Stunning seashores, crystal clear waters, and among the most scrumptious meals make for an island vacation vacation spot like no different. Thailand’s Koh Islands are a improbable vacation vacation spot – particularly for first-time Thailand vacationers.
Koh Samui is fairly in depth and nearly feels just like the mainland. The island is a extremely popular vacationer vacation spot for a number of causes. There are a great deal of ex-pats dwelling in villas right here, and the island may be very developed, with folks coming to remain within the luxurious 5-star resorts.
In comparability, Koh Phangan additionally spelled Ko Phangan, is smaller and has a number of pretty seashores hidden from the roads. It’s good for these searching for a vacation with a extra secluded island vibe. The majority of the island’s shoreline is accessible by simple paved roads. The different half is much less developed and difficult to entry.
Koh Samui Or Koh Phangan
When it comes to selecting both one, how will you resolve? Well, we’ve determined that will help you with this detailed information so you will get to know each – the identical approach we did!
When To Visit Koh Samui Island & Koh Phangan
Koh Samui experiences its best climate in January and February, which implies these months are tremendous busy! However, April is the finest time to journey to Koh Samui because it’s solely barely hotter, approach much less crowded, and much cheaper.
Koh Phangan is beautiful between December and March, earlier than the annual monsoons and when the humid season begins to fade. As with Koh Samui, April is a superb time to go to Koh Phangan.
Due to everybody’s pleasure for the notorious events, December and January are the busiest months on the Koh islands however are nice months for the eager social gathering and competition goer.
Getting To Koh Samui vs. Getting To Koh Phangan, Thailand
Koh Samui is certainly one of Thailand’s hottest islands, and getting there may be extraordinarily simple. On the opposite hand, attending to Koh Phangan Island is a bit more tough.
By tough, we don’t imply you’ll have a tough time getting there; it could simply take a bit longer with a few further transfers.
Where Is Koh Samui & Where Is Koh Phangan
Thailand’s third largest island is Koh Samui, and it sits on Thailand’s east coast. Koh Phangan is a large Island (far smaller than Koh Samui, although) within the Gulf of Thailand off the coast of the Surat Thani province. About 100 kilometers offshore and 15 km north of Koh Samui.
Airport In Koh Samui
Koh Samui has its personal worldwide airport, and the best approach for worldwide vacationers to get there may be to take a connecting flight through Bangkok’s capital. The flight will take about an hour.
However, there are a great deal of alternative ways (flight, ferry, and so forth.) to get to Koh Samui and from totally different locations all over the world, not solely from Bangkok.
Tip: Read our information on find out how to get to Koh Samui (from Bangkok, Phuket, and extra) for some suggestions and a deal or two.
Koh Phangan Airport
Unfortunately, Koh Phangan doesn’t have an airport of its personal. Don’t stress, although; it’s attainable to succeed in the island from Bangkok through a (not so fast) prepare, ferry, and bus combo, however this can take round 16 hours of journey.
It is way simpler and quicker to fly to Koh Samui and, from there, catch a ferry to Koh Phangan.
Going From Koh Samui To Koh Pha Ngan
So if attending to Koh Phangan quicker suits into your finances, then we undoubtedly suggest you fly to one of many close by airports, reminiscent of Koh Samui International airport, and catch a ferry from there.
This journey will solely take round 7 hours. Koh Phangan to Koh Tao is one other nice possibility to increase your island keep – you probably have the time, in fact.
Tip: Read our Easy Guide on find out how to get to Koh Phangan, and save your self time, cash, and pointless fear.
Which Koh Island Has The Best Vibe?
The environment is every part. What’s peaceable and quiet for one could also be boring for an additional. Finding a spot to match your vibe is the final word purpose, as you wish to get essentially the most out of your journey.
Koh Samui will tick all of the bins should you’re looking for consolation and luxurious. There are so many vacationer points of interest close by, together with a world meals mall space, film theatres, and extra. Some of one of the best seashores in Thailand are in nice numbers on Koh Samui, reminiscent of our private favourite – Lamai Beach.
If you are quick on time and simply wish to go someplace by the seashore and escape town, one can find Koh Samui a straightforward and handy journey.
People usually journey to Koh Phangan to unwind and eat good meals, rent a ship to a different seashore for some snorkeling and lunch, and discover different seashores on the island. It’s laid again, relaxed, and common with yoga practitioners, the health-conscious, and various folks (they’ve various and alcohol-free occasions too).
Best Beaches Koh Samui vs. Koh Phangan
Both of those islands have seashores like one thing out of a dream – crystal clear waters, fish swimming round, white sands sort of dream. Picking one over the opposite shall be troublesome as they’re each so distinctive of their methods.
Phangan Beaches are a bit extra secluded, and one can find some pretty distant areas right here. The entire island is way quieter, whereas on Koh Samui, you’ll have entry to extra luxurious seashore choices with loads of solar loungers, massages, and eating places.
Koh Phangan Island’s Best Beaches
If you’re wanting on a map, don’t be stunned should you depend over 30 seashores.
There are hundreds, and they’re all beautiful in a alternative ways. We’d suggest hiring a scooter to have the ability to get round and uncover a few of them. We’ve narrowed some down that will help you select.
Our prime 6 finest seashores on Koh Phangan:
- Mae Haad Beach: Located on the northwest level of Koh Phangan, it’s probably the greatest seashores on the island. During low tide, the seashore connects with a sandbank to Koh Ma, a tiny uncooked island.
- Bottle Beach: Located on the most northern level of the island, some of the difficult seashores to succeed in however some of the rewarding because it’s tremendous secluded.
- Thong Nai Pan: Found within the north of the island is that this chilled seashore, which is likely one of the finest on the island.
- Haad Yao: Found on the west coast of the island, this seashore is just a little livelier.
- Haad Salad: This seashore is quiet and extra household oriented.
- Haad Rin: This seashore is the place it’s at throughout Full Moon Party time. However, it’s fairly relaxed exterior these 5 days of the month.
Best Beaches In Koh Samui
On Samui, you’ll be spoilt for selection concerning its stunning seashores. Finding one of the best seashore in Koh Samui is just not at all times simple, particularly with many choices.
Don’t fear although! Our information to one of the best seashores in Koh Samui has narrowed it down for you.
Things To Do In Koh Samui vs. Koh Phangan
If jam-packed exercise and vacationer packages are one thing you’re after, then Koh Samui is the island for you. It’s tremendous simple to lease an excellent automobile (and little one seat) or catch a taxi and zip from place to position.
You’ll be thrilled to search out that the majority seashores have kayaks and paddleboards; some even have water trampolines. So should you love getting out into the water, then Koh Samui has a great deal of choices. You may even go for a Coral and Pig Island Boat Tour, the place you’ll be able to go on an island-hopping journey and uncover stunning coral reefs.
Koh Samui has some fairly superb day journeys exploring the island, certainly one of our favourite ones was the Wild Jungle Safari Tour. It contains lunch, visiting a number of websites, together with the Big Buddha, and an incredible viewing platform.
Koh Phangan caters to the retreat vacation spot aspect of issues, with many non secular workshops, snorkeling alternatives, and stress-free meditation. Here one can find ample alternative to laze the times away in a hammock. It’s a soul-rebooting island, for certain.
If you’re searching for a day journey, we’d suggest an Ang Thong National Marine Park Speedboat Tour from Koh Phangan. It takes you to among the most secluded snorkeling spots and is a improbable strategy to discover past the island.
It’s a tad tough to get round right here with no scooter, so we suggest hiring one for exploring the island.
Koh Samui Nightlife vs. Koh Phangan Nightlife
Whether you are searching for full-blown events, quiet and quirky bars, or simply avoiding that entire social gathering/nightlife scene altogether, each islands have all three choices.
You can discover vibey nightlife in Koh Samui, and if that’s what you’re searching for, head to Chaweng Beach. It’s the hub for golf equipment, pubs, and bars. Another improbable spot for a extra relaxed night time out is Bophut, the place you’ll discover night time markets and craft beer bars.
Nightlife on Koh Pha Ngan is the principle draw due to the total and half moon events on Haad Rin. However, you will get expertise the tenderness of a serene island getaway by stepping away from the island’s south coast.
Tropical Thai Island Food: Koh Samui vs. Koh Panang
One factor is for certain; we ate effectively whereas holidaying on these two islands. Whether you’re searching for 5-star delicacies, scrumptious avenue meals, or an informal plate on the seashore, you’ll discover it in abundance.
We’ve shared a few of our favorites beneath for some inspiration should you’re undecided what/the place to eat.
Places To Eat In Koh Samui
Andrzej beloved the meals on this island. It was hands-down the spotlight for him. Baobab restaurant has essentially the most scrumptious Thai and French meals, an incredible view, and improbable service. We completely beloved sitting and having fun with a meal right here.
The Silver spoon eatery was additionally a prime favourite of ours, because the Pad Thai right here is scrumptious, they usually have such an incredible selection on their menu.
Marco Polo Resort & Restaurant is thought on Samui for its seafood. However, they provide scrumptious conventional Italian dishes, together with pizza.
Check out our article on the finest eating places in Koh Samui and see for your self.
Places to eat in Koh Phangan
We beloved that there have been so many wholesome meals choices at Ko Pha Ngan. It’s nice for vegans or simply those that are extra health-conscious, or if, like us, you choose up an excessive amount of weight in Koh Samui, you could be more healthy in Koh Phangan.
Downtown Thong Sala; you’ll discover a market that’s open each day and each night time with scrumptious Thai avenue meals. Some avenue meals choices? Well, to call a couple of: Moo ping (grilled pork skewers) are actually good, and Pad Thai (fried noodles), or you could possibly strive some Khao Man Gai (hen and rice). It’s superb.
The vastly common restaurant Wasabi is well-known on the island for having one of the best sushi. We counsel heading to Basilico Koh Phangan should you’re seeking to take pleasure in scrumptious pizza and also you want a break from Thai meals.
Koh Samui Hotels vs. Ko Phangan Accommodation
Finding a gorgeous place to remain on both of those islands is simple. Both have pretty resorts. In Koh Samui, there are many high-quality and splendid resorts for an affordable worth. So should you’re searching for an unlimited selection of resorts at a 4- and 5-star degree, then this island is most undoubtedly for you.
If good views and pristine seashore residences are extra your issues, Koh Phangan will test all of your bins.
There are some variations in lodge costs and selection between the 2 islands. Koh Samui is a bit cheaper, and there are much more choices to select from, whereas Phangan has fewer to select from, they usually’re barely extra expensive.
Best Koh Samui Island Accommodation
You’ll discover that Samui presents one of the best worth and a broader vary to select from, with loads of 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star choices, and most embody breakfast.
Best areas to remain, with lodging choices:
Best for: a quiet & laid again vibe.
Where to remain: Thai House Beach
Best for: It’s shallow waters & a family-friendly environment.
Where to remain: Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach or Hansar Samui Resort
Best for: it’s busier, near markets (Fishermans Market) and has some vibey bars.
Where to remain: White Whale Beachfront Pool Villa
Best for: It’s actually accessible and the vacationer hub of the island.
Where to remain: Casa De Mar Hotel
Best Hotels on Koh Phangan Island
Koh Phangan Hotels have one of the best views. It’s additionally much more secluded right here, and also you’ll discover rather a lot fewer vacationers. However, there are far fewer 5-star choices on this island, however one can find a great deal of actually pretty 3-star choices.
When it involves discovering the proper place to remain in Koh Phangan, it is advisable search for the seashore space that fits you finest. The seashore space of Haad Rin is the place all the total moon social gathering motion is, so until that is what you are going for, we propose wanting elsewhere throughout that point in Koh Phangan.
Best areas to stick with lodging choices:
Best for: There is an incredible selection of eating places together with a colourful meals market.
Where to remain: Milky Bay Resort or Lime N Soda Beachfront Resort
Best for: An Ultimate magnificence and really secluded (half-hour from most issues).
Where to remain: Panviman Resort or Santhiya Resort & Spa
Best for: Undeveloped and secluded. The coral reef could be discovered 300 meters off the seashore.
Where to remain: Kupu Kupu Beach Villas & Spa
Best for: Beach swings, hammocks, and common paradise hangouts.
Where to remain: Maehaad Bay Resort
Koh Phangan or Koh Samui: The Verdict
Ask Andrzej, and he’ll inform you his favourite island Koh Samui as a result of it’s simply really easy for vacationers. This Thai island had high-end resorts galore, a therapeutic massage store at nearly each flip, and a ton of tourist-focused services like cinemas, a world meals mall space, and extra.
He loved the meals extra in Koh Samui. There are tonnes of improbable styles of cuisines and a great deal of unbelievable eating places. It was additionally tremendous simple to get solar loungers on seashores (for these not staying at a resort that’s on the seashore).
Koh Samui is a considerably touristy island with many massive and small resorts, eating places that cater to vacationers, and villages with a great deal of therapeutic massage retailers. Finding non-public jungle areas or a secluded seashore could also be troublesome – particularly throughout peak season.
Jolene can not select a favourite and recommends you get to each throughout your journey. She thinks Koh Samui is the best island to regulate to. It is extra tourist-friendly, and also you’ll see extra vacationers than locals.
She believes Koh Phangan is extra pure and the proper place to get the island really feel as vacationers have taken over Koh Samui. The former is a superb place to decelerate as every part felt so inexperienced and quiet after being on Koh Samui. You’ll additionally discover a ton of wholesome meals choices, which is nice for vegans and the health-conscious.
Final Thoughts On Koh Samui vs. Koh Phangan, Thailand
We would suggest that you just attempt to go to each islands whereas touring Thailand. They are simply so totally different and distinctive! However, it helps to grasp the variations between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The trick is to search out the island that most closely fits you and your fashion of journey
We hope you loved studying our little Koh Phangan vs. Koh Samui information as a lot as we loved placing it collectively – onsite and behind the scenes!
Tip: Check out our different World Destinations for a variety of useful planning sources.