Beyond the Full Moon: Koh Phangan’s"Other"Party Scene

Jungle Experience on Koh Phangan is a wonderland for the senses. 📸 credit: Dawn Dean

When most people hear Koh Phangan, one thing comes to mind: the Full Moon Party. Thousands of neon-clad travelers packed onto Haad Rin beach, buckets of booze, pounding trance. It's infamous—for better or worse.

But here's a little secret: the best parties on Koh Phangan don’t happen under the full moon.

If you’re craving something a little more authentic, a little more intimate, and a lot more magical, Koh Phangan has an entire underground scene that most tourists miss entirely.

Let’s dive in. 🎶✨

🐲 1. Jungle Experience 🚕 3 minute taxi from See Sea Backpackers House

📍 Bantai Jungle 📅 Every month the night before Full Moon Party

One of Koh Phangan’s most iconic underground events, Jungle Experience is a high-energy open-air party set deep in the forest near Baan Tai. Known for its psytrance, techno, and progressive house beats, Jungle Experience brings together an eclectic mix of travelers, burners, and island veterans.

The venue is a natural amphitheater, lit up with UV art, live performers, fire shows, and lasers slicing through the palm trees. It’s not just a party—it’s a full-on audiovisual adventure.

Held every month before the Full Moon, Jungle is a wild, inclusive, and slightly trippy experience where you’re free to express your inner creature. Barefoot, body-painted, and beaming—that’s the dress code.

Pro tip: Come early to see the transformation from chill forest to all-night electronic playground.

🔥 2. Eden

🚶5 minute walk to the taxi pick up from See Sea Backpackers House

📍 Haad Yuan Beach 📅 Saturdays

Eden is a hidden party in Haad Yuan, a remote beach only accessible by boat or jungle trail. Set atop a cliff overlooking the sea, surrounded by jungle and moonlight, Eden is more than a party—it’s a vibe. Eden happens on Saturdays, starting late (opens at 9pm but won't get going until around midnight) and going well past sunrise. This isn’t a party where you take selfies. It’s where you lose your phone, lose track of time, and find yourself dancing until the sun comes up.

🌴 3. Bambu

🚶5 minute walk to the taxi pick up from See Sea Backpackers House

📍 Haad Yuan Beach 📅 Sundays

Bambu Bar is one of Koh Phangan’s most beloved institutions—not for flashy signs or loud promotion, but because the people who find it never forget it. Bambu opens Sunday's at noon, which happens to be when Eden closes. 😉 The party goes all day and into the night.

It’s a rustic open-air beach bar, built almost entirely from—you guessed it—bamboo, nestled right on the sand in Haad Yuan. This is not your average bar. This is a place where you sip jungle juice under a canopy of stars, where barefoot dancers move to tribal beats, and where the DJ doesn’t just play music—they set a mood.

Local Tip: Come early, grab a drink, and settle into the space. The party builds slowly, like a wave. This isn’t about rushing or “getting lit”—it’s about tuning in. Let the rhythm find you.

🌅 4. OXA - MOVING VENUE FROM BEACH TO THE JUNGLE Re-OPENS JULY 2025

🚕 5 minute taxi from See Sea Backpackers House

📍 Bantai 📅 NEW DATE TBD

If you’re craving an underground vibe with a view, OXA Beach Party delivers. Tucked between Baan Tai and Haad Rin, this open-air beach venue hosts regular events that blend sunset sessions with high-quality house and techno. Think Berlin-meets-Tulum—but with Thai island energy.

Expect international DJs, a dance floor on the sand, a laid-back but stylish crowd, and a perfect view of the sun dipping into the sea as the music slowly shifts from chill to deep and dirty. OXA isn’t about chaos or crowds—it’s for those who appreciate great sound systems, curated music, and a front-row seat to nature’s show. A must-visit for anyone who wants a party with soul (and still make it to yoga the next day).

Update: A new venue means new energy. Come back for another update after July!!

🪩 5. Hollystone – Saturday Rituals in the Jungle

🛵 20 minute bike or taxi from See Sea Backpackers House

📍 Location: Between Chaloklum & Maduawan 📅 Every Saturday

If Koh Phangan had a party with main character energy, it would be Hollystone. Nestled in the hills near Chaloklum, this semi-hidden venue has built a loyal following of music lovers, expats, and digital nomads who come for one thing: underground beats and a seriously good time.

The atmosphere? Chic jungle rave meets boho gathering. Expect deep, melodic house and techno spun by world-class DJs, fire shows, and a big open-air dance floor surrounded by forest. The energy is electric but intentional—people come for the music, not the mess.

Hollystone happens mostly on Saturdays, making it the perfect way to heat up the weekend with a bang. It’s classy, wild, and pure Koh Phangan magic—one of the best curated music nights on the island.

🧭 Final Tips for Finding Koh Phangan’s Hidden Parties:

• Get off Haad Rin: Explore Bantai, Sri Thanu, and Haad Yuan.

• Talk to locals & long-timers: The best parties aren’t advertised.

• Respect the island: Clean up after yourself, be mindful, and stay safe.

• Stay curious: The magic happens when you don’t follow the crowd.

  
  

💬 Over to You

Have you found a secret party on Koh Phangan that blew your mind? Share your story in the comments—just don’t give away all the secrets. 😉