Thailand Guides - Koh Pha-Ngan

Koh Pha-Ngan lies 20 kilometres to the north of Koh Samui. The island has become a popular escape for those who find its larger neighbour too developed. Koh Pa-Ngan is certainly less crowded and has beautiful beaches and an abundance of coral in the crystal clear waters.

The tiny island of Koh Tao covers less than 20 square kilometres but is known as one of the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand. The island is inhabited by around 750 people, mainly involved in fishing or tourism. Despite the fact that it can take up to 5 hours to reach the island from the mainland the island is extremely popular and can get crowded during the high season.

Hat Rin is situated on a cape jutting out from the southeast corner of Koh Phangan tip about 12 km from the district office. Formerly, it was not popular with tourists as it could only be reached by boat (no road) and boasted a welcoming army of gnats. That's all changed; today, visitors drive down to Hat Rin and the gnats have largely moved on.

In Hat Mae Hat on the island's tranquil northwestern tip, accommodation is plentiful. This is a charming area with a long, powdery-sand beach safe for swimming. It is an ideal place to relax or sunbathe. The most outstanding feature in this area is the neighboring island of Koh Ma, accessible by foot across a sandbar. Koh Ma is the site of a splendid coral reef frequented by tourists who enjoy swimming and diving around this island.