In this part of Koh Phangan, a long peninsula stretches from north to south toward Koh Samui. The tip of the peninsula is made up of high hills with steep, rocky cliffs. Between this point and the main island lies a flat isthmus, naturally forming two beaches: Haad Rin Nok and Haad Rin Nai.
Haad Rin Nok, the eastern beach, is about 600 meters (1,970 feet) long. Framed by rocky shores at both ends, this beach is accessible either by sea or via the road from Thong Sala.
Beach Overview
On this part of Koh Phangan, a long peninsula stretches from north to south toward Koh Samui. The tip of the peninsula is dominated by steep, rocky cliffs and high hills. Between this point and the main island, a natural isthmus has formed, creating two distinct beaches: Haad Rin Nok and Haad Rin Nai.
Haad Rin Nok, the eastern beach, is about 600 meters (1,970 feet) long and framed by rocky shores at both ends. You can only reach it by sea or by taking the road from Thong Sala.
Swimming
The entire stretch of Haad Rin Nok is covered with fine, powdery sand in a soft grayish-yellow hue. Along the edges and in the surf zone, you might come across some larger shell fragments, bits of coral, and pebbles, though these patches are rare.
For the most part, the beach offers soft, fluffy sand that, when wet, compresses into a smooth, firm surface—so firm that walking barefoot can sometimes feel like stepping on asphalt, with your heels hitting the ground hard.
Thanks to its gentle slope, Haad Rin Nok becomes a fantastic walking track during low tide, with the beach stretching up to 50 meters (165 feet) wide. In some areas, the seabed is so flat that small pools of seawater remain on the shore. The shallow waters extend far out, so even at high tide, you’ll need to walk about 30 meters (100 feet) from the shore to reach shoulder-deep water. Waves tend to appear only at high tide or when the wind conditions are just right.
You can also catch some waves near the edges of the beach, where the depth increases slightly. The seabed at Haad Rin Nok is impeccably clean, free from rocks or any sharp surprises. During high tide, particularly around midday, the sea’s color is something amateur photographers will want to capture.
Not far from Haad Rin Nok, hidden in a small bay beneath the Laem Ta To peninsula, is a secluded beach called Haad Khontee. While I’d love to write a full post about it, I’ve only seen it from the water and through my camera lens. At the end of Haad Rin’s photo gallery, you’ll find a couple of shots of this hidden gem. The sea there isn’t ideal for swimming due to a rocky seabed, and the beach is more about the wild, untouched scenery than a carefree vacation. But for some, that raw, natural vibe is what makes it special.
Sunbeds and Shade
There are plenty of trees on the beach, especially on the left side. The center of Haad Rin Nok is wider and more open, with shade only available under a few large trees or palms, which are mostly on private resort properties. However, as I mentioned earlier, Haad Rin is on the eastern side of the island.
This means the sun shines intensely here until midday. After that, it begins to shift west, and the shade from the private trees starts creeping onto the public beach. By the afternoon, you’ll have more than enough shady spots to escape the sun. As for sunbeds, I didn’t notice any on Haad Rin.
Beach Photos
Near Moon House Seafood and Steak Restaurant
Next to Tommy Resort
Haad Khontee
Amenities
Haad Rin’s infrastructure matches its status as the number one party destination on Koh Phangan. The entire isthmus is a maze of buildings of varying sizes, offering every kind of service and convenience you could need—from equipment rentals to medical care.
You’ll find chain convenience stores, bank branches, ATMs, massage parlors, travel agencies, guesthouses, fruit stands, and cafes serving cuisine from around the world, catering to all price ranges. The beachfront is lined with resorts and hotels of all calibers, ensuring there’s a place for everyone to stay.
Accommodation
There’s no shortage of places to stay at Haad Rin, ranging from ultra-budget group rooms to more upscale hotel options. Based on personal experience and feedback from friends, if you’re planning a longer stay, it’s worth booking a room at one of these hotels or resorts:
- Tommy Resort 3
- Palita Lodge 3
- Phangan Bayshore Resort 3
- Dancing Elephant No.1 Party Hostel
Each offers a different vibe, catering to various budgets and preferences.
How to Find the Beach
On the map below, I’ve marked the corner mini-mart with a brown pin. This is your landmark—you’ll need to make a left turn here to reach Haad Rin Nok Beach. The main road in this part of Koh Phangan looks like an ordinary secondary concrete road, so the turn can be easy to miss. Keep the mini-mart in mind as your guide.
After the turn, continue straight until you reach a parking area filled with motorbikes. This spot is very popular, so the closer you get to the beach, the harder it will be to find parking, especially for cars. Keep that in mind when planning your visit.
