Why You Should Visit Koh Yao Yai in 2026

Sitting between Phuket and the Krabi coastline, Koh Yao Yai is one of Thailand’s lesser-known island destinations. If you’ve already been to Phuket or Phi Phi and want something quieter, this is worth the detour. There’s no late-night bar strip, no big restaurant scene, and no malls. What you get instead is space: wide, mostly empty beaches, fishing villages instead of resorts, and roads with more water buffalo than traffic.

This low-key, peaceful island sits at the entrance to Phang-Nga Bay on Thailand’s west coast and is starting to see a steady trickle of Western tourists looking for the next Thai island paradise with deserted beaches and a relaxed pace of life. It suits a two or three night stop rather than a full week: once you’ve covered the beaches and taken a scooter around the island, you’ve seen most of what’s here.

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Koh Yao Yai is a perfect place to get a glimpse of real Thailand as you explore this quaint tropical paradise. Between the coconut palms and rubber plantations, you will find traditional fishing villages, authentic local restaurants, and plenty of white-sand beaches with barely a soul on them.

Koh Yao Yai offers you the perfect opportunity to stray from the well-trodden tourist trail and enjoy the laid-back vibe of traditional Thailand, as it was before mass tourism arrived.

Koh Yao Noi vs Koh Yao Yai: Which Island Should You Choose?

Both islands sit in the same bay and share the same unhurried, Muslim-majority culture, but they attract slightly different travellers.

Koh Yao Yai is the larger of the two. It has more beaches to explore, more accommodation options across a wider price range, and enough to keep you busy for three to five days. If you want variety, cycling through rice paddies one morning, kayaking mangroves the next, then a sundowner on a deserted beach, Yao Yai is the better pick.

Koh Yao Noi is smaller, quieter, and has built a stronger reputation among long-stay digital nomads and couples who want to do very little very pleasantly. The restaurant scene is slightly more developed there, and the island has a handful of well-regarded yoga retreats. If you are after the absolute minimum of stimulation, Noi delivers it more consistently.

Map of Ko Yai Islands

Ko Yai sits between Krabi and Phuket

The good news is that the two islands are close enough that you do not have to choose. From Koh Yao Yai, Koh Yao Noi is visible across the water, a mere kilometre away at the Laem Haad sandbar, and a short longtail ride connects them. Many travellers split a week between both, spending three or four nights on Yao Yai and two or three on Noi, or treating one as a day trip from the other.

How to Get to Koh Yao Yai

The good news is that Koh Yao Yai is pretty straightforward to get to. You can easily reach the island from either Phuket or the Krabi area by boat. From either location you can choose between longtail or speedboats.

Speedboat tickets from Phuket or Krabi typically cost a few hundred baht per person each way, exact pricing varies by operator and season, so I’d recommend booking online in advance through the ferry company websites or checking prices at the pier if you’re flexible on timing.

If you are in Phuket, head to Bang Rong Pier in the northeast of the island for departures operated by Koh Yao Sun Smile Speedboat.

Tigerline also operates speedboat transfers. The Tigerline service departs from a different ferry pier – Ao Por Pier, a short distance from Bang Rong Pier.

If you are on the other side of Phang-Nga Bay, in or around Krabi, there are also speedboat taxis to take you across the Andaman Sea to Koh Yao Yai. Tigerline also operates along this route. Their ferry service leaves Chao Fah Pier, in the centre of Krabi Town.

Krabi Town is the administrative hub of Krabi Province and is not the most popular destination in this area for tourists. Often, your hotel will be in Ao Nang, a few kilometres outside Krabi Town.

From Ao Nang, you can also jump on a Koh Yao Sun Smile Speedboat to head over to Koh Yao Yai. This service will usually also pick up guests from Railey Sunrise Beach (Eastern Beach) as it cruises past. 

If you want to see how the locals get to Koh Yao Yai, take a long tail boat, Thailand’s traditional type of boat. There are public longtails running from Ao Thalane Pier, a thirty-minute journey north of Ao Nang by road.

The public longtail service takes around one hour for the crossing and should cost around 250 baht per person. If you take the longtail option, make sure you don’t accidentally hop off and visit Koh Yao Noi instead. Yai means big in Thai, and noi means little.

If you are in Koh Lanta or Phi Phi, the easiest way to get to Koh Yao Yai is to first head to Krabi Town or Ao Nang, and then join the ferry services outlined above. And of course, if you’re in Koh Yao Noi, then Ko Yao Yai makes a great day trip.

Getting Around Koh Yao Yai

The name Koh Yao Yai translates as Big Long Island, but don’t worry, it’s relatively small and easy to get around the entire island.

The island’s small enough that you can cover it in a day, but you’ll need wheels.

• Scooter rentals are everywhere once you get off the pier. You can hire one from the pier. The roads are quiet and mostly in decent shape, just watch for the occasional pothole and give way to water buffalo (yes, really).
• Bicycle rentals are a much better choice if you are not a licensed scooter rider at home.
• Taxis work differently here than on Phuket or Samui. There aren’t meters, and you’ll need to negotiate before you get in. Most guesthouse owners can call one for you. From the pier to the southern beaches takes about 20 minutes.
• Longtail boats are how you’ll get to nearby islands for snorkeling or diving. Your hotel can usually arrange these, or you can haggle directly with boat captains at the main piers.

If you have never ridden a scooter before and are not comfortable doing so, there are also plenty of tuk-tuks and songthaews available to taxi you around the island.

When is the best time to visit Koh Yao Yai?

Whilst the weather on Koh Yao Yai is hot throughout the year, there are times when there will be more rainfall compared to other times.

The western coast of Thailand experiences its southwest monsoon between June and October each year. February is the driest month, with around 50mm of rain, while October is the wettest, averaging around 370mm. Whereas it’s true that there will be more rainfall at this time of year, flights and accommodation will be cheaper, and at this time of year, the beaches will be less crowded.

During the monsoon, it’s common to have bright sunshine and blue skies during the day, with the late afternoon heralding the start of the rain, which cools everything down for the evening. 

Between November and May, Thailand’s weather is much more dependable, with January through to Songkran (Thai New Year on April 13th) being very hot and dry.

This time of the year will also see the calmest seas and better water visibility for anyone looking to enjoy some snorkelling or scuba diving in the area. Perfect water sports and beach weather!

The Beautiful Beaches of Koh Yao Yai

The coast of Koh Yao Yai is lined with small, quiet beaches. Whilst you may be a little hard-pressed to find kilometers-long stretches of sand, as in Phuket, the smaller beaches here are more secluded and tranquil.

These tranquil beaches offer the perfect opportunity for topping up the tan, but if you’re planning on hitting the ocean for a swim, you may need to schedule your beach time to coincide with high tide, depending on which beach you choose. 

Laem Haad

If you are looking for a picture-perfect beach with swaying palm trees, head to Laem Haad, meaning cape beach in Thai. This beach at the end of a headland is arguably Koh Yao Yai’s best.

However, you should visit this beach at low tide. The falling waters as the tide recedes reveal a hidden sandbar, angling out towards Koh Yao Noi, a mere kilometre away. 

Loh Jark Beach

If you want some peace and quiet on this beach, settle down in the sand away from the pier in the centre of the beach. This west coast beach is also perfect for a sunset photo and is located towards the south of the island. 

Loh Pared Beach

To the north of Loh Jark, you’ll find Loh Pared Beach, near the Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa. If you’re looking to spoil yourself, this is an excellent resort, and the traditional Thai-style pavilions and the hillside infinity pool overlook the Andaman Sea.

It’s also conveniently located on a gorgeous west-facing beach.

Loh Pared is an excellent swimming beach, and at low tide, the water is not as shallow as on some of the other beaches. It’s the most popular beach on the island.

Ao Muong Chan Beach

A short way to the south of Loh Jark is Ao Muong Chan Beach. If you want to enjoy this beach, you will need to stay at Elixir Resort, as it is a private beach for the guests of this fine resort.

The resort cleans the beach on a regular basis, and it’s a great spot for a sunset cocktail away from the madding crowds.

Son Bay Beach

Son Bay Beach is perfect for those looking for a quiet little bay to enjoy the sun. This bay is on the northwest coast of the island, about a twenty-minute scooter ride north from Santhiya.

It’s very peaceful here, and there’s a great restaurant for a spot of authentic Thai lunch, Sea Breeze Restaurant.

If you’re not too keen on spicy Thai food, just remember to ask the wait staff to prepare your food mai pet, which means not spicy.

Things to Do on Koh Yao Yai

Take a Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour

The eastern coast of Koh Yao Yai has areas covered in mangrove forests. Mangroves serve as the nurseries of the oceans, where juvenile tropical fish start their lives under the protection of mangrove roots. Phang Nga province holds the largest share of Thailand’s mangrove forest, close to one-sixth of the national total, and much of it fringes this bay

A great way to get close to Thailand’s exotic wildlife is to join a Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour, such as the one offered by Koh Yao Village Beach Resort. Their two-hour tours include transfers, fruit, drinking water, and an English-speaking guide. 

Kayak and Camp at Koh Nok

This tiny deserted island is accessible when the tide is low enough by a sandbank that connects it to Ko Yao Yai. Otherwise, you can kayak or take a boat.

There is a sandy spit that you can swim from, but the tide can be strong at times. These kinds of tiny uninhabited islands are part of the magic of Thailand.

Koh Nok isn’t undiscovered. Tour boats stop here for lunch during high season, but once they leave, you’re alone with only the sound of the sea for company.

Book a spa day

Learn to scuba dive

Ocean lovers may fancy taking a glimpse below the waves. Elixir Divers can help you out.

Whether you have a certification already or want to try scuba diving for the first time, they can help you out. Situated a little inland from Loh Jark Beach, they offer trips to local dive and snorkel sites to show you the underwater beauty of the region.  

Try Na Yone Rice Farming

For those who visit during the low season, you can try a pretty unique activity called na yone rice farming.

On Koh Yao Yai, one of the methods of rice farming employed by the locals is referred to as na yone, as the rice saplings are tossed onto the plowed soil, rather than carefully planted rice paddies, as is more common.

This one-hour workshop costs 70 baht and will also cover the preparation of the saplings before they are thrown onto the prepared soil.

Join a Thai Cooking Class with Local Life Activity

This class runs in a relaxed island setting with an experienced local instructor. You choose your dishes in advance from a set menu list, then cook them yourself before sitting down to eat what you made.

The optional add-on takes you to a rubber plantation and a coconut farm first, where you learn to hand-crack coconuts before heading to the kitchen.

Take a Koh Yao Yai Community Tour

This tour covers the traditional livelihoods that shape island life: a coconut farm demonstration with traditional monkey coconut picking, rubber tapping, rice paddies, and a floating lobster farm. Lunch at a local restaurant is included on the longer version.

There’s also an ethical elephant care option but I would suggest if you do add this do not bathe the elephants. You can read more about what an ethical elephant experience looks like here.

Visit Dr. Saad a near-blind masseur

Got a few aches and pains from the rigours of exploring the island? Why not head to see Dr. Saad? Dr. Saad is a near-blind masseur and refers to himself as a ‘medical masseur.’

Touted as a miracle worker, his massages are infamous on the island, and a trip here will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 

See the Famous Laem Haad Viewpoint

Need a wide view of the island for your camera roll?Then you should head to Laem Haad Viewpoint, a ten-minute scooter ride south of Laem Haad beach on the island’s east coast.

On your way to or from the viewpoint, stop for a coffee at Chada Cafe. Especially if you have been out exploring the island in the heat of the midday sun, this coffee shop with air conditioning is a delightful respite from the heat.

Order an iced coffee and cool down whilst having a chat with locals and other tourists to find out where to explore next.

Eating Out on Koh Yao Yai

The island is predominantly Thai-Muslim, which shapes the food scene in the best possible way. Pork is off the menu almost everywhere, but the seafood more than fills the gap. Freshly caught fish, prawns, and squid cooked simply over charcoal are what Koh Yao Yai does best.

For a relaxed lunch with views, Sea Breeze Restaurant at Son Bay Beach is a reliable favourite. The menu leans on fresh seafood and classic Thai dishes. If spice is not your thing, just tell the kitchen mai pet (not spicy) and they will happily oblige.

The main pier area has a cluster of small local restaurants and coffee shops where you can pick up a cheap Thai breakfast or a bowl of rice porridge before heading out to explore.

In the evenings, most of the resorts have their own dining options. The Titan Grill at Santhiya is a popular choice for a sit-down beachside dinner. For something more casual, the restaurants around the main village are open most evenings and offer good, honest Thai food at local prices.

One thing to be aware of: Koh Yao Yai is a Muslim-majority island, so alcohol is not as freely available as on Phuket or Koh Samui. Some resorts serve it, and a few beach bars stock beer and wine, but do not expect a party strip.

Where to Stay on Koh Yao Yai

This island is not like the large islands where there are thousands of hotel options.  Most of the accommodation is clustered around the northeast coast (near the main piers, convenient for arrivals) and the southwestern coastline (quieter, better sunset views).

There are a few lovely 4-star resorts, some charming bungalows, and a few ‘mountainside’ villas and bungalows.

Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa

Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa sits between Baan Larm Yai Pier and Lho Pared Beach.

Koh Yao Yai Village Resort

On the east side of the island, this highly rated accommodation has a pool and a poolside bar that is the stuff of every tropical holiday fantasy. It has its own 400-meter-long private beach.

The rooms are air-conditioned private bungalows designed on a semi-open concept.

Koh Yao Modern Inn

Also on the east coast, this is a popular three-star property with modern, clean, individual bungalows.The deluxe rooms are a good size and highly rated for the comfy beds. Great value for money.

Elixir Resort Koh Yao Yai

Book a one-bedroom or beach front pool villa here and you may find you never want to leave. The staff are friendly and go out of their way to make sure you have everything you need. The resort is located on Bo Le Bay and the beach is very clean and quiet. Highly recommended.

Our Final Thoughts…

Explore this region before mass tourism turns up to replace some of the spectacular views with big resorts.

• Koh Yao Yai: quiet, unspoiled island in Phang-Nga Bay
• Reach it by speedboat from Phuket (Bang Rong or Ao Por Pier) or Krabi
• Best weather: November to May; monsoon June to October
• Top beaches: Laem Haad, Loh Jark, Loh Pared
• Hire a scooter or book a driver to explore the whole island
• Predominantly Thai-Muslim island: alcohol limited, pork rare
• Koh Yao Noi is visible from Laem Haad, 1 km away, easy day trip

Few unspoiled Thai islands remain, but Koh Yao Yai retains its natural beauty and charm. Spend a week or two here to refresh the soul, or add it to your island-hopping itinerary from Phuket.

Perfect for a couple of nights if you have been over-indulging in Phuket or Ao Nang and need some downtime, or for a romantic, peaceful getaway close to nature. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai?

It depends on what you are after. Koh Yao Yai is larger, has more beaches and accommodation variety, and suits travellers who want a mix of activities over three to five days. Koh Yao Noi is smaller and even quieter, popular with couples and long-stay visitors who want to do very little. The two islands are close enough that many travellers visit both on the same trip.

How do you get to Koh Yao Yai from Phuket?

From Phuket, head to Bang Rong Pier in the northeast of the island for Koh Yao Sun Smile Speedboat services, or to Ao Por Pier for Tigerline. The speedboat crossing takes around 30 minutes. Speedboat tickets typically run a few hundred baht per person each way, though exact prices vary by operator and season.

What are the best beaches on Koh Yao Yai?

Laem Haad is widely regarded as the most beautiful, with a sandbar that appears at low tide stretching towards Koh Yao Noi. Loh Jark Beach on the west coast is the go-to for soft white sand and sunset views. Loh Pared Beach, near Santhiya Resort, is the best swimming beach and the most popular on the island. Ao Muong Chan and Son Bay Beach offer quieter, more secluded alternatives.

Can I do a rice farming experience on Koh Yao Yai?

Yes, during the low season you can join a na yone rice farming workshop. This method involves tossing rice saplings onto plowed soil rather than planting them in paddies. The one-hour workshop covers sapling preparation and costs 70 baht per person.

Is alcohol available on Koh Yao Yai?

Alcohol is available but less freely than on Phuket or Koh Samui. Koh Yao Yai is a predominantly Thai-Muslim island, so pork and alcohol are not served at many local restaurants. Some resorts serve alcohol, and a few beach bars stock beer and wine, but visitors should not expect a lively nightlife scene.

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