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The Full Moon Party is the original beach rave — thousands of people dancing on the sand under a tropical full moon. Once a month at Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan, the whole shoreline turns into one open-air club: sound systems pumping house, trance, drum & bass and reggae, fire shows, buckets, and dancing till sunrise. It’s a rite of passage on the Southeast Asia trail. This guide covers when it happens, how to actually get to the island, where to stay, and how to do it safely and cheaply.
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When to go: the party calendar
- Full Moon Party — held roughly once a month on (or near) the full moon at Haad Rin beach, Koh Phangan. The party runs from about 9 PM to sunrise.
- 2026 dates (confirm before booking) — approximate nights include Jun 29, Jul 31, Aug 28, Sep 26, Oct 27, Nov 24 and Dec 24/31, plus earlier-year dates. Dates can shift: when a full moon lands on a major Buddhist holy day, the party is moved to the following night. Always check the official date list before locking flights.
- The sound — multiple beachfront stages, each with its own genre: trance and psytrance, house and EDM, drum & bass, hip-hop and reggae. Wander the beach and pick your vibe.
- Best months — the December–March dry season is most popular; July–August is the second peak. Book accommodation well ahead for any full-moon night.
Getting there: flights to Koh Samui (USM) or Surat Thani (URT)
Koh Phangan has no airport — the last leg is always a ferry. The two routes in:
- Fastest — via Koh Samui (USM): fly Bangkok (BKK/DMK) to Koh Samui (about 1 hour, Bangkok Airways), then a 30–45 minute ferry from Bangrak/Seatran pier to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala). Easiest but pricier flights.
- Cheapest — via Surat Thani (URT): budget carriers (AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion) fly BKK/DMK to Surat Thani, then a bus + ferry combo (Donsak pier) of around 2–3 hours total. Slower but much cheaper.
Set a price watch into both airports and compare the all-in cost (flight + ferry).
→ Search flights to Koh Samui (USM)
Where to stay (matched to your trip)
- Haad Rin — the party beach itself. Stay here to stumble home in minutes, but expect noise, the highest prices, and fast sell-outs around full-moon nights.
- Ban Tai / Thong Sala — a short taxi from Haad Rin, near the main ferry pier; more choice and better value, with an easy ride to the party.
- Srithanu / Haad Yao (west coast) — the chilled, yoga-and-wellness side of the island; quieter beaches, then taxi over for the party.
- Koh Samui — some people base on Samui and take a party-boat transfer across for the night; more hotels and nightlife of its own.
→ Compare hotels on Koh Phangan
Getting around
On Koh Phangan, shared songthaew taxis (pickup trucks) run set routes, including extra runs to Haad Rin on party nights; agree the fare first. Many travellers rent a scooter, but the island’s hilly, sandy roads cause a lot of accidents — only ride if you’re experienced and always wear a helmet. Thailand uses the Thai baht (THB); bring cash for the beach, taxis and the entry gate. Entry to the Full Moon Party is a small fee (around 200 THB / ~$6) collected at the beach gates.
Party smart. Watch your drinks and never leave them unattended, skip the cheap “buckets” if you want to stay in control, keep your phone and cash in a sealed pouch, avoid the fire-rope and fire-limbo stunts, and don’t swim drunk. Drugs are illegal and policed hard — penalties in Thailand are severe.
Airport transfer
Want a smooth door-to-pier (or hotel) ride after you land on Samui? Pre-book a private transfer rather than negotiating at the airport.
→ Pre-book a private airport transfer with Kiwitaxi
Stay connected: get an eSIM
Skip pricey roaming — a local data eSIM keeps maps, ferry apps, taxis and messages working from the moment you land.
→ Get an Airalo eSIM for Thailand
Explore by car
Prefer four wheels to a scooter for exploring Samui or the mainland leg of the trip? A rental is the safer way to cover ground.
→ Compare and book a rental car
Getting to the party
From anywhere on Koh Phangan, take a songthaew taxi to Haad Rin — they run frequently on party nights from Thong Sala and the main beaches (about 20–40 minutes depending on where you stay). If you’re based on Koh Samui, look for the organised Full Moon party boats that run round-trips across the channel for the night. Pay the small entry fee at the beach gate.
Sample budget — 4 nights (per person)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (varies by origin) | $180 | $700 |
| Ferry / transfers to the island | $25 | $60 |
| Hostel / hotel (4 nights) | $80 | $340 |
| Party entry + drinks | $60 | $160 |
| Food + island taxis + eSIM | $70 | $160 |
| Total | ~$415 | ~$1,420 |
The party itself is famously cheap — your real costs are getting to the island and where you sleep on a full-moon night.
Money-saving tips
- Fly into Surat Thani (URT) on a budget carrier and take the bus-ferry combo — often far cheaper than flying to Samui.
- Book your full-moon-night accommodation early — Haad Rin sells out and prices spike; staying in Ban Tai or Thong Sala saves money.
- Buy a through ticket (flight-to-ferry combos via Lomprayah/Seatran) to simplify the journey and avoid markups.
- Stick to beer and your own sealed drinks over expensive (and risky) buckets.
- Share songthaew taxis to Haad Rin instead of paying for a private ride.
- Set a flight price watch into both USM and URT and compare the all-in cost.
Plan your Full Moon Party trip
Lock the full-moon date first, then watch fares into Koh Samui or Surat Thani and book your island bed early — full-moon nights sell out fast.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Full Moon Party 2026?
The Full Moon Party is held roughly monthly on the full moon at Haad Rin, Koh Phangan — 2026 nights include around Jun 29, Jul 31, Aug 28, Sep 26, Oct 27, Nov 24 and Dec 24/31. Dates can shift for Buddhist holy days, so always confirm the official date list before booking.
How do I get to Koh Phangan?
There’s no airport on the island. Fly to Koh Samui (USM) then take a 30–45 minute ferry, or fly cheaper to Surat Thani (URT) and take a 2–3 hour bus-and-ferry combo. The final leg is always a ferry.
How much is entry to the Full Moon Party?
A small fee of around 200 THB (~$6) is collected at the beach gates. The party itself is otherwise cheap — drinks and accommodation are your main costs.
Is the Full Moon Party safe?
Have fun but stay sharp: watch your drinks, avoid the fire stunts, don’t swim while drunk, keep valuables in a sealed pouch, and ride scooters only if experienced. Drugs are illegal and heavily policed in Thailand.