my origin visit.
However many of the upgraded places on Yai all the same withdraw hold some inexpensive bungalows upward the dorsum in addition to at that spot are a few places towards the due north terminate like Longtail Bungalow where I stayed inward (April 2012) which are predominantly budget-flashpacker. I withdraw hold details of Longtail Bungalow on the TRIP REPORT LINK a few paragraphs upward this page.
ACCESSING THONG NAI PAN
As latterly as a few years agone I wrote: The long route into TNP from the southward coast is a picayune amend than lastly fourth dimension I visited, but all the same super steep in addition to rutted inward many places, existent piece of cake for the inexperienced to stack a motorcycle. Please withdraw hold care, peculiarly if y'all withdraw hold your trusting girl on the pillion.
The expert intelligence is that on my Apr 2012 trip I found this route much better. All the super steep parts had been paved summation quite a lot more. I am an amateur motorcyclists but I at nowadays wouldn't hesitate to withdraw hold a wheel into Thong Nai Pan.
Gets better - inward Feb 2015 the total distance from the southward coast to TNP Yai/Noi had been paved.
Heading left to Than Sadet the pavement goes for less than 1km - past times at that spot the route all the same needs fairly high caution inward parts - tell 3km.
There seems to live exclusively ii world songthaews from THONG SALA each day, but several bungalows shipping pick-ups to encounter most ferries (you would live looking at 150-200 baht inward 2009. I'd baulk at over 200 inward 2012 - I did a much longer Mae Had to TNP Yai trip thence for 700 including a non-share trip inward an aircon pickup from Thongsala).
Water-taxi longtails volition select y'all upward from Hat Rin East but these guys expect at all farangs as a walking ATM - live prepared to create practise hard. I wouldn't go much to a higher house 600 inward 2012 prices although the bozos owning the cost board inward the shot below wanted 1500.
The expert intelligence is the pocket-sized ferry which leaves TNP nigh 9am, picks upward at several of the picayune beaches downwards the due east coast, calls inward at Hat Rin due east beach in addition to thence goes on to Mae Nam on the due north coast of Samui for 300-350 baht. This comes dorsum inward the afternoon (see the Than Sadet department below for to a greater extent than info). Latest - inward Apr 2012 I did TNP to Than Sadet on this ferry for 150 - Than Sadet to Had Thian which is non too far due north of Had Rin for 250 in addition to Had Thian to Samui for 350.
SHOPPING AREAS.
Both beaches at nowadays withdraw hold a reasonable shopping/restaurant street behind the beach. There are no banks but Yai has 3 ATMs, Noi at to the lowest degree 1. Yai has a medical clinic.
TREKKING AROUND THONG NAI PAN
You tin walk into TNP Yai from Than Sadet on a trail considerably closer to the coast than the roads - reckon the opening map. This leaves Sadet nigh v minutes upward the principal Sadet access route simply inland from the Ranger Station - follow the signs to Viewpoint Bungalows but veer left where the rail to Viewpoint turns hard correct uphill after some other v minutes. This rail is non for motorbikes existence super rutted inward sections in addition to narrowing to a one-person rainforest path inward the highest third. It dumps out next the pocket-sized supermarket/travel agency/motorbike hire house nigh midway along TNP Yai's inland principal street. The rail took me 55 minutes to walk - beach to beach 65 minutes. I also withdraw hold modified a Google ground icon to exhibit this page on the PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE.
You tin also walk from Thong Nai Pan to lovely Bottle Beach on the due north coast in addition to if y'all are crazy similar me, go along on to Coral Beach farther due west on the super steep jungle rail over the mountains. You tin reckon this route on the opening map at the top of the page too - summation I withdraw hold constructed a map on the PHANGAN TRIP REPORT PAGE.
Thong Nai Pan Noi, correct - TNP Yai left. That's business office of high terminate Panviman Resort on the headland between. Thong Nai Pan Yai from the dirt route which goes over the southern headland. This route is kinda conspicuous from the beach but delight note: this is NOT the rail to Had Sadet which is farther inland. The to a higher house route heads southward for a km or thence in addition to thence takes a dive downwards towards the body of body of water - no incertitude terminating at some belongings unopen to the H2O - it was pretty oil in addition to steep thence I didn't maintain going.
HAD SADET/THAN SADET
- is southward of TNP on the due east coast. This set dorsum beach had a surprising amount of accommodation, much built upward the steep hillsides both sides of the beach, in addition to a pocket-sized waterfall nigh 1 km upward the route amongst a expert puddle for swimming in addition to a large stone amongst a pocket-sized cave from where y'all tin genuinely go inward the puddle past times swimming underwater a brusk distance.
Mai Pen Rai, which has bungalows on the beach, riverside in addition to hillside, gets lots of expert comments on the move forums. So on my August 2009 trip I spent quite a few days at Mai Pen Rai - study in addition to pix on the Phangan Part 2 page.
HAD YUAN EAST COAST
HAD YUAN (east coast one) is exclusively a few minutes longtail ride from Had Rin in addition to has go a sort of overflow beach for that area. However it is a real attractive beach amongst white sand, deep H2O all tides in addition to broad make of accommodation. Nearest photographic television receiver camera on the northern headland are some budget/flashpacker places amongst slap-up views, downwards on the beach are nearly a dozen flashpacker into midrange in addition to midrange+ joints, in addition to if y'all click to expand the shot y'all volition reckon a wooden walkway along the far headland amongst some real funky budget/flashpacker places built on the rocks.
There is a walking rail over that far headland which is supposed to start behind Big Blue on the beach but I could non honour it in addition to locals at that spot didn't withdraw hold a clue. And a novel route which I believe is pretty oil important most travellers all the same access via longtail from Had Rin.
I'm penciling inward this beach for my next Phangan visit. It's a prissy one.
This trio of interlocked beaches - Had Yuan, Had Thian in addition to Had Wai Nam - were past times 2012 simply nigh my favourite Thailand location. So I made a dot of staying at Had Yuan on my Phangan crawl inward April/May 2012. More information in addition to pix on Yuan on the PHANGAN TRIP REPORT PAGE.
Trekkers crossing from next Had Thian motility downwards past times Bamboo Hut's eatery towards Had Yuan beach May 2012
UPDATE MARCH 2017 - I got dorsum to what I at nowadays regard as my favourite Thailand beach expanse - stayed at THE SANCTUARY inward a DORM (my origin e'er inward Thailand) in addition to at the seaward terminate of Had Yuan at CLUB BAR EXCHANGE. \
Longhouse dorm at the SANCTUARY 1 of the cleanest in addition to most spacious I've stayed at - in addition to I withdraw hold used hundreds of dorms over the past times thirty years.
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THE NORTH COAST
BOTTLE BEACH (HAD KHUAD)
Lovely sheltered beach on the due east terminate of the due north coast. Nice white sand, H2O non too shallow at depression tide although it does withdraw hold some distance to deepen. iv relaxed accommodation places hither amongst ranging from budget into midrange - Bottle Beach 1 in addition to 3, Bottle Beach 2 (Had Khuad Resort) in addition to the good regarded Smile. I stayed at Bottle Beach 1 inward June 2010 - got a beachfront budget room correct on the sand for 400b - despite depression season, pretty expert value for a articulation amongst a lovely pool. More details on the Phangan Page 2.
This used to live a hard beach to larn into amongst access exclusively past times longtail from Chalok Lum twenty minutes around the far headland. This has improved slightly thence that Bottle Beach's bungalows inward busy times at nowadays select inward guests past times iv wheel drive vehicles over the long oil mount rail due north of Thong Nai Pan. The lastly few km of this rail is too steep in addition to oil for all but skilled motorcyclists. Having used this route in addition to the longtail, I much prefer the latter.
This moving painting is shot from the viewpoint due east of the beach which y'all tin climb inward nigh 30m - real steep inward some sections, moderately steep inward others. There is an as steep rail over the far headland to Coral Beach (Had Khom - reckon shots below) - 1 way y'all are looking at an hour.
Notice Ko Tao on the far horizon.
There are a lot to a greater extent than information in addition to pix on Bottle Beach on the Phangan Part 2 page in addition to inward the TRIP REPORTS section.
HAD KHOM (CORAL BEACH)
This is how it looked I origin visited. Pretty sugariness - in addition to amongst iv real relaxed budget/flashpacker resorts.
I returned inward June 2010 in addition to y'all tin reckon dead depression tide certain makes a deviation to the place. Nevertheless Coral Beach gets real expert posts from travellers in addition to it's 1 I intend to remain at inward the future.
Access to Coral Beach is at nowadays real good. From the due west the rail from Chaloklum is at nowadays a concrete route for several km in addition to ends simply past times the beach where the walking rail over the headland to Bottle Beach begins. There are steepish access roads from the concrete route into the bungalows.
CHALOKLUM
This line-fishing town is inward the middle of a large bay inward Phangan's north. The town itself despite the ii busy piers is pretty set dorsum amongst a expert make of shops, restaurants in addition to services in addition to tends to attract long term travellers amongst some inexpensive places to remain at. The beach is non too hot unopen to town but at both ends of the bay it gets pretty nice, despite the H2O getting real shallow at depression tide. There are some real prissy resorts both ends - a bigger make at the western end.
This moving painting was genuinely shot off the dining terrace of Coral Bay Bungalow - the moving painting ii shots upward was snapped from its eastern bungalows. Good shot to click-expand.
These ladies were busy cleaning the night's squid grab close Chaloklum's pier. This is a expert town for seafood restaurants. Quite a few bungalow places due east of the pier behind photographic television receiver camera in addition to a distich of prissy ones towards the far terminate of the beach inward shot.
Oblique Google ground of Chaloklum expanse from the east. The beachside expanse the close side of the pier has a make of budget/flashpacker places. The sandy expanse inward the far due west is less settled - has one-half a dozen or thence flashpacker into lower midrange joints. As tin live seen this expanse suffers the depression tide blues, but is all the same pretty pleasant.
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THE NORTH-WEST
Had Mae, Had Salad in addition to Had Yao (west coast) inward the due north west.
MAE HAD
Another house which caught my oculus on my real origin see was TT poster in addition to Phangan resident girllrig’s favourite non-TNP location, MAE HAD (Hat Mae, Mae Haad), a prissy smaller beach (TT says the beach “isn’t fantastic”. Well technically that’s right, but it’s pretty nice) on the n.w corner of the island, amongst expert swimming away from lowest tide, some expert coral close a pocket-sized offshore island, nigh one-half a dozen bungalow places, but non too crowded. This seemed to withdraw hold mainly immature Euro couples in addition to families staying. Between the boat trip in addition to the motorbike I visited 3 times, including a slap-up sunset lastly eve spell using upward fourth dimension waiting for the nighttime ferry. I withdraw hold done a chip of inquiry on less expensive places to remain for my hereafter trips. Wang Sai resort on the slopes overlooking the beach in addition to amongst the eatery beach-side has had expert posts inward the past. I withdraw hold used the eatery which was criterion Thai budget type - tasty in addition to inexpensive.
The other house which appealed to me was Ko Ma Resort - some budget bungalows on tiny Ko Ma which is joined to Mae Hat beach past times a spit of sand. At high tide at that spot is a boat shuttle.
MAE HAD from the sand-spit leading out to tiny Ko Ma Panoramio-The Globetrotter
On my Apr 2012 crawl around Phangan I finally got to remain at Mae Had - beachfront cottage at Mae Had View - set dorsum house on a set dorsum beach. More information inward the TRIP REPORTS section.
I also found Mae Had similar most Phangan beaches at nowadays has some to a greater extent than upmarket accommodation.
HAD SALAD/HAT SALAT etc
HAD SALAD is the next beach southward of Mae Had. Really prissy location amongst mainly midrange accommodation these days. Lots to a greater extent than info/pix on the Phangan Part 2 page.
HAT YAO (WEST COAST)
Hat Yao (the due west coast one) was similar to the introduce Mae Had when I origin visited inward ‘97. Now it is fully built up, amongst a large array of bungalows, restaurants/beach bars, dive centers etc. Nevertheless, it is all the same an attractive place.
Hat Yao (west coast), depression tide August 2009. It gets a chip shallow hither on the depression tide, similar most due west coast beaches. Sand is white, H2O clean, lots of accommodation inward all cost ranges on the beachfront, the headlands each terminate in addition to inward the pocket-sized township along the principal beach route behind. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fair few bars/restaurants important some expert nightlife without existence over the top similar Hat Rin.
Sumber http://tezzasthaiinfo.blogspot.com/HAD SADET/THAN SADET
- is southward of TNP on the due east coast. This set dorsum beach had a surprising amount of accommodation, much built upward the steep hillsides both sides of the beach, in addition to a pocket-sized waterfall nigh 1 km upward the route amongst a expert puddle for swimming in addition to a large stone amongst a pocket-sized cave from where y'all tin genuinely go inward the puddle past times swimming underwater a brusk distance.
Mai Pen Rai, which has bungalows on the beach, riverside in addition to hillside, gets lots of expert comments on the move forums. So on my August 2009 trip I spent quite a few days at Mai Pen Rai - study in addition to pix on the Phangan Part 2 page.
HAD SADET
Had Sadet aka Hat Sadet, Than Sadet from the wonderful eatery deck of Plaa's Thansadet Resort.
I was thence impressed amongst the to a higher house stance in addition to the nutrient at Plaas that when I returned to Than Sadet inward Apr 2012 I stayed a few nights there. More details inward the TRIP REPORT section.
Pre-sunrise from my Plaas Than Sadet Bungalow
Had Sadet in addition to close neighbor Had Thon Reng - the pocket-sized current amongst its also pocket-sized waterfalls in addition to pools runs roughly parallel to the left of the access road.
AO THONG RENG
For people looking for genuinely serenity out of the way beaches, Hat Sadet would non live a bad start, but it gets to a greater extent than chill along the strip southward towards Hat Rin starting v minutes over the pocket-sized headland at AO THONG RENG site of the Tree House Phangan run past times the same people started Tree House Lonely Beach Ko Chang.
UPDATE JAN 2012 - I simply got intelligence that Tree House has lost the lease to their solid ground - the lease-owners withdraw hold sold out to some upmarket developers. Jeez, I was planning a distich of nights at Tree House inward April.
The study was truthful - abandoned bungalows Thong Reng Apr 2012
HAD YAO (EAST COAST)
There are a distich of seemingly deserted beaches heading southward of Thong Reng. The 2nd is Had Yao (the due east coast one) which genuinely has a distich of pocket-sized places to stay.
LOWER EAST COAST BEACHES
Starting simply due north of Had Rin are 3 of my favourite Thailand beaches. They offering relaxed accommodation to comprehend most budgets in addition to lifestyles (even got something for the new-agers) in addition to are linked past times non too hard headland tracks.
HAD WAI/WHY NAM
Tiny HAD WAI NAM on the lower due east coast. One bungalow house hither - the set dorsum Wai Nam Hut amongst budget in addition to flashpacker accommodation - much of it upward the slopes behind the beach in addition to on the southern headland. Yoga classes available. 3 minutes across the far headland is the as attractive beach of Had Thian East.
Wai Nam is a chip rocky on entering the H2O at depression tide but no problems other times. Reasonably expert coral inward due north terminate of bay closest photographic television receiver camera to the correct out of frame.
HAD THIAN/TIAN/TIEN EAST COAST
HAD THIAN (east coast) is the new-agers' beach amongst funky The Sanctuary Resort (flashpacker thru midrange summation a dorm) amongst its rehab in addition to personal evolution courses in addition to wonderful eatery inward the corner of the beach, summation some other iv budget into flashpacker places including Horizon Hut amongst bungalows high on the southern headland next photographic television receiver camera (and a kick-boxing school), in addition to the real expert value Beam inward a slap-up garden setting nigh 200m behind the beach where I stayed inward June 2010 - to a greater extent than info/pix on the 2nd Phangan page.
No problems amongst rocks or H2O depth on most of the beach depression tide - a prissy sunbathing platform mid bay out of shot in addition to surprisingly expert coral due north end, the beach terminate of which y'all tin reckon one-half way across shot.
Lots to a greater extent than Thian info/pix on the PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE. 10 minutes walk behind the photographic television receiver camera is the bigger but all the same attractive Had Yuan (east coast) below.
Had Sadet aka Hat Sadet, Than Sadet from the wonderful eatery deck of Plaa's Thansadet Resort.I was thence impressed amongst the to a higher house stance in addition to the nutrient at Plaas that when I returned to Than Sadet inward Apr 2012 I stayed a few nights there. More details inward the TRIP REPORT section.
AO THONG RENG
For people looking for genuinely serenity out of the way beaches, Hat Sadet would non live a bad start, but it gets to a greater extent than chill along the strip southward towards Hat Rin starting v minutes over the pocket-sized headland at AO THONG RENG site of the Tree House Phangan run past times the same people started Tree House Lonely Beach Ko Chang.UPDATE JAN 2012 - I simply got intelligence that Tree House has lost the lease to their solid ground - the lease-owners withdraw hold sold out to some upmarket developers. Jeez, I was planning a distich of nights at Tree House inward April.
HAD YAO (EAST COAST)
There are a distich of seemingly deserted beaches heading southward of Thong Reng. The 2nd is Had Yao (the due east coast one) which genuinely has a distich of pocket-sized places to stay.LOWER EAST COAST BEACHES
HAD WAI/WHY NAM
Tiny HAD WAI NAM on the lower due east coast. One bungalow house hither - the set dorsum Wai Nam Hut amongst budget in addition to flashpacker accommodation - much of it upward the slopes behind the beach in addition to on the southern headland. Yoga classes available. 3 minutes across the far headland is the as attractive beach of Had Thian East.Wai Nam is a chip rocky on entering the H2O at depression tide but no problems other times. Reasonably expert coral inward due north terminate of bay closest photographic television receiver camera to the correct out of frame.
HAD THIAN/TIAN/TIEN EAST COAST
HAD THIAN (east coast) is the new-agers' beach amongst funky The Sanctuary Resort (flashpacker thru midrange summation a dorm) amongst its rehab in addition to personal evolution courses in addition to wonderful eatery inward the corner of the beach, summation some other iv budget into flashpacker places including Horizon Hut amongst bungalows high on the southern headland next photographic television receiver camera (and a kick-boxing school), in addition to the real expert value Beam inward a slap-up garden setting nigh 200m behind the beach where I stayed inward June 2010 - to a greater extent than info/pix on the 2nd Phangan page.No problems amongst rocks or H2O depth on most of the beach depression tide - a prissy sunbathing platform mid bay out of shot in addition to surprisingly expert coral due north end, the beach terminate of which y'all tin reckon one-half way across shot.
Lots to a greater extent than Thian info/pix on the PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE. 10 minutes walk behind the photographic television receiver camera is the bigger but all the same attractive Had Yuan (east coast) below.
UPDATE - Thian in addition to its ii neighbouring beaches withdraw hold go my favourite part inward Thailand thence I made a dot of staying a few nights at THE SANCTUARY inward July 2013. I'll pose to a greater extent than details inward the TRIP REPORT department when I larn a chance.
HAD YUAN EAST COAST
HAD YUAN (east coast one) is exclusively a few minutes longtail ride from Had Rin in addition to has go a sort of overflow beach for that area. However it is a real attractive beach amongst white sand, deep H2O all tides in addition to broad make of accommodation. Nearest photographic television receiver camera on the northern headland are some budget/flashpacker places amongst slap-up views, downwards on the beach are nearly a dozen flashpacker into midrange in addition to midrange+ joints, in addition to if y'all click to expand the shot y'all volition reckon a wooden walkway along the far headland amongst some real funky budget/flashpacker places built on the rocks.There is a walking rail over that far headland which is supposed to start behind Big Blue on the beach but I could non honour it in addition to locals at that spot didn't withdraw hold a clue. And a novel route which I believe is pretty oil important most travellers all the same access via longtail from Had Rin.
I'm penciling inward this beach for my next Phangan visit. It's a prissy one.
This trio of interlocked beaches - Had Yuan, Had Thian in addition to Had Wai Nam - were past times 2012 simply nigh my favourite Thailand location. So I made a dot of staying at Had Yuan on my Phangan crawl inward April/May 2012. More information in addition to pix on Yuan on the PHANGAN TRIP REPORT PAGE.
UPDATE MARCH 2017 - I got dorsum to what I at nowadays regard as my favourite Thailand beach expanse - stayed at THE SANCTUARY inward a DORM (my origin e'er inward Thailand) in addition to at the seaward terminate of Had Yuan at CLUB BAR EXCHANGE. \
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THE NORTH COAST
BOTTLE BEACH (HAD KHUAD)Lovely sheltered beach on the due east terminate of the due north coast. Nice white sand, H2O non too shallow at depression tide although it does withdraw hold some distance to deepen. iv relaxed accommodation places hither amongst ranging from budget into midrange - Bottle Beach 1 in addition to 3, Bottle Beach 2 (Had Khuad Resort) in addition to the good regarded Smile. I stayed at Bottle Beach 1 inward June 2010 - got a beachfront budget room correct on the sand for 400b - despite depression season, pretty expert value for a articulation amongst a lovely pool. More details on the Phangan Page 2.
This used to live a hard beach to larn into amongst access exclusively past times longtail from Chalok Lum twenty minutes around the far headland. This has improved slightly thence that Bottle Beach's bungalows inward busy times at nowadays select inward guests past times iv wheel drive vehicles over the long oil mount rail due north of Thong Nai Pan. The lastly few km of this rail is too steep in addition to oil for all but skilled motorcyclists. Having used this route in addition to the longtail, I much prefer the latter.
This moving painting is shot from the viewpoint due east of the beach which y'all tin climb inward nigh 30m - real steep inward some sections, moderately steep inward others. There is an as steep rail over the far headland to Coral Beach (Had Khom - reckon shots below) - 1 way y'all are looking at an hour.
Notice Ko Tao on the far horizon.
There are a lot to a greater extent than information in addition to pix on Bottle Beach on the Phangan Part 2 page in addition to inward the TRIP REPORTS section.
HAD KHOM (CORAL BEACH)This is how it looked I origin visited. Pretty sugariness - in addition to amongst iv real relaxed budget/flashpacker resorts.
I returned inward June 2010 in addition to y'all tin reckon dead depression tide certain makes a deviation to the place. Nevertheless Coral Beach gets real expert posts from travellers in addition to it's 1 I intend to remain at inward the future.Access to Coral Beach is at nowadays real good. From the due west the rail from Chaloklum is at nowadays a concrete route for several km in addition to ends simply past times the beach where the walking rail over the headland to Bottle Beach begins. There are steepish access roads from the concrete route into the bungalows.
The mount betwixt Bottle in addition to Coral Beaches isn't quite as formidable as this oblique icon implies (I cranked upward the vertical exaggeration a chip too much) but it does give a expert workout - I withdraw hold done the trip each way 3 times at nowadays - expect for around 80-100 minutes beach to beach.
CHALOKLUM
This line-fishing town is inward the middle of a large bay inward Phangan's north. The town itself despite the ii busy piers is pretty set dorsum amongst a expert make of shops, restaurants in addition to services in addition to tends to attract long term travellers amongst some inexpensive places to remain at. The beach is non too hot unopen to town but at both ends of the bay it gets pretty nice, despite the H2O getting real shallow at depression tide. There are some real prissy resorts both ends - a bigger make at the western end.
This moving painting was genuinely shot off the dining terrace of Coral Bay Bungalow - the moving painting ii shots upward was snapped from its eastern bungalows. Good shot to click-expand.
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THE NORTH-WEST
MAE HAD
Another house which caught my oculus on my real origin see was TT poster in addition to Phangan resident girllrig’s favourite non-TNP location, MAE HAD (Hat Mae, Mae Haad), a prissy smaller beach (TT says the beach “isn’t fantastic”. Well technically that’s right, but it’s pretty nice) on the n.w corner of the island, amongst expert swimming away from lowest tide, some expert coral close a pocket-sized offshore island, nigh one-half a dozen bungalow places, but non too crowded. This seemed to withdraw hold mainly immature Euro couples in addition to families staying. Between the boat trip in addition to the motorbike I visited 3 times, including a slap-up sunset lastly eve spell using upward fourth dimension waiting for the nighttime ferry. I withdraw hold done a chip of inquiry on less expensive places to remain for my hereafter trips. Wang Sai resort on the slopes overlooking the beach in addition to amongst the eatery beach-side has had expert posts inward the past. I withdraw hold used the eatery which was criterion Thai budget type - tasty in addition to inexpensive.
The other house which appealed to me was Ko Ma Resort - some budget bungalows on tiny Ko Ma which is joined to Mae Hat beach past times a spit of sand. At high tide at that spot is a boat shuttle.
MAE HAD from the sand-spit leading out to tiny Ko Ma Panoramio-The Globetrotter
I also found Mae Had similar most Phangan beaches at nowadays has some to a greater extent than upmarket accommodation.
HAD SALAD/HAT SALAT etc
HAD SALAD is the next beach southward of Mae Had. Really prissy location amongst mainly midrange accommodation these days. Lots to a greater extent than info/pix on the Phangan Part 2 page.HAT YAO (WEST COAST)
Hat Yao (the due west coast one) was similar to the introduce Mae Had when I origin visited inward ‘97. Now it is fully built up, amongst a large array of bungalows, restaurants/beach bars, dive centers etc. Nevertheless, it is all the same an attractive place.
Hat Yao (west coast), depression tide August 2009. It gets a chip shallow hither on the depression tide, similar most due west coast beaches. Sand is white, H2O clean, lots of accommodation inward all cost ranges on the beachfront, the headlands each terminate in addition to inward the pocket-sized township along the principal beach route behind. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fair few bars/restaurants important some expert nightlife without existence over the top similar Hat Rin.
UPDATE JULY 2013 - I had called inward at Had Yao plenty of times but never stayed at that spot thence for the origin 2 nights of my latest Phangan see I booked Shiralea Backpackers', a expert value house 3 minutes stroll from the beach amongst fantabulous expat staff. One caveat - the house tin larn a chip lively in addition to may non suit those who similar a serenity time.
Phangan Part 2 has some extra info/pix of both Mae Had, Had Salad in addition to it's close neighbour, Had Yao West.
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THE UPPER WEST COAST
.
There's a bunch of prissy beaches starting simply southward of Had Yao.
HAD SON
This pocket-sized attractive beach is instantly southward of Had Yao. This is shot from the principal coastal route in addition to is looking north-west towards the attractive Haad Son Resort - decidedly midrange. There are some prissy elevated roadside joints along hither too similar Sea Garden Resort.
Had boy looking south. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 distich of beachside budget places for y'all walk-in travelers.
AO CHAO PHAI (PHAO)
A brusk distance southward of Had Son the coastal route descends behind this beach. It's non a bad stretch of sand amongst some prissy mainly flashpacker/lower midrange places lining it. It does seem to live pretty shallow someway offshore at depression tide. There is a cool bar at the far southern end, but I didn't similar the looks of its giant speakers from the dot of stance of nearby quietness at night.
SRITHANU NORTH aka Laem Niad
A pocket-sized department of rocks separates this from Ao Chao Phao. This is the less developed, to a greater extent than budget oriented business office of Srithanu. Behind is Laem Son Lake or Lake Srithanu. Around the far corner is.....
....SRITHANU MAIN (my name) - a prissy department of manicured beach amongst mainly flashpacker accommodation. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 distich of prissy budget joints behind the camera. The body of body of water hither also suffers the depression tide blues. About 100m out is a fringing reef y'all could wade to at depression tide - the snorkelling is said to live okay without existence special. I was too lazy to check. At the far terminate of the beach is a breakwater....
....protecting a pocket-sized inlet which is daytime anchorage for a handful of line-fishing boats. At the other side of the inlet.....
.....is the southern most department of Srithanu Beach. Some prissy looking places at that spot - Google for Loyfa Natural Resort
The principal coastal route simply inland from Srithanu principal has a expert picayune shopping/service area. Just to the due north it passes by.......
LAKE SRITHANU aka Lake Laem Son, a freshwater lake. Above is WIPEOUT, a bar/restaurant/water sports articulation amongst real attractive happy threescore minutes prices. This immature lady was nigh to elbow grease the bungy swing over the water. Looked similar fun.
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THE MID AND LOWER WEST COAST
Labels seem a chip pocket-sized - mightiness live worth clicking to expand.
This expanse is relatively the to the lowest degree appealing beach part on the island. But compared to what y'all are used to closer to abode it all the same may live a gem. Certainly at that spot are some prissy picayune spots along hither amongst diverse resorts achieving high ratings on the user forums. If a bungalow house keeps the beach clear of flotsam, plants a few extra palms, has expert management/staff summation prissy rooms/a sugariness beachfront restaurant, in addition to (if to a higher house depression budget) puts inward a prissy picayune puddle your remain tin past times idyllic. Good sunsets in addition to views of the Ang Thong marine commons islands don't hurt.
From the due north (left of image):
Ao Hin Kong in addition to Ao Wok Tum -a long srip of sand amongst occasional mangroves. Suffers the depression tide blues markedly amongst shallow H2O way out to the fringing reef which is nigh 300m offshore. Wok Tum inward the southward is separated from Hin Kong past times an inlet - a local current has cutting a transcend through the reef although it doesn't seem to withdraw hold disturbed the sand deposits too much betwixt beach in addition to reef inward the to a higher house icon - Google ground likely shot this inward tardily dry out season. Behind the beach the coastal acre is apartment amongst some farming in addition to pocket-sized settlements. Most resorts along hither tend to live on the budget side of the ledger.
Wok Tum beach from the passing Toa-Phangan ferry - if y'all click expand y'all may live able to reckon the inlet on the left. I didn't personally larn to walk this beach or whatever of the other lower due west coast ones on work concern human relationship I exclusively had 2 days (actually 1.5 after the ferry ride) to depository fiscal establishment check this side of the isle in addition to I was much keener to larn some pix of Had Son, Ao Srithanu etc simply southward of my accommodation at Had Yao.
Ao Plaay Laem - a sizable hill/mountain, Khao Hin Nok, backs the coast closely hither in addition to its ridges in addition to spurs withdraw hold formed pocket-sized sandy coves. Lots of rounded boulders, palms in addition to rainforest brand this expanse much to a greater extent than attractive. There are some midrange places which attract expert reviews (google Golden Hill, Sabai Beach) plus some expert old timers.
Ao Nay Nok - this is the stretch of beach simply due north of the principal town of Thong Sala. In grapheme it is much similar Hin Kong/Wok Tum except the apartment solid ground inward dorsum of beach is to a greater extent than intensively settled in addition to the beach itself has to a greater extent than places to stay. This was the origin house old fourth dimension travellers stayed dorsum inward the 60s/70s due to proximity of the ferry piers in addition to at that spot are all the same some real budget places but as common some to a greater extent than upmarket accommodation has been developed too.
The size in addition to ruggedness of Phangan summation a lot of delightful beaches to trek into brand this a expert isle for the hiker. I withdraw hold a fair chip of information in addition to maps on the following:
Than Sadet to Thong Nai Pan on the Phangan business office 2 in addition to Trip Report pages
Thong Nai Pan to Bottle Beach (ditto)
Bottle Beach to Coral Beach (ditto)
Had Yuan to Had Thian in addition to Had Why Nam (ditto)
Had Yuan to Had Rin on the Phangan Trip Report page
Mae Had to waterfall, Had Salad in addition to Chaloklum (ditto)
Than Sadet to the waterfalls (ditto)
Had Rin to Had Kongthi (ditto)
Had Salad to Had Yao (west coast), Had Kruad, Had Thian (west coast) on the Phangan Part 2 page.
PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE
PHANGAN TRIP REPORT PAGE
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GETTING TO PHANGAN
From Bangkok
- the cheapest would live prepare or double-decker to Chumpon in addition to thence hop on 1 of the fast ferries which goes to Phangan via Tao. Chumpon is a long way due north of the pop choice of Surathani. I know the sleeper prepare southward (I think concluding destination is Hat Yai) gets into Chumpon inward expert fourth dimension to grab the origin limited boat out each morning.
I withdraw hold seen a lot of posts maxim Lomprayah ferry company's bus/fast catermaran combination is real reliable - at that spot are ii services a solar daytime - 1 double-decker goes overnight.
UPDATE - I used Lomprayah to larn from Samui to Phangan on my August 09 trip. The Mae Nam (the pier is at the western terminate of the beach) to Thong Sala trip was pretty quick at nigh thirty minutes, but they practise pack the passengers in. Note that the 1130 trip out of Samui (which goes on to Tao in addition to Chumpon) includes complimentary transfers from your Samui accommodation which volition relieve y'all a 300 to 500 baht taxi fare from Chaweng/Lamai areas. Similarly the incoming boat which arrives inward Samui at 1100 volition shuttle y'all to your accommodation gratis. I noticed 1 shuttle double-decker had AIRPORT on it.
I came dorsum to Samui on the smaller due east coast ferry which starts inward Thong Nai Pan in addition to arrives at a different Mae Nam pier (central beach). Plenty of taxis, motorcyle taxis in addition to charter songthaews encounter this - Lady Tezza in addition to I paid 100 each for a songthaew which also shuttled some people to the aerodrome for 50 each. More data for this ferry tin live seen on Mae Pen Rai's website in addition to nether the photograph at the bottom of this page.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 to a greater extent than expensive time-saver is to wing to Samui in addition to thence hop across to Phangan or wing to Surathani in addition to grab a ferry. Bangkok Air in addition to Thai wing into Samui from Bangkok - in addition to Bangkok Air also flies inward direct from Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai in addition to U-Tapao close Pattaya. Thai in addition to perhaps others wing into Surathani.
UPDATE 2012 - on my latest trip I noticed Lomprayah had billboards upward promoting a articulation Solar Air flight/Lombprayah fast catamaran service via Chumpon.
************************************
THE UPPER WEST COAST
.
There's a bunch of prissy beaches starting simply southward of Had Yao.
HAD SON
AO CHAO PHAI (PHAO)
SRITHANU NORTH aka Laem Niad
The principal coastal route simply inland from Srithanu principal has a expert picayune shopping/service area. Just to the due north it passes by.......
**************************************************
THE MID AND LOWER WEST COAST
This expanse is relatively the to the lowest degree appealing beach part on the island. But compared to what y'all are used to closer to abode it all the same may live a gem. Certainly at that spot are some prissy picayune spots along hither amongst diverse resorts achieving high ratings on the user forums. If a bungalow house keeps the beach clear of flotsam, plants a few extra palms, has expert management/staff summation prissy rooms/a sugariness beachfront restaurant, in addition to (if to a higher house depression budget) puts inward a prissy picayune puddle your remain tin past times idyllic. Good sunsets in addition to views of the Ang Thong marine commons islands don't hurt.
From the due north (left of image):
Ao Hin Kong in addition to Ao Wok Tum -a long srip of sand amongst occasional mangroves. Suffers the depression tide blues markedly amongst shallow H2O way out to the fringing reef which is nigh 300m offshore. Wok Tum inward the southward is separated from Hin Kong past times an inlet - a local current has cutting a transcend through the reef although it doesn't seem to withdraw hold disturbed the sand deposits too much betwixt beach in addition to reef inward the to a higher house icon - Google ground likely shot this inward tardily dry out season. Behind the beach the coastal acre is apartment amongst some farming in addition to pocket-sized settlements. Most resorts along hither tend to live on the budget side of the ledger.
Ao Plaay Laem - a sizable hill/mountain, Khao Hin Nok, backs the coast closely hither in addition to its ridges in addition to spurs withdraw hold formed pocket-sized sandy coves. Lots of rounded boulders, palms in addition to rainforest brand this expanse much to a greater extent than attractive. There are some midrange places which attract expert reviews (google Golden Hill, Sabai Beach) plus some expert old timers.
Ao Nay Nok - this is the stretch of beach simply due north of the principal town of Thong Sala. In grapheme it is much similar Hin Kong/Wok Tum except the apartment solid ground inward dorsum of beach is to a greater extent than intensively settled in addition to the beach itself has to a greater extent than places to stay. This was the origin house old fourth dimension travellers stayed dorsum inward the 60s/70s due to proximity of the ferry piers in addition to at that spot are all the same some real budget places but as common some to a greater extent than upmarket accommodation has been developed too.
*********************
TREKKING ON PHANGAN
The size in addition to ruggedness of Phangan summation a lot of delightful beaches to trek into brand this a expert isle for the hiker. I withdraw hold a fair chip of information in addition to maps on the following:
Than Sadet to Thong Nai Pan on the Phangan business office 2 in addition to Trip Report pages
Thong Nai Pan to Bottle Beach (ditto)
Bottle Beach to Coral Beach (ditto)
Had Yuan to Had Thian in addition to Had Why Nam (ditto)
Had Yuan to Had Rin on the Phangan Trip Report page
Mae Had to waterfall, Had Salad in addition to Chaloklum (ditto)
Than Sadet to the waterfalls (ditto)
Had Rin to Had Kongthi (ditto)
Had Salad to Had Yao (west coast), Had Kruad, Had Thian (west coast) on the Phangan Part 2 page.
PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE
PHANGAN TRIP REPORT PAGE
*************************
GETTING TO PHANGAN
From Bangkok
- the cheapest would live prepare or double-decker to Chumpon in addition to thence hop on 1 of the fast ferries which goes to Phangan via Tao. Chumpon is a long way due north of the pop choice of Surathani. I know the sleeper prepare southward (I think concluding destination is Hat Yai) gets into Chumpon inward expert fourth dimension to grab the origin limited boat out each morning.
I withdraw hold seen a lot of posts maxim Lomprayah ferry company's bus/fast catermaran combination is real reliable - at that spot are ii services a solar daytime - 1 double-decker goes overnight.
UPDATE - I used Lomprayah to larn from Samui to Phangan on my August 09 trip. The Mae Nam (the pier is at the western terminate of the beach) to Thong Sala trip was pretty quick at nigh thirty minutes, but they practise pack the passengers in. Note that the 1130 trip out of Samui (which goes on to Tao in addition to Chumpon) includes complimentary transfers from your Samui accommodation which volition relieve y'all a 300 to 500 baht taxi fare from Chaweng/Lamai areas. Similarly the incoming boat which arrives inward Samui at 1100 volition shuttle y'all to your accommodation gratis. I noticed 1 shuttle double-decker had AIRPORT on it.
I came dorsum to Samui on the smaller due east coast ferry which starts inward Thong Nai Pan in addition to arrives at a different Mae Nam pier (central beach). Plenty of taxis, motorcyle taxis in addition to charter songthaews encounter this - Lady Tezza in addition to I paid 100 each for a songthaew which also shuttled some people to the aerodrome for 50 each. More data for this ferry tin live seen on Mae Pen Rai's website in addition to nether the photograph at the bottom of this page.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 to a greater extent than expensive time-saver is to wing to Samui in addition to thence hop across to Phangan or wing to Surathani in addition to grab a ferry. Bangkok Air in addition to Thai wing into Samui from Bangkok - in addition to Bangkok Air also flies inward direct from Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai in addition to U-Tapao close Pattaya. Thai in addition to perhaps others wing into Surathani.
UPDATE 2012 - on my latest trip I noticed Lomprayah had billboards upward promoting a articulation Solar Air flight/Lombprayah fast catamaran service via Chumpon.
2013 - I also heard Nok Air or similar is at nowadays flying Bangkok-Chumpon
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.
Direct flights into Samui are offered past times Bangkok Air from Hong Kong in addition to Singapore. Berjaya wing from KL as does Firefly.
FROM SAMUI
I withdraw hold a re-create of losing_touch's slap-up ferry timetable here.
http://www.backpackinthailand.com/gulf_ferries.html
Note that ferry companies tin alter times etc thence it's a expert thought to depository fiscal establishment check each company's website for latest info.
What is the latest boat y'all tin larn from Samui?
Travel forums larn a lot of questions from people arriving on tardily flights into Samui wanting to larn to Phangan on the same day.
The lastly boat at fourth dimension of writing is at 1830 - the Had Rin Queen from Big Buddha.
It takes around 10-15 minutes past times cab from the aerodrome to Big Buddha pier.
The 3 ferries which leave of absence from close the aerodrome are Lomprayah from western Mae Nam, Seatran from Bo Phut/Bang Rak, Had Rin Queen from Big Buddha in addition to the due east coast beach ferry from the fundamental "pier" on Mae Nam.
The origin 2 go to Thong Sala, where pickups are waiting to transfer all over the isle - the lastly 1 is expert if y'all desire to go direct to the due east coast beaches (last halt is Thong Nai Pan) but runs to Phangan early on afternoon only, Had Rin Queen is slap-up if y'all desire to go to that house or nearby because of the frequency of its trips.
Had Rin Queen arriving at Big Buddha pier
Other ferries on the link start on the Surathani coast in addition to pick upward inward Samui's Nathon which is a long way from the aerodrome in addition to from the pop due east coast Samui beaches.
The closest ferry piers to the aerodrome are Bo Phut/Bang Rak in addition to Big Buddha. There’s quite a lot of expert inexpensive accommodation at that spot - google travelfish for reviews of places at that spot in addition to at Bang Rak which is business office of this area.
Mae Nam is perhaps twenty minutes due west of the aerodrome past times taxi or shuttle double-decker - plenty of cheapies there.
Note that Lomprayah has a complimentary shuttle to their ferry thence it doesn't affair where y'all remain if y'all role that one. In July 2013 I caught the complimentary shuttle from the aerodrome to pick upward the early on afternoon Phangan/Tao Lompraya ferry.
If arriving too tardily for the lastly ferry, I wouldn't role a longtail to cross at nighttime - tin live quite bumpy in addition to wet, sometimes outright unsafe - in addition to it would cost a bomb. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bigger line-fishing boat would live outrageously expensive in addition to all the same bumpy in addition to perhaps wet.
Spedboats tin live chartered - would live real expensive, peculiarly after dark. I withdraw hold travelled this expanse inward pretty large seas on speedboats, they tend to throttle dorsum in addition to ride the swells reasonably - non expert if y'all endure seasickness though. And real bad if overloaded as on Full Moon Party dates.
I'd remain on Samui, go downwards to 1 of the picayune restaurant/bars overlooking the beach/piers in addition to withdraw hold a prissy origin nighttime relaxing. Big Buddha is peculiarly attractive after dark where the 2 principal streets of the fishermens' hamlet leading downwards the pier go a busy "walking street" zone amongst people inward their best vacation gear strolling around in addition to checking the many nicely lit shops, restaurants in addition to bars.
From the Andaman or the South
- most people come upward inward through Surathani. Some ferries leave of absence from the town itself but more, including vehicle ferries depart from piers around Donsak 30-40km farther due east on the coast. If y'all are coming inward via the double-decker station, the aerodrome or railway station (the lastly 2 both out of town), at that spot are move counters or next move agents who volition sell y'all a shuttle bus-ferry ticket correct onto the island.
One of the vehicle-passenger ferries betwixt Don Sak in addition to Phangan. I shot this from the Songserm boat which is faster, but because it calls inward at Samui (at to the lowest degree on its afternoon run) it doesn't relieve much to a greater extent than than one-half an threescore minutes over the bigger boat which is way to a greater extent than comfortable, peculiarly inward bigger seas. I noticed that nosotros were both passed past times Lomprayah's fast catamaran - but depository fiscal establishment check the website, at fourth dimension of writing I think exclusively the afternoon service starts at Donsak. I think the morn service to Phangan all the same starts at Samui's Mae Had.
One of my favourites is the nighttime ferry which leaves at 2300 from the town pier, chugs downwards river in addition to thence across the bay, y'all on your designated matress in addition to pillow, arriving inward Phangan nigh 0500 where carry is waiting at the pier to withdraw hold y'all to your beach of choice. You tin grab a swim in addition to brekka spell all those lazy travellers are all the same tucked into their bungalows cutting the zzzzzs.
From Phi Phi inward 1 day.
This query in addition to its contrary trip gets asked lots of times on the move forums. Poster english_dave gave this reply inward Apr 08:
"'P.P.Family' - I think this is the exclusively fellowship that does the total trip inward 1 day.Phangan -> Phi Phi - leave of absence at 7am from Thong Sala, Arrive Phi Phi at 3:30pm - cost = 700baht
Phi Phi -> Phangan - leave of absence at 9am, Arrive Phangan nigh 6pm - cost = 800baht.
Pretty much whatever move agency inward Phi Phi or Phangan volition be able to accommodate these tickets for you."
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pocket-sized caveat here. There withdraw hold been lots of complaints of thefts from luggage inward the underbus storage expanse of coaches pose on past times individual move companies betwixt Krabi in addition to Surathani (and KSR in addition to Surathani) So to live security don't leave of absence whatever valuables inward your luggage - withdraw hold them inward your deport pack inward the cabin.
Maybe a BIG caveat - PP Family likely gets to a greater extent than complaints than whatever other regular Thai carry operator - non exclusively for underbus thefts but for fourth dimension wasting in addition to full general lack of assist - travelfish advises against them. I reckon if y'all grab the origin ferry out in addition to the normal Krabi-Surathani minibus y'all would brand it inward a day. Catching the nighttime ferry from Surathani town pier around 2200-2300 assures this. Actaully y'all would likely live able to leave of absence PP on the afternoon ferry in addition to all the same brand the nighttime ferry.
WHEN TO GO.
The Phangan/Samui/Tao expanse tends to withdraw hold a different moisture flavor to most of Thailand. Normally this kicks inward tardily September/early Oct in addition to runs into early on January, although the fact that Christmas/New Year is peak flavor indicates that it can't live too bad come upward tardily December.
The expert intelligence is that when the Andaman in addition to Eastern Gulf islands are inward moisture flavor midyear, the Phangan expanse is ordinarily much drier. Sure it volition pelting a chip inward these months but ordinarily sunshine dominates. This drier weather condition agency a 2nd high flavor inward July/August in addition to consequently non the create practise accommodation prices y'all volition honour inward Phuket, Krabi or large Ko Chang etc.
Feb thru Apr are fifty-fifty drier. Note March Apr tin live pretty hot.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 dot nigh Phangan's moisture flavor - often this tin live as vacation friendly as most other areas, but every at nowadays in addition to thence they withdraw hold a shocker. In all the years I withdraw hold been next Thai weather condition this is the exclusively house I withdraw hold seen forum posters complaining nigh persistent bad weather, prolonged heavy pelting etc. This seems to hap every 3rd or fourth year, but non necessarily on a regular basis. So if I was planning a Thai beach vacation inward tell Oct, Nov or early on Dec I mightiness think to a greater extent than nigh the mid or eastern Gulf or the Andaman. However if these months were the exclusively fourth dimension I could see in addition to I genuinely wanted to reckon Phangan, I would non live put-off - my origin see into this expanse was inward a Nov in addition to I got existent prissy weather, as expert as my 3 August visits.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 smaller dot - May inward this expanse in addition to many other Thai regions often gets a picayune blip of extra pelting compared to next months. Usually this is non plenty to brand it a mini moisture flavor but 1 time once to a greater extent than I occasionally reckon complaints from the Phangan/Samui/Tao areas nigh prolonged rainy spells.
For the cost conscious, y'all are going to larn expert discounts inward moisture season. But annotation months similar March, April, June in addition to a lot of Septrember are ordinarily not wet, yet many accommodation places go into depression flavor pricing. Note too that low-budget places are much less variable inward pricing compared to midrange in addition to high-end joints.
A genuinely expert link which has all sorts of information on Phangan, including slap-up maps, accomm from basic to swish is www.phangan.info.com HERE
Top deck of the dull ferry which starts at Thong Nai Pan around 0900 in addition to heads downwards the due east coast of Phangan picking upward at several beaches including Than Sadet, Hat Thian in addition to East Hat Rin in addition to thence goes across to Mae Nam on the due north coast of Samui, non too far from the aerodrome in addition to Chaweng Beach inward around 2 hours from TNP - cost from Than Sadet August 09 300baht. The boat returns starting early on afternoon. Some existent prissy mountain/beach views passing downwards the coast. Don't live alarmed at the contention - the boat is doing a plow out of Hat Thian's bay here.
ONCE AGAIN THERE IS MORE INFO ON HAD SALAD AND THAN SADET, AND BEACHES NEARBY LIKE MAE HAD, CHALOKLUM, CORAL BEACH (HAD KHOM), HAD KRUAD, HAD THIAN WEST AND HAD YAO WEST ON THE NEW PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE.
AND THERE ARE MORE PIX AND LOTSA INFORMATION ON BOTTLE BEACH, MAE HAD, THAN SADET, THONG NAI PAN AND HAD YUAN (east coast one) IN THE TRIP REPORTS SECTION
XXXX - If y'all withdraw hold exta information or reckon mistakes inward the above, delight post below. But if y'all withdraw hold whatever questions, delight enquire them inward THE FORUM rather than below. I don't larn a run a peril to depository fiscal establishment check all threads daily, but unless I'm travelling I'll elbow grease to monitor THE FORUM regularly.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.
Direct flights into Samui are offered past times Bangkok Air from Hong Kong in addition to Singapore. Berjaya wing from KL as does Firefly.
FROM SAMUI
I withdraw hold a re-create of losing_touch's slap-up ferry timetable here.
http://www.backpackinthailand.com/gulf_ferries.html
Note that ferry companies tin alter times etc thence it's a expert thought to depository fiscal establishment check each company's website for latest info.
What is the latest boat y'all tin larn from Samui?
Travel forums larn a lot of questions from people arriving on tardily flights into Samui wanting to larn to Phangan on the same day.
The lastly boat at fourth dimension of writing is at 1830 - the Had Rin Queen from Big Buddha.
It takes around 10-15 minutes past times cab from the aerodrome to Big Buddha pier.
The 3 ferries which leave of absence from close the aerodrome are Lomprayah from western Mae Nam, Seatran from Bo Phut/Bang Rak, Had Rin Queen from Big Buddha in addition to the due east coast beach ferry from the fundamental "pier" on Mae Nam.
The origin 2 go to Thong Sala, where pickups are waiting to transfer all over the isle - the lastly 1 is expert if y'all desire to go direct to the due east coast beaches (last halt is Thong Nai Pan) but runs to Phangan early on afternoon only, Had Rin Queen is slap-up if y'all desire to go to that house or nearby because of the frequency of its trips.
Other ferries on the link start on the Surathani coast in addition to pick upward inward Samui's Nathon which is a long way from the aerodrome in addition to from the pop due east coast Samui beaches.
The closest ferry piers to the aerodrome are Bo Phut/Bang Rak in addition to Big Buddha. There’s quite a lot of expert inexpensive accommodation at that spot - google travelfish for reviews of places at that spot in addition to at Bang Rak which is business office of this area.
Mae Nam is perhaps twenty minutes due west of the aerodrome past times taxi or shuttle double-decker - plenty of cheapies there.
Note that Lomprayah has a complimentary shuttle to their ferry thence it doesn't affair where y'all remain if y'all role that one. In July 2013 I caught the complimentary shuttle from the aerodrome to pick upward the early on afternoon Phangan/Tao Lompraya ferry.
If arriving too tardily for the lastly ferry, I wouldn't role a longtail to cross at nighttime - tin live quite bumpy in addition to wet, sometimes outright unsafe - in addition to it would cost a bomb. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bigger line-fishing boat would live outrageously expensive in addition to all the same bumpy in addition to perhaps wet.
Spedboats tin live chartered - would live real expensive, peculiarly after dark. I withdraw hold travelled this expanse inward pretty large seas on speedboats, they tend to throttle dorsum in addition to ride the swells reasonably - non expert if y'all endure seasickness though. And real bad if overloaded as on Full Moon Party dates.
I'd remain on Samui, go downwards to 1 of the picayune restaurant/bars overlooking the beach/piers in addition to withdraw hold a prissy origin nighttime relaxing. Big Buddha is peculiarly attractive after dark where the 2 principal streets of the fishermens' hamlet leading downwards the pier go a busy "walking street" zone amongst people inward their best vacation gear strolling around in addition to checking the many nicely lit shops, restaurants in addition to bars.
From the Andaman or the South
- most people come upward inward through Surathani. Some ferries leave of absence from the town itself but more, including vehicle ferries depart from piers around Donsak 30-40km farther due east on the coast. If y'all are coming inward via the double-decker station, the aerodrome or railway station (the lastly 2 both out of town), at that spot are move counters or next move agents who volition sell y'all a shuttle bus-ferry ticket correct onto the island.
One of my favourites is the nighttime ferry which leaves at 2300 from the town pier, chugs downwards river in addition to thence across the bay, y'all on your designated matress in addition to pillow, arriving inward Phangan nigh 0500 where carry is waiting at the pier to withdraw hold y'all to your beach of choice. You tin grab a swim in addition to brekka spell all those lazy travellers are all the same tucked into their bungalows cutting the zzzzzs.
From Phi Phi inward 1 day.
This query in addition to its contrary trip gets asked lots of times on the move forums. Poster english_dave gave this reply inward Apr 08:
"'P.P.Family' - I think this is the exclusively fellowship that does the total trip inward 1 day.Phangan -> Phi Phi - leave of absence at 7am from Thong Sala, Arrive Phi Phi at 3:30pm - cost = 700baht
Phi Phi -> Phangan - leave of absence at 9am, Arrive Phangan nigh 6pm - cost = 800baht.
Pretty much whatever move agency inward Phi Phi or Phangan volition be able to accommodate these tickets for you."
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pocket-sized caveat here. There withdraw hold been lots of complaints of thefts from luggage inward the underbus storage expanse of coaches pose on past times individual move companies betwixt Krabi in addition to Surathani (and KSR in addition to Surathani) So to live security don't leave of absence whatever valuables inward your luggage - withdraw hold them inward your deport pack inward the cabin.
Maybe a BIG caveat - PP Family likely gets to a greater extent than complaints than whatever other regular Thai carry operator - non exclusively for underbus thefts but for fourth dimension wasting in addition to full general lack of assist - travelfish advises against them. I reckon if y'all grab the origin ferry out in addition to the normal Krabi-Surathani minibus y'all would brand it inward a day. Catching the nighttime ferry from Surathani town pier around 2200-2300 assures this. Actaully y'all would likely live able to leave of absence PP on the afternoon ferry in addition to all the same brand the nighttime ferry.
WHEN TO GO.
The Phangan/Samui/Tao expanse tends to withdraw hold a different moisture flavor to most of Thailand. Normally this kicks inward tardily September/early Oct in addition to runs into early on January, although the fact that Christmas/New Year is peak flavor indicates that it can't live too bad come upward tardily December.
The expert intelligence is that when the Andaman in addition to Eastern Gulf islands are inward moisture flavor midyear, the Phangan expanse is ordinarily much drier. Sure it volition pelting a chip inward these months but ordinarily sunshine dominates. This drier weather condition agency a 2nd high flavor inward July/August in addition to consequently non the create practise accommodation prices y'all volition honour inward Phuket, Krabi or large Ko Chang etc.
Feb thru Apr are fifty-fifty drier. Note March Apr tin live pretty hot.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 dot nigh Phangan's moisture flavor - often this tin live as vacation friendly as most other areas, but every at nowadays in addition to thence they withdraw hold a shocker. In all the years I withdraw hold been next Thai weather condition this is the exclusively house I withdraw hold seen forum posters complaining nigh persistent bad weather, prolonged heavy pelting etc. This seems to hap every 3rd or fourth year, but non necessarily on a regular basis. So if I was planning a Thai beach vacation inward tell Oct, Nov or early on Dec I mightiness think to a greater extent than nigh the mid or eastern Gulf or the Andaman. However if these months were the exclusively fourth dimension I could see in addition to I genuinely wanted to reckon Phangan, I would non live put-off - my origin see into this expanse was inward a Nov in addition to I got existent prissy weather, as expert as my 3 August visits.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 smaller dot - May inward this expanse in addition to many other Thai regions often gets a picayune blip of extra pelting compared to next months. Usually this is non plenty to brand it a mini moisture flavor but 1 time once to a greater extent than I occasionally reckon complaints from the Phangan/Samui/Tao areas nigh prolonged rainy spells.
For the cost conscious, y'all are going to larn expert discounts inward moisture season. But annotation months similar March, April, June in addition to a lot of Septrember are ordinarily not wet, yet many accommodation places go into depression flavor pricing. Note too that low-budget places are much less variable inward pricing compared to midrange in addition to high-end joints.
A genuinely expert link which has all sorts of information on Phangan, including slap-up maps, accomm from basic to swish is www.phangan.info.com HERE
Top deck of the dull ferry which starts at Thong Nai Pan around 0900 in addition to heads downwards the due east coast of Phangan picking upward at several beaches including Than Sadet, Hat Thian in addition to East Hat Rin in addition to thence goes across to Mae Nam on the due north coast of Samui, non too far from the aerodrome in addition to Chaweng Beach inward around 2 hours from TNP - cost from Than Sadet August 09 300baht. The boat returns starting early on afternoon. Some existent prissy mountain/beach views passing downwards the coast. Don't live alarmed at the contention - the boat is doing a plow out of Hat Thian's bay here.ONCE AGAIN THERE IS MORE INFO ON HAD SALAD AND THAN SADET, AND BEACHES NEARBY LIKE MAE HAD, CHALOKLUM, CORAL BEACH (HAD KHOM), HAD KRUAD, HAD THIAN WEST AND HAD YAO WEST ON THE NEW PHANGAN PART 2 PAGE.
AND THERE ARE MORE PIX AND LOTSA INFORMATION ON BOTTLE BEACH, MAE HAD, THAN SADET, THONG NAI PAN AND HAD YUAN (east coast one) IN THE TRIP REPORTS SECTION
XXXX - If y'all withdraw hold exta information or reckon mistakes inward the above, delight post below. But if y'all withdraw hold whatever questions, delight enquire them inward THE FORUM rather than below. I don't larn a run a peril to depository fiscal establishment check all threads daily, but unless I'm travelling I'll elbow grease to monitor THE FORUM regularly.