Bottle Beach Viewpoint, otherwise known as Phasawan Viewpoint, offers (arguably) the most iconic vista on the island of Koh Phangan. Getting here is part of the adventure as you ride your scooter across the island, head down dirt roads surrounded by leaning palm trees, and hike into thick jungle before scrambling onto a huge rock perched above the beach.

You get a stunning aerial view of Bottle Beach from the top and the lush hills circling the bay are just as impressive. The hike up isn’t long, but it is steep and reasonably difficult. The trail shoots straight up a hill, through tall trees, until you reach a collection of boulders at the final ascent. Ropes help you make the climb and then the sea comes into view - changing color from turquoise to deep blue the further you look out at the horizon.

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Dirt Roads — *Road to Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Kat & Cam — *Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan — *Bottle Beach*

How to Reach Bottle Beach Viewpoint

From Haad Rin

On our visit to Koh Phangan, we stayed at the Sea Breeze Resort in Haad Rin, at the southern end of the island. It took us about 60-70 minutes to get there by scooter, as the trailhead is located in the northeast. If you’re also staying in Haad Rin, we recommend renting a scooter at your hotel or from a local rental shop. The road is fairly easy to navigate until you reach the north of Phangan, where it becomes a bit more rugged and “off-beat”.

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Haad Rin — *Haad Rin*

From Srithanu & Haad Yao

The western side of the island, at places like Srithanu and Haad Yao, are much closer to the north - so you’re only looking at about 30-40 minutes by scooter. The roads here are flatter than Haad Rin and the journey out to Bottle Beach Viewpoint is more relaxing. However, once you head inland toward the north, expect the same thing: for the road to become rougher.

From Thong Nai Pan

Those based in Thong Nai Pain, considered one of Phangan’s hidden gems, are already close to the north. So getting to Bottle Beach Viewpoint from here shouldn’t take any longer than 20-30 minutes by scooter. The route follows a newly improved road, through the mountainous interior of the island, but still expect some unpaved roads as you approach the trailhead.

Where to Park Your Scooter

Make sure you search “Bottle Beach Scooter Parking” on Google Maps and park before the dirt road gets too treacherous. Riding all the way down can cause damage to your scooter or worse get you stuck. You’ll need to walk down the dirt track for a bit before you see the start of the trailhead, but it’s worth doing in our opinion. This road is only suitable for 4WD’s.What to Expect on the Hike to Bottle Beach Viewpoint

The Hike Up Bottle Beach Viewpoint

The northeast corner of Phangan is much more wild than the south, and this is definitely true of Bottle Beach Viewpoint. Hiking up only takes 15-20 minutes (in theory) but it can take longer due to the steep jungle path. The trees provide some shade from the sun, however we still sweated bucket loads - Kat had to stop a few times to cool down and catch her breath.

You probably shouldn’t take on this trail if it’s rained recently. Mud makes it slippery and the boulders can be dangerous when wet. A good pair of walking shoes is a must, regardless of the conditions. This is ideal footwear for the scooter ride as well, since the dirt roads can get bumpy. You can also hike up from Bottle Beach itself, but we’ve heard it’s much harder.

Hike to Bottle Beach Viewpoint — *Hiking to Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Jungle Hill Hike — *Jungle hike*

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Rope Section — *Rope section*

The Incredible Views from the Top

At the top of Bottle Beach Viewpoint, you get expansive views over the beach below and the surrounding Gulf of Thailand. The rock face is narrow and precarious, so be extremely careful when walking on it. There’s no rails, barriers, or protection of any kind. Therefore, you should only venture towards the edge if you’ve got steady legs and aren’t afraid of heights.

The rock got pretty crowded at the top, with around 20 or 30 people competing for space. One thing that really bugged us was people flying drones for ages at the edge of the rock, not allowing others to come in. That being said, we were quite happy to sit back on the lower, wider platform and soak up the scenery from a distance. If you want those famous edge shots, arriving early in the morning is recommended.

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - From the Top — *Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Cam — *Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Koh Phangan - Thailand — *Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Is Bottle Beach Worth Visiting?

In general, the viewpoint is fantastic but Bottle Beach is another story. The setting is beautiful, and does resemble the photos you see online, but as soon as you look closer you see rubbish wash-up from the sea. Cam was sweaty from the hike and decided to pop up in for a swim, only to have all sorts of trash around him: plastic bottles, food wrappers, straws, etc.

It was a shock to be honest, as we had such high hopes. Nevertheless, we still believe Bottle Beach is worth visiting because it’s the only logical point to relax after the hike. The beach bar there offers shade, food, drink, and even a pool table by the beach. That’s where we went after the hike and it made for a nice break before jumping on our scooter back to Haad Rin.

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Pool Table — *Bottle Beach Bar*

Bottle Beach - Beach Bar — *Bottle Beach*

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Visiting Bottle Beach — *Bottle Beach*

FAQs for Bottle Beach Viewpoint

How suitable is the hike for beginners?

Like we mentioned before, the trail is steep but short, requiring one big push. The final scramble up with ropes, and balancing yourself on the narrow ridge, is probably the most challenging part of the hike. Beginner hikers should be fine as long as you go slow and take breaks along the way. If you suffer from height vertigo, this might not be the hike for you.

Can you visit at sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise and sunset are both options for Bottle Beach Viewpoint, however sunrise is considered the best experience. It can get crowded at dusk, where at dawn it’ll be practically empty. The cliff also faces north, which means you won’t get direct views of the sun. Instead, you get golden hour lighting creating a serene atmosphere over the water and jungle.

What should I pack in my day bag?

We packed a bag with swimwear, towels, water and sunscreen. That’s basically all you need for Bottle Beach Viewpoint. Obviously, leave the swimsuit at your hotel if you don’t want to go swimming in the trash-filled sea. Flip-flops might be nice to slip into at the beach though. A good camera is essential, but please be mindful of others if you’re flying a drone.

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Best View in Koh Phangan — *Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Bottle Beach Viewpoint - Koh Phangan — *Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Dirt Roads to Bottle Beach Viewpoint — *Road to Bottle Beach Viewpoint*

Bottle Beach Viewpoint, Koh Phangan: Is the Hike Worth It?