All images provided by Phangan Photography
Located in southeast Thailand between the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao, lies the stunning island of Koh Phangan. Known for its lively, yet relaxed island vibe, pristine dive sites and breathtaking landscapes, Koh Phangan truly offers something for everyone.
Surrounded by some of Thailand’s most iconic dive sites, Koh Phangan is an ideal diving hub for any avid diver. From macro critters blending into colorful corals to large pelagics that can be seen congregating at cleaning stations, this underwater utopia offers an incredible range of diversity. Located just 70km/43 miles from the mainland, Koh Phangan also has no shortage of topside activities for those wanting to mix up their travel adventures. Keep reading to find out more about this cosmopolitan melting pot!
How to Get to Koh Phangan
The fastest way to travel to Koh Phangan is to take a short one hour flight from Bangkok to its neighboring island, Koh Samui. From Koh Samui, you will then need to take a half hour ferry ride to the island of Koh Phangan. If you’re wanting to save money on internal flights, there are also budget airlines and alternate transport options available.
Spectacular Diving
Koh Phangan is an iconic Thai diving destination, renowned for regular whale shark sightings and access to some of the country’s top dive sites. Here you will discover an underwater world like nothing you’ve ever seen before – kaleidoscope coral reefs teeming with marine life, massive shoals of pelagic fish, incredible visibility and much more. Whether you’re new to the diving scene or a seasoned pro, Koh Phangan’s dive sites won’t disappoint.
Sail Rock (Hin Bai)
Those that have dived Thailand will know the site name ‘Sail Rock’ well. Regarded as one of the top dive sites in Thailand, Sail Rock is a submerged, coral encrusted pinnacle sitting in around 30 meters/100 feet of water. The sites unique open water location is known to attract an incredibly diverse range of marine life, like metal to a magnet. On just one dive, you can expect to see anything from trevallies, barracuda, turtles, reef fish, macro critters and regular whale shark encounters! But it’s not just the plethora of marine life that gets divers excited, the vast underwater topography combined with unbelievable visibility and vivacious corals are sure to leave any diver in awe.
Other Notable Dive Sites
When you’re not exploring the depths of Sail Rock, make sure you check out some of Koh Phangan’s other noteworthy sites; Angthong Marine Park, Koh Ma and Mae Haad. Not only will you find an abundance of marine animals here, but you can also expect warm water temperatures, good visibility and surface conditions suitable for all types of divers.
Topside Activities
After a long morning of diving there is usually only one thing on a divers mind – relaxing. Koh Phangan’s laidback island vibe is the perfect place for anyone wanting to unwind before their next underwater adventure. For those feeling a little more adventurous, consider taking a day trip to go island hopping to Koh Phangan’s neighboring islands or to visit the beautiful marine reserve of Ang Thong. If you’re wanting to experience Thailand’s vibrant night life, make sure you don’t miss out on Koh Phangan’s iconic ‘Full Moon Party’. Known as the largest party in Thailand, the ‘Full Moon Party’ is a great place to meet new people and test out some new dance moves.
Have we tempted you with booking the trip of a lifetime to Koh Phangan? Start your PADI Open Water Diver course eLearning and locate a PADI dive shop to start your underwater adventure!
