Things to do in Ko Pha Ngan
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Lotus Diving
This dive centre has top-notch instructors, and owns not one, but two beautiful boats (that's two more vessels than most of the other operations on Ko Pha-Ngan). Trips can be booked at their office in Chalok Lam, or at the Backpackers Information Centre. Recommended.
reviewed
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Maew Hot Pan BBQ
The island’s best do-it-yourself dinner joint, Maew is an all-you-can-eat affair where diners cook their meats, veggies and quail eggs (a local fave) over a gurgling hot pot. Maew can be easy to miss; it is located on the ocean side of Ban Tai’s main road near the 7-Eleven.
reviewed
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Mellow Mountain
Also called 'Mushy Mountain' (you'll know why when you get there), this trippy hang-out sits at the northern edge of Hat Rin Nok delivering stellar views of the shenanigans below.
reviewed
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Wake Up
Jamie passes along his infinite wakeboarding wisdom to eager wannabes at his small water sports school in Chalok Lam. Fifteen minutes of 'air time' will set you back 1500B (2500B for 30 minutes), which is excellent value considering you get one-on-one instruction. Kite-boarding, wake-skating and waterskiing sessions are also available, as are round-the-island day trips (2000B per person; a six-person quorum needed).
reviewed
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Night Market
A heady mix of steam and snacking locals, Thong Sala's night market is a must for those looking for a dose of culture while nibbling on a low-priced snack. The best place to grab some cheap grub is the stall in the far right corner with a large white banner. Hit up the vendor next door for tasty seafood platters, such as red snapper served over a bed of thick noodles. Banana pancakes and fruit smoothies abound for dessert.
reviewed
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Eco Nature Tour
This exceedingly popular oufit offers a 'best of' island trip, which includes elephant trekking, snorkelling and a visit to the Chinese temple, a stunning viewpoint and Phang waterfall. The day trip, which costs 1500B, departs at 9am and returns around 3pm. Bookings can be made at its office in Thong Sala or at the Backpackers Information Centre. Pha-Ngan Safarioffers a similar trip for 1900B.
reviewed
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Kaito
Authentic Japanese imports are the speciality here – slurp an Asahi while savouring your tangy seaweed salad and tonkatsu (pork cutlet). The upstairs level has cosy cushion seating while the main sitting area is flanked with manga and pocket-sized Japanese novels.
reviewed
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Lazy House
Back in the day, this joint was the owner's apartment – everyone liked his cooking so much that he decided to turn the place into a restaurant and hang-out spot. Today, Lazy House is easily one of Hat Rin's best places to veg out in front of a movie with a scrumptious shepherd's pie.
reviewed
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Sheesha Bar
The antithesis of grungy Hat Rin, Sheesha Bar swaps buckets of Samsung for designer drinks. The enticing patchwork of beige sandstone and horizontal slats of mahogany fit right in with the arabesque Mandalai Hotel across the street (owned by the same family).
reviewed
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Lucky Crab
Lucky Crab is your best bet for seafood in Hat Rin. Rows of freshly caught creatures are presented nightly atop miniature longtail boats loaded with ice. Once you've picked your prey, grab a table inside amid dangling plants and charming stone furnishings.
reviewed
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Mason's Arms
Suddenly, a clunky structure emerges from the swaying palms; it's a Tudor-style manse, plucked directly from Stratford-upon-Avon and plunked down in the steamy jungle. This lodge-like lair is one blood pudding away from being an official British colony. The fish 'n' chips is a local favourite.
reviewed
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Somtum Inter
Housed in a breezy open-air pavilion next door to Boat Ahoy (owned by the same family), Somtum announces its speciality in the restaurant’s name: spicy papaya salad (sôm·đam). Other Isan favourites, such as crispy fried beef, are also a big hit.
reviewed
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Absolute Island
The name sounds like a Swedish vodka ad, but it’s only by coincidence that the menu has some Scandinavian classics. Actually, every traveller will find a dish from his or her native country – Absolute’s menu is so vast, it really needs an index.
reviewed
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Eagle Pub
At the southern end of Hat Yao, this drink-dealing shack, built right into the rock face, is tattooed with the neon graffiti of virtually every person who's passed out on the lime green patio furniture after too many caipirinhas.
reviewed
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Ando Loco
This outdoor Mexican hang-out looks like an animation cell from a vintage Hanna-Barbera cartoon, with assorted kitschy accoutrements such as papier-mâché cacti. Down a super-sized margarita and show your skills on the beach volleyball court. Ando Loco closes during low season (around September to December).
reviewed
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Sail Rock Divers
The responsible and friendly staff at Sail Rock satisfies customers at their purpose-facility, featuring air-con classrooms and a small wading pool. They are technically the closest dive school to Sail Rock, the Gulf’s best dive site.
reviewed
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Pizza Chiara
The quintessential chequered tablecloths confirm it (in case you didn't guess from the name): Pizza Chiara is all about tasty Italian fare. Go for the Pizza Cecco smothered with prosciutto, salami, mushrooms and cotto cheese.
reviewed
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Mr K
Our favourite joint at ‘Chicken Corner’, Mr K offers local eats all night long. Cheesy Thai soap-operas blare on the TV, and there’s dirt-cheap beer to wash down your meal.
reviewed
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Vantana Restaurant
Spilling out onto Soi Krung Thai Bank, Vantana offers a hearty selection of English eats. The gut-busting Sunday Brunch (260B) is the perfect cure for homesick Brits.
reviewed
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Warm Up Bar
Groove to DJed beats or shoot some pool – this sit-down joint, in the heart of Hat Rin town, is the perfect place to (yup, you guessed it) warm up for wild night out.
reviewed
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Amsterdam
Near Hat Chaophao on the west coast, Amsterdam attracts tourists and locals from all over the island, who are looking for a chill spot to watch the sunset.
reviewed
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Herbal Sauna
Wat Pho, near Ban Tai, has a herbal sauna accented with natural lemongrass. The steam bath is open from 3pm to 6pm.
reviewed
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A’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant
Located on Soi Krung Thai Bank, A’s is the perfect place to nab some heart-clogging British pub grub, if you’re stuck in town waiting for the ferry.
reviewed
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D’s Books & Café
A carbon-copy of the successful bookshop-cum-cafe on Ko Phi-Phi, it’s a chill spot to grab an iced coffee while catching up on your holiday reading.
reviewed
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John’s Bar & Bistro
John, a professional chef and English expat, serves scrumptious roast dinners and refined European fare. Tuesday is quiz night.
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