Koh Phangan Island Road Trip with Snorkeling

Thong Nai Pan Yai beach

Hidden on the north-east coast of Koh Phangan, Thong Nai Pan is a pair of horseshoe-shaped beaches separated by a rocky headland, reached by a steep, winding road over the hills. The larger of the two, Thong Nai Pan Yai, is a long sweep of golden sand backed by palms and jungle, with calm, clear water that is perfect for swimming for much of the year.

Because it is far from the ports, this side of the island feels quieter and wilder than the south and west. Our 4x4 handles the mountain road easily, and the drive itself offers great views over the forest and the sea. At the beach you have time to swim, sunbathe and take photos of the bay from the sand. For many guests, it is the most beautiful beach they see on any Koh Phangan island tour.

Than Sadet waterfall

Not far from Thong Nai Pan, the Than Sadet waterfall tumbles down a stream lined with large granite boulders, forming a series of small cascades and natural rock pools on its way to the sea. The area is protected as part of a national park, and the shade of the tall trees keeps it cool even in the midday heat.

After the drive, a dip in the fresh water of the pools is a welcome break, and you can follow the path along the rocks to see the different levels of the falls. The flow is strongest in the rainy months, from about October to December, and gentler in the dry season, when the pools are calmer for swimming. Wear shoes with good grip, as the rocks can be slippery. A small national park admission fee is paid on site.

Haad Yao or Haad Rin: beach and lunch stop

In the middle of the day, the road trip continues to Haad Yao on the west coast or Haad Rin at the southern tip, depending on the day's route. Haad Yao is a long, gently curving beach with soft sand and calm water, facing west towards the sunset; Haad Rin's sunrise and sunset beaches lie on either side of a narrow peninsula, with clear water and dramatic rocky headlands.

Here you stop at a restaurant with a sea view, where you can order lunch from the menu at your own expense, followed by free time to swim and relax on the beach. It is one of the best moments to enjoy the island's laid-back atmosphere. If you are wondering about things to do in Koh Phangan beyond the beach outside your hotel, this tour shows several very different coasts in a single afternoon.

Snorkelling at Koh Ma

The final stop is Koh Ma, a small island off the north-west coast, linked to the beach at Mae Haad by a sandbar that appears at low tide. The water around it is part of a protected marine area, and its coral reef is one of the best places for snorkelling on Koh Phangan, with parrotfish, angelfish, giant clams and colourful corals in clear, shallow water.

Your driver-guide hands out snorkel masks, and you can swim straight from the beach or walk across the sandbar to explore. The late-afternoon light makes this a beautiful end to the day. The best time to visit Koh Ma for snorkelling is from February to September, when the sea on this coast is calmest. Afterwards, our driver takes you back to your hotel between Haad Rin and Thong Sala.