Koh Phangan - One Day at the Bottle Beach

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The Bottle Beach, in Thai Haad Khuat, is considered as one of the most beautiful beaches of Koh Phangan. One factor that certainly plays an important role is the remoteness and tranquility of the Bottle Beach. While most of the visitors come to Bottle Beach for just a day trip, you can even stay there and at least in the morning and evening have a paradise almost completely for yourself.

Bottle Beach – a day trip on Koh Phangan

What a day trip to Bottle Beach looks like, how to get to the beach and what awaits you there, we will tell you in the following paragraphs. Also, don’t miss the fantastic Bottle Beach Viewpoint – a great experience!

How to get to Koh Phangan

The island of Koh Phangan doesn’t have its own airport, which means that a boat trip to reach the island is necessary. With a flight to Koh Samui or Surat Thani you can only bring one leg behind you. Tickets for flights are best found at Skyscanner.

In addition, you can travel by bus or train to Surat Thani, but even there you have to change to a boat at the end. There are several providers to choose from such as Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry etc. Tickets and connection times can be found on 12go.asia or GetYourGuide.

Accommodation at the Bottle Beach, Koh Phangan – our hotel tip

You can find bungalows right on the beach with sea views at the Bottle Beach 1 Resort and Bottle Beach 2 Bungalows. On site there are two restaurants, where you can get some food and drinks, but the seclusion makes it a bit more expensive. If you are looking for luxury then you are totally wrong on the Bottle Beach. However, if you are looking for simple bungalows in a terrific location and solitude, then this is the place for you.

Another selection of hotels on Koh Phangan can be found here.

The way to Chaloklum

Depending on where you start on the island, there are several routes to Chaloklum, where you can take the boat to Bottle Beach. If you are coming from Haad Rin, you should head for Thong Sala. If your accommodation is located on the west coast, you can start there and drive up north. Also, shared taxis (Songthaews) to Chaloklum are available, if you don’t want to go on your own with a scooter.

Coming from Thong Sala, take the Chaloklum Road past police headquarters and Paeng Waterfall. Follow the road for about 15-20 minutes until you arrive in the small village of Chaloklum at the end and see a 7-Eleven. Continue straight to the ocean, where you can park almost directly on the beach.

If you are coming from the west coast, follow the road to the village of Haad Salad and then turn right to the “Middle Road” instead of turning left into the village. At the next fork, turn left again towards Koh Ma. Continue along the road and when it turns right still follow it until you see a 7-Eleven on the left after 10-15 minutes. This means you arrived in the village of Chaloklum. Now it is only a short distance to the next 7-Eleven and a junction. There you turn left and just go straight to the ocean.

Info: Alternatively, you can also drive to the Haad Khom beach. When you arrive in Chaloklum, turn right before the 7-Eleven and follow the road to the end. There you can’t go any further and take also a longtail boat at the right end of the beach or even hike to Bottle Beach. The hike takes about 2.5 hours, depending on pace and fitness and you should always carry enough water with you – it can get really hot and exhausting.

The boat ride to Bottle Beach

On arrival in Chaloklum you can buy a ticket to the Bottle Beach directly at the Taxi Boat sign. This costs 150 baht per person in one direction. It is worth buying the round trip if you don’t want to stay at the Bottle Beach. Then you can arrange a time for the return trip with the boatman.

Tip: If you are going on the trip with many people and fill up the boat with your group it is even possible to ask for a discount. Sometimes you can get the boat ride with a larger group for 100 baht per person.

After paying, it won’t be long before a boatman takes you to the boat. If you’re wearing shoes, you’d better take them off, because you’ll have to walk a little bit in the shallow water. When all guests have boarded, the boat ride starts immediately.

Leaving the bay of Chaloklum, past the Haad Khom and various rock formations with great views of Koh Phangan, you can now enjoy about 15 minutes boat ride. Some boats have a sunscreen, others don’t, which means keep in mind to wear headgear or at least sunscreen.

At the Bottle Beach

Most of the boats stop at the western part of the beach, where you also start your return trip. Our first impression was fantastic: bright turquoise sea, a white sand beach and there was hardly anything going on.

On the beach itself are a few bungalows of the Bottle Beach 1 Resort and Bottle Beach 2 Resort, as well as the associated restaurants. Furthermore, there are a few shady spots, especially at the end of the second beach section.

If you want to go to the Bottle Beach Viewpoint, see the next paragraph. Otherwise, you can just eat something now, relax or go swimming. The Bottle Beach is known for its tranquility and if you are looking for a relaxing day on the beach, then this is the perfect spot. At the eastern end of the beach, where you can see many rocks, you can also snorkel a bit.

The Bottle Beach Viewpoint

Shortly after the Bottle Beach is separated in the middle in two sections, you can turn right behind the restaurants to go to the inside of the island. After a few minutes, you will see the rock on top of the mountain from afar on the left hand side. That is the viewpoint. Keep left towards the jungle and watch out for a small, unremarkable sign.

Now you head straight into the jungle and good shoes are definitely recommended. In the beginning you have to climb over a few rocks and you can guide yourself along the water pipe, always up the mountain. About 10 minutes later you will arrive at a small abandoned hut, where you can take a break. Bring enough water for the way up and down the mountain.

Continue along the narrow path upwards, which is nevertheless relatively beaten. It is almost impossible to get lost. After a while you finally reach the top. At the top you will see some huge rocks. Go through the middle of the two big rocks and then carefully straight along the edge.

Now there are only a few meters left through a tiny kind of cave and over the last rocks. Be especially careful here, because there is no securing to the left and right. Balancing works, but it can be dangerous if you lose your balance. It’s best to use your legs and arms to bring the last meters behind you.

Welcome to the fantastic Bottle Beach Viewpoint. It offers a magnificent view of the beach and the surrounding area with hills and jungle landscapes. Most of the time you will be alone here, because there are only a few visitors every day. But beware, there is no sun protection on site. Also, take special care where you step when taking pictures or selfies, because the rocks are not very big and you could easily fall down.

For the whole way up and down you should plan at least 30 minutes per direction. Keep that in mind when you agree upon a time for the return trip with your boatman. Otherwise, just enjoy the views!

Koh Phangan: Tours and tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Koh Phangan in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Koh Phangan.

Have you been to the Bottle Beach? Would you like to visit the beach on Koh Phangan? Let us know what you think in the comments.