HAD RIN NOK               Click to go BACK or click for HOME Had Rin Nok is on the east side of Laem Had Rin, which is the long cape that juts out on the south-eastern tip of the Island. This side of the cape has the best beach, a long sandy strip lined with coconut palms. The snorkelling is pretty good here but between October and March the surf can be a little rough. Had Rin Nok (Outer Rin Beach, often referred to as Sunrise Beach) has gradually become a more or less self-contained town, complete with travel agencies, money-changers, minimarts, restaurants, bars, tattoo shops and outdoor discos. A pier on Had Rin Nai (Inner Rin Beach, often referred to as Sunset Beach) serves boats from the north-west coast of Koh Samui, a half hour away. Had Rin Nok is also famous for its monthly 'Full Moon Partys', featuring all-night beach dncing and the ingestion of varioud illicit substances - forget about sleeping on these night unless you get a place off the beach. Even when the moon isn't full, several establishments blast dance music all night long - head for the western side if you prefer a quieter atmosphere. Suan Saranrom (Garden of Joys) psychiatric hospital in Surat Thani on the mainland, has to take on extra staff during full moon periods to handle the number of tourists who freak out on magic mushrooms, acid or other abundantly available hallucinogens. There are plenty of other drugs available from the local drug mafia and drug-independent visitors, and the police occasionally conduct raids. Travellers, especially women, should be watchful of their personal safety at these parties; assults have occasionally been reported. See the section on Full Moon Partys and Dangers for more info.

RESORTS ( Click on the Resort names to take you to their pages )

Anant / Beach Blue / Bongo Bungalow / Bumble Bee Hut

Coconut Village / Drop Inn / Garden Hill Bungalow

Had Rin Hill / Had Rin Resort / Jonathan Bungalow

Mountain Sea / Oasis Bungalow / Palita Lodge / Paradise / Phangan Bayshore Resort

Phangan Orchid Resort / Pearl Resort / Ploy Resort / Royal Garden

Seaview Haad Rin / Sunrise / Tommys Resort

SHOT OF THE BEACH This is the bay at Had Rin Nok...this is where the Full Moon Partys take place, along this strip of beach.