Thailand/Koh Phangan

After a week of constant rain, soaked clothes, and gray skies, it finally happened: the sun came out!

Hard to believe, but after days of drizzling rain on Koh Samui and some mixed adventures, we were able to continue our journey on Koh Phangan with renewed energy. An island renowned for its parties, beaches, and relaxed atmosphere—and one that truly surprised us in many ways.

Our Accommodation – Simple but Unbeatable Location:

For our stay on Koh Phangan, we chose a small hotel room—minimalist, with a bed, fan, and a shared bathroom. Unfortunately, the walls were paper-thin, so it felt like we were living with our neighbors in terms of noise and so on. However, what the room lacked in comfort, the location more than made up for: just a few steps away, and we were on a stunning beach. The atmosphere was peaceful, there were hardly any tourists, and the beach was clean—a small but delightful bonus after our rather mixed start on Koh Samui. A motorbike rental was conveniently located right next door, which was super practical.

Our Activities:

Night Market in Thong Sala: As almost everywhere in Thailand, a visit to a local market is a must. In Thong Sala, the island’s capital, a night market takes place every evening and is an absolute must-visit. You’ll find everything here: freshly grilled seafood, exotic fruits, smoothies, and traditional Thai dishes. We sampled our way through the market and can honestly say there wasn’t a single thing we didn’t like. Markets are also the most budget-friendly option! The atmosphere was relaxed, fairy lights added a magical touch, and souvenir hunters were in for a treat as well.

Bottle Beach – Sadly Not a Dream Beach: Many blogs and travel guides recommend Bottle Beach as a quiet, secluded beach. So, full of excitement, we rode our motorbike there. The reality, however, was sobering: before even reaching the beach, you have to take on a 3-kilometer hike. The problem isn’t the downhill trek to the valley but the steep uphill return that nearly wipes you out. Sweaty and exhausted, we finally arrived at the beach, looking forward to the sea. But what we found was a small beach littered with trash: plastic bottles, wrappers, and driftwood along the shore—it was truly disappointing. Maybe we just caught it on a bad day, but for us, it didn’t live up to its reputation as a hidden gem.

Leela Beach – A Highlight and a True Hidden Gem: On the other hand, our visit to Leela Beach was an absolute success! This small, hidden beach is just a few minutes’ drive from Haad Rin and is everything we imagined paradise to be: white sand, turquoise water, and almost no people—simply perfect! We spent nearly the entire day here, swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the tranquility. It’s a true hidden gem for anyone looking to relax away from the crowded beaches. What makes this beach extra special are the stunning views and the massive hanging swings.

Exploring by Scooter – Pure Freedom: Koh Phangan is perfect to explore by scooter. The roads are somewhat winding and adventurous in parts, but that’s exactly what made the island special for us. From small villages to remote beaches, we saw so much. One of the highlights was stopping at a little café with a sea view in the middle of nowhere—these are the spontaneous experiences you can’t plan for but will always remember.

Visiting the National Park – Nature at Its Finest: Another highlight was our visit to Than Sadet National Park. This park has everything an adventurer’s heart desires: walkable nature trails, dense jungle vegetation, and breathtaking waterfalls. The trail to the viewpoint was quite challenging—narrow paths, roots, and steep inclines—but the view over the lush green landscape was absolutely worth it. The waterfalls, filled with water after the heavy rains, were especially impressive. A perfect refreshment after the strenuous hike!

A Small Restaurant – Delicious Food on a Budget: During our stay, we discovered a small, unassuming restaurant near our accommodation. The name? Sadly, we can’t remember, but it was one of those typical Thai family-run places with a few plastic chairs and an open kitchen. We ate here multiple times because the food was simply unbeatable.

Full Moon Party – Dancing in the Rain: Of course, we couldn’t miss the world-famous Full Moon Party in Haad Rin, even though it was pure coincidence that we were there during the full moon. And yes, it rained. Heavily. But it didn’t dampen the mood—in fact, it made the party even more unique!

The Full Moon Party takes place on Haad Rin Beach, a long stretch of sand that transforms into a gigantic open-air party venue as soon as night falls.

What to Expect:

• Fairy lights, neon colors, and fire shows: The atmosphere is indescribable. Everywhere you see people painting themselves with neon colors, wearing glowing outfits, and dancing to the beats.

• Music for every taste: From techno, house, and EDM to reggae—each bar plays something different, and you can easily hop from one to the next.

• Bucket drinks: Yes, the famous “buckets”—small buckets filled with spirits, soft drinks, and lots of ice. Tip: Be careful; they’re stronger than they look.

• Dancing in the rain: At some point, it started raining so heavily that we were completely soaked within seconds. But that’s what made the party unforgettable. Everyone kept dancing, laughing, and celebrating as if the rain were part of the event. It was an incredible experience.

If you’re planning to visit the party, here are a few tips:

• Only bring the essentials (money, phone, room key).

• Wear something that can get wet.

• Be cautious with fire jumping—it looks cool but isn’t without risk.

Conclusion – Koh Phangan Surprised Us:

Koh Phangan is more than just the Full Moon Party. The island has stunning beaches, delicious food, and plenty of small adventures—especially if you explore it by scooter. Leela Beach was our personal highlight, and the Full Moon Party in the rain is a memory we’ll never forget. Even though not everything was perfect (looking at you, Bottle Beach), the island pleasantly surprised us and brought the sun back into our lives after a week of rain—literally.

Next Stop: Koh Tao