6 Best Sights in Koh Phangan, The Gulf Coast Beaches

With a quarter mile of fine white sand, this isolated beach on the island's north coast is a sunbather's paradise. The vibe is decidedly young and funky, and there are several places to grab a decent meal. Get here by longtail boat from Chaloklum pier (B250 per person) or Thong Nai Pan. Another option is to hike the track that starts at the end of the paved road at Haad Khom. The route over the mountain takes around 90 minutes and is one of the island's best activities. Haad Kuat might be more difficult to reach than other beaches, but it's one of Koh Phangan's best and definitely worth the effort. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: solitude, swimming, walking.

If you are looking for the party, then head to Haad Rin. The beach is divided into two parts, Haad Rin West and Haad Rin East, each with its own personality. Haad Rin West has swimmable water, but you needn't settle for this beach when Haad Rin East is only a short walk away. Beautiful Haad Rin East is lined with bungalows and bars fronting pristine waters. Every four weeks, Haad Rin East gets seriously crowded when throngs of young people gather on the beach for an all-night full moon party. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers; swimming.

Just south of Haad Rin, this smaller strand is close to the party yet relatively peaceful. Also known as Leela Beach, Haad Sarikantang has picturesque palms, fine white sand, and clear blue water. Resorts and restaurants surround the beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

A small strip north of the party beaches at Haad Rin, this is an ideal choice for those seeking relaxation and smaller crowds. The sand is a fine yellow and the waters are shallow and clear. A few resort hotels and several good restaurants do business on the waterfront or near the beach. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

On a horseshoe bay at the island's northern end, Haad Thong Nai Pan is split into two. The northern part is the most beautiful, with stunning golden sands set around crystal-blue waters. The seas are usually calm, but swimming can be rough when the monsoon rains sweep in. Guesthouses and mid-range resorts surround the beach. Food and drink are available from the nearby restaurants. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

A 10-minute boat ride from Haad Rin, small beautiful Haad Yuan is worlds away. Extremely quiet most of the time, the beach is wide and clean, with fine sand and crystal-blue waters. The rocky outcrop at one end makes a fine photo backdrop. The swimming is good here, but the water occasionally gets rough. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.