Looking for a Thai island that feels far removed from Phuket’s busy beaches? Koh Yao Thailand sits quietly between Phuket and Phang Nga Bay, yet it remains less visited than many of Thailand’s famous islands.
The area is home to two islands, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, and choosing between them can be surprisingly difficult. Both offer quiet beaches, local villages, limestone views, and a slower pace, but the experience is not quite the same. This Koh Yao travel guide covers what makes each island different and which one may suit your trip better.
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai: Which one will be your favourite?
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai share the same peaceful setting between Phuket and Phang Nga, but the experience differs noticeably. Koh Yao Noi is the better fit for first-time visitors because its compact size, wider choice of cafés and stays, and easy-to-navigate roads make independent travel more convenient. You can also experience village life, rice fields, and coastal views without feeling too far from tourist facilities.
Koh Yao Yai feels more remote, with fewer commercial areas and longer, quieter beaches, making it a stronger choice for travelers who value privacy over convenience. Personally, I prefer Koh Yao Noi for a short trip because you can combine local experiences with comfortable facilities without needing much planning. If your priority is slowing down and escaping crowds, Koh Yao Yai offers the more secluded island experience.
Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Yai
How to get to Koh Yao
Because neither Koh Yao Noi nor Koh Yao Yai has an airport, the only way to reach these islands is by boat. Fortunately, their central location in Phang Nga Bay makes them easily accessible from three major mainland hubs.
Travel to Koh Yao from Phuket (The most popular route)
Phuket is the most convenient gateway, especially if you are flying into Phuket International Airport (HKT).
Departure pier: Bang Rong Pier (a 25-minute taxi ride from the airport).
Transport options:
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Speedboat: Takes about 30 minutes. Tickets cost roughly 400 THB per person.
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Longtail boat: Takes about 60 minutes. Tickets cost roughly 250 THB per person.
Destinations: The boats stop at both Koh Yao Yai (Chong Lard Pier) and Koh Yao Noi (Manoh Pier).
Schedule: Boats depart almost every hour from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
If you book a 5-star resort (like Six Senses or Santhiya), they usually arrange private luxury speedboat transfers departing from Ao Po Grand Marina, saving you the hassle of public piers.
Bang Rong Pier, Phuket
Nopparat Thara Pier
Travel to Koh Yao from Krabi
If your itinerary starts in Krabi, the boat ride to Koh Yao is incredibly scenic and actually shorter than from Phuket.
Departure pier: Thalane Pier (Ao Thalane) is a popular choice, located about 45 minutes from Krabi Airport. Alternatively, depending on your location, you can depart from Nopparat Thara Pier (closer to Ao Nang), the floating pier at East Railay Beach, or Ao Nammao Pier (situated halfway between Railay and Krabi).
Transport options: Speedboats take anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes to reach the islands depending on your starting point, and cost starting from around 400 THB.
Destination: Boats from Krabi mainly arrive at Koh Yao Noi (Tha Khao Pier or Manoh Pier). From there, you can easily take a 10-minute local boat across to Koh Yao Yai if needed. Direct routes to Koh Yao Yai are also available from Railay.
Schedule: Regular departures operate between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM. (Note: Schedules from smaller piers like Ao Nammao may be subject to seasonal changes).
Travel to Koh Yao from Phang Nga
If you are already exploring the northern part of Phang Nga province, you can travel directly to the islands without returning to Phuket or Krabi.
Departure pier: Tha Dan Pier (near Phang Nga Town).
Transport options: Mostly longtail boats or local ferries. The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, offering a stunning cruise through the limestone karsts of the bay.
Schedule: Sailings are less frequent here, usually with a few departures in the morning and early afternoon (around 1:00 PM).
Tha Dan Pier
Public boat services stop running around 5:00 PM. If your flight lands after 4:00 PM, you will need to book an expensive private speedboat charter or spend one night on the mainland.
Traveling between Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai is incredibly easy. Local longtail boats run all day between the islands’ facing piers, taking just 10 minutes and costing about 100 THB.
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Must-try activities to do at Koh Yao
From paddling through limestone islands to learning local crafts, Koh Yao offers plenty of ways to experience island life beyond the beach. Here are the top things to do in Koh Yao Noi and Yai worth adding to your beach holiday in Thailand.
Explore the Hong Islands by boat
Duration: Around 5 hours
Price: 800 THB/person
National Park Fee: 300 THB
Departure: Koh Yao Noi
If you want to see why Phang Nga Bay is famous for its dramatic island scenery, a boat trip for island hopping in Koh Yao to the Hong Islands is hard to skip. Leaving Koh Yao Noi, the boat heads towards Hong Island through calm waters and towering limestone cliffs. A short nature trail takes you to a secluded beach, while the viewpoint offers a wider view of the emerald sea and surrounding islands. After exploring Hong Island, the boat stops at several spots for snorkeling and lunch.
The route then continues to another island where monkeys often swim towards the boats. You should avoid feeding them, as this can make them dependent on tourists for food. The entire trip takes around five hours and costs 800 THB per person, plus a 300 THB national park fee for Hong Island.
Longtail boat to Hong Islands
Batik painting in Koh Yao
Experience batik painting
Duration: 3+ hours
Price: 1,800 THB/adult
Batik is a traditional fabric-dyeing technique that uses hot wax to create patterns. This activity lets you create a unique souvenir while discovering one of Koh Yao’s traditional crafts. A short ride from Tha Khao village takes you to a small workshop where local teachers guide you through the process.
You first sketch a design inspired by marine life, flowers, or Thai patterns, then trace it onto cotton with hot wax. The fabric is dipped into natural dyes, with each layer of wax protecting the colours underneath. Once the wax is removed, the layered pattern appears in bright, crisp shades.
Classes usually last three hours or more, giving you time to understand the craft rather than simply follow instructions. For me, that is what makes batik worth trying: you learn how a simple piece of fabric can carry patterns, colours, and meaningful local stories.
Kayak to Koh Nok
Distance: Around 1.6 km from Koh Yao Noi
Duration: Around 1 hour
Rental: From 200 THB
Best time: Morning
One of the nicest ways to experience Koh Yao Noi is from a kayak, with nothing between you and the quiet waters of Phang Nga Bay. Rather than joining a crowded boat tour, you can paddle at your own pace towards Koh Nok, a small island about 1.6 km from Koh Yao Noi’s southern tip. The paddle takes around an hour, but the journey itself is part of the experience as you move through calm water with the limestone landscape around you.
Once you reach Koh Nok, you can pull your kayak onto a quiet golden-sand beach and enjoy the island before the tour boats arrive around lunchtime. If you are up for a challenge, bring proper shoes and climb the rocky trail to the viewpoint, where ropes help you up the limestone cliffs. Kayak rentals are available around Koh Yao Noi, or you can ask your accommodation to arrange one.
Koh Nok
Yoga on Koh Yao Noi
Slow down with yoga on Koh Yao Noi
Location: Island Yoga
Opening hours: 10:00 AM daily
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: 300 – 400 THB
Yoga feels different on Koh Yao Noi because the island’s slow pace gives you the perfect setting to truly disconnect. With quiet beaches, greenery, and far fewer crowds than Phuket, the island naturally encourages you to slow down, making a morning yoga session feel like part of the destination rather than another activity to tick off.
At Island Yoga, daily drop-in classes start at 10:00 AM and welcome both beginners and experienced practitioners. The 1.5-hour session costs around 300 to 400 THB, with mats, water, and towels provided. You can simply walk in without booking ahead, which fits the island’s easygoing rhythm.
We recommend you choose a morning class before spending the rest of the day exploring the island at a slower pace. If you want to go deeper, Island Yoga also offers longer retreat programmes, which turns a short island visit into a proper wellness escape.
Experience Muay Thai training on Koh Yao Noi
Opening hours: 8:00 AM & 4:30 PM
Price: 400 THB (Group); 800 THB (Private)
Muay Thai training becomes more memorable on Koh Yao Noi because you learn Thailand’s national sport in a small island setting, far from the busy training camps of tourist hubs.
At Muay Thai gym centers, the intimate atmosphere makes it easier for beginners to receive personal guidance rather than simply follow a crowded class. When we joined a group session as beginners, a trainer took us aside and walked us through the basic techniques step by step, which made the experience much less intimidating.
You can join a group class for around 400 THB or book a private session for 800 THB. Classes run twice daily at 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, and you can usually walk in without a reservation. You should pick the morning class, especially if you want to avoid the afternoon heat and still have the rest of the day to explore Koh Yao Noi.
Muay Thai Class
Meet Koh Yao Noi’s Giant Big Tree
Location: Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao District, Phang Nga, Thailand
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tucked away in the rainforest near Ao Kian Beach, Koh Yao Noi’s Big Tree is the kind of hidden spot that makes you appreciate how wild the island still feels. At almost 65 metres tall, this enormous tree rises above the surrounding rainforest and is believed to be hundreds of years old.
Getting there is part of the fun, as you first reach Ao Kian before following a short trail into the jungle. The deeper you walk, the more the beach disappears behind you and the forest takes over. Standing underneath the tree, its huge trunk and sprawling branches make it easy to understand why locals hold it in such high regard.
Some local stories even associate the tree with a female forest spirit, which adds a touch of mystery to the visit. You should add this stop to a day of exploring Ao Kian, especially if you want to see the quieter, more natural side of Koh Yao Noi.
Kayak through Koh Yao Yai’s Mangrove Forests
Location: Ko Yao Yai, Ko Yao District, Phang Nga, Thailand
Best time: 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM or 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Instead of just kayaking in the open sea, the eastern shore of Koh Yao Yai is laced with a dense network of untouched mangrove waterways. This hidden ecological gem offers one of the most peaceful and immersive nature experiences you can find on the island.
Getting there involves renting a kayak near Yamee Village or joining a small, community-led guided tour. It is a fantastic ecological adventure where you can easily spot mudskippers, monitor lizards, and colorful kingfishers in their natural habitat.
Walk on the ocean at Laem Had Beach
Location: Northeastern point of Ko Yao Yai, Phang Nga, Thailand
Best time: During low tide (Check daily tide charts)
Laem Had is arguably the most breathtaking spot on Koh Yao Yai, often drawing comparisons to the pristine atolls of the Maldives. Reaching this spot requires a scenic scooter ride to the island’s northern edge, or a quick 10-minute longtail boat trip across the channel if you are coming from Koh Yao Noi.
During low tide, an incredible, powdery white sandbar reveals itself, curving beautifully and penetrating deep into the emerald sea. Walking barefoot far out into the ocean along this narrow strip of sand gives you a surreal, floating sensation that is hard to find anywhere else in Thailand.
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Tips to know before visiting Koh Yao
Koh Yao is easy to explore, but a few island-specific details can make the trip smoother and help you experience both islands at their best.
- Bring cash for small island businesses: Local roti stalls, small restaurants, scooter rentals, and some family-run businesses may not accept cards. Keep enough Thai baht for everyday spending, especially if staying outside the main areas.
- Check the last boat before flying in: Boat services from Phuket operate only during the day, so a late arrival can leave you stuck on the mainland. Check the boat schedule before booking your flight, and consider staying in Phuket if your arrival time is too late.
- Rent a scooter for easier exploring: Koh Yao’s roads are relatively quiet, and a scooter makes it much easier to reach beaches, villages, viewpoints, and local food stalls across the island. Make sure to bring a valid driving licence and only ride if you are confident on a scooter.
- Choose Koh Yao Noi for more convenience: Koh Yao Noi has more cafés, restaurants, shops, and accommodation options than Koh Yao Yai. It is a better base if you want to explore independently without travelling far for food or basic services.
- Check the tide before kayaking: The route to Koh Nok is only around 1.6 km from Koh Yao Noi, but the sea conditions can change with the tide. Check the tide before renting a kayak, especially if planning to explore the island’s smaller beaches and rocky coastline.
- Avoid feeding the monkeys: During Hong Islands trips, monkeys may swim towards boats looking for food. Do not feed them, as this can change their natural behaviour and make them more dependent on visitors.
This guide has introduced the two sibling islands of Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, along with the best things to do and practical tips for planning your trip. From kayaking to quiet beaches and exploring local crafts to enjoying fresh roti by the sea, Koh Yao offers a slower side of Thailand away from the crowds of Phuket.
Whether you choose the more convenient Koh Yao Noi or the quieter Koh Yao Yai, a few days here can be a refreshing change of pace. Ready to explore Koh Yao? Let Travel Sense Asia help you plan a memorable trip around Thailand.
FAQ
What is the ideal time to visit Koh Yao?
The best time to visit Koh Yao is generally November to April, when the weather is drier and the sea is calmer for boat trips and kayaking. The rainy season can bring heavier showers and rougher sea conditions, but it also means fewer tourists and lower prices.
How long should you stay in Koh Yao Noi?
Three to five days is a good amount of time for Koh Yao Noi. This gives you enough time to explore the island, visit nearby islands, try local activities, and still have a few slow days by the beach. A shorter two-day stay works well as a quiet break from Phuket.
Is Koh Yao Noi too quiet for a trip?
Koh Yao Noi is peaceful, but it does not feel completely isolated. You will still find local restaurants, cafés, beaches, small shops, and plenty of things to do during the day. The island simply has a slower pace and very little nightlife. It is a good choice for travellers who want to escape the crowds of Phuket without giving up basic comforts.
