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October 4, 2024
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Koh Phayam is a tranquil and unspoiled island located in the Andaman Sea, off the western coast of Thailand. Known for its serene beaches, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back vibe, Koh Phayam is exactly what you would expect from a Thai island. With no cars and only a handful of motorbikes on the island, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while exploring the island’s natural beauty on foot or by bicycle. The island’s eco-friendly approach to tourism also makes it a wonderful destination for conscious travelers seeking a more sustainable and responsible travel experience.
Long Beach, Koh Phayam, Thailand
Koh Phayam is a wonderful island in the Andaman Sea. It’s one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets and I hope that, by writing this post, I am not contributing to this island getting more commercialized!
At Koh Phayam, you can still experience the local authentic Thai island culture and a relaxed island vibe. it’s not been discovered by mass tourism yet but, accommodation can fill up easily in high season, simply because there aren’t that many, and that is exactly what is so lovely about this island.
If touristy Thai islands like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Lanta are not your cup of tea, I expect that this island will be what your dreams are made of. In this post, I will tell you about the best things to do on Koh Phayam, its beaches, my favorite places to eat, how to get there, and where to stay!
By the way, if you like things to be even more remote, don’t forget to check out the neighboring island of Koh Chang!
Koh Phayam in only 10 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide but boosts some incredible beaches. The great thing about the beaches in Koh Phayam is that they still have a wild feel.
It’s forbidden to put sunbeds on the beach and as a result, you can still feel immersed in nature here when taking walks on the beach. Of course, the beaches are lined with bungalows and a few restaurants but they are hidden away in the jungle.
Long Beach and Buffalo Bay are the most popular areas to stay on the island. In addition, you can visit the beautiful deserted beach of Monkey Bay and visit the beaches around the Koh Phayam Pier.
Long beach, Koh Phayam
If you want to visit the island and stay in the liveliest part of it, then consider booking your accommodation near Long Beach. At Long beach, you can find a few bars and restaurants that host parties regularly and have a distinct Hippie vibe.
If you want to stay at Long Beach but are looking for a quiet spot stay, consider walking all the way to the left of the beach, where you can find Big Tree Bungalows, a lovely local accommodation with decent snorkeling opportunities just in front of the restaurant.
At Long Beach, you can also find some great stores, like Shambhala and Koy Shop.
Buffalo Bay, Koh Phayam
Buffalo Bay is another long stretch of white sand beach that is locally referred to as Ao Khao Kwai. The left part of this bay is conveniently located in the middle of the island which makes it a great spot to stay to easy reach other places on the island.
Buffalo Bay, Koh Phayam, Thailand
Buffalo Bay boosts a more relaxed vibe than Long Beach and you won’t find any parties on the left strip of the beach, past Hin Talu. On the right stretch of the beach, you can find the famous Hippy Bar, a bar and restaurant that hosts regular parties and is completely built up out of driftwood.
Buffalo Bay has some great accommodations to stay on the island and the southern part of the beach is in close proximity to several restaurants and shops.
Gulf Kwangpeeb (Monkey beach), Koh Phayam
Gulf Kwangpeeb or Monkey Bay is a beautiful stretch of Beach in the north of the island. There is no accommodation near the beach and you can only reach it by taking a gravel road that is not accessible by Tuk-tuks.
It looks the most idyllic of all the beaches on Koh Phayam and makes for a great day trip. Do note that there can be small jellyfish in the water. It’s impossible to see them, but you can occasionally feel little stings while swimming.
There’s a wooden bar and restaurant on the beach where you can buy snacks and drinks.
Beaches near Koh Phayam pier
The eastern part of the island also has a few good beaches but they don’t have exact names. Some of them are privately owned by a few more upscale resorts on the island like Phayamas Private Beach Resort, Nitiporn Resort, and The Blue Sky Resort while others are freely accessible.
Beaches near Koh Phayam pier
One of the best spots on the island to snorkel and see colorful tropical fish is the beach near the pier with the temple over the sea. The beach isn’t as scenic as Long Beach and Buffalo Bay but if you love to see aquatic life, then this is the place you need to be.
→ PRO TIP: Traveling soon? check out my ultimate packing list for Thailand!
While relaxing seems to be the main goal for travelers coming to Koh Phayam, there are plenty of things to do on the island that can keep you busy for days!
Koh Phayam snorkeling: Tropical fish in the Andaman Sea
The best snorkeling can be found around the pier with the Bhumibol statue and small temple and near the rocks at Bamboo bungalows at Long Beach. Other travel blogs also mentioned Monkey Bay as a good spot to snorkel but I didn’t see anything here in the water.
Don’t expect too much of snorkeling on Koh Phayam. There isn’t that much to see. Experienced divers and snorkelers can opt to book a trip to the Surin Islands or Laem Son National Park. Trips can normally be booked through your accommodation.
Viewpoint on Koh Phayam Thailand
Most travelers hire a motorbike to get around the island but hiking is very rewarding and you will see a lot more than by rushing by on a motorbike.
There are various viewpoints on the island from which you have wonderful views of the surrounding area and other nearby islands like Koh Kham. The area between the Moken Village and Long Beach is a lovely area to hike around.
To find the hiking trail, check out the app Maps.me.
Koh Phayam things to do: Searching for the hornbills
Koh Phayam is known for its many hornbills and seeing them is one of the most wonderful experiences to have on Koh Phayam. They travel in group and, once you see one of them, many more will follow.
I’ve seen them at several places on Koh Phayam, mainly in the trees around Vijit Bungalows in Buffalo Bay but also across the street from the Thai restaurant ‘Back to December” and in the garden of Rabbit Bungalows.
Kayaking on Koh Phayam
At the southern tip of Buffalo Bay is a river that goes inland. You can rent a kayak and explore the mangrove forest that surrounds the river at high tide. Kayaks are for rent at a few accommodations. Vijit Bungalows rents them out at 100 THB per hour.
Alternatively, you can also kayak to the small rocky islands which you can see from the bay or to one of the other beaches.
Temple over the sea
A great walk on the island is to the local temples which are located to the left of the Koh Phayam Pier when facing the sea. There are a few sites to explore here. The first one is a pier with a small temple and a statue of the former King Bhumibol. From the pier, you can also see many colorful fish in the water.
Buddha statues
Furthermore, you can visit a large and scenic Buddha statue with next to it a statue of another god. One of the great things to do here is walk around the monk village. The village consists of little domes, some of them funny looking, in which the monks live or retreat for meditation.
While diving is not possible on Koh Phayam itself, there are some nearby islands with amazing diving opportunities. Trips to the Surin Islands, Laem Son National Park, or Richelieu Rock are all possible from Koh Phayam and even overnight trips to the Surin Islands are on offer.
Inquire about prices at your accommodation or contact Buffalo Bay Vacation Club.
Koh Phayam is car-free and that’s great but what even would be greater if fewer travelers would use a motorbike on the island. Koh Phayam is beautiful but the noise from the many motorbikes driving around sometimes spoils the peaceful atmosphere.
Cashew nut trees
Renting a bike is a better choice to reduce noise and pollution on the island and additionally, it’s also better for your health. Since Koh Phayam is a relatively small island it’s very easy to get around by bicycle.
Mountain bikes can be rented at Rabbit Bungalows.
Koh Kham island, Thailand
Koh Kham is another small island located southeast of Koh Phayam. There’s a story that goes around on the island that a former inhabitant of Koh Phayam was an avid snake catcher and, not wanting to kill them, rowed his boat to the tiny island, releasing them on Koh Kham.
At a black moon and full moon, the tide of the sea allows you to walk all the way from Koh Phayam to Koh Kham. If you’re not visiting when this occurs, you can also rent a private boat to make a trip to Koh Kham.
Moken village
At the Southern tip of Long Beach, across the river lies a Moken Village. You can normally reach it by taking the bridge but it was broken at the time of my visit (Feb 2023) so you’ll need to wade through the water.
The Moken people are sea gypsies that live a nomadic life on the water. Unfortunately, due to Westernization, the cultural identity of the Moken people decreases at a rapid pace. Instead of living on their boats, they now mainly live in small settlements on the island in the Andaman sea near the Thai and Burmese mainland.
Hin Talu, Koh Phayam
Hin Talu is a beautiful rock formation that juts out of the water in the middle of Buffalo Bay. It’s a scenic photo spot and you spot a variety of sea creatures in between the rocks when the sea is withdrawing itself.
Hin Talu, Koh Phayam
It’s also a good place to find a shady spot inside the rock when the sun is at its highest point during the day!
Late in the evening and at night, bioluminescent plankton can be seen on the beaches of Koh Phayam. Bioluminescence is produced by chemical reactions in the Plankton causing them to emit a blueish glow.
To check if the Plankton is there, watch the waves that crash onto the beach or splash in the water with your hand to see if there’s anything sparkling in the water. Fireflies can also be seen on the island.
Eagle Bar
Koh Phayam has some very scenic bars with the Hippie Bar being the most spectacular one. If you like to bar-hop around the island, try out Eagle Bar near the Moken Village or the Rock Bar and Viewpoint which cuts Buffalo Bay in the middle into two separate bays.
Looking for a massage or yoga on the island? There are several small beauty parlors on the island offering traditional Thai massage. Rose Massage, located on the main rod of the island gets good reviews.
For yoga, visit Art Yoga Koh Phayam for daily classes.
Here are the websites I personally use whenever I travel to Thailand:
Booking.com: For the best guesthouses, homestays, or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in the big cities or the countryside
12GO and Bookaway: The best transport websites for long-distance buses and train travel in Thailand
Thai Railway: To check timetables and connections for trains
Grab: The Uber of Southeast Asia is a convenient and cheap ride-hailing app
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Bangkok or Phuket
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from a vegan cooking class in Bangkok to a half-day meditation retreat at a waterfall temple with a monk.
Thailand is very easy to enter because you can stay in the country for up to 45 days with a tourist visa on arrival. If you want to spend more time in Thailand, check out the official Thai e-Visa website.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is without a doubt Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Get access to mobile data straight away when entering the country with a Thai E-sim or an Asialink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries. If you are already in Thailand, the best local prepaid sim card is AIS.
Boat in the Andaman Sea
Getting to Koh Phayam will require you to make on overland trip first to the city of Ranong, followed by a boat trip from Ranong to Koh Phayam island.
Ranong is a well-connected city in Thailand and can be reached by air, bus, or a train+bus combination. From Bangkok, you can reach Koh Phayam by plane in one and a half hours but taking the train and a bus is more environmentally friendly and better for your wallet.
Busses depart Bangkok daily and can be booked on 12GoAsia. Busses also make the drive to Ranong from Ao Nang and Krabi. You’ll need to change buses in Takua Pu if you’re coming from Khao Sok National Park.
Coming from Bangkok, the southbound train is an excellent choice if you want to avoid a hassle of a long bus ride. You’ll need to get off the train at the town of Chumphon where you will be able to find minivans that ply the route to Ranong. If you’re coming from southern Thailand (Koh Phangan & Koh Samui), taking the train from Surat Thani is also the best way to reach Ranong.
Train tickets can also be booked at 12GoAsia.
Once you arrive in Ranong you have two options: You can take the local ferry at Tai Kak Pier which will reach Koh Phayam in two hours or take a speed boat at Ranong Pier that covers the same distance in only 45 minutes.
Check out my guide about how to get from Ranong to Koh Phayam to learn about these two transport options.
Hiking
There are no cars on Koh Phayam which makes it a delight to spend time walking around the island. The best way to explore the island is by using your own two feet or bicycle. The island is not large in size and if you stay in the middle of the island you can easily plan day hikes to every corner. With a bicycle, you can even get to all the corners of the island in one day.
Tuk-tuks are also widely available on the island and are especially handy if you are arriving on the island and you need to get to your accommodation.
Lastly, you can opt to hire a motorbike but I found that this was not necessary to get around the island. Moreover, I found them annoying since the streets near the beaches are small and you’ll need to get off the road every minute to let them pass by.
Motorbikes cost 250 THB and you can find a good mountain bike for 100 THB.
Beachside restaurants and accommodation
While there are a few resorts on the island, most accommodation on Koh Phayam mainly consists of wooden bungalows near the main beaches or in a garden setting.
If you travel to Koh Phayam in peak season, it’s wise to book accommodation beforehand and with beforehand, I mean, at least a few weeks in advance. Places tend to fill up quickly in high season and it can be hard to find something decent if you arrive on the island without a booking.
I had to change accommodations several times during my stay due to this and it makes your stay less relaxed if you need to pack up your bags again every few days. On the other hand, this gave me a good insight into what Koh Phayam has to offer.
Here are my favorite choices on Koh Phayam!
Gypsy Bar, Koh Phayam, Thailand
You won’t be short on good food on Koh Phayam no matter where you are staying on the island! Here are my favorite restaurants on Koh Phayam that are excellent choices for vegan travelers.
Fried cashews with vegetables
Burmese samosas
Sticky rice with grated coconut
Koh Phayam Pier
Koh Phayam experiences two distinct seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. The best time to visit Koh Phayam is during the dry season which runs from November up to April. During these months the weather is nice and sunny with little rain.
Note that a lot of the accommodations and restaurants close down during low season. It’s best to inquire if it’s worth visiting from May to October.
The island has a great Facebook group where you can drop any questions you might have.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this Koh Phayam Travel Guide. As you can see, Koh Phayam is a great island for slow travelers who like to experience Thai island vibes away from the tourist trail.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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