The Full Moon Party at Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan is one of the most well-known beach parties in Southeast Asia, and from Koh Samui it is 25 minutes away by speedboat. Most people make the crossing on the night itself, spend a few hours on the beach, and return before sunrise. Others use it as a reason to stay a night on Phangan and take the morning ferry back the next day.
Here’s the actual Samui-to-Haad Rin plan: boat times, costs, what to carry, and the mistakes that ruin the night.
The short version
- Getting there: dedicated party-night speedboats depart Bangrak Pier (Big Buddha) on Koh Samui every hour from 6pm to 11pm
- Crossing time: approximately 20–25 minutes
- One-way speedboat fare: ฿890 (~US$25); return ฿1,290 (~US$36)
- Return boats from Haad Rin: typically hourly from midnight to 6am — confirm your operator’s last boat when booking
- Entry fee: ฿200 (~US$6) paid at the gate in exchange for a wristband
- Party hours: 9pm to sunrise (~7am)
- Upcoming 2026 dates: July 31, August 28, September 26, October 27, November 24, December 24, December 31
- Book boats in advance for July–August and December — they fill up
2026 Full Moon Party dates
The party takes place every month on the night of the full moon. Dates that fall on major Buddhist holidays can shift by a day or two — in July 2026, for example, the full moon lands on July 29 (Asalha Bucha Day) but the party runs on July 31. Always confirm the exact date before booking transport.
Remaining 2026 dates:
| Date | Day |
|---|---|
| 31 July | Friday |
| 28 August | Friday |
| 26 September | Saturday |
| 27 October | Tuesday |
| 24 November | Tuesday |
| 24 December | Thursday |
| 31 December | Thursday (New Year’s Eve special) |
The December 31 New Year’s Eve party always falls on that date regardless of the lunar calendar and tends to be one of the largest events of the year.
Getting from Koh Samui to Haad Rin
Party-night speedboats
On Full Moon Party nights, dedicated speedboats run directly from Bangrak Pier (also called Big Buddha Pier) on Koh Samui’s northeast coast to Haad Rin Pier on Koh Phangan — they land on the beach itself, not at the main Thong Sala pier. This is the most practical option from Samui.
Outbound departures: roughly hourly from 6pm to 11pm
Return departures from Haad Rin: roughly hourly from midnight to 6am — confirm with your operator, as last-boat times vary
Prices: ฿890 one way, ฿1,290 return (boat only; hotel pickup adds to the price)
Tickets sell out in peak season (July–August, December). Buy online through operators like GoSamuiTours, Smile Samui Tour, or KohTour a week or more in advance. Your accommodation or a travel agent on the island can also book for you.
Package transfers
Most tour operators sell a full package: hotel pickup by songthaew or minibus, the speedboat crossing to Haad Rin, and a guaranteed return boat. Prices vary by operator and how far from Bangrak Pier your hotel is — budget ฿1,500–2,500 per person for the full package including pickup. Worth it if your group is scattered around Samui or you’d rather not sort taxis at midnight.
Daytime ferry to Koh Phangan then stay overnight
The alternative is to take a regular daytime ferry from Bangrak or Maenam Pier to Thong Sala (Koh Phangan’s main port) earlier in the day, check into accommodation on Phangan, attend the party, and return the next morning. Ferry fares are ฿200–500 per person depending on operator and booking channel.
This is the better approach if you want a full day on Koh Phangan before the party, or if you plan to stay on Phangan for a few days. For a one-night trip from Samui, the party-night speedboats are simpler.
For more on what to do on Koh Phangan during the day, the Koh Phangan day trip guide covers the north coast, Than Sadet waterfall and Bottle Beach.
Where to depart from on Koh Samui
Bangrak Pier (northeast coast) is the primary departure point for party-night speedboats. It is close to Bophut and Choeng Mon — hotels in these areas are 10–15 minutes away by taxi.
From Chaweng, allow 20–25 minutes to reach the pier. From Lamai, allow 35–45 minutes. If you are based on the west coast, the journey to Bangrak can take 50–60 minutes — factor this in when choosing your departure time.
The getting around Koh Samui guide covers taxi apps and songthaew options if you need help arranging the pier transfer.
What to expect at the party
Haad Rin Nok is the party beach on Koh Phangan’s southeast tip — the speedboats dock at Haad Rin Queen Pier nearby, and the beach itself is a few minutes’ walk. On Full Moon nights the beach is lined with bars, sound systems, and fire shows from one headland to the other. Crowd sizes range from around 10,000 on quieter dates to upwards of 30,000 during peak months like July, August, and December.
The party officially starts at 9pm and runs until sunrise, roughly 6am, though the beach builds from around 10pm and peaks between midnight and 3am.
Fire shows run throughout the night — fire ropes, fire skipping, fire limbo — close to the crowd. They are impressive and also genuinely hazardous. Pay attention to where they are and keep a distance.
Drink buckets — spirits, mixer and ice in a small plastic bucket with straws — are a fixture. Some are weak; some are trouble. Pace yourself; the volume consumed here tends to be underestimated until it isn’t. Pace yourself; the volume consumed here tends to be underestimated until it isn’t.
Music covers the full length of the beach at different bars: electronic, hip-hop, reggae, pop. There is no ticket beyond the entrance wristband — you move between bars freely. Some bars have dance platforms; the beach itself is the main floor.
The party does not have a hard finish. Most people are gone by 5–6am. Return speedboats run roughly every hour from midnight — confirm your operator’s last departure before you leave Samui, as it varies. If you miss the last boat, you’re waiting for the first regular morning ferry, which docks at Thong Sala, not Haad Rin. Make sure at least one person in your group has the return time written down.
Safety — the honest version
Haad Rin on Full Moon night is a large, crowded beach party and carries the risks that come with that. None of them are unusual, but they are real.
Theft: pickpocketing is common in the crowd. Leave your passport locked in your hotel safe. Bring only cash (enough for the night) and your room key. A waterproof phone pouch worn under a shirt is more secure than a pocket.
Glass on the beach: broken glass accumulates by midnight. Flip-flops are not enough. Wear shoes or sandals with a solid sole.
Swimming: the current at Haad Rin beach is stronger than it looks, and swimming at night after drinking accounts for a disproportionate number of serious incidents here. Don’t swim.
Drinks: buy sealed drinks when you can. Never leave a drink unattended and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
Fire hazard: the fire shows run close to crowds. Loose synthetic clothing is a bad idea near fire ropes. Keep a sensible distance.
Drugs: Thai drug laws are strict and actively enforced. Cannabis is in a legal grey zone for some usage but possession and use of other substances carries serious criminal penalties. The party environment does not change this. It is not worth the risk.
Getting back: agree a meeting point with your group before you arrive — phone signal on the beach is unreliable when tens of thousands of people are all connecting to the same towers. Arrange your return boat before you get too deep into the night.
Practical notes
What to wear: UV-reactive white clothing stands out dramatically under the black lights used across most of the venue. This is optional but a significant part of the experience for most people. Whatever you wear, expect it to get wet, sandy, and possibly damaged.
What to bring: cash (ATMs exist at Haad Rin but queues get long after midnight — take enough from the Samui side), ฿200 for the entry wristband, a waterproof phone pouch, and comfortable closed-toe shoes. Minimal valuables. There are basic toilet facilities near the entry gates; they get busier as the night goes on.
The boat crossing: party-night speedboats can get spray inside the cabin on rough-water nights. Keep your phone and anything that can’t get wet in a dry bag or sealed pouch.
Getting the most out of the night: arrive by 10–11pm, walk the full length of the beach before settling at a bar, and decide on a return boat time at the start of the evening rather than figuring it out at 4am. The 3am return is typically the busiest — the 1am or 4am boats have shorter queues.
Accommodation near the party: if you plan to stay overnight on Koh Phangan, book well in advance for Full Moon dates — rooms anywhere near Haad Rin sell out weeks ahead. Thong Sala (the main town on the west coast) has better availability and is a ฿200–300 taxi ride from Haad Rin. Check current Koh Phangan options via the hotels section.
Before the trip: choosing the right base on Koh Samui affects how easy the pier transfer is. If you are doing multiple island trips, Bophut and the north coast put you closest to Bangrak Pier. For a full overview of where to stay, where to stay in Koh Samui covers each area.
FAQ
How do I get from Koh Samui to the Full Moon Party?
Party-night speedboats depart Bangrak Pier (Big Buddha Pier) on Koh Samui’s northeast coast every hour from approximately 6pm to 11pm. The crossing to Haad Rin takes 20–25 minutes. Tickets cost ฿890 one way or ฿1,290 return. Return boats leave Haad Rin for Koh Samui roughly every hour from midnight onwards — confirm your operator’s last departure when you book.
How much does the Full Moon Party cost?
Entry to the party is ฿200, paid at the gate in exchange for a wristband. The party-night speedboat from Koh Samui is ฿890 one way or ฿1,290 return. Budget ฿500–1,000 for drinks and taxis on either side. A full night with transport runs around ฿2,500–3,500 per person if you book transport independently, or ฿2,000–2,500 for a package tour including hotel pickup.
What are the Full Moon Party dates for 2026?
Remaining 2026 dates: July 31, August 28, September 26, October 27, November 24, December 24, and December 31 (New Year’s Eve). Dates that fall on major Buddhist holidays may shift by a day or two — always confirm the exact party date before booking transport.
Can I do the Full Moon Party as a same-night trip from Koh Samui?
Yes — party-night speedboats run from Bangrak Pier to Haad Rin every hour from 6pm to 11pm outbound, with return boats from midnight onwards. Take the 8pm or 9pm boat out, arrive before the party builds, and return on an early-morning boat. Confirm your operator’s last return time before leaving Samui.
Is the Full Moon Party safe?
It is a large beach party with the risks that come with crowds and alcohol. Theft, broken glass on the beach, strong currents for night swimmers, and variable drink strengths are the main hazards. Leave valuables in your hotel safe, wear shoes with a solid sole, don’t swim, and arrange your return transport before you need it.
Do I need to book boats in advance?
Yes, particularly for July, August, and December. Party-night speedboats from Bangrak Pier fill up, especially for the Friday and Saturday parties. Book through an operator at least a week out in peak season.
