Most first time visitors head to Koh Phangan in Thailand for its vibrant nightlife and famous Full Moon parties, which are held on Haad Rin Beach. Zen Beach Koh Phangan offers a peaceful contrast to the lively party scene.
Therefore, it’s an excellent place for travelers who want to experience more hippie and relaxed vibes.
During our adventures on Koh Phangan, we kept coming back. Maybe you’re asking a question why? The answer is simple: we just loved it there! So, if you want to learn more, just keep reading.
Where is Zen Beach?
The beach is nestled on the west coast of Koh Phangan, about 5.5 km from Thong Sala, the island’s main port. You can also save the location to your Google Maps app.
How to get to Zen Beach
To reach Zen Beach Koh Phangan, you can rent a motorbike or take a taxi. If you’re staying nearby, walking is also a good option.
Renting a motorbike is the most convenient and cost-effective option, with a daily rental fee of 200 THB. Taxis are generally more expensive than renting a motorbike.
There is parking close to the beach, but you can’t park directly on the beach since it’s a private property. It takes only 2 minutes to reach the beach from the parking.
TIP: Did you know that all ATMs in Thailand charge you 220TBH (6€) for withdrawal? It’s a lot, right? Keep this in mind and rather than withdrawing little amounts too often do it once or twice in large amounts.
Where to stay on Koh Phangan
For party lovers, the best area to stay is near Haad Rin beach. That’s where you’ll also find the famous Full Moon Party. If you’re looking for a hippie laid-back vibe or if you’re a digital nomad head to Zen Beach. Other alternatives can be found in the northern part of the island, too.
Best hotels on Koh Phangan
Check availability
About Zen Beach
Entrance fee: free
Parking fee: free
The beach is known for pristine white sand, crystal clear water, laid-back hippie vibes, and incredible sunsets. Every evening, travelers from all over the island gather on the beach to witness the island’s most breathtaking sunset.
But not only to watch the sunset but also to play together on musical instruments. Some people even perform fire shows and enjoy dancing.
Anyone can without a doubt join and enjoy a beautiful evening full of music and positive vibes. On Zen Beach, there is a simple yet beautiful Grasshopper Beach Bar offering a variety of cold drinks, cocktails, beers, and of course, delicious and cheap Thai food.
There are no public restrooms or showers available, but you can use the restroom at the bar. If you’re feeling hungry and would like to grab a snack, you can take a short walk to the 7-11 convenience store on the main road near the beach.
Usually, there’s a live DJ at the bar playing some great music, so you can grab a beer and enjoy your evening.
Things to do on the beach
1. Sunbathe on a nudist part of the beach
Half of the Zen Beach Koh Phangan is actually also a nudist beach. It’s not an official nudist beach because nudism is illegal in Thailand.
Therefore you won’t find any locals there, just tourists. So be prepared to see some naked bodies since there isn’t any fence or anything that can separate nudists from the rest of the people.
But don’t worry, during our visits, everyone was respectful, and we felt comfortable on the beach without anyone staring at us.
2. Get a massage
Getting a massage is another popular activity on the beach. You can get a fantastic massage at Dawan Massage, and believe me, it’s perfect and cheap.
You can get a 1-hour massage only for 300THB. Dawan is indeed skilled, so you can relax and enjoy your massage with the sound of waves in the background. Does that sound right?
Days can be hot in Thailand, and getting a massage without AC might be uncomfortable. We highly recommend getting a massage before a sunset, when the temperature drops slightly.
3. Try Yoga
During sunset, many people gather to practice yoga or acro yoga. If they don’t mind, you can simply join them and enjoy this activity together. If you’re too shy to ask them, there are many Yoga classes on Koh Phangan that you can join.
4. Watch a sunset
This is one of the best places to watch a sunset. Grab a beer or any other cold drink at Grasshopper Bar and chill on the beach while watching a mind-blowing sunset. This is also the perfect time for some meditation.
Best restaurants around the beach
In the surrounding area of Zen Beach, you’ll find many restaurants. We personally loved Mama KOP Restaurant. The owners always greeted us with a smile, and their food was truly tasty.
You’ll be impressed by how quickly they serve your order, and the best part is that their prices are pretty affordable compared to other restaurants.
I can’t forget to mention that a shop selling only coconuts for a perfect price is next to the Mama KOP restaurant. You can even buy one and a half liter of fresh coconut water in a plastic bottle.
Travel Insurance
One of the worst things you could do is travel without insurance. We never go on a trip without travel insurance. Anything can happen during your adventures.
Our go-to company is SafetyWing. They will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
If you purchase the insurance through our link, you still pay the same, and we will earn a small commission. This helps us run our blog. Thank you ❤️
Best time to visit Zen Beach
Dry season: December – August
Rainy season: September – November
I highly recommend planning your trip during the dry season, which starts in December and ends in August.
Just to let you know, the peak season generally has excellent weather. However, if you prefer fewer crowds and want to save money, the shoulder season (June to November) might be a better option for you.
Just keep in mind that this period coincides with the monsoon season, therefore you may experience occasional rain showers.
Based on our experience, we recommend going to the beach during sunset. The laid-back atmosphere and presence of other travelers make it an ideal time to enjoy the beach to the fullest.
But if you want to sunbathe, feel free to come anytime during the day. There will be enough space for everyone on the beach.
Koh Phangan tides
Not many people realize this, but Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao do not have typical 4 tides per day. There are only 2. Between December and March is a high tide season. This means high tide is stronger and water is deeper than in the other seasons.
During summer, it’s low tide season, and water is too shallow on some beaches. In some months, you only get low tide during daylight. Then, it’s essential to choose the right beach to actually enjoy swimming.
Best activities on Koh Phangan
Other places to visit nearby
Bottle Beach Viewpoint
This is certainly the best viewpoint on the Island. Bottle Beach Viewpoint is situated on the other side of Koh Phangan, but it’s definitely worth the visit. You’ll be rewarded with the most stunning views, and you can also explore Bottle Beach, another hidden gem you should discover.
Mae Haad Beach – the best place for snorkeling
If you still haven’t discovered Mae Haad Beach, you should add it to your itinerary. It’s the best beach on the island for snorkeling.
The marine life is mindblowing, and you’ll be amazed by the colorful corals and fish that will swim around you. Remember to bring your snorkeling gear since I am not sure if you could rent it directly on the beach.
In addition, Mae Haad Beach is connected to Koh Ma Island through the narrow sandbank. This is another beautiful spot, perfect for photo shooting.
Salad Beach
Another beautiful and peaceful beach, perfect for sunbathing and snorkeling. Salad Beach has a pleasant entrance to the water and a passage to the corals. Ideal for families or people who want to relax in a quiet environment. Perfect place for watching the best sunsets on the island.
Zen Beach Koh Phangan – conclusion
Zen Beach Koh Phangan is the perfect place for those seeking positive vibes and a place to watch the sunset surrounded by creative people.
White sands, turquoise waters, and a fantastic beach bar provide everything you need to fully immerse yourself in this tropical paradise. I hope you find this guide helpful, and thank you for reading.
