Chaloklam Beach, sometimes spelled Chaloklum, sits at the northernmost tip of Koh Phangan. The easiest way to reach it is by taking a smooth ride through the island’s center from Thong Sala. You can ride across the entire island in about 20 minutes on a scooter, without needing to rush.
Chaloklam is a small village, but its well-developed infrastructure stands out compared to the island’s wilder, more remote areas. Although smaller than Thong Sala, Chaloklam is still one of the largest settlements on Koh Phangan—probably second or third in size. With just two main streets, it still feels more like a small town than a village.
Beach Overview
The main road through Koh Phangan leads directly to Chaloklam, ending at a pier that splits the bay in two. Both sides of the pier are generally known as Chaloklam Beach. Facing the sea from the pier, you’ll find Malibu Beach on the left, marked by a small river.
Technically, more of Chaloklam lies beyond the river, but it’s not worth exploring. The shoreline there is filled with fishing boats, tangled nets, and sea debris. In short, it’s best to stop at Malibu Beach, as the area beyond feels more like a dumping ground.
To the right of the pier is Fanta See Beach, which also ends at a river. The depth and current at the river mouth make it difficult to cross, isolating the last 50 meters of Fanta Beach from those walking along the shore. You can only reach it by taking a detour through the hills.
Overall, the 100 meters on either side of the pier feature shallow waters, murky seas, and parked boats. If you’re looking for a more picturesque spot, I’d recommend heading straight to one of the two charming beaches at the edges of Chaloklam Bay—either Malibu or Fanta Beach.
It’s worth mentioning that “Malibu” and “Fanta” aren’t official names; they come from the nearby resorts, Malibu Beach Bungalows and Fanta Beach Resort. But both names are commonly used by locals and tourists alike.
Swimming
Malibu Beach is renowned for its powdery white sand and unique landscape, with trees pruned into perfect round shapes that resemble casuarinas. This striking scenery draws visitors who come specifically to snap photos of the picturesque setting.
In contrast, Fanta Beach feels like a simpler, more rustic version of polished Malibu—no rounded trees, more shells and pebbles in the sand, and a sea that’s less ideal for swimming.
Malibu Beach is quite shallow, so during low tide, it’s impossible to reach deeper water with just a few steps. However, at high tide, it transforms into a swimmable beach, and its beauty really shines.
That said, many visitors have complained about sand flies here, so it’s best to come for sunbathing, enjoying the views, and taking a quick dip—just don’t expect an ideal swimming experience.
If you’re like me and your definition of a great swimming beach involves floating upright with your feet still touching the ground, Malibu might fall short. The beach itself is about 5–10 meters wide, with a stunning 50×50 meter patch of pure white sand on the far left, almost like a mini desert.
Fanta Beach shares similar shallow waters, though it might be a bit deeper than Malibu. At high tide, the water reaches shoulder height just 5 meters from the shore, while at low tide, it’s about waist-deep at the same distance. The sandy strip is around 15 meters wide along most of its length, expanding to 25 meters at the far right end.
Sunbeds and Shade
At Malibu Beach, shade comes from a mix of neatly trimmed trees and naturally growing plants, including palm trees and the iconic round-shaped trees. As the afternoon progresses, the shade becomes more plentiful, making it easier to find a comfortable spot to relax. The shoreline on the left side of Malibu is quite wide, so there’s always plenty of space to spread out.
I didn’t notice any sunbeds here, so most people simply unwind on towels. Over at Fanta Beach, however, shade is much harder to come by. Aside from a single tree in the center of the beach, there’s no real cover from the sun.
Sunbeds are absent there as well, leaving you with a tough choice: enjoy the peaceful, sunny solitude at Fanta or head to Malibu, where you can cool off in the shade but will likely be surrounded by visitors taking photos of the stunning landscape.
Beach Photos
Malibu Beach
Fanta Beach
Amenities
Chaloklam offers the kind of infrastructure you’d expect from a typical tourist village. It’s nothing extravagant, but it has everything you need to exchange money and spend it with ease. There’s a small pier where you can catch a boat or speedboat to explore the nearby beaches. Within a 100-meter radius of Malibu and Fanta beaches, you’ll find just a couple of bars connected to the resorts.
All other amenities are closer to the main road that runs along the shore. Here, you’ll find everything from ATMs to restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, massage parlors, mini-markets, equipment rentals, pharmacies, tour agencies, and dive shops. In short, Chaloklam provides a fully functional tourist infrastructure.
Personally, I preferred Malibu Beach. It could be the unique vegetation or the wide, well-maintained shoreline, but I personally preferred it. Fanta Beach is also nice, but if I were choosing a spot to swim and sunbathe, Malibu would be my pick. Fanta is better suited for a peaceful stroll along the shore.
During low tide, the seabed reveals compacted sand that’s almost as firm as asphalt, making it perfect for walking—you won’t sink into the sand at all. From a vacationer’s perspective, I could easily see myself staying in Chaloklam. The area around the beach is ideal for a self-sufficient stay, with all the essentials close at hand.
There’s even a 7-Eleven that takes care of everyday shopping needs, offering snacks, alcohol, basic groceries, and other essentials. There are also small local shops selling clothing, souvenirs, and fresh fruit. That’s about it for shopping.
As for attractions, apart from the beautiful white Chaloklam Temple, there’s not much to see locally. Most of the popular attractions are a bit farther from Chaloklam. However, for many tourists, Malibu Beach itself is considered one of the top highlights of Koh Phangan.
Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation in Chaloklam, there’s something for everyone—from budget bungalows to highly rated hotels. A couple of great options include:
- Baan Moon Chan Koh Phangan
- Malibu Beach Bungalows
One spot worth mentioning is the small patch of land at Fanta See Beach, just beyond the river I mentioned earlier. This area is home to Buritara Resort, which is cut off from the rest of Fanta See Beach by a fairly deep river mouth—and there’s no bridge to cross it. The river was intentionally deepened to allow taxi boats to pass through, but to get around by land, the detour is several kilometers.
Guests at Buritara can only look out at their small, pretty beach with its rocky bottom, while envying the visitors on the other side of the river. The resort itself is decent and popular, but many people book it without realizing this little inconvenience.
How to Find the Beach
Malibu Beach: From Thong Sala, drive along the main road until you reach the only 7-Eleven on the route. Turn left there and continue for about 200 meters until you see the sign for Malibu Beach Bungalows.
Fanta Beach: Instead of turning at the 7-Eleven, keep driving straight toward the sea. Just before you reach the shore, turn right onto a dirt road that runs along the coast. After about 100 meters, you’ll arrive at Fanta Beach—there’s a sign, so you can’t miss it.
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