RussellAbroad.. a wondering soul.: Koh Phangan

Showing posts with label Koh Phangan. Show all posts

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Backpacking in Thailand

Maya Bay Koh Phi Phi

Backpacking is Thailand is a subject very dear to my heart as backpacking was very much how I gained my foothold within the travel industry. Before I came to Thailand I was a trekking guide in Nepal. My first backpacking trip to the land of the smiles was in 1992 and was offered as part payment for the group I had lead by my, not too flush for money, trekking company.

Bed and Breakfast Tibet style 1987.. er halcyon days?

On top of bus in Nepal

Best Western Phanganburi Resort

Luxury Best Western Phanganburi Resort, Koh Phangan Thailand ideal for the full moon party

If you are coming to Koh Phangan to explore a wonderful tropical island or hang out at the famous Full Moon Party (Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates) then getting the right accommodation is all too crucial. One of my favourite resorts in Phangan is the Best Western Phanganburi Resort and it can be found in the south eastern corner of the island,near Haad Rin and the ferries to Samui.

Only a few years ago, the only people who travelled to Koh Phangan were backpackers in search of a rave. Before that the hippies found their true paradise and hung out on the beach enjoying the natural scenery and lifestyle that is still beguiling today. Even now there are not many 5 star and luxury resorts on the island as Koh Phangan's big brother, Samui has taken most of the hotel industry investment.

Thailand Island Hopping

Thailand Island Hopping must be one of the world's 10 top things to do. Maybe not on a scale of the 7 wonders of the world but a truly fun and happy experience. To come to Thailand for some island hopping, the land of the smiles, with a small travel bag, a list of top beaches, some ferry times and no particular itinerary feels like freedom, an authentic break with town life back home.

Phang Nga Bay island Hopping boats with the traditional Longtail boat

Thailand has two island infested seas, the Indian Ocean on the south west shore and the Gulf of Siam on the east. The islands on the west coast are dominated by Phuket , Phi Phi Island and Koh Lanta and the east coast comprises of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Chang. These are the best destinations for a good selections of bungalows, hotel or resorts. Often travellers will choose either coast for their stay as it makes sense but not spend too much time in the process of travel.

Island Hopping Ferry ride to Phangan Haad Rin Full Moon Party Thailand

Here is an overview of these islands to give you a taste of what is great, a must see and what to expect. Firstly the west coast island.

Phuket island hopping.
Famous Phuket found in the 1970's by Vietnam War veterans in search of Paradise and should be on your island hopping list. The perfect beaches on the west coast of the island corralled by the Phuket Highlands that soar up 600 meters, covered with jungle and rubber plantation. The key beaches, now as major holiday destination are Patong, Bang Tao, Karon and Kata Beaches. These resort centers area great places to go and do a bit of haggling for those souvenirs and mementos for back home.

Phuket Island Hopping Thailand

On top of this the seas are a wonderful play ground for sailors, surfers and divers as long as sight seers. Phuket is also right on the doorstep of the Phang Nga Bay where James Bond island towers above the famous beach in the Man with the Golden Gun.

Phuket town is the primary center of the island and hosts the yearly Chinese Vegetarian Festival, an exciting, noisy rodeo of Chinese tradition ancient rites and a very macabre series of gory processions that attempt top route out evil and bring luck for the years ahead.

Phi Phi Island island hopping Just 45 km, 1 hour 30 minute from either Krabi or Phuket island this stunning island is perhaps the jewel of Thailand's islands. 6 mini islands and outcrops, sheer cliffs drop down into the coral filled seas teaming with fish and marine life make this a one stop island hopping paradise. Diving, snorkeling and hanging out are the main adventures by day and the night life and moon light evening make for an exceptional experience. There are no cars on this island and so you are continually hoping in and out of boats to get to all the cool beaches and over to the main bar areas in Phi Phi Don Village.

Phi Phi Island Hopping Thailand

Phi Phi Hotels are mainly on Phi Phi Don and are dominated by the 2 and 3 star resorts with the 4 and 5 star Zeavola, Holiday Inn Phi Phi Island and Phi Phi Island Village Resort and Spa being highly popular.


Island Hopping ferries in Thailand

Koh Lanta island hopping
This is a really get away island, ideal for island for hopping. Predominantly jungle mountain the island is very quiet by the standards of many islands. There are some wonderful resorts including the 2012 Top 25 resorts the Layana Resort And Spa (according to Tripadvisor). This is a great place to unwind, away from the chatter and noise of the main the large resort areas.

Koh Lanta on your island hopping tour, Thailand.

Further locations for island hopping on the west coast.Look up Koh Yao Noi in the Phang Nga bay near Phuket and Phi Phi. This exceptionally quiet island has a few great resorts. This island is flat with some great beaches but with prime position looking out onto the stellar skyline of the island filled Phang Nga Bay.

Koh Yao-island hopping Thailand

Near Krabi Island you have the famous Koh Jum which is a place back in time. Hound by the hippies in the 1980's it has a cast away feel. You can get to this island from Krabi town. Other islands to look up are Koh Kradang, Koh Mook the southerly Koh Tarutao Islands. If you go north to Khao Lak there are islands near the Burmese Boarder such as Koh Chang that are definitely worth an explore.

Koh SamuiVery different from the west coast islands, Koh Samui islanders have a very different take on life. Predominantly Chinese and Thai, (On the West coast you have Muslim Thai and Chinese) the mood is very laid back. Surrounding the main beaches of Chaweng and Lamai you have have exciting mix of of resort town, superb entertainment and night scene. This very wooded and mountainous island has lots to see and explore and the west coast beaches are remote and have timeless sunsets.

Samui Island Hopping Thailand

Koh Phangan island Hopping
Very few people get through their time in the Gulf of Thailand without hearing about the Koh Phangan Full Moon Party. Koh Phangan comes alive every full moon as every island hopper in Thailand high tails it down to Haad Rin Beach for 5 days of non stop party. This is a monthly massive event and you hear the rumour mills and the secrets traded as far a field as Khao San Road in Bangkok and Chaing Mai.

Phangan Island Hopping Thailand

Further islands of interest on the east (Gulf of Siam )
Koh Tao is the island famous for diving on the esat coast. There are many beautiful coral gardens around this island and many dive schools there to teach diving. Koh Chang in the far East near Cambodia. This island is a great favourite amongst people from Bangkok.

Koh Chang Island Hopping Thailand

Koh Lipe Island Hopping Thailand

Bamboo island island Hopping boats with speedboats

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates: review.

The Next Full Moon Party Dates are;

EXPECTED FULL MOON PARTY DATES:

Wednesday 27 June 2018
Sunday 29 July 2018
Sunday 26 August 2018
Monday 24 September 2018
Thursday 25 October 2018
Thursday 22 November 2018
Saturday 22 December 2018
Tuesday 25 December 2018
Monday 31 December 2018
Monday 21 January 2019
Wednesday 20 February 2019
Wednesday 20 March 2019
Friday 19 April 2019
Sunday 19 May 2019
Monday 17 June 2019
Thursday 18 July 2019
Thursday 15 August 2019
Friday 13 September 2019
Monday 14 October 2019
Monday 11 November 2019
Wednesday 11 December 2019

The dates for the party are always there or there abouts in that the party is 5 days long and so every night is massive before and after. The party dates center on the dates above.

enjoy..!!

So it's getting pretty close to next months Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, Thailand.

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates: fire show

These Koh Phangan Full Moon Parties are a major draw to thousands of travellers every month and as in December, more than once a month. These parties draw all the in-crowd and travellers, revellers and music people. The party is a focal point and a meeting point and for some their main reason for a visit it to Phangan.

So Full Moon Party takes off every month but it is building up to it for about 4-5 days before hand.

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates; all night

The full moon party beach is Haad Rin and this is where the big event takes place. The village of Haad Rin is one large chill out, coffee shop, restaurant, bar, 7 eleven, place to crash, support village for this monthly event. Once you are there you have everything you need. Importantly, Haad Rin faces east so it gets the full view of the rising and falling moon..... it's something special.

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates: dance music

The full on party takes place on the beach with many massive bars pumping tunes out on the crowds. The beach is deep and takes thousands of people. Check out these links to the bars ... Cactus Bar, Drop In Bar in Haad Rin, Vinyl Club in Haad Rin, Zoom Bar in Haad Rin Nok.

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party Dates: haad Rin Beach

For good detail of what you need to take and prepare for, you can turn to the trusty Koh Phangan Full Moon party guide.

For Full Moon Party guesthouses, bungalows on the beach, hotels and resorts there is one important issue you must know about Koh Phangan. Rooms are sold with a minimum 5 days minimum booking for any stays covering the full moon party. This means that if you want to make sure of getting a good place to chillout in the middle of the party then you need to get booking before hand. The party is massive and so, although there will hotels and resorts to stay at last minute, straight off the boat, you can bet they are not the best places and in some situations the guesthouses and resorts are down right no good plus they stick you for a high price so it is worth considering your accommodation beforehand.

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates: sunny beach fun Haad Rin

Another trick to know is that you can stay in Koh Samui hotels and resorts during the full moon party and make use of the speed boats that ferry party goers to and from the event. What it costs in the speedboat is more than made up for in the comfort and price of Samui ... (aim for Bophut beach if you are interested in this option).

Check out the reviews or ratings for your accommodation and you expectations will be met.

Useful Accommodation links;
Haad Rin Hotels and resorts
Bo Phut Samui Accommodation links

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates: just keeps going on and on.

Full Moon Party Dates 2017

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates: the buzz!

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates; vibrant scene

Places to stay at the full moon party are many but beware the best places get booked out well inadvance. This means you will need to get your hotel or resort booked early. The other key bit of information is that most hotels take bookings for a minium of 5 days. You can circumnavigate this a bit by staying on Koh Samui and speedboating over for the parties. Koh Phangan Haad Rin Hotels here. Northern beach Bophut Beach Koh Samui Hotels here.

See some of our favourite places to stay on Koh Phangan.