Koh Phangan & Koh Tao in 8 days: island hopping in the Gulf of Thailand

Contents:

• Day 1: Arrival on Koh Phangan

• Day 2: Along the west coast – Secret Beach & Koh Raham

• Day 3: Jungle, Thai cuisine & sunset

• Day 4: The tranquil north and the east coast

• Day 5: On to Koh Tao

• Day 6: Snorkelling, a dream beach & stunning views

• Day 7: Koh Nang Yuan & Koh Tao from above

• Day 8: Aow Leuk and farewell to Koh Tao

• Practical tips for Koh Phangan & Koh Tao

• Conclusion: Two islands that go together perfectly

Day 1: Arrival on Koh Phangan

Once you’ve landed on Koh Samui, the island-hopping begins: you’ll take the ferry on to Koh Phangan. To find out how to get to Koh Samui from Switzerland, read our blog post about Koh Samui. Depending on the service, the crossing takes around 20 to 50 minutes; most ferries dock at Thong Sala Pier.

We recommend 12Go Asia for booking. There, you can easily compare different ferry operators, departure times and prices. Tickets from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan are currently available from as little as CHF 5. Once you arrive, it’s worth taking a short detour through Thong Sala, the island’s main town and most important ferry port. For your first break, we recommend Bubba’s Coffee Thong Sala – ideal for a good coffee, a late breakfast or a light lunch before heading on to your accommodation.

Next, head towards the west coast. After checking in, we’d suggest taking it easy on your first day: kick off your shoes, head to the beach and simply settle in on Koh Phangan. Haad Yao is a particularly lovely spot for this, where you can round off the day with a stroll by the sea and watch your first sunset. For dinner, it’s well worth booking a table at Dear Phangan. This small restaurant specialises in fresh, local ingredients and a changing menu – and is also recommended in the MICHELIN Guide Thailand. It’s a lovely spot to get to know the island’s culinary scene on your very first evening. Booking in advance is recommended.

Accommodation tip: If you’re looking for something special, do check out the Zero Waste Village on the north-west coast. This small eco-accommodation is built from bamboo and natural materials and is tucked away amongst tropical vegetation and the sea. Rather than the classic resort atmosphere, the focus here is on sustainability, tranquillity and a connection with nature.

Day 2: Along the west coast – Secret Beach & Koh Raham

Start the day at Indigo Specialty Coffee & Bakery with a good cup of coffee, fresh pastries or a leisurely breakfast. Then head on to Secret Beach, a small, sheltered cove on the west coast. Here you can swim, snorkel or simply spend a few quiet hours on the sand.

Stay in the area until late afternoon, as Koh Raham is tucked away right next to the beach. Nestled amongst rocks and tropical vegetation, the restaurant sits right by the sea and is one of our favourite spots to enjoy the sunset over a drink or dinner.

Our tip: You don’t need a packed itinerary for this day. Take your time – the west coast of Koh Phangan is best enjoyed without a fixed schedule.

Day 3: Jungle, Thai cuisine & sunset

Today, Koh Phangan shows off its green side. Start at Phaeng Waterfall in the island’s interior and combine your visit with a trip to the Dom Sila Viewpoint. The short climb takes you through tropical forest and is rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view across the island. Afterwards, you can try your hand at cooking at Muai’s Thai Traditional Cooking Academy and learn more about traditional Thai dishes and their ingredients. Those who prefer to explore on their own can instead pop into Raitiaviset Organic Farm and gain an insight into sustainable farming on the island.

Afterwards, it’s time to relax: treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage at Siam Heritage Massage in Thong Sala before heading to the final stop of the day. For sunset, we recommend Secret Mountain. Perched high above the jungle, the restaurant offers sweeping views across the west coast – perfect for a dip in the pool, a drink and then dinner. Important: Secret Mountain is adults-only and accessible only to guests aged 21 and over.

Our tip: Waterfalls on Koh Phangan are highly dependent on the season. Following prolonged dry spells, there may be very little water flowing at Phaeng Waterfall.

Day 4: The tranquil north and the east coast

Today you’ll discover a completely different side to Koh Phangan. Start in Chaloklum, a small fishing village in the north of the island, before continuing on to Bottle Beach. This secluded bay can be reached either by longtail boat directly from Chaloklum Pier – the journey takes about 15 to 20 minutes – or on foot via the Bottle Beach Trek. The walk takes you through tropical vegetation and offers beautiful views along the way. The trail does not start in Chaloklum itself, but further east at Haad Khom. From there, the walk takes about 1 to 1½ hours, depending on your pace. Once you arrive at the beach, there’s plenty of time for a swim and to relax.

In the afternoon, the journey continues to the east coast to Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach. The sweeping bay is perfect for a final swim of the day.

To round off the day, we recommend the 2C Bar above the beach. From here, you can enjoy a wonderful view of Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi – ideal for a drink or a relaxed dinner with a view.

Our tip: Set off early if you want to hike to Bottle Beach. In the midday heat, the trek can become considerably more strenuous.

Day 5: On to Koh Tao

Today you’ll be heading to the second island on your trip: from Thong Sala Pier, you’ll take the ferry to Koh Tao. Depending on the service, the crossing takes around one to one and a half hours. Tickets are currently available from CHF 11 and can be easily compared and booked via 12Go Asia. If you’re flexible, you can also buy your ticket directly at the pier, where it may be slightly cheaper depending on the operator.

On Koh Tao, the ferries arrive at Mae Haad Pier, the island’s main harbour. For your first break, we recommend the Chacha Beach Café & Restaurant right by the sea – ideal for a coffee or a light lunch. Closed seasonally – reopening in October ’26.

Afterwards, head towards Sairee Beach, the liveliest beach on the island. On the way, it’s worth stopping at Uncle Bew’s Café & Roastery for some good speciality coffee. The best way to spend the afternoon is relaxing on the beach – swimming, going for a walk or simply enjoying island life. For sunset, we recommend the Secret Bar. From its elevated position, you’ll have a lovely view over the west coast and can round off your first evening on Koh Tao with a drink in a relaxed atmosphere.

Accommodation tip: If you’re looking to treat yourself to something special on Koh Tao, do check out The Place Luxury Boutique Villas. The private villas are situated in a peaceful spot in the hills above Sairee, and each features its own infinity pool with sea views.

Day 6: Snorkelling, a picture-perfect beach & stunning views

Start the day at Milk & Honey with a leisurely breakfast before heading on to Shark Bay. This sheltered bay is one of Koh Tao’s best snorkelling spots – with a bit of luck, you might spot sea turtles and, occasionally, small blacktip reef sharks. The water is often particularly calm and clear in the morning.

Afterwards, head to the nearby Freedom Beach. This small beach is perfect for swimming and relaxing, and can be easily combined with a visit to the John-Suwan Viewpoint. A path leading up from the beach takes around 15 to 20 minutes and is steep in places. At the top, one of Koh Tao’s most beautiful views awaits: Chalok Bay on one side and Shark Bay on the other. The current entrance fee of 50 THB covers both Freedom Beach and the viewpoint.

For dinner, we recommend Chuchu Thai Food & Pizza – a laid-back little restaurant serving Thai classics and offering a relaxed way to round off the day.

Our tip: If possible, visit Shark Bay in the morning and make sure to wear sturdy shoes for the John-Suwan Viewpoint – the final few metres lead over rocks and, in places, require the use of ropes to climb up.

For divers: Koh Tao underwater

Koh Tao is rightly regarded as one of Thailand’s most famous diving islands. The local Tourism Association describes the diving here as ‘world-famous’ and lists over 50 dive sites around the island. If you’re a diver, you should therefore swap one of your beach days for a boat trip to the famous dive sites around Koh Tao. Particularly popular is the Chumphon Pinnacle, north-west of the island, with its large schools of fish, barracudas and, with a bit of luck, even whale sharks. Another highlight is Sail Rock, situated between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. This freestanding rock is one of the most famous dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand and is particularly suitable for more experienced divers.

Day 7: Koh Nang Yuan & Koh Tao from above

Today we’re heading to Koh Nang Yuan, the small neighbouring island off Koh Tao. Here, three green islets are connected by a narrow sandbank – one of the region’s most famous photo opportunities. From Sairee Beach, you can reach Koh Nang Yuan by longtail boat in about 15 to 20 minutes. Admission currently costs 250 THB.

First, make your way up to the Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint. The short walk takes you up some steps and takes only about ten minutes. Afterwards, there’s plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling around the sandbank. Plastic bottles are not allowed on the island, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle.

Back on Koh Tao, you can enjoy a relaxing lunch break at the Tree House Café.

In the late afternoon, head up high once more: Mango View Point offers sweeping views over Sairee Beach and the west coast of Koh Tao, and is particularly beautiful at sunset. The path up is very steep in places – if you don’t feel confident on a scooter, it’s best to walk the final stretch.

Our tip: Koh Nang Yuan is only open to day trippers daily from around 10 am to 3 pm. If possible, head over as soon as it opens, before the larger tour groups arrive.

Day 8: Aow Leuk and farewell to Koh Tao

Make the most of your final morning at Aow Leuk Bay on the east coast. This sheltered bay is one of Koh Tao’s most beautiful snorkelling spots: the coral starts right near the shore and, with a bit of luck, you might spot some small blacktip reef sharks. If you prefer a quieter experience, try to arrive as early as possible in the morning.

Before heading back to Mae Haad Pier, it’s well worth having lunch at the Rim Lae Restaurant with its sea view.

Afterwards, it’s time to say goodbye to Koh Tao – either by taking the ferry back to Koh Samui or heading on towards Chumphon on the mainland.

Practical tips for Koh Phangan & Koh Tao

• Riding a scooter: A scooter is the most flexible way to get around on both islands, especially as taxis can be relatively expensive. However, many roads are steep and winding. Certain stretches can be particularly challenging, especially on Koh Tao. Only ride if you already have experience, and always wear a helmet.
• Take cash with you: There are cash machines in Thong Sala, Mae Haad and Sairee, but cash is still often required in small restaurants, beach bars and on long-tail boats. If you’d like to arrive with Thai baht already in hand, you can conveniently order the banknotes you require to be delivered to your home before your trip via Swiss Bankers’ banknote delivery service.
• Snorkelling & diving: Equipment can be hired at many beaches, diving schools and on boat trips. Do not touch or walk on the coral, and always keep a safe distance when observing sea turtles or reef sharks.
• Well insured whilst travelling: Suitable travel insurance is particularly worthwhile when travelling by ferry, on boat trips and between several islands. With TravelProtect from Swiss Bankers, you are covered against various unforeseen events whilst on the move.
• Allow plenty of time for your departure: If you need to catch a flight after taking the ferry, you should allow plenty of time. Wind and high waves can delay crossings or cause timetables to change at short notice.

Conclusion: Two islands that complement each other perfectly

Koh Phangan and Koh Tao combine two very different island worlds to create a particularly varied holiday. With tropical scenery, tranquil beaches, exquisite moments of indulgence and a fascinating underwater world, the result is an itinerary that is as varied as it is relaxing.

Anyone wishing to discover Thailand beyond the usual sightseeing circuit will find here a combination of islands that will remain in their memory for a long time to come.