Are you ready to experience the magic and mystique of Koh Phangan's legendary lunar celebrations? Whether you're drawn by the allure of the world-renowned Full Moon Party, intrigued by the vibrant energy of the Half Moon Party, or captivated by the enigmatic charm of the Black Moon Party, this island offers a unique festivity for every phase of the moon. But have you ever wondered how these parties align with the lunar calendar, or how each event offers a distinct experience under the night sky? Join us as we dive into the dates and details of Koh Phangan's lunar parties, guiding you through the rhythms of the moon and the unforgettable nights they inspire on this enchanting Thai island.
To get to Koh Phangan, you'll probably need to fly and then take a ferry. Most people outside of Thailand will need to fly to Bangkok first. Next, they'll fly to Koh Samui - the nearest island with an airport - or to Surat Thani on the mainland. Once you're at Koh Samui or Surat Thani, the last part of the trip is by ferry or speedboat to Koh Phangan. These boat rides give you a sneak peek of Thailand's beautiful seas. It's a good idea to book all your travel ahead of time to make sure everything goes smoothly. You can read our Ferry Guide for Koh Phangan for more information on booking a ferry. For more information on the airports involved, you can read our Surat Thani International Airport Guide and our Koh Samui International Airport Guide.
Flights to Bangkok
Bangkok -> Surat Thani
Bangkok -> Koh Samui
You can also take a bus or a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani. The bus or train trip is about 14 hours while the flight is only an 80-minute flight. Of course, a bus ticket is the cheapest. The train is nice, though, especially if you get a sleeper ticket - it's a bed, and you sleep the whole journey from Bangkok to Surat Thani overnight. (Bonus: you save one night on accommodation expenses). There are combo train, bus and ferry tickets available at travel agencies.
Accommodation options on Koh Phangan cater to a broad spectrum of preferences and budgets, particularly around the time of the Full Moon Party when the island's visitor numbers surge. It's advisable to book your stay well in advance—ideally 3 to 6 months before the party—to secure your preferred lodging, as many places fill up quickly due to the high demand. The island offers a range of accommodations from beachfront bungalows and luxury resorts to budget hostels and guesthouses. Many travelers opt to stay near Haad Rin Beach for direct access to the Full Moon Party, but quieter areas like Thong Sala offer a more relaxed atmosphere while still being just a short ride away from the festivities. The Black Moon Party and Half Moon Party are a short ride from the Full Moon Party as well. Options for staying on Koh Phangan include:
Upon arrival by ferry to Koh Phangan, you'll be in Thong Sala. The parties are a short taxi ride east.
The Aquavana Haad Rin Resort offers a prime location just a short walk from Haad Rin Nok Beach and nearby Haad Rin Pier, with easy access to Haad Yuan Beach and Haad Rin Nai Beach. This beachfront property provides guests with stunning garden views, complimentary wireless internet, concierge services, and the convenience of on-site dining and room service. Guests can start their day with a local cuisine breakfast, enjoy the comfort of 22 uniquely decorated rooms equipped with modern amenities like minibars, LED TVs, and private balconies, along with ensuite bathrooms boasting complimentary toiletries. Additionally, the resort features practical amenities including dry cleaning services, a safe deposit box at the front desk, and complimentary self-parking, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free stay.
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Skymoon Resort, situated near the beach, offers a perfect blend of leisure and convenience, within walking distance to Haad Leela Beach and Haad Rin Nok Beach, and a short distance from Thong Sala Pier and Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach. This beach hotel elevates the guest experience with an array of amenities including an outdoor pool, fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi, tour assistance, picnic area, and a free shuttle service to the beach. Dining options cater to every taste, featuring an on-site restaurant, room service, a bar/lounge, a beach bar, and a poolside bar, with buffet breakfasts available at an additional cost. Practical amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and complimentary self-parking, ensuring convenience throughout your stay. Guests can indulge in the luxury of 32 uniquely decorated rooms equipped with private plunge pools, Smart TVs, private patios, and complimentary internet access, all designed to provide comfort and a memorable stay.
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Delight Resort in Ko Pha-ngan offers a serene retreat near the beach, conveniently located just a minute's walk from Haad Rin Nok Beach and close to Haad Rin Pier, with easy access to Thong Sala Pier and Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach. This welcoming hotel provides guests with an outdoor pool, a terrace and garden for relaxation, alongside complimentary wireless internet and tour assistance to enhance your stay. Guests can enjoy local cuisine breakfasts each morning for a fee. Delight Resort ensures guest convenience with services like dry cleaning, luggage storage, and laundry facilities, and even offers motorcycle parking. The accommodation features 42 air-conditioned guestrooms, all equipped with free Wi-Fi to keep you connected, and bathrooms fitted with showers and bidets, promising a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
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The Phangan Island View Hotel offers convenience and relaxation a short drive away from Raja Ferry Port and Thong Sala Pier, with Haad Rin Nok and Haad Rin Nai Beaches also within reach. This hotel provides an array of amenities, including an outdoor pool, a terrace and garden for enjoying the scenery, complimentary wireless Internet, and tour assistance to enhance your exploration of the island. Dining options cater to diverse tastes with Phangan Island View restaurant offering Thai cuisine, alongside a coffee shop/cafe and room service for private dining. Guests can unwind at the bar/lounge or poolside bar. Practical facilities include limo/town car service, complimentary newspapers, and multilingual staff, with the convenience of a ferry terminal shuttle available for a surcharge and free self-parking. The hotel houses 44 air-conditioned rooms with Select Comfort beds, premium bedding, private balconies, refrigerators, LCD televisions with cable programming, and complimentary Internet access, ensuring a comfortable stay with modern conveniences and luxurious touches.
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Kupu Kupu Phangan Beach Villas & Spa by L'Occitane, a luxurious 5-star resort in Ko Pha-ngan, positions guests directly on the beach, a short stroll from Ao Plaay Laem and Wok Tum Beach, with Nai Wok and Hin Kong Beaches also nearby. This resort offers an indulgent experience with a spa that provides massages, body treatments, and facials, along with complimentary Wi-Fi, concierge, and wedding services. An area shuttle is available for exploring surrounding destinations. Dining options include La Plage Restaurant, which has a bar/lounge, and room service for private meals, complemented by a poolside bar. Buffet breakfasts are served daily for a fee. Amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, laundry facilities, and a library, with the convenience of a complimentary ferry terminal shuttle and free self-parking. The 33 individually decorated guestrooms feature minibars, LCD TVs with cable, designer toiletries, and hair dryers, ensuring a comfortable stay with premium amenities and daily housekeeping.
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Phangan Beach Resort, located in Ko Pha-ngan, offers a waterfront retreat within a quick drive from Hard Road and Tong Sala Beach, with close proximity to Thong Sala Pier and Haad Rin Nok Beach. This beach hotel invites guests to enjoy a day on its private beach or relax in one of the two outdoor swimming pools, along with complimentary wireless internet, concierge services, and wedding services to enhance your stay. Dine at the hotel's beachfront restaurant with a garden view, grab a coffee at the café, or enjoy a drink at one of the bars - bar/lounge, beach bar, or poolside bar. English breakfasts are available for a fee. With amenities like dry cleaning/laundry services, multilingual staff, luggage storage, and complimentary self-parking, the hotel ensures a convenient and comfortable stay. The 30 guestrooms are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, making it easy for guests to stay connected and relaxed during their beachfront holiday.
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The Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, Thailand, is a world-famous beach party that coincides with the full moon each month. Originating in the late 1980s as a small gathering to celebrate a friend's birthday, it has since grown into a massive festival attracting thousands of international visitors to Haad Rin Beach. The event is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, featuring all-night dancing to various genres of music played by DJs from around the world, alongside fire shows, neon paint, and a plethora of food and drink stalls. This hedonistic celebration is a bucket-list experience for many travelers, offering a unique blend of cultural immersion and partying in one of Thailand's most beautiful locations.
Beyond the pulsating beats and lively dance floors, the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan also caters to a wide array of culinary tastes and shopping desires. Stalls and makeshift shops line the beach and nearby streets, offering an extensive selection of Thai street food, including savory dishes like pad thai, grilled seafood, and tropical fruits, alongside sweet treats such as banana pancakes and mango sticky rice. For those looking to take a piece of the party home, there are numerous vendors selling a variety of Full Moon Party memorabilia, from neon T-shirts and hats to unique handmade jewelry and glow-in-the-dark accessories. The marketplace atmosphere adds a further layer of exploration and enjoyment to the event, allowing partygoers to indulge in the flavors of Thai cuisine and shop for souvenirs amidst the celebration.
* Please be advised that all event dates are subject to change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. We recommend verifying the latest information before making any plans. The website cannot be held responsible for any alterations or cancellations of events. Your understanding and flexibility are greatly appreciated.
There are a few speed boat services from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan and Back during the Full Moon party night. The transfer is a boat combo ticket and includes a pickup from your hotel by air-conditioned minivan, a transfer to the pier, a speedboat to Koh Phangan and back, and a transfer back to your hotel on Koh Samui. However, the boat ticket for a private charter like that is costly, and most people take Lomprayah High-Speed Ferries Co., Ltd or Raja Ferry. It will be packed if you go anywhere from two days before to the day of the party.
Travel to the Full Moon Party with a convenient and flexible round-trip speed boat service from Samui. This service includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and offers return transfers to Koh Samui at various late-night times, such as 1 am, 2 am, or 3 am, after the party concludes. This arrangement ensures a hassle-free and enjoyable experience at the Full Moon Party. For further details, visit the Viator webpage about the Full Moon Party by Speed Boat from Samui.
For transportation back to your hotel after the Full Moon Party via speed boat from Samui, please specify your preferred return time: 1 AM, 2 AM, 3 AM, 4 AM, or 5 AM. Note that for guests staying in villas on the mountain, pickup will be arranged only at the main road. Be aware that there is an additional charge of THB 500 for pickups from hotels located in Nathon, Huathanon, Talingam, Pangka, and Lipa Noi. For more information, you can visit the Viator website and read about the Full Moon Party by Speed boat from Samui.
Experience the Full Moon Party from Koh Samui without the need to book expensive accommodations on Koh Phangan. This convenient round-trip transfer is offered by Tour Explore, a highly-rated operator in Koh Samui. With this service, you'll be picked up from your hotel, hostel, or villa and taken to the pier. There, you'll board a speedboat for Koh Phangan, arriving at Haad Rin Pier, within walking distance to the party (note that the party entry ticket is not included).
After enjoying the party, you can return to the pier and catch a speedboat back to Koh Samui, departing approximately every hour. Upon arrival at Samui, a minivan will be ready to take you back to your accommodation. The Full Moon Party is a popular event attended by thousands, so it's advisable to secure your tickets in advance.
The Full Moon Party transfer service provides a comprehensive and comfortable travel experience. It includes pickup from your accommodation in an air-conditioned minivan and transfer to the pier. From there, you will board a speedboat to Haad Rin pier on Koh Phangan, conveniently close to the Full Moon Party location. After the party, the service includes a return speedboat trip from Koh Phangan back to Samui. Finally, you will be taken back to your accommodation. This package ensures a smooth and hassle-free journey to and from the Full Moon Party.
The Half Moon Festival on Koh Phangan offers a unique celebration nestled within the island's lush tropical forest, marking the lunar calendar's half-moon phase. The Half Moon Festival takes place over two days at two locations:
The party happens about every two weeks - one week before the Full Moon Party and one week after. Initiated in the early 2000s, this event quickly became a staple of Koh Phangan's party scene, drawing a diverse crowd of music lovers and adventure-seekers. The party is famed for its elaborate decorations, state-of-the-art sound systems, and a lineup of international and local DJs spinning a wide range of music, from psychedelic trance to techno and bass music. The immersive experience is enhanced with impressive light shows, live performances, and an array of art installations, making it a mesmerizing event for attendees seeking a mix of culture and celebration in a unique setting. In addition to the auditory and visual feast, the Half Moon Party provides plenty of food and shopping opportunities.
Our ticket isn't just a pass; it's your gateway to an unparalleled 21-year legacy of the Halfmoon Festival in Koh Phangan, encapsulating a magical 2-day experience that fuses the world-class quality of German sound engineering with a vibrant European festival vibe.
Check Availability
Please be advised that all event dates are subject to change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. We recommend verifying the latest information before making any plans. The website cannot be held responsible for any alterations or cancellations of events. Your understanding and flexibility are greatly appreciated.
The Blackmoon Culture party happens once a month at night when the moon is dark and CAN NOT be seen; it is about two weeks after the Full Moon Festival.
The party takes place in the Baan Tai jungle, about 10-minute drive by taxi or motorbike from Haad Rin or Thong Sala.
There is Psy-trance music played at the party with International DJs, Ferrangs and Thais. The Psychedelic decorations and the atmosphere completes the psychedelic energy that surrounds you all night long.
* The schedule might change depending on the government's rules for that month.
- Read our guide for Which Area of Koh Phangan to Stay in Depending on Your Budget
- Read our guide on the Best Hostels on Koh Phangan
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