Full Moon Party Koh Phangan: Dates, Entry Fee and Getting There

Full Moon Party Koh Phangan. Once a month, Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan turns into one of the biggest beach parties in Southeast Asia: thousands of travellers dance in the sand under the full moon, between fire dancers, sound systems and buckets full of cocktails. Once you've been, it's not a night you forget easily. Here are the current dates, what the entry fee is, how to get there safely from Koh Samui, and what to keep in mind.

What is the Full Moon Party?

The Full Moon Party began in the mid-1980s as a small gathering of backpackers at a beach bar in Haad Rin — accounts of the exact founding year vary between 1983 and 1988. Over the decades, the spontaneous celebration grew into a fixed institution: at the bigger dates today, tens of thousands of visitors turn up, while smaller ones still draw several thousand. The beach fills with makeshift bars, DJ stages and fire shows, and the party often runs through to sunrise.

Critics say the event has become too commercial over the years. Even so, it remains a fixture for many travellers making their way through Southeast Asia — not least because Koh Phangan is a worthwhile island to visit well beyond the party night.

Full Moon Party dates 2026 and 2027

The Full Moon Party is usually held on the actual night of the full moon. If a date falls on a major Buddhist holy day (Wan Phra Yai), the official calendar moves the party to the following day — this doesn't happen every month, but often enough that it's worth double-checking the date shortly before you travel. The New Year party, on the other hand, is always fixed on 31 December regardless of the lunar calendar.

Dates from 2027 onward are lunar-calendar projections — the organisers usually only publish the official calendar for a new year partway through the year before. It's worth double-checking the exact date before you book boats or accommodation.

How much is the entry fee?

Entry to the Full Moon Party currently costs 200 THB per person, payable in cash directly at the access points to Haad Rin beach. In return you get a glow-in-the-dark wristband marking you as a paying guest. In the past, some local operators set up their own informal path blocks with a separate "wristband fee" — entry now runs through the official gates on the beach. Bring plenty of cash in small notes either way, since card payment is rarely an option on the sand.

Getting there from Koh Samui

Koh Phangan is only a short boat ride from Koh Samui. For the Full Moon Party, a transfer timed to the party night itself makes the most sense: departure in the late afternoon or evening, and return trips running roughly hourly through the night into the early morning, so you can head back whenever you're ready instead of relying on the last scheduled ferry. That's exactly what this transfer covers, including pick-up:

from 1,350 THBFull Moon Party Transfer - Round trip Koh Samui to Koh Phangan★★★★★4.94 from 150 reviews

If you're travelling in from Bangkok, Krabi or another island instead, the usual routes (flight/bus/train to Surat Thani, then ferry) are covered in our guide on getting to Koh Samui — the same route to Surat Thani applies for Koh Phangan too.

Where to stay — or should you even stay?

If you want to stay overnight in Haad Rin, book at least three to four days ahead — affordable rooms go first, and prices climb noticeably in the days leading up to the party. Nearby Ban Tai Beach is a quieter alternative, well connected to Haad Rin by taxi or songthaew.

The simpler option, especially if you're already staying on Koh Samui, is to skip a Koh Phangan bed altogether and take the overnight return transfer back the same night. That saves you searching for a room on the most expensive night of the month.

Staying safe at the Full Moon Party

For most visitors, the Full Moon Party is a straightforward, safe experience — as long as you use common sense. A few rules help:

• Leave valuables behind. Your passport, large amounts of cash and expensive electronics don't belong on the beach. Bring only what you truly need and lock the rest in your hotel safe.
• Don't swim while drunk. Currents get stronger around the full moon, and mixing that with alcohol is dangerous — most of the few serious incidents at the Full Moon Party involve drowning.
• Keep an eye on your drink. Buy the famous "buckets" (spirits mixed with an energy drink) from established bars rather than improvised stalls, and don't leave your drink unattended.
• Wear proper shoes, not bare feet. Broken glass regularly turns up in the sand once the party gets going.
• Watch fire-skipping ropes and fire shows from a safe distance. Burns from fire-skipping ropes are one of the most common reasons for a clinic visit on party night.
• Don't ride a scooter. Drunk or sober, don't get behind the wheel yourself on party night. For safer ways to get around, see our guide to getting around Koh Samui.

Drugs: a serious legal risk

Around the Full Moon Party, travellers are sometimes offered drugs, from pills to supposed "magic mushroom" shakes. Don't take this lightly: drug possession is a criminal offence in Thailand for everyone, regardless of nationality, and penalties can include lengthy prison sentences — with larger quantities carrying much harsher consequences still. Plainclothes police presence at the parties is also documented. Never accept anything from strangers, whatever you're told about it, and for questions about the law, rely on official sources rather than beach rumours.

Finding some quiet away from the party

Koh Phangan is far more than Haad Rin: the island's north coast is lined with quiet coves, some reachable only by boat or via jungle trails. If you want a few calm days after party night, you'll find plenty of relaxed alternatives well away from the chaos of Sunrise Beach.

Frequently asked questions

What date is the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan?

Dates follow the full moon, with an occasional one-day shift when it coincides with a major Buddhist holy day. The next confirmed 2026 dates are 27 October, 24 November, 24 December and 31 December (New Year party); 2027 dates are listed in the table above but count as projections until officially confirmed.

Is the Full Moon Party worth it in 2026?

It depends on what you're after. If loud music, big crowds and a party that runs until sunrise sound appealing, this is one of the best-known experiences in Southeast Asia. If you're after something quieter, a day trip to Koh Phangan without the party night, or one of the calmer neighbouring islands, will probably suit you better.

How much does a Full Moon Party cost?

The official entry fee is 200 THB per person, cash at the beach entrance. On top of that comes your boat transfer, drinks on the beach, and accommodation if you're not heading straight back.

What time should you arrive at the Full Moon Party?

The party starts in the early evening but only really fills up from around 10 to 11pm, running on until sunrise. Arriving early gets you a good spot on the beach and helps you avoid the biggest crowds when the night transfers arrive.

For more on Koh Phangan and getting there, see our Koh Phangan day trip guide, our Thailand visa 2026 tips, and our article on the best time to visit Koh Samui.