Are you dreaming about island life but finding it hard to choose between Koh Phangan or Koh Tao? Well, here I am bringing an answer to the most common questions about the Gulf Islands of Thailand: Koh Tao vs. Koh Phangan. I bring you good news: after one month of travelling through both islands, I gathered insights that might help you decide which one is better.
Koh Tao vs Koh Phangan is indeed a hard comparison mainly because the two are very different. Of course, they share similarities, as they are both located on the Eastern side of Thailand on the Gulf of Thailand. Both provide stunning beaches and paradise views, and both Koh Tao and Koh Phangan offer incredible experiences for all tastes.
This guest post was written by Miriam from Miriam Memoirs.
How do you get to both islands?
To take into consideration is the distance from an airport or mainland Thailand. Whereas Koh Samui, the second biggest island of Thailand also located in the Gulf, has an airport, neither Koh Tao nor Koh Phangan has one which makes the journey to reach the islands less straightforward especially if you are considering flying in.
To travel to both islands you need to take another ferry from Koh Samui. The ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan takes approximately 45 min to 1 hour and to get to Koh Tao takes you between 1 hour and 1h45. The travel time between the islands depends on the type of ferry. The majority, if not all, of the ferries to Koh Tao from Koh Samui will stop in Koh Phangan. For this reason, I would recommend visiting both islands.
Koh Tao vs Koh Phangan: Beaches, Budgets, activities and things to do
I think there is a drawing line between the two, that has nothing to do with the destination, but rather what you prefer from your time in the islands. As said above, I would always recommend visiting both Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, but if you have limited time to explore these islands, are visiting with family, like to be constantly busy, or are travelling for specific needs and vibes, maybe the following will help you decide.
Beaches in Koh Tao vs Beaches in Koh Phangan
We all know that Thailand is famous for its beautiful beaches. But how do you measure and compare paradise beaches? I am going to tell you how I decided if a beach was for me or not: I am probably one of the only Thailand travellers that didn’t want to go to Koh Phi-Phi and the reason why was due to the authenticity of the place. If what you want is to explore the beauty of Thailand’s islands, witness the culture and relax by the crystal clear water beach whenever possible, both Koh Tao and Koh Phangan are for you. Koh Phangan might be your jam if you like to party and night out and explore beaches during the day.
Koh Phangan Beaches
There are still beaches in Koh Phangan considered hidden, usually, because you can’t access it by taxi or moped. For example, Bottle Beach. I remember getting stuck with the motorbike trying to get up the super steep descent that gave access to the beach. But it was worth it! For me, Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan is one of the best beaches in Thailand to this day!
If you like to explore beaches away from the beaten path make sure to add these to your Thailand itinerary:
- Haad Gruad
- Mae Haad Bay
- Malibu Beach (dust sand!!)
- Haad Khuad – Bottle Beach (steep descendent pavement)
- Haad Thong Nai Fan Yai
- Haad Than Sadet
- Coral Bay
- Ko Ma Beach
- Haad Tien
- Thonglang Beach
- Chaloklum Beach
- Thong Nai Pan Beach
- Haad Rid (full moon party)
- Haad Son (secret beach)
Another reason to visit Koh Phangan is to party. The island is known for their famous full-moon party (located in Haad Rid). If you are looking for party vibes Koh Phangan might be the best island for you.
Conclusion: Koh Phangan is perfect for Nightlife, Exploring Hidden Beaches and Waterfalls
Koh Tao Beaches & Water Activities
Life in Koh Tao is all about the beaches and water activities. Deciding between Koh Tao vs. Koh Phangan is very hard because it depends on what you travel for. Koh Tao is the small island of the Gulf and is named locally as the turtle island. Known for being a diving paradise, the island is covered in diving spots and has a lot of Diving PADI-certified centres. Koh Tao is for sure the best island for water activities and families.
Apart from all the water activities that you can do from scuba diving, snorkelling, wakeboarding, and hiking, there are also some day tours that you cannot miss. Koh Tao has a smaller island just off the northern part of the island called Koh Nang. This island is only accessible by boat, and several day tours include lunch, diving and time to explore the incredible viewpoint of Koh Nang Yuan.
In comparison to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao’s centre is small. You will find some bars and restaurants around Mae Haad Pier and Around Sairee Beach. The rest of the island is very unexplored but also quite hard to get to. The streets are still being built so even with the freedom of a motorbike it is not easily accessible.
Best Beaches in Koh Tao
Koh Tao still offers a great variety of beaches if you are keen to get someone local to take you there.
- Ao Tanote Beach
- Sai Nuan Beach
- Freedom Beach (very hard to access)
- Mango Bay (my favorite beach in Koh Tao)
- Mae Haad Beach (Beach only accessible by boat)
- Aow Leuk Beach
- Mao Bay Beach (stone beach)
- Mao Bay Beach
- Sairee Beach (the Main beach of the island)
- Shark Bay (here you can see small sharks and turtles)
Conclusion: Koh Tao is perfect for diving, water activities, and relaxation.
Accommodation and Budget
On Both islands, you can find budget-friendly options and resorts. In Koh Phangan, you can find luxury options and some hotel chains such as the Shangri La. Although both islands offer very budget-friendly accommodations and you can live for $20 per day, Koh Phangan might be challenging due to its size. Consider as well the cost of the ferry from Koh Samui/Donsak pier to the islands, as Koh Tao is further from the mainland and Koh Samui so, ferry rates are also higher.
Backpack or suitcase Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao?
Koh Tao and Koh Phangan are very backpacker-friendly but for those travelling with large suitcases, I would recommend arranging with your hotel some help to carry luggage, especially in Koh Tao. In Koh Tao, the pier facilities are very much at the beach bay, and even when walking the strip of bars and B&Bs around Mae Haad Beach, the pavement is not wheel-approved. Contrary to Koh Phangan, the island has a properly built pier with taxis coming in and out from the pier due to the size of the island and the infrastructure.
Accommodation in Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao
Accommodation throughout both islands varies. Koh Phaghan has a larger variety of options, from hostels to local resorts, and large hotel chains to private villas. Koh Tao works on local businesses, which is cute and sustainable for local tourism. One thing to consider when staying in both islands is the sunset and sunrise parts of the islands. We all love sunsets but rarely check where it is when selecting and booking our accommodation. The sun sets in the western part of both islands. Therefore, consider accommodation around these areas for sunset views:
Koh Tao: near Sairee Beach; Near Jansom Bay, around Grape View Point (the best sunset stop of Koh Tao)
Koh Phangan: for a more authentic experience stay around Mae Haad Beach, Salad Beach and Thonglang Beach. For cheaper and still amazing sunset views stay around Tong Sala Beach.
But which one is better: Koh Phangan or Koh Tao?
I promised to write about the differences, but ultimately the choice and decision is yours. It will very much depend on what you like to do as a traveller. When I last went to Thailand I spent a lot more time in Koh Phangan. And I loved it so much: the parties, the full moon party, meeting people, exploring the island kind of timelessly. I normally say it is my favourite island between Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. However, after reading my notes, looking at my pictures and considering what I have experienced, I could change my mind!
My best recommendation is to put both islands on your Thailand bucket list and make your own decision. I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience through Thailand’s stunning Gulf Islands and have a wonderful time in this warming country.
Don’t forget to save this post for your next Thailand trip!
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