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Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Surat Thani>Location: Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan sights and attractions
Diving on Ko Pha Ngan - A few operators to choose from
Description
Diving and snorkeling
Ko Pha Ngan has a smaller, but no less active dive scene than the underwater mecca to the north, Ko Tao. Schools here offer trips to some of the Gulf's most popular dive sites of Sail Rock and the Southwest Pinnacle, which lie roughly halfway between Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao. There are also some quality dive sites closer to Ko Pha Ngan in the waters off Ko Ma, Haad Salad and Ko Tae Nok (the island to the south-west of Ko Pha Ngan which you pass as the your boat arrives at Thong Sala.
For snorkeling, your best bets are around the northwest of the island, off beaches such as Ko Ma, Haad Khom, Haad Salad, Haad Ya and Haad Chaophao.
Dive schools also arrange trips to the Angthong Marine National Park, with popular sites there including Ko Wao and Ko Yippon.
Dive schools on Ko Pha Ngan include
Lotus Dive resort
Chaloklum, Ko Pha Ngan
Phone: (077) 374 142
Phangan Divers
Ko Ma, Ko Pha Ngan
Phone: (077) 375 117
info@phangandivers.com
http://www.phangandivers.com/
MTF Diving
Ban Tai, Ko Pha Ngan
Phone: (077) 377 247
bookings@mtfdiving.com
http://www.mtfdiving.com/
Chaloklum Diving
Chaloklum Diving, Ko Pha Ngan
Phone: (077) 374 025
http://www.chaloklum-diving.com/
Haad Yao Divers
Haad Yao, Ko Pha Ngan
Phone: (06) 2793085
contact@haadyaodivers.com
http://www.haadyaodivers.com/
Tropical Dive Club
Thong Nai Pan Noi, Ko Pha Ngan
http://www.tropicaldiveclub.com
Trekking, waterfalls and mountains - Drag yourself off the beach
Description
Certainly not most people's raison d'etre for visiting Ko Pha Ngan, but those who do take some time to explore the island's hinterland will find it full of surprises. Ko Pha Ngan's highest peak at 630m is Khao Ra and it's possible to climb up to the top in a half-day from both Chaloklum and Thong Nai Pan.
There's a well-worn route through the jungle to the quiet bays of Haad Thian and Haad Yuan, and the journey takes a couple of hours. It's possible to keep trekking up the east coast as far as Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi, but this could take days and should be attempted by experienced trekkers.
There are attractive waterfalls to visit near Mae Haad (Wang Sai Waterfall), Chaloklum (Paradise Waterfall) as well as some more isolated falls on the east coast.
Companies offering these type of tours inclue:
Phangan Safari
Chaloklum
Phone: (04) 850 6273;(01)396 3265
Phangan Adventure
Chaloklum
Phone: (077) 374 142
http://www.phanganadventure.com/
Kick-boxing - Very popular -- to watch and learn
Description
The sport of Muay Tai, or Thai kick-boxing is hugely popular on Ko Pha Ngan with fights almost every night. Most of the fights are at Thong Sala, where there are three kick-boxing arenas. If you want to learn a thing or two about the sport yourself, there's a couple of options, with the Thong Sala-based Jungle Gym -- Phone: (07) 7375 115 and Chainarach Cho Watcharin --Phone: (06) 9538 253 both offering lessons. Another option is the Horizons Muay Thai camp on Haad Thian.
Parties - Something on most of the time!
Description
Full Moon Party
For many travellers, a visit to Ko Pha Ngan wouldn't be complete without a night of unrestrained hedonism at the island's monthly Full Moon Party. The event has evolved from a relatively small affair in the early 1980's to become one of the world's biggest outdoor bashes, regularly attracting more than 12,000 people to the party-mecca of Haad Rin.
Most of the action takes place on Haad Rin Nok (Sunset Beach). The beach is filled with speakers playing everything from trance, house to R&B. If you don't like the music on one part of the beach you can simply move to another, and there's also plenty of fire shows to keep you entertained.
If you're starting to feel over the beach, you can head to one of Haad Rin's bar, the vast majority of which are usually packed-out during the party. Paradise Bungalows, the Drop in Club and the Vinyl Club are popular picks.
Things gradually get messier as more and more rubbish is discarded on the beach and people start passing due to drunkenness and pure exhaustion. Full moon after-parties start up in the morning from 11:00 for those who still haven't had enough.
It's a good idea to leave your valuables in your resort's safe. Wear shoes if you're planning to dance on the beach, as broken glass becomes more of a problem as the night drags on.
Full Moon party dates for 2006/2007 include:
August 9, 2006
September 7, 2006
October 7, 2006
November 5, 2006
December 6, 2006
January 3, 2007
February 3, 2007
March 3, 2007
April 2, 2007
May 2, 2007
May 31, 2007
The party can sometimes be moved back or forward a few days if it coincides with a Buddhist holiday, so double check.
http://fullmoonparty-thailand.com/
Black Moon Party
The clubs on Haad Rin pump every night whether there's a moon or not, and there are other lunar-directed parties on other parts of the island. Set at Sramadora Waterfall near Ban Kai is the trance-fuelled Black Moon Party.
Black Moon party dates for 2006/2007 include:
August 23, 2006
September 22,2006
October 21, 2006
November 20, 2006
December 19, 2006
January 18, 2007
February 16, 2007
March 18, 2007
April 16, 2007
May 16, 2007
June 14, 2007
July 14, 2007
http://blackmoonparty-kohphangan.com/
Half Moon Party
A psychedelically decorated piece of jungle near Ban Tai is the setting for the Half Moon Festival, held about one week before and one week after the full moon. There's an admission cost of 300B.
Half Moon party dates for 2006/2007 include:
August 2 & 18 & 31, 2006
September 15 & 30,2006
October 15 & 29, 2006
November 13 & 28, 2006
December 13 & 28, 2006
January 11 & 26, 2007
February 10 & 24, 2007
March 9 & 25, 2007
April 8 & 22, 2007
May 7 & 22, 2007
June 8 & 22, 2007
July 7 & 22, 2007
http://www.halfmoonfestival.com/
Moon Set Party
The Pirates' Bar, at the southern tip of Ao Chaophao has a monthly Moon Set Party, usually three days before the full moon.
Meditation retreat at Wat Khao Tham - Relax
Wat Khao Tham, Ao Ban Tai, Ko Pha Ngan
http://www.watkowtahm.org/
Description
Run by an American-Australian couple, Wat Khao Tham is cave temple located near the top of a hill overlooking Ban Tai. The couple offer 10-day meditation retreats usually in the later-half of each month. Those interested can write or inquire in person.
Schedule for 2006/2007
August 17-26, 2006
December 14-23, 2006
January 17-26, 2007
February 14-23, 2007
March 13-22, 2007
More information: http://www.watkowtahm.org
Kiteboarding - Get fit when the wind is up
Golden Light Resort, Ao Thong Sala
http://www.cuttlebone.net
Description
With branches on Ko Pha Ngan, Chumphon and Pattaya, Cuttlebone is a well-regarded operator renting out kiteboarding equipment and also offering tuition -- it was the first kiteboarding school in Thailand.
Wind conditions
November to December: N-E 15-22 knots
January to March : S-E 12-20 Knots
April to May: Not Constant
June to November: S-W 12-20 Knots
Water conditions
Flat, waist deep warm water
Water temperature : 24-28°C (75-82 °F)
Very low tide during the day, from April to October