Phangan has two Haad Rin beaches. The smaller one, Haad Rin Nok, is famous for hosting the monthly Full Moon Party, which I’ve written about here. The larger beach is Haad Rin Nai, which, unlike its party-filled counterpart, is much quieter and not always ideal for swimming.
Nearly half of Haad Rin Nai’s right side is backed by steep mountain slopes. The beach is often interrupted by rocky patches or split into small sections by cliffs. However, the central and left sides are more developed, with a pier and an artificially created harbor.
Beach Overview
Haad Rin Nai is approximately 1.5 kilometers (just under a mile) long. The beach seamlessly merges into Ao Hin Lor on the right side, and even the locals couldn’t pinpoint exactly where one ends and the other begins—so the division is quite vague. After that, Ao Hin Lor transitions into Ban Tai, but we’ll get to that later.
Haad Rin Nai faces southwest, offering stunning views of Koh Samui and breathtaking sunsets. In fact, the two Haad Rin beaches are often referred to as Haad Rin Sunset Beach (Haad Rin Nai) and Haad Rin Sunrise Beach (Haad Rin Nok).
The width and even the sand texture at Haad Rin Nai differ from Haad Rin Nok, due to their locations on opposite sides of the cape. Haad Rin Nai is so narrow that during high tide, the water nearly covers the entire beach in some spots.
Resort owners along the beach have had to reinforce the shoreline with low stone and cement walls to prevent erosion. These structures also help subtly separate the private resort areas from the public beach.
This beach is ideal for staying during the Full Moon Party—you’ll be close to the action, but prices here are generally lower. Even outside of party days, it seemed like prices are more affordable compared to Haad Rin Nok.
Swimming
The sand at Haad Rin Nai is a dark yellow and slightly coarse, with lots of coral fragments and rocks. The seabed is rocky along most of the beach, though some areas near resorts have been cleared.
The shoreline gently slopes into the water, making it a comfortable spot for wading or shallow swimming. It stays relatively shallow even during high tide, and you’ll reach shoulder-deep water about 10 meters (33 feet) from the shore. Waves typically only appear during strong winds.
Sunbeds and Shade
As I mentioned earlier, the narrowness of Haad Rin Nai makes it less ideal for a typical beach day. Sunbeds are all located within the resorts, and most of the shade is found there as well. Occasionally, you’ll find mangrove-like trees on the beach, some with hammocks hanging from them. I stayed in the central part of Haad Rin Nai and later moved to the left, closer to the pier and Haad Leela.
I decided not to explore the right side of the beach because it’s tough to navigate around the rocky headlands by the sea, and going overland isn’t much easier. However, from photos, you can see that the right side has a decent amount of greenery mixed with rocks, offering good natural shade.
Beach Photos
Across from the Sunset Beach Club Hotel
Across from the Charung Bungalow
Near the pier
Amenities
In this part of Phangan, there’s a relatively flat area between the mountains on the main part of the island and a lone hill at its southern tip. All the infrastructure of both Haad Rin beaches is concentrated on this flat section.
Haad Rin Nok is the lively party hub of Phangan, famous for its vibrant nightlife, and I’d say the area’s infrastructure is the third most developed on the island, after Thong Sala and Chaloklum. I won’t list all the facilities, but in general, you’ll find everything you need for a vacation or long stay, from massage parlors to shops, including a 7-Eleven.
Haad Rin Nai’s left side meets the flatland, starting from the center of the beach, where the pier is located. The right side is mostly home to resorts and standalone villas. As for attractions, Haad Rin Nai has a decent water park—Koh Phangan Water World.
Accommodation
For a beach of this size and geography, there’s quite a large selection of accommodations. The center and left side of the beach are lined with resorts, except for the area around the pier. The right half of the beach, after the water park, is a steep mountain slope, making construction difficult, but there are still a few noteworthy spots.
- Blue Hill Beach Resort by LePalais Hotel
- Phangan Pearl Villa
- Sunset Beach Club Hotel
- The Coast Resort Koh Phangan
- Buri Beach Resort
- Sea Breeze Resort
- And the Angkor Wat-style Le Palais Hotel
I also visited the Sunset Beach Club Hotel, and I really liked it—visually appealing with a great rating.
Here’s a selection of solid guesthouses and mid-range resorts, perfect for Full Moon Party-goers looking for a place to crash for 1-3 nights:
For a beach of this size and geography, there’s quite a large selection of accommodations. The center and left side of the beach are lined with resorts, except for the area around the pier.
The right half of the beach, after the water park, is a steep mountain slope, making construction difficult, but there are still a few noteworthy spots.
I also visited the Sunset Beach Club Hotel, and I really liked it—visually appealing with a great rating.
Here’s a selection of solid guesthouses and mid-range resorts, perfect for Full Moon Party-goers looking for a place to crash for 1-3 nights:
- Black & White Bungalows
- Starlight Haadrin Resort
- Coral Bungalows
- Mr. Black Resort
How to Find the Beach
Finding Haad Rin Nai is just as easy as finding Haad Rin Nok. Drive along the main road until you reach the corner 7-Eleven, then turn right. Once you pass Le Palais, any right turn off the main road will lead you to the sea. You can park your bike near one of the resorts and walk down to the beach.
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