Surviving the Ultimate Full Moon Party and Songkran in 7 Days – Day 1
I and Richie planned to hit the craziest party of all in South-East Asia. Have you heard of the Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan? Also, we wanted to experience the crazy water festival during Songkran at Chiang Mai. Before these, we wanted to spend a buffer day at Koh Nang Yuan, one of my favorite islands of Thailand. I always recommend everyone to pay a visit to this beautiful island of Gulf of Thailand. You can also visit it as a day-trip from Koh Tao. Koh Tao is a nearby island only 15-20 min away from Koh Nang Yuan. It can be reached by longtail boat or ferry. Koh Nang Yuan looks like three scoops of tiny lands joined by white sand bars – it is a paradise for kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba-diving.
Highlights of the Day
- Transfer from Bangkok to Koh Nang Yuan
- Relax at Nang Yuan Island Dive Resort
How to Reach Koh Nang Yuan?
Remember to check in 1-2 h before the bus timing at Lomprayah office at Khao San Road, as later it gets really crowded.
No matter how far the islands are, it is not really difficult to commute to them in Thailand. Every place is so well connected with different types of transportation, like flight, train, bus, and ferry too. We booked our transfer with Lomprayah – which included an overnight bus from Khao San Road to Chumphon pier, catamaran from Chumphon pier to Koh Tao pier, and long tail boat to Koh Nang Yuan.
Sometimes, the Lomprayah catamaran stops at Koh Nang Yuan before going to Koh Tao, sometimes it would stop at Koh Tao only and send you to Koh Nang Yuan by a longtail boat. This time, we faced the second situation.
We reached Koh Tao – another gem of Gulf of Thailand – at around 9.15 AM. We left our luggage at the Lomprayah office, and walked to the pier street for some food. There is a little restaurant by the sea. I settled down with vegetarian Pad Thai while Richie was happy with his toasts and eggs. The long tail boat to Koh Nang Yuan departed at 10.30 AM from the pier.
The Island and the Resort
Visitors are allowed in the island only from 10 AM to 5 PM. So for rest of the time, the island belongs only to the guests.
Koh Nang Yuan charges 100 ฿ as an entrance fee to every visitor except the ones who are staying at the resort on the island. We had already booked our stay at the resort, so we were exempted from paying the entrance fee.
The island says no to plastic bottles. If you are carrying any, you have to submit them near the entrance. The resort and the restaurant on the island uses only reusable glass bottles.
We had booked the beach villa D17. It offers the best view of the beach as been told by the staff. She was not wrong – the room we got was fantastic! The room is expensive. It is the only resort with private beach facilities. It offers great views of Gulf of Thailand. Moreover, it provides one of the best snorkeling sites of Thailand – so there was no regret.
Relax and Unwind Yourself at the Island
Twin Peak and Japanese Gardens are two popular dive sites of the island. You would find many dive boats surrounding the island.
The blinding turquoise water of the Gulf of Thailand and the white sandy beaches did not let us rest much. After a quick shower, Richie rented a snorkel mask for 100 ฿ to explore the amazing aquatic life of Koh Nang Yuan. I was more interested in hiking to the viewpoint. Both of us share a strong affection for sunsets and sunrises, who doesn’t? We both hiked to the viewpoint after all the visitors emptied the island. It was only us and few other guests of the resort at the viewpoint.
If you are planning to coming to Thailand, keep few days for visiting Gulf of Thailand. Come down to Koh Tao and have a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan. To have the best of the experiences of this island, come here and spend few days at the resort. Enjoy water activities and everything else of this blindingly beautiful island. You won’t regret it!
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 1 in Thailand – Koh Nang Yuan.
- Bangkok to Koh Nang Yuan (bus + ferry): 1500
- Hotel in Koh Nang Yuan for twin sharing (1 night): 3500
- Food: 400
Total expense (roughly): 5400 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Surviving the Ultimate Full Moon Party and Songkran in 7 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
It’s been a good few years since I was last in Thailand, so this place reminds of how beautiful it was. Your room is gorgeous, and your photos of the sunset and scenery, just stunning. Shame about the food though; it doesn look delicious!
Yes the room was really crazy. One-of-a-kind! Truly I have had better Thai food elsewhere, this was just OK-ish.
Still have to go to Thailand, I can’t wait to experience the full moon party and the beauty of this country. The room you stayed in looks amazing!
Yes, full moon party is a to-do for every traveler, hit it soon!
I love the fact that the island has a no plastics policy and they actually make you deposit your platics before entering ! That sunset picture is amazing by the way, so lucky you got to experience it. Thailand has such beautiful waters !
Thanks Medha, glad you liked it.
I have been to Thailand 3 times but ruled out full moon parties as I think I might have past that stage lol. That resort looks gorgeous though, I would love to stay there.
Yes, the beautiful resort is worth going to Koh Pha Ngan once again 🙂
Wow that island is gorgeous! I’ve always wanted to go to a Full Moon Party, I heard they are the best!
Thank you for this advice, I haven’t heard of this island and now I definitely want to go!
Yes Hally, you must go there. If you have any plans to get here, feel free to reach out to me.
Planning on going to Thailand next year and your post has got me all excited hehe. Now all theres let for me to do is book my ticket! Will def want to stay a few days here in Koh Nang ? love your photos btw.
Yes, you must spend a few nights in Gulf of Thailand for sure.
Wonderful! Love it! ❤️
Glad!
The Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan – combined with a trip in which you attended the water festival during Songkran at Chiang Mai – wow, now that really sounds like a dream trip to Thailand. I would not have know about the option of staying at Koh Nang Yuan if I hadn’t come across this post. This seems like the perfect overnight stay in an already amazing itinerary. I haven’t been to Thailand yet but it is on our bucket list. The photographs in this post of the sunsets are awesome. Thanks for the helpful post – will be referring to it when we plan our visit to Thailand.
You would love it here, Aditi.
.Been to Thailand, but only in Bangkok. I’d love to experience the Full Moon Party as well! 🙂
You must visit the other places in Thailand as well.
I like it that it’s quite easy to reach there, since we are planning to visit Thailand later this year. The resort seems really nice too. But the Koh Tao is quite crowded. Not a surprise though considering that this is a tourist attraction.
You would love it here.
I’ve read so much about traveling to Thailand but haven’t had the opportunity to get there myself quite yet. Your photos make me want to see this part of the country as well, so I think I’m in for a long visit.
Gulf of Thailands is a must-visit.
Wow this sounds likes such an epic trip! I have yet to go to Thailand but I’m moving to Southeast Asia next year and will definitely be visiting.
Wow, lucky you, Alysa.
Asia has become so popular travel destination certainly for a reason. Everytime I read about the South-Eastern countries like Thailand it appears to me as a dream land:) Your article and the pictures made me want to go there right now!
SE Asia is love.
We’ve been to Thailand but didn’t spend nearly enough time there. It’s on our list to go back. This island and the resort looks amazing!
Yes, indeed.
Haven’t had the opportunity to visit Thailand yet, but everytime I read a post like yours the desire to do so just keeps on growing. Beautiful island!
You should visit Thailand, soon.
I am working on getting my PADI certification and would love to go diving in Koh Nang Yuan! Good to know that they have a no plastics policy in the island, and charging visitors that aren’t staying in the resort is also good not only to streamline and manage the people visiting but also to utilise that money to care for the environment. Your place of stay looks pretty awesome, the kind of place I’d also choose to stay in if I travel to the island.
You would love diving here, Medha.
It’s just too bad that the food wasn’t delicious (I guess by Thai standards) but the scenery and the lodging are tops for the price!
The food was sad, but the view made it up.
I’ve ever heard of the Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan. But then I’ve never been to Thailand either, so maybe that’s why. At any rate, the Full Moon Party sounds like something for the “young at heart.” Koh Nang Yuan on the other hand looks really peaceful and beautiful. If I were to choose, I’d rather spend my time here, than at the Full Moon Party, lol!
Yes, Koh Phangan has a lot to offer otherwise.
Being the only resort on the island, it must have been frustrating having to pay hefty prices for your meals, but the food does look good! I missed the full moon party when I went, incredibly jealous, it remains on my bucket list
The island is too pretty, so it is OK to manage for a night.
The villa looks incredible! So does the Koh Tao reef. I think I would spend a lot of time walking along the wooden boardwalk listening to water and relaxing
That sounds nice.
Love this post, Shreya! I was just in Bangkok and had a blast, but the Thai islands are on my wish list for sure. The bus sounds like an interesting experience, although it’s too bad that there weren’t leg rests and that affected your sleep. I’m also really glad to hear that the island banned plastic bottles. More places could definitely get on board with that. The sunsets look stunning and I hope you had an amazing Songkran!
You must visit these places soon, Kevin.
I’ve not been to Thailand yet, but time on Koh Nang Yuan looks like a perfect place to stay. I don’t like the idea of the ‘party thailand’, so this looks to be a peaceful alternative!
When in Thailand, this is a must visit place.
Oh wow, I can see why you chose to unwind at Koh Nang Yuan. It’s so gorgeous and the views are incredible. Plus I love that they’re eco-conscious and won’t even let plastic bottles.
Yes, it’s worth it.
Beach villa room looks amazing. I love how beautiful the water looks. I’d love to do the full moon party.
The Full Moon Party is must.
Honestly Nang Yuan Island had never been on our list but after seeing your pictures I am totally in love with it. What a great sunset ? shot!! Amazing and that walk away bridge- wow!! The resort too looks great. Surely gonna visit this place now! Thanks for sharing.
If you are here, Gulf of Thailands is something you must not miss.