Snorkeling In Koh Phangan Thailand – Complete Guide

Koh Phangan is most famous for its Full Moon Parties, but this tropical island is more than a party place! With diverse flora and fauna both on land and underwater, it is a great place to visit for those who want to enjoy nature on their vacation. Snorkeling in Koh Phagan is not as good as in the neighboring Koh Tao, but if you are like us and enjoy exploring the underwater world everywhere you go, there are still some sites that are worth checking, which we showcase you now along with some useful information you need to know about this destination.

Koh Phangan Snorkeling Conditions

Snorkeling around Koh Phangan is affected by a few conditions you need to be aware of.

The name Ko Pha Ngan comes from the word “ngan”; meaning “sand bar”, because there are many sandbars around the island. This means that the underwater visibility often gets bad, and at some beaches, you need to walk a longer distance from the shore to find the water deep enough for swimming.

You also need to know how tides affect the swimming and snorkeling conditions. The tides in certain periods of the year are extremely low, making it difficult to swim in the sea or to get to the coral reefs from the shore. The best snorkeling conditions are during the high tidal months, typically between December and March.

Moreover, the Gulf Of Thailand has diurnal tides, meaning there is one high tide and one low tide per day. Check the tide charts when planning your snorkeling session so you can schedule it for the high tide hours when it is easier to access the reefs.

Compared to other popular snorkeling places in Thailand, the reefs are more difficult to access and the visibility is lower, but with a bit of planning, you can schedule your trip in a way that you still can enjoy exploring the island’s underwater beauty.

Best Snorkeling Spots In Koh Phangan

Corals can be found on the west and northwest coasts of the island; consequently, these areas are where the snorkeling beaches are. Here is our list of what sites are worth to visit:

Koh Ma Island And Mae Haad Beach

Koh Ma offers the best snorkeling in Koh Phangan Thailand. This small island is joined to Mae Haad beach by a sandbar and is often walkable at low tide. The water is relatively shallow, although you need to be lucky to enjoy great visibility.

The conditions are not good during the windy season, but on calm sunny days, it is easy to spend 2-3 hours in the water while swimming over colorful corals and observing fish and other sea creatures.

To reach the reef, you need to get over a very shallow sandy area, that is full of seaweed and sea cucumbers. Here, you will see big shoals of fish, blue spotted rays, and smaller sea creatures like nudibranchs or even a Spanish dancer.

Haad Salad

Haad Salad is a long, sandy beach on the west coast, the perfect place to have a relaxing day and enjoy a colorful sunset. The coral starts growing approx. 80-100 meters off the coast, offering superb snorkeling in Koh Phangan.

The reef is built up of different types of soft and hard corals with a galore of reef fish (angelfish, damselfish, butterflyfish) around. The water is very shallow at low tide so you need to walk a lot to reach deeper water. Pay attention to the dead corals in the sand to avoid cutting yourself.

Haad Yao

This well-maintained beach offers fine sand and is lined by big coconut trees. Haad Yao Beach has a long reef about 400 meters offshore. Snorkeling is easy, the water is shallow. Getting into the water is a bit difficult during low tide months, you need to walk a long distance from the shore to get deep enough for swimming. Porcupine, squirrel fish, parrot fish, fusiliers and also blue-spotted rays to see here.

Haad Chao Pao

This 500-meter-long beach has some of the best conditions for snorkeling in Koh Phangan. The reef at Haad Chao Pao starts about 100 meters from shore and runs all the way up to Koh Ma Island.

Accessing the water is easy through the sandy beach, while the maximum depth is only ~12 meters (40 ft). Except to see different soft and hard corals, spotted stingrays, and nudibranchs here.

Haad Thong Lang

Located between Haad Mae Had and Ao Chaloklum on the north, Haad Thong Lang is often called the Golden Deserted beach. It is one of the few undeveloped secret beaches on the island. Almost no one comes here except people from the nearby private residences. An ideal place for privacy seekers.

This small bay has a pretty coral reef, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling in the high tide season. The beach is surrounded on both sides by massive cliffs, the sand is mixed with corals and stones (wear a flip-flop or beach shoes to avoid cutting yourself).

Haad Khom

Haad Khom is one of the most popular Koh Phangan snorkeling spots due to the extensive living coral reef that protects the bay from the incoming seas. This little, usually quiet beach on the east side of Chaloklum Bay has a few huts and a restaurant. A great place for families and those who want to get away from the hoards.

Koh Phangan Snorkeling Tours

Would you rather take a tour instead of snorkeling alone? Here are some good ones we recommend:

Koh Phangan Boat Snorkel Trip: as the island’s coral reefs are very shallow and sometimes challenging to access from the shore, it is more convenient to explore them by boat. Book a boat snorkeling day around Koh Phangan so you will be taken to the best spot in total comfort.

Ang Thong Marine Park Excursion: the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago with 40 islands. This protected area has the area’s most pristine waters and preserved reefs. Join this full-day tour and discover the park’s highlights, including picturesque beaches, scenic viewpoints, and pristine coral gardens.

Best Time To Visit Koh Phangan For Snorkeling

Koh Phangan enjoys a tropical climate and has two main seasons: a wet season from July to November and a dry season from December to April, with transition months between the seasons.

To enjoy the island’s beaches and snorkeling, the best time to come is in the dry season, preferably between December and February when the humidity is low. March and April are also good for traveling to Koh Phangan, but you should expect high temperatures and humidity. This is also the high tide period, meaning the swimming conditions are the most favorable.

The wettest months are October and November with heavy downpours and storms; it is best to avoid coming during this period.

Where To Stay In Koh Phangan?

You find a wide variety of accommodations in Koh Phangan, from hostels to traditional bungalows to luxury resorts. If you would like to be close to the best snorkel spots and prefer quiet areas, stay around Mae Haad Beach (our recommendations are the Koh Ma Beach Resort and Maehaad Bay Resort) or in Haad Salad (check out the Villa Cha-Cha). These areas are not too busy, but have some supermarkets and good restaurants, making them perfect for romantic getaways and adventure-packed family trips.

If you want nightlife, then Haad Rin is your place to stay where something is always going. Also, this is where Fullmoon parties are happening.

Things To Do In Koh Phangan Thailand Other Than Snorkeling

On this relatively big island, everyone can find the perfect activity to spend the holiday actively but relaxing. There are not only amazing beaches here, but tropical jungles to go for a hike, and interesting spiritual places to visit. Here are some ideas on what activities to do and places to visit:

Visit Waterfalls

There are several waterfalls to discover in Koh Phangan, Thailand. The best ones are the Than Sadet Waterfall (off the road to Thong Nai Pan Beach) and the Paradise Waterfall, located off the road to Chaloklum Bay. Also, it is worth visiting the Than Prawet Waterfall and Than Praphet (this leads directly to the sea at Waterfall Beach on the southeast).

Watch The Sunset From A Viewpoint

Don’t miss out on visiting Koh Phangan viewpoints to enjoy breathtaking views and stunning sunsets. The highest spot on the island is Khao Ra (627 m). You can hire a guide at the base of the trail (approx. 500 baht) to avoid getting lost in the jungle.

If you love sunsets, head to the west part of the island. Haad Son, Haad Chao Phao, Haad Salad, Haad Mae Haad, and Koh Ma beaches are great for enjoying spectacular sunsets. Our favorite viewpoint was the Three Sixty Bar, which had an incredible view of Koh Ma Island.

Eat Around The Thong Sala Night Market

The Thong Sala Market is an experience you shouldn’t miss if you are a gourmand! It is in the parking lot in front of the 7-Eleven in the center of Thong Sala. You will find a wide assortment of street food like grilled fish, meat, pizza, kebab, sushi, pad Thai, etc… Also tasty fresh fruits and fruit shakes! The prices are low, and the quality is great.

The Thong Sala Night Market is open every day from 16:00 till late. We came here to eat almost every evening, not just because of the food but the traditional atmosphere.

Treat Yourself To A Yoga Class

People often come to Thailand to escape from their stressful lives and daily routines and restore inner balance; practicing yoga is one of the best ways to achieve such goals.

Yoga centers are trendy in Koh Phangan; the most popular ones are Orion Healing Centre, Agama Yoga Retreat in Sri Thanu, and Blooming Lotus Yoga in Haad Rin. Book a single session or sign up for a complete yoga retreat to fill yourself with new energy!

Explore Koh Phangan Temples

You find more than 20 temples around the island that all welcome well-behaved visitors. The two most beautiful ones are the Wat Phu Khao Noi, which is the oldest temple on the island with ancient buildings, and the Chinese Temple, dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy Guan Yin.

When visiting temples, please respect the culture, cover your shoulders, wear a sarong, and remove your headwear and shoes.

Inspired? Pin it!