Ultimate guide to the best things to do in Koh Yao Noi + best beaches to visit.
Situated in the Phang Nga province, Koh Yao Noi is one of the few islands that has managed to stay under the radar despite being just a short boat ride from the tourist hubs of Krabi and Phuket.
With a jungly interior surrounded by miles of empty beaches and only a handful of tourists, Koh Yao Noi is the perfect escape for those looking for some R&R.
In this guide, I’ll tell you all about the best things to do in Koh Yao Noi Thailand, and the best beaches to visit. The guide also includes some practical tips like where to stay, how to get to and around Koh Yao Noi, the best time to visit, and more.
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Top Things to do in Koh Yao Noi Thailand
Explore the Koh Yao Noi Beaches
One of the best things to do in Koh Yao Noi is to explore all the beaches dotted around the island. Here you won’t have to worry about the crowds as the Koh Yao Noi beaches are almost always deserted, making them the perfect place to chill.
Just note that the beaches are sometimes very shallow and not swimmable all day, so be sure to check the tide level beforehand.
Below are some of the main beaches in Koh Yao Noi:
Tha Khao Beach
During my trip to Koh Yao Noi, I stayed in a cute little bungalow called The Best Bungalow just a few steps from Tha Khao Beach.
It’s definitely the best place to base yourself as there are several restaurants and shops nearby as well as a daily night market.
The beach here is very beautiful and quiet with rows of palm trees providing plenty of shade to relax. The water is quite clear and warm, plus at low tide, you can walk to the little islet located just off the coast.
Klong Jark Beach
If you’re wondering what to do in Koh Yao Noi, make sure to visit Klong Jark beach. While it’s the most famous beach on the island, it isn’t the most crowded.
The beach is quite long and has a couple of restaurants and resorts like the exclusive Cape Kudu. There are also a few swings scattered along the beach and several little nooks where you can relax.
Out of all the beaches on Koh Yao Noi, Klong Jark was by far my favorite to snorkel as the water is crystal-clear.
Pasai Beach
Right next to Klong Jark is Pasai beach. I didn’t swim there but had a delicious lunch at a lovely restaurant overlooking the beach. If you’re looking for some evening entertainment, head over to Charlie Bar.
Long Beach and Little Long Beach
The road leading to both Long Beach and Little Long Beach is quite rough as it’s mostly a dirt track, so I opted to visit with a private boat instead. Due to their remote location, you’ll most probably have the beach all to yourself.
Paradise Beach
I’m not sure if this beach has an official name but it’s home to the luxurious Paradise Koh Yao Resort and is only accessible by boat.
Since I was already exploring the area by boat, I stopped there for lunch and spent a few hours relaxing on the beach.
Kian Bay
Kian Bay is located on the northern tip of Koh Yao Noi. The beach isn’t great for swimming as it’s super rocky and the water quite murky, so I only stopped there for a few minutes to take photos.
The beach is only famous because of the “Big Tree” landmark that can be accessed through a small jungle trail filled with mosquitoes. It’s best to come here by boat as the roads leading to the beach aren’t the best.
Drive around the island
Another best thing to do in Koh Yao Noi is to drive around the island to explore the beaches and local villages. Along the way, you’ll find lots of rubber and coconut tree plantations as well as some beautiful rice paddies.
You can rent a motorbike for about 200 baht per day or a bicycle for about 150 baht per day. Just be sure to always wear a helmet and avoid driving along the northern part of the island as the roads there aren’t well-maintained.
Tha Khao Night Market
One of my favorite places to eat in Koh Yao Noi is at Tha Khao Night Market which takes place every evening from 6-8 p.m along Tha Khao Pier.
Here, you’ll find the usual Thai food like pad thai, BBQ skewers, mango sticky rice, rotis, and more.
They also have little tables and beach mats set up where you can eat and interact with the locals.
Thakow Waterfall
Visiting Thakow waterfall is another great thing to do in Koh Yao Noi. This little waterfall is best visited during the wet season (May to November) and can be accessed through a little dirt trail from Tha Khao beach.
It should take barely 5 minutes to walk there, so worth a quick stop if you’re already in the area.
Hornbill viewpoint
Located right beside Tha Khao pier is a small metal bridge that will lead you to a jungle track and finally to Hornbill viewpoint.
From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean dotted with tiny islands in the distance. It’s a bit of an uphill walk but it should take only about 5 minutes to get there.
Koh Kudu
One of my favorite attractions in Koh Yao Noi is Koh Kudu, located off the north coast. The beach isn’t the best for swimming as the water is very shallow but it makes up for its stunning scenery and secluded feel.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can rent a kayak to get there or simply hire a private longtail boat for the whole day for about 2,000 baht.
Koh Roi
Koh Roi is another beautiful island located not too far from Koh Kudu so you can visit both within the same day. Here also the water is very shallow so not ideal for swimming but it’s stunning nonetheless.
Day trip to Koh Yao Yai
Once you’re done exploring Koh Yao Noi, hop on a boat to its sister island, Koh Yao Yai, located about a 5-minute boat ride away.
Shuttle boats to Koh Yao Yai are available from Manoh pier and cost 100 baht per person one way although I heard that some people were able to haggle for 50 baht only.
Despite being larger, Koh Yao Yai is way less developed with only a handful of hotels and resorts, so most people visit as a day trip from Koh Yao Noi.
The best way to get around the island is to hire a motorbike. Since I didn’t want to drive, I decided to spend the whole day at Laem Haed beach which is famous for its sandbar.
If you’re looking for the best view on the island, be sure to check out Koh Yao Yai viewpoint near Laanmaye restaurant. The hike to the viewpoint takes only about 5-10 minutes.
Hong Island
Since Hong Island is located not too far away, I highly recommend taking a boat trip there.
It’s one of my favorite islands in the Krabi province since it boasts the most gorgeous beach lined with soaring karst cliffs. Plus, there’s a 360-degree viewpoint that you can visit for free.
Tours to Hong Island are available by longtail boats and include visits to the Hong Lagoon, Koh Pak Bia, Lading Island, and Laem Haed Beach on Koh Yao Yai as well as lunch, hotel transfers, and a tour guide.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A HONG ISLAND TOUR
Related post: Ultimate guide to visiting Hong Island
James Bond Island
Another fun thing to do in Koh Yao Noi is to take a day trip to James Bond Island. The island was made famous thanks to the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun” and is recognizable by its single limestone rock standing in the middle of the ocean.
A private longtail boat tour from Koh Yao Noi to James Bond Island should cost about 4,000 baht depending on your negotiation skills. It’s a bit pricey but you’ll also get to visit other islands on your way there.
Where to Stay in Koh Yao Noi?
The best place to stay on Koh Yao Noi is along the east coast as this is where most of the nicest beaches are.
I recommend staying along Klong Jark Beach or Tha Khao Beach since both have a good selection of hotels, restaurants, and shops.
If you want to splurge, you can book a stay at Cape Kudu or Six Senses. For those on a budget, I recommend Sabai Corner Bungalows, Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow, The Best Bungalow, or Tha Khao Bay View.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN KOH YAO NOI
How to get to Koh Yao Noi?
For those wondering how to get to Koh Yao Noi from Bangkok, you first need to take a flight to either Phuket or Krabi.
From Phuket, you can then take a 1-hour ferry or a 30-minute speedboat to Koh Yao Noi.
BOOK A TRANSFER FROM PHUKET TO KOH YAO NOI HERE
On the other hand, the only way to get from Ao Nang, Krabi to Koh Yao Noi is by taking a speedboat. The total journey takes about 45 minutes.
BOOK A TRANSFER FROM AO NANG TO KOH YAO NOI HERE
Once you get to Koh Yao Noi, you’ll be dropped off at Manoh pier, and from there, you can take a songthaew to your hotel for 100 baht.
How to get around?
The best way to get around the island is by motorbike (200 baht per day) or bicycle (150 baht per day).
Alternatively, you can also get around Koh Yao Noi by songthaew for 100 baht per trip regardless of the distance covered.
Since I was traveling on a budget and didn’t want to ride a motorbike, I just walked everywhere. The only time I took a songthaew was to travel from the pier to my accommodation and back.
If you’re not very fit, I wouldn’t recommend walking as the roads are quite hilly but it’s still doable when it’s not scorching hot.
Are there ATMs in Koh Yao Noi?
There are a few ATMs scattered around the island but unfortunately, most of them don’t seem to be working. The one on Tha Khao Beach wasn’t anyway but I managed to find a working ATM near the post office here.
I would still recommend withdrawing cash before getting to the island just in case.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Koh Yao Noi is from December to April when the weather is great with a lower chance of rain.
While you can still visit during the wet season (May to November), you should expect some rain but luckily it doesn’t last all day.
I visited in November which is toward the end of the rainy season but had sunshine every single day except for that one time when it rained late at night.
Did you find this guide to the best things to do in Koh Yao Noi helpful? If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.
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