Chaloklum (Koh Phangan): a deep guide to the island’s northern fishing capital

1) Geography & layout

• Location: northernmost part of Koh Phangan; semicircular bay about 2–3 km wide.
• Village & pier: in the center of the bay — fishermen’s houses, dive centers, and small cafés.
• West side — Malibu Beach: fine white sand, shallow turquoise water, and casuarina shade.
• East end — Haad Khom: small cove with coral snorkeling close to shore.
• Distances: 20–30 min by motorbike from Thong Sala (main ferry pier).

2) History & origins

• Fishing roots: settlers from Southern Thailand and China used this natural harbor for their fleets.
• Chaloklum pier: for decades served as the base for long-tail boats hunting squid and tuna.
• Temples & maritime culture:
  • Wat Chaloklum — the main local Thai temple.
  • Guan Yin Chinese temple — colorful pagoda on the southern hill with a panoramic view of the bay; built as a symbolic “beacon” for fishermen’s safe return.

3) Bay beaches: Malibu, center, Haad Khom, Bottle Beach

Malibu Beach (west)

• Postcard-perfect spot: white sand, turquoise water, calm and shallow — great for kids.
• During low tide, the water retreats far; plan swimming for high tide hours.

Bay center & pier

• Working heart of the area: long-tail docks, seafood eateries serving today’s catch.
• Swimming is secondary — boats occupy the water; better go a bit west or east.

Haad Khom (east edge)

• A quiet small cove 1.5–2 km from the village (walkable).
• Snorkel along the reef edge; usually calm. Watch tides and avoid stepping on corals.

Bottle Beach (Hat Khuat)

• Iconic northern beach reachable easiest by long-tail from Chaloklum pier (~20 min, price varies by season).
• Land route exists but is rough and weather-dependent.

4) Underwater world & diving (Sail Rock)

• Chaloklum hosts most of the island’s dive centers.
• Sail Rock (Hin Bai): granite pinnacle between Phangan and Tao, one of the Gulf’s best dive sites.
• Expect schooling fish, cleaning stations, and occasional whale shark encounters.
• Boat trip from Chaloklum takes about 1 hour; usually 2 dives per day. Snorkeling tours go to nearby reefs.

5) Infrastructure & daily life

• Sunday market: evening food stalls, grilled squid, desserts, and local souvenirs.
• Seafood: simple restaurants along the main street and pier serving the morning catch.
• Temples & viewpoints: Wat Chaloklum in the village; Guan Yin Temple hill — best around golden hour.
• Excursions: snorkeling, diving, Bottle Beach long-tail, or boat trips to Ang Thong Marine Park.
• Basic services: 7-Eleven/minimarts, laundries, bike/boat rental, ATMs; for big supermarkets or offices go to Thong Sala.

6) Getting there & moving around

• From Thong Sala: 20–30 min by taxi or songthaew; motorbike is fastest.
• Within the area: short roads link west/east sides; last stretch to Haad Khom is narrow or partially unpaved.
• Bottle Beach: long-tail taxi directly from pier/beach (look for the Taxi Boat sign).
• Parking: near the pier and along the main street; come earlier during peak hours.

7) Seasons, waves & wind

• Warm year-round. Rainiest months: November–December (occasional storms and waves).
• Spring & summer: generally stable weather; visibility for snorkeling/diving depends on wind and rainfall.
• Kite winds: appear seasonally, often in autumn; conditions vary weekly.
• Tides: low tide at Malibu exposes large shallow flats — check tide charts before swimming.

8) Who Chaloklum suits

• Families: calm shallow waters and quiet rhythm.
• Sea lovers: easy access to snorkeling/diving, proximity to Haad Khom, Mae Haad, and Sail Rock trips.
• Those seeking “old Phangan”: working fishing village vibe, local markets, few parties.
• Long-stayers: essential services nearby, full infrastructure 20–30 min away.

9) Nearby: Mae Haad & Koh Ma, Haad Khom

• Mae Haad (west): beach with a sandbar to Koh Ma island and a wide reef — one of the best shore-snorkeling spots.
• Haad Khom (east): small clear-water bay, easily reached on foot or by motorbike from Chaloklum.

11) Practical notes