Haad Rin beach is one of the island's beaches Copenhagen, or by its more familiar name "Party Island", those that last from the evening hours until dawn, the most famous of which are "Full Moon" parties Asher Kashman - occur once a month, on the date when the moon is full. The famous ones happen on Had Rin beach.
But before we talk about the beach itself, a little about the island of Ko Pha Ngan: it is the fifth largest island in Thailand and one of the best known, which despite the reputation given to it (and rightfully so) as an island full of parties, you can find there, especially along the western coasts, also Calm and quiet resorts, and in general it can be said that with the exception of the days close to the moon parties, the other beaches are also spacious and pleasant to walk and bathe in.
Weather: The most recommended months for a trip to the island are March to July, but even in the months of December to February and August, the weather is relatively comfortable and it is likely that, with the exception of random monsoons, you will not be disappointed. This is a hot season where the humidity is no less than 80%, the average temperatures are 32-25 degrees And the water temperature is 28 degrees.
Prices: It is important to take into account that unlike most islands in Thailand where the prices are mainly affected by the tourist seasons, on this island the prices revolve around the moon parties (full moon, half moon, black moon, etc.) The hotels, the hostels and the sunbeds on the beaches, full.
Directions: The island itself does not have an airport, so in order to get there you have to board a ferry, while the most recommended and convenient is by road Kosmoy. During the day there are 4 such ferries, the duration of the cruise is 35-45 minutes and the price is around 300-200 baht per person (35-20 NIS).
Had Rin
In fact, it is a strip of beaches and not a single beach, located in the southeastern part of the island. The best known of them:
- Leela - a beautiful and relatively quiet beach, recommended for overnight stays for those looking for a quiet corner to rest their head after the stormy night.
- Haad Rin Nok - also known as "Sunrise Beach" where the Full Moon parties are held. Apart from the parties, this is the beach where the tourists gather to watch a spectacular sunrise every morning.
- Haad Rin Nai - also known as "Sunset Beach" and is considered relatively quiet. On the beach there are observation points for watching spectacular sunsets.
The distance between the beaches is a few minutes' walk.
Beyond the parties, the beaches are packed with shops and restaurants, resorts, hotels and guesthouses - luxurious as well as wild and all have white beaches and clear and quiet turquoise waters. This is without a doubt a place that can be described as "paradise" for those looking for a belly-to-back vacation that can be photographed and sent on a postcard that will arouse envy in the hearts of our loved ones, but it is important to take into account that in the days following the parties, the turquoise waters and the Ivory Coast are colored the color of the mountains of waste that are left behind the partygoers
And as for those surfers, if we weren't clear - these are tens of thousands of young men and women from around the globe who scheduled their arrival to the island according to the moon cycle - right for the week in which the Full Moon Party is held. When they are not partying, they visit the restaurants, pubs, the streets full of shops, or go on guided tours that leave the island every day - cruises on nearby islands, ATV tours and more.
Recommended attractions
As mentioned, apart from the parties there is a lot more to do in Had Rin and the whole island, whether you are vacationing alone, with a partner or with children. For those of you who are looking for a quiet corner, there is no shortage of such, although it is a little harder to find them in the days close to the party dates. You can for example:
- Hire the services of a taxi driver who will tour the island with you privately - which should not be expensive if you are 4-3 people.
- Take a cruise with stops at nearby beaches or islands. Usually also includes stops to refresh in the water and a bit of snorkeling or even kayaking and going up to viewpoints.
- Sign up for half-day trips which usually also include a light drink, a hot meal and a good atmosphere alongside other tourists.
You can buy tickets for all of these from booths scattered around the island or even from the hotel where you will be staying.
Pay attention and don't forget to check where the attraction departs from and when, what is included in the price (mainly in terms of drinks and food), insurance and contact phone number in case of cancellation or change. For the extreme enthusiasts there are the options found on all the beaches of Thailand - everything related to water sports, ATVs typical of cliffs and more.
night life
With the exception of the "normal" nightlife that you know from other islands in the country, the main focus on this island is the parties surrounding the moon cycle - moon parties of all types:
full moon - This is the main and most popular party, which takes place once a month on the night of the full moon, hence its name. Most of the tourists who visit the island on this night and near it, came to the island especially for this event, to drink, dance and let loose until morning when their bodies are decorated with phosphorescent body colors and they wear a wide smile.
Half Moon - The "half moon" party that takes place twice a month, about a week before and a week after the big party. It is cheaper and less touristy, but make no mistake - here, too, there are thousands of tourists visiting the area, so even on these nights the prices on the island go up and the congestion is noticeable.
Black Moon And other parties related to the cycle of the moon and not held regularly - it is recommended to check before arriving on the island and expect loads accordingly.
Both during the party season and during less busy periods, the most popular clubs on the island are theCactus, God-Zoom and the-Drop Inn Bar Known mainly because of the fire shows presented to tourists alongside the sounds of electronic music. These shows attract the attention of visitors mainly during the peak periods of the month, but also on the other days they offer party games that include drinking liquor, limbo and dancing until the wee hours of the night.
lodging
For young people coming to the celebrations, it is recommended to book accommodation in advance at "Sunrise Beach". Families or couples looking for accommodation that is not far but in a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere, will enjoy the beach of the "Sunset Beach"Or"Leela" previously mentioned in this context. The prices may not be cheap but as you move away from the party times, they drop significantly.
drugs and alcohol
In general, the alcohol in Thailand is not among the best in the world, even more so at mass parties where it is usually mixed with soft drinks and sold at a relatively high price. The recommendation is to buy the alcohol in closed bottles and take it with you - this can be in the nearby stores, or in a local supermarket like 7/11. This option is significantly cheaper and infinitely safer.
In terms of drugs, the rumors say that there are "safe" places where you can consume drugs without worrying about police presence and even those where the drug suppliers are the police themselves who turn a blind eye and earn a few pennies on the side.
Do not be mistaken and do not be tempted! The Thai police are known for intensive active activity against drug users, especially tourists. In the "best" case it will end in a bribe of several thousand baht, and in the worst case you will find yourself in the local jail for many years. It's not worth taking the risk and it's better to just not mess with it.
A few more things to know
safety: As everywhere, here too it is recommended to be careful of pickpockets (especially when you are drunk), to be equipped with flip flops (because getting cut by shards of glass who knows what happened to her is less pleasant and certainly not recommended) and to drink lots and lots of water - from closed bottles!
transportation: The main transportation to the island is via ferries and the safest way to get around within it is via taxis, but these are sometimes not cheap and therefore many tourists Rent a motorcycle or moped (about 150 baht per hour + 50 baht per liter of fuel).
Please note that unlike other places in the country, most of the motorcycle rental agencies on the island refuse to carry insurance, so that in the event of an "accidental" accident or scratch, unsuspecting tourists are required to pay thousands of baht for various repairs and until you pay, your passport is held captive by those business owners. Therefore, be very careful and, in general, pay attention to what you are committing to when renting the tool.
To sum things up, Ko Pha Ngan Island and Had Rin Beach are among the most well-known, popular, beloved and lively in Thailand and are a perfect destination for a relaxed and photogenic vacation alongside a wild nightlife at certain times of the month. For the partygoers in the group, this is without a doubt a must-see destination that should not be missed and it is recommended to prepare for it in advance in order to enjoy less exorbitant prices.
