Koh Ma
A tiny island joined to Phangan's north-west tip by a sandbar you can walk across at low tide.
Koh Ma is a tiny island connected to Koh Phangan's north coast by a sandbar that appears at low tide. It is free, takes half a day, and is one of the few places in the Gulf where you can walk between two islands on sand.
Open Koh Ma in Google Maps9.7167, 99.9833
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A tiny island joined to Phangan's north-west tip by a sandbar you can walk across at low tide.
The sandbar between Koh Ma and the mainland of Koh Phangan is around 200 metres long and only emerges when the tide drops below about 0.5 metres. The reef around the island's east side is part of a marine protected area and is the best snorkelling from shore on Koh Phangan.
The sandbar and the shallow reef on either side make it the best snorkelling from the beach on Phangan, and the walk across at low tide is the island's most photographed moment.
What you’ll actually see
- The sandbar at low tide, walkable in bare feet
- The reef on the east side of Koh Ma, with hard coral and reef fish
- The small shrine and viewpoint at the top of the island
- Mae Haad beach on the Koh Phangan side, where the longtails land
How to visit it well
- Go at low tide — check the table, the sandbar disappears otherwise.
- Snorkel the reef on the north side, not the sandy channel.
- Mae Haad beach next door has the food and parking.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Coming at high tide and finding the sandbar underwater
- Standing on the coral — it is shallow and easily damaged
- Expecting facilities; there is one small restaurant and no shade on the island itself
Is it worth it?
Worth a half day and the best snorkelling on Koh Phangan from shore. Check the tide table — without the sandbar it is just a small rocky island. Bring water and shoes for the coral.
Common questions
It is on the north-west coast of Koh Phangan near Mae Haad beach. At low tide you walk across the sandbar; at high tide you wade or take a short boat.
At low tide, roughly twice a day. Check a tide table for Mae Haad — you need a low tide below about 0.5 metres.
Yes, the best from shore on Koh Phangan. The east side has hard coral and good fish life in 2–4 metres of water.
No, it is free. There is a small restaurant on Mae Haad beach and no facilities on the island.
Tours that include Koh Ma
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Last updated: October 2026 · Prices and hours checked by Nattapong Srisuwan