Not at all chic but a whole lot of fun, it is difficult to recommend Samui nightlife without explaining and even suggesting a visit to the monthly full moon party. Undoubtedly the biggest full moon parties on earth happen every month in a village festival and outdoor dance party that lasts from dusk till dawn along Haad Rin Nok Beach. Visitors tend to arrive in full party garb with face painting and Halloween-style costumes for celebration, met by the endless flamethrowers and jumper that inevitably get burned upon tiring from jump rope. FYI, it's all about going fast and getting out.
A mass of 10,000 revelers show up on the shores of a deserted village beach ignited in full nightclub regalia from neon lights to open bar and food vendors. The crowd is definitely not timid, roaring to life around midnight and barely taking a rest till sunrise. To get to the beach most visitor utilize the Samui Phangan Express leaves Samui every hour on the hour between 8 am and 5 pm for the 12-minute ride to the rave and stay until the boats start leaving again in the morning. Expect a lengthy wait for the ride back or simply sleep on the beach like so many partiers that don't quite make the trip back standing-up.
Tips
Watch your drinks, the Full Moon Party is notorious for unexpected reactions to pills you didn’t realize you had taken.
Last Word
Not for the party weary, Full Moons are a commitment given the journey there and the difficulty in getting back.
