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Koh Yao Noi & Koh Yao Yai
A Slow Island Plan for Long Lie-Ins

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai sit right in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi — but the mood here is a different world. These are still old Muslim fishing communities with rice paddies, quiet beaches, no parties, and no traffic. Most people who come to Koh Yao come to do absolutely nothing — sleep in late, cycle past the paddies, eat seafood by the water, then watch the sunset. This plan is built slow, 3 days and 2 nights, leaving plenty of time to actually rest.

🛥️ 45 min by boat from Phuket🏖️ Quiet beaches, no parties🌅 Sunsets over Phang Nga Bay
Koh Yao Noi & Koh Yao Yai A Slow Island Plan for Long Lie-Ins

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

First things first — these two Koh Yao islands aren't the same. Koh Yao Noi is the smaller one but gets more visitors, with a decent spread of restaurants, cafes, and places to stay. It suits anyone who wants quiet but still wants somewhere to eat and wander. Koh Yao Yai is bigger and quieter, with accommodation spread far apart — better for people who really want to switch off. This plan uses Koh Yao Noi as a base for 2 nights, then crosses to Koh Yao Yai for a day trip. If you'd rather sleep on both islands, you can split the nights however you like.

How to Get to Koh Yao

Koh Yao has no airport, so you have to come in by boat from the mainland. There are two main routes — from Phuket and from Krabi. Most people fly into Phuket or Krabi and pick up a boat from there.

  • From Phuket — catch the boat at Bang Rong Pier on the northeast of the island. The speedboat to Koh Yao Noi takes around 45 minutes, with several departures a day. The first is around 8:30–8:40 a.m. and the last around 5:00–6:00 p.m.
  • From Krabi — catch the boat at Tha Len Pier or Nopparat Thara (the Ao Nang side). The speedboat reaches the island in about 30 minutes, with boats roughly every hour during the day.
  • Arrive at Manoh Pier, on the southwest of Koh Yao Noi. Songthaews (shared pickups) and tuk-tuks wait there to take you to your accommodation.
  • In high season (Nov–Apr) the boats fill up fast, so book ahead.

What to Know About the Boats

The Koh Yao boat schedule changes with the season and the swell, especially in the rainy months (May–Oct) when some departures are cancelled. Before you travel, double-check with your hotel or the boat operator to be sure. And don't plan your return flight too tight against the last boat of the day.

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Day 1 — Arrive and Slow Down

Day 1

Reach Koh Yao Noi, switch to rest mode

Morning
Take the boat from Phuket or Krabi to Manoh PierLeave early and you'll reach the island before noon, with the whole afternoon free.
Midday
Check in, then grab lunch around Pasai BeachThe Pasai area has the biggest cluster of places to stay, cafes, and food on the island.
Afternoon
Rent a motorbike for around 250 THB/day and ride or cycle past the rice paddies in the middle of the islandKoh Yao Noi has rice fields that have been farmed for over 200 years — one of the few islands in Thailand that still grows rice. The paddies set against the limestone karsts make for a gorgeous view.
Evening
Watch the sunset from the beach, then sit down for your first seafood dinnerThe west side of the island faces Phang Nga Bay, so you'll see the limestone islands lined up like a backdrop as the sun goes down.

Day 2 — Day Trip Across to Koh Yao Yai

Day 2

Cross the channel + quiet beaches on Koh Yao Yai

Morning
Take a longtail boat across to Koh Yao Yai, or join a mangrove kayaking tourA private longtail across the channel runs around 100 THB per trip, cheaper split between a group. A mangrove kayak tour usually takes about 2 hours.
Late morning–midday
Head to Loh Paret Beach, the most popular and clearest-water beach on Koh Yao YaiIt's a good swimming beach — quiet and great for sunbathing. The big Santhiya resort is nearby.
Afternoon
Have a seafood lunch by the water, then stop by Laem La village to see the fishing way of lifeLaem La has seafood spots right by the sea and you can watch locals making salted fish and drying squid.
Evening
Take the boat back to Koh Yao Noi and relax at your hotelCheck the time of the last boat with the driver on the way over, so you don't get stranded.

Day 3 — Easy Morning Before You Leave

Day 3

Slow breakfast, then catch the boat back to the mainland

Morning
Have a slow breakfast at a seaside cafe, coffee in hand with a view over Phang Nga BayMany of the island's cafes open late, around 9–10 a.m., so there's no need to rush.
Late morning
Pack up and pick up some batik or tie-dye fabric from the community as a souvenirKoh Yao Noi is known for batik craft, naturally dyed fabric, and coconut-shell items to take home.
Midday
Take the boat back to Phuket or KrabiAllow at least 2–3 hours after landing to connect onward to the airport.

Places to Eat and Drink on Koh Yao Noi That People Talk About

Local Seafood

Tha Ton Do Seafood (Seafood Terrace)

A popular waterside seafood spot. Standout dishes include mango-and-shrimp-paste nam prik, squid in black ink soup, and gaeng som with sand whiting — bold southern flavors.

Sea-View Cafe

Café Kantary

A seaside cafe inside the Cape Kudu hotel, done in clean minimalist white with panoramic views over Phang Nga Bay and good coffee.

Beach Bar

Sundowners

An evening bar and restaurant serving Thai food, Western dishes, and cocktails — a good spot to settle in for the sunset.

This Island Runs on Cash

Koh Yao has only a handful of ATMs, and many small shops take cash only. Bring enough cash from the mainland, especially if you're staying several nights.

Find a place to stay on Koh Yao before you plan

See the Top 10 Phang Nga Hotels →

FAQ

Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai — which one should I stay on?

If you want quiet but still want a range of restaurants, cafes, and places to stay, sleep on Koh Yao Noi. If you want to fully switch off and don't mind having fewer shops around, Koh Yao Yai is quieter. Many people use Koh Yao Noi as a base and cross to Koh Yao Yai as a day trip.

Is it easier to reach Koh Yao from Phuket or Krabi?

From Phuket you catch the boat at Bang Rong Pier, a speedboat of around 45 minutes. From Krabi you board at Tha Len or Nopparat Thara, around 30 minutes. Choose based on which city is more convenient to fly into — both routes have several boats a day in high season.

How many days on Koh Yao is enough?

If you're here for the quiet-island vibe and mostly to rest, 3 days and 2 nights is just right — enough time to sleep in, cycle past the paddies, and cross to Koh Yao Yai for a day. If you're really short on time, 2 days and 1 night still covers Koh Yao Noi without feeling too rushed.

Can you visit Koh Yao in the rainy season?

Yes, but from May to October the swell is stronger, some boat departures may be cancelled, and island-hopping sea activities can be called off depending on the weather. Build in some slack and check the boat schedule with your hotel before you go. The upside is fewer crowds and cheaper rooms.

How do you get around on the island?

The usual choice is to rent a motorbike for around 250 THB/day, or use the songthaews and tuk-tuks on the island. To cross to Koh Yao Yai, take a longtail boat — a private trip runs around 100 THB and can be split if there's a group of you.

Related

🗺️ Phang Nga Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Phang Nga Hotels🍤 What to Eat on Koh Yao

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