Koh Phangan villa rentals: frequently asked questions

Quick, honest answers to the things guests ask us most. For anything not covered here, message us on WhatsApp.

Where is Koh Phangan?

Koh Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, in Surat Thani Province, between Koh Samui to the south and Koh Tao to the north. There's no airport on the island, so you arrive by ferry. The postal code is 84280.

How do I get to the island?

Most people fly into Koh Samui, then take a high-speed boat across, roughly 30 to 45 minutes. You can also reach it by ferry from the mainland at Surat Thani (often combined with a bus or flight to Surat Thani town) or from Koh Tao. The full breakdown of the Samui crossing, including piers and airport transfers, is in the Samui to Koh Phangan guide.

Is Koh Phangan a party island?

Not really, despite the reputation. The Full Moon Party happens once a month at Haad Rin on the southern tip. The rest of the island, and the rest of the month, is quiet. We manage villas on the west and north coasts, which are calm, beach-led, and suited to couples, families, and groups who want a real place to stay rather than a party.

Which area should I stay in?

For a first trip with the beach at the center, Haad Yao on the west coast is the easy answer: calm swimming, sunsets, cafés, and central enough to reach the rest of the island. For more quiet, Hin Kong just south, or the Chaloklum side to the north. The best areas guide walks through each one and who it suits.

When is the best time to visit?

The most reliable weather runs from roughly January to April: dry, sunny, calm seas. May to September is warm and green with passing showers and lower prices. October to December is the wettest stretch, with the heaviest rain usually around November. Koh Phangan sits on the gulf side of Thailand, so its seasons differ from Phuket and the Andaman coast.

Do I need a scooter?

It helps a lot. The island is spread out and a scooter is the cheapest, easiest way to move around, usually 150 to 250 THB a day. If you don't ride, taxis (songthaews) cover the main routes, and we can arrange transfers. With small children, many families skip the scooter and use taxis or a car. Roads have steep and rough sections, so ride carefully and wear a helmet.

How do I book, and why book direct?

Message us your dates on WhatsApp, we confirm the villa is open and send a price, you pay 50% to confirm and 50% on arrival. Booking direct means no Airbnb service fee on top of the rate. Full details are in the how to book guide.

What are the payment terms?

50% upfront to confirm the booking (by Wise, USDT, or arranged over WhatsApp), and 50% on arrival. There's a 3-night minimum on every villa, and a 5% discount on stays of 14 nights or more.

Is there a security deposit?

Yes, a refundable security deposit set per villa, paid on arrival and returned on departure once the villa is checked and the electric meter is read. It's separate from the upfront payment, not part of it.

How is electricity charged?

Electricity is billed separately at 7 THB per unit, read from the meter, and settled on departure against your deposit. It's never folded into the nightly rate. This keeps the quoted price honest: you pay for the power you actually use, which in cooler months with the A/C off can be very little.

Can I rent monthly?

Yes. Long stays are a big part of what we do. The monthly reference rate is the daily rate times 30, minus 10%, subject to availability, with electricity still billed separately. See the monthly rentals guide for the details and which villas suit longer stays.

Do the villas have sea views?

Some do, genuinely. Haad Yao faces west, so many of our villas there look down over the bay with sunsets. We're careful not to imply a view a villa doesn't have. The villas with a real sea view are listed in the sea view villas guide, with honest notes on which are full and which are partial.

Are the villas good for families with kids?

Many are. The calm, shallow west-coast beaches and villas with pools suit children well. Larger three-bedroom villas like Villa Rivine (V17) and the Blue Garden Villas work for families and groups. Tell us the ages of your kids and we'll point you at something that fits.

Are pets allowed?

In some villas, yes. Several of the Kanchaya Residence apartments near Chaloklum welcome pets, which is uncommon on the island. Ask us before you book and we'll confirm which places can take your animal.

What's the WiFi like?

It varies by villa, as it does across the island. We list the actual situation on each villa's page rather than rounding it up, and several places have strong fiber connections that suit remote work. If reliable internet matters for your stay, tell us and we'll steer you to the villas that deliver it. Overall it's good, and whenever there is an issue the technicians are pretty fast sorting it out.

Do you help with visas and immigration?

We file the TM.30 address notification that Thai immigration requires for guests staying at our villas. For visa extensions you handle those yourself at the island's immigration office, and we've written up the address, hours, and what to bring.

Still have a question?

Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and whatever you're wondering about. We'd rather answer honestly before you book than have you arrive to something different from what you pictured.