Koh Pha Ngan is a stunning island located in the Gulf of Thailand, often regarded as one of the most beautiful islands. Stunning beaches, beautiful mountains, picturesque villages and breathtaking views all of these in one place that’s Koh Pha Ngan in short.

I wasn’t very keen on previous trips to visit this Island as I imagined it just to be a crowded party island. But what i experienced after coming to Koh Pha Ngan is much more than that with some lovely beaches, nice short hikes, scenic drive in the country side, magnificent Sunset views, spiritual & healing retreats, good dive sites and much more.

I took a ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Pha Ngan early in the morning.  Reached the jetty & quickly hopped on to a two wheeler to drop me at the Wanderlust  hostel.  Checked-in and waited for a bit, had booked an island tour with Mingalaba road trips, they picked me up from the hostel.

Our first stop was at a cafe over looking the ocean. You need to climbup stairs to the top, view was amazing. Just chill on the deck over looking Gulf of Thailand sea. We had a general discussion with fellow travellers. And after a while it was time to move to our next place of visit.

Next was to a beach called Thong Naipanya. It was a classic white sand beach with clear waters. You are free to swim or just chill on the beach.

Defintely a must visit with not many people around, you have the entire strech of beach for yourself & a small cafe to your side with a light music….. definetly much like a beach vacation. Spent more than an hour and now we go for a short hike, to an entirely different place.

It’s the Phu dang waterfall in Than Sadet national park.  A short hike takes you to this beautiful waterfall. You can hike to the top or just swim near the pool of water infront of the waterfall…. it’s a nice place to spend time and get refreshed with the cold water rushing through from the top.

Then it was time for lunch, resturant was next to the beach….. We ordered some typical Thai food & rested for a bit after heavy lunch. Walked around the place, lisented to some travel stories and it’s time for the next spot.

We went to the beach that was a little busy this time. There were a few cafes, people playing beach volleyball, some doing yoga and a few musicians going about with their routine. I sat under an umberala and just chilled. Waited for the sunset but the mingalaba person said sir lets go to next one for the sunset.

Intially thought it was a little overhyped place. But the moment we reached the top, it was one of the best views i have ever seen. It’s called three sixty club. So calm with a complete view of the ocean & a mild music. Pure bliss it was to just sit at that place. Suddenly it started raining, all us took cover. Then after a while we decided to call it a day, went back to our respective place of stay.

As soon as i reached the hostel, there were some events happening but i skipped it, went directly to bed as i have another long day ahead coming up.

 

 

Woke up early around 5.30 am, got freshened up… Took a scooter straight to the other side of the island crossing some beautiful villages, small hills and riding next to the beaches. Around 7.30 am i reached the dive school called Sail rock divers with whom i had booked for my dives. It was nice little dive school, got my gears done…. Said hai to the dive buddies for the day. It was a father Son duo from Swiss with whom i will be diving.

Hopped on to the boat, sailed for about an hour to reach the dive site called THE SAILROCK. It’s one of the best sites around this area. Almost all the dive companies in Koh Pha Ngan will come here for the dive everyday.

 

We did our first dive, one of the best dive site in terms of fish school. Thousands of fishes at one place. Wow!!!! We went inside the school looks like we will get lost, so many of them. That was defintely the best….. I went a little deep with IDC trainee and explored quite a bit. The dive through small cave was defintely the best.

 

After our dives, we went on the boat and had some energy drink just to keep ourself hydrated after an early day and a deep dive. Had lunch on the boat during the surface interval. There were a lot of dive master trainees, had some good chat with them about their furture plans and the course.

After the surface interval, we went for our next dive.. Almost similar dive again with so many fishes but defintely an experience to dive in big schools of fishes… We got back on the boat exhausted, just rested on the deck until we reached the jetty with listening to stories about our instructor who completed more than 1000 dives in the same dive site.

We reached the dive shop, chilled there with our dive buddies for a while….. Did our log books, downloaded the videos from my camera and was enquiring about the next day’s dive…. Instructor told us it will be again to the same dive site, decided not to dive the next day.

Took my scooter explored a few villages on the way. A friend whom i met Goa recommended an “AuM Sound healing”…Went there, they said event was at 7 pm only… Sat in a road side cafe, had typical Thai food then booked my ferry tickets to Surat thani for next day.

Evenings aren’t over in Koh Pha Ngan if you are not there in any of those cafes over looking the ocean on an elevated cliff or mountain…. I searched for one such cafe, did a small hike to reach here. It’s called “Top rock cafe”. The view was out of the world.  Just peace….. Also a lot of beaches, will have some event happening.

Went to the “AuM Sound healing” place at 7 pm once again. The vibe was fantastic this time. Crowd was slowly building up….

Definitely worth visiting… They had Sauna, ice bath and highlight of the show was the dance & healing session around the fire in open area. The food was also different unlike regular ones, fruit tea & salads we were very good. After yet another long & enjoyable day it was time to head back and leave my scooters at the rental company took a troll & reached the hostel.

When i was planning to go to bed around mid night, people were getting ready to go to various parties/events that starts midnight. I woke up at 5 am and came to the mainroad, i could see so many shops open and people just coming back from the events. This island never sleeps…. Definitely worth an experience & decision to visit this island.