Haad Rin Beach (Full Moon Party beach)
The twin-beach headland (sunrise Haad Rin Nok / sunset Haad Rin Nai) that hosts Thailand's famous monthly Full Moon Party.
- Category
- Beaches
- Entrance fee
- Free (beach). Full Moon Party entry ticket ~100-200 THB on party nights, as of 2026 - confirm locally
- Hours
- Open 24 hours; Full Moon Party runs overnight roughly monthly around the full moon
- Best time
- Any month for the beach; time your visit to the monthly full moon if you want (or want to avoid) the party. Sea calmest roughly Feb-Sept
- Time needed
- Half a day; a full night for the Full Moon Party
About Haad Rin Beach (Full Moon Party beach)
This is the headland everyone means when they talk about Koh Phangan. Two beaches back to back, sunrise on one side and sunset on the other, and it's the whole reason the island landed on the backpacker map. The sand is genuinely pretty and the setting is good, but let's be honest about it: it's crowded and touristy, and the vibe leans hard toward bars and party crowds rather than a quiet swim.
Whether you love it comes down to what you're after. If you want the party, this is the place, no question, and it's a proper spectacle. If you don't, come during the day and know that after a party night the beach can be littered and a bit rough around the edges before the cleanup.
My honest take: worth seeing once for the atmosphere, but if you're chasing a peaceful beach day you'll find better elsewhere on the island.
Highlights
- Twin beaches: sunrise Haad Rin Nok and sunset Haad Rin Nai
- Home of Thailand's famous monthly Full Moon Party
- Buzzing strip of bars and party energy
- Calmest swimming roughly Feb to Sept
Tips
- Time your trip to the full moon if you want the party, or deliberately avoid that week if you don't
- Skip the day after a party night when the sand can be littered
- A shared songthaew or taxi is the easy way in; scooter riders should mind the busy road
- Bring cash for the party-night entry ticket and confirm the amount locally
How to get there
~10 km southeast of Thong Sala pier. Shared songthaew/taxi 150-200 THB (20-25 min), rented scooter (~200 THB/day), or a longtail boat-taxi from Thong Sala