Haad Yuan

Haad Yuan on the east coast of Koh Phangan is just 5 km north of the main party beaches of Haad Rin Nok and Haad Rin Nai and yet this small and isolated beach feels like a million miles away from the brash and hedonistic atmosphere of Haad Rin.

Haad Yuan - Window on the past

Haad Yuan is like a window onto the past. The small beach has avoided development partly because it is only accessible by jungle footpath or by longtail boat and partly because most of the bungalow owners are opposed to big development such as has occurred on Thong Nai Pan Noi that prices most people out of the market.

The beach still has simple bungalows made from natural and local materials such as coconut wood. They offer a fan, a bathroom (optional) a mosquito net and a small veranda. Bamboo Resort, Horizon Resort and Haad Yuan Resort all offer such basic bungalows. These are some of the cheapest places to stay on the entire island.

And the great thing about Haad Yuan is that it is one of the most picturesque beaches on the island. It has fine white sand and the sea has only a small tidal difference. Unlike many of the beaches on the west coast, Haad Yuan offers year round swimming.

There are also some good trails to follow in the area. It is a short walk to the equally beautiful beach of Haad Thian (East) where people study tai chi, yoga etc.

Concession to the 21st Century

There is no one resort with air-con rooms and a communal swimming pool. This is the only concession that Haad Yuan seems to be making to the 21st Century. The place is Centara Pariya Haad Yuan. It has 39 beach villas built from concrete in a round style. The rooms are well appointed and the villas fit unobtrusively into the jungle fringe of the beach.

For people looking for a beach near Haad Rin but without noise, Haad Yuan is a good option. For those people looking for privacy and the ultimate in relaxing atmospheres Haad Yuan is a good option. And for those people wondering what Koh Phangan used to be like Haad Yuan is a good choice.

Reviews of Centara Pariya on Haad Yuan beach

The reviews for the Pariya on Haad Yuan beach are generally favorable. It is a higher-end boutique style resort on Koh Phangan and most people who stayed said that they enjoyed themselves. The beach is especially recommended. It is a beautiful secluded beach tucked away in a cove just north east of Haad Rin. Near the action but also a million miles away. There are a few complaints about the prices, the breakfast and the staff, but overall if you are looking for peace and comfort with stylish accommodation then the Pariya is a good choice. For more choices for accommodation in Koh Phangan visit phanganaccommodation.net.

Reviews 

Angela from  Perth

2009-04-10    
We stayed in a Tropical Villa which was very nice - they upgraded us into this room free of charge which was nice of them. The food prices at the hotel were a bit pricey for what you got and the room service menu was very limited. We were recommended to stay there for the full moon party but that was a bad recommendation - we had to wait 5 hours for a boat to come and pick us up because of a low tide. Also our return hotel transfer was a nightmare because they were late so we had to catch a taxi to the pier or we would have missed our ferry back to koh samui.
     
Idit Shalve

2009-03-14   
Amazing place! great hotel and rooms, lovely staff, beautiful beach. You should check the 2-3 restaurants in the area that are very good and cheap. Will definitely visit again when I get a chance to be in Thailand.
     
Alice Kath

2007-12-30 until 2008-01-01     
This place is a disaster for the price you pay. the service sucks, they don't speak english well and are not helpful at all, the breakfast is horrible. the bungalows are nice and so is the beach, but for this kind of money i really expect more. Out of the 4 weeks southeastasia trip we did, we stayed at 10 dollar a night hotels that had way better service and breakfast than this one, which cost 200 dollars a night.
     

Marcus Coutou

2007-06-27 until 2007-07-02     
Great time, staff was very attentive. A little overpriced for Thailand (probably why the place was pretty much empty our entire stay) but it had all the amenities and is situated on a very nice beach. Stayed in the tropical villa. Would prob stay again but maybe in one of the hip rooms, better value.
     

Jean Christophe Lombard

2007-04-02 until 2007-04-05     
Had a lovely stay in this exceptional paradise. Very polite staff and 2 chefs largely worth the stay. Secluded enough to be quiet but not too much lost in the jungle. Overall, a must on Koh Pha-Ngan

Trekking Routes in Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is blessed with an abundance of unspoiled nature: jungle, mountains, waterfalls and inaccessible beaches are all available to explore by those wishing to trek on the island. This post details some of the trekking routes available on Koh Phangan.

Khao Ra

Khao Ra is the highest peak in Koh Phangan. It stands 630 meters above sea level. From the summit there are great views of the bays of Thong Nai Pan and Chaloklum. On a clear day the distant island of Koh Tao is also visible. The trek starts near the elephant place and view point on the road between Thong Nai Pan and Bantai. It is not an overly strenuous walk but the path is not well marked. ‘Bird and Trekking’ man (on the Bantai-Thong Nai Pan road) has organized tours up the mountain.

Phaeng Waterfall

This is one of the best waterfalls on the island. It is a national park so the whole area is protected against development. It is free to enter the park. The trek involves a steep walk up a jungle trail. Once at the waterfall it is possible to take one of several clearly marked trails to a nearby mountain viewpoint. From there you can follow trails up Khao Ra. The trail is in the middle of the island. To get to the trail head take the main road from Thongsala to Chaloklum and take the sign posted turning off to the right (if you are heading north).

Chaloklum to Bottle Beach

You can reach the remote and beautiful beach of Bottle Beach or Haad Kuat. The trek takes about two hours. The path starts at the western end of Chaloklum. Follow the dirt  path to Haad Khom and then take the narrow and winding narrow path over the mountain that drops down to Bottle Beach.

Haad Yuan and Haad Thian

This is an excellent two hour trek that starts in Haad Rin and goes north over mountainous terrain before dropping down to the beautiful beaches of Haad Yuan and Haad Thian. There are no roads to these beaches, but you can take a boat out or retrace your steps.

Companies offering organized trekking tours include: Hippo Club Tours (Thongsala), Phangan Safari (Chaloklum) and Phangan Safari Eco-nature Tour (Chaloklum).

Remember to follow these simple rules for your own safety.

1)    Don't trek alone
2)    Tell somebody where you are going so they can call out help if you don't home back.
3)    Bring plenty of water and sunblock.
4)    Wear boots or good shoes. Not flip flops. The island has many snakes, including the poisonous variety.
5)    Get a map, no matter how basic, to guide you. A compass is also useful too.
6)    Give yourself extra time to do the trek. There's nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of the jungle in the dark.
7)    Bring insect and mosquito repellent.
8)    Don't leave any rubbish behind.
9)    Don't start fires.