Haad Rin

Haad Rin Koh Phangan

Haad Rin Koh Phangan is located on the south east coast of the island. Pretty much as far to the bottom right as you can get on Koh Phangan. It’s about 11km away from the main town of Thongsala. Consequently taking around 30 minutes by taxi or motorbike. Haad Rin Koh Phangan is the name given to Koh Phangan’s most famous stretch of sandy beach. Loosely translated, the term in Thai means Sunrise Beach. As a result, on the night of the Full Moon you will find several thousand revellers greeting the dawn at the ocean’s edge.

But Haad Rin Koh Phangan is more than just a place to party. The streets behind the beach have developed into a sophisticated tourist town. With a good choice of accommodation, restaurants, bars and retail options. Serving the constant stream of visitors that arrive in the week leading up the the Full Moon Party.

Accommodation: Haad Rin Koh Phangan has a huge choice of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes. From backpacker dorms and bungalows to pool side villas. Most noteworthy, if your are thinking of visiting around high season, especially during the full moon, be sure to book at least a month or two before heading out.

Partying: Depending on the type of music you like, if you’re after party heaven you can’t do much better than Haad Rin. Of course there is the Full Moon Party every month. But during the weeks in between this crazy beach party you can still find plenty of dance spots on or near the beach. There’s plenty of commercial dance music, RNB and trance on offer most nights in high seasons. Dancing, buckets and fire shows will keep you entertained throw the night.

Restaurants: Certainly restaurants are plentiful in Haad Rin Koh Phangan – offering everything from local Thai cuisine to dishes from different places in the world. Furthermore, you can eat a Thai dish for only 50 THB at most of the restaurants here. Even cheaper food is available from the carts that setup along the streets heading towards Haad Rin Nok Beach. There’s also plenty of fast food burger joints for those hungry after a night out.

It is highly recommended that you go to one of the resorts that are located along the beaches in the evening for the most enjoyable dining experience. When you come here, you may relax with a couple of cocktails while listening to the sound of the waves on the beach as you eat a dinner right on the beach.

Shopping: Haad Rin Koh Phangan actually offers a good shopping experience. Up and down the streets of the Haad Rin area, there are plenty of interesting shops, stands and stalls with a little something for everyone’s taste. You will find pretty much everything on offer here.

Hand made leather bags, belts and clothing, hand made jewellery, beach wear and accessories, urban clothing and Thai souvenirs. There’s also 7-Elevens, pharmacies, tattoo parlours and other niche type stores throughout the town.

There are no supermarkets in Haad Rin. Therefore you will need to head into Thongsala for these. There’s many different currency exchange booths, banks and ATM’s throughout the town. For those looking to explore further you will find lots of motorbike rental shops. Allowing you can take a tour of the island and travel agencies who will help you book your onward journey.

Beaches at Haad Rin Koh Phangan

There are three primary beaches in this area: Leela Beach, Haad Rin Nok (also known as Sunrise Beach), and Haad Rin Nai (also known as Sunset Beach).

Haad Rin Nok Beach: Although it is the busiest beach, Haad Rin Nok is also the location of the Full Moon Party. Above all else, it is one of the most stunning beaches on Koh Phangan, with sand that is as white as powder and water that is crystal clear and turquoise in color. The beach is famous for its breathtaking sunsets, and that is why so many people go there first thing in the morning to see the dawn. Almost all year, the beach is excellent for swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking. While going to the beach during the monsoon season, the waves get quite big.

Haad Rin Nai Beach: A beach that is located nearby, known as Haad Rin Nok. A more tranquil side of Haad Rin, however the beach is not even close to being as stunning as the beach at Haad Rin Nok. Due to the fact that the water is fairly shallow, the sand has a more coarse grain, and the water is not ideal for swimming. It is likely that the sight and atmosphere of Koh Phangan from ten years ago is still present, and it provides beachside bungalows at affordable prices.

Leela Beach: Last but not least, Leela is a very tranquil place, with only a handful of tiny establishments located along the beach. Since they are located at opposite ends of the beach, they are seldom very crowded. Almost as if you had your very own private beach with you.The sand on the beach has a gentle white color, and it slowly dips down to the blue water below. While there are no reefs in the waters off the coast, swimming is an excellent activity. In spite of the fact that the beach is somewhat narrow and is flanked with modest trees and tropical flora, it is an excellent place to find shade.