Discovering Koh Yao Noi, Thailand’s Best Kept Secret

Planning a Last Minute Trip?

Short on time? Here are some quick tips and essential information to help you plan your trip to Koh Yao Noi today!

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Where to Stay: Booking.com is our go-to platform to search for amazing hotels. Here are our recommended places to stay on Koh Yao Noi.

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Mid-Range

Sabai House Bungalow

High-End

Cape Kudu Hotel

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Best Time to Visit: November to April for the best weather conditions.

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Reaching the Island: Reserve your ferry ticket from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi in advance here.

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Koh Yao Noi: Best Thai Island

Koh Yao Noi is an island you visit not for what there is to do, but for what there isn’t. It is a place to slow down, soak up the scenery, and appreciate the quiet simplicity that’s so often missing from more touristed spots.

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Unlike its bustling neighbor Phuket, Koh Yao Noi offers the best of both worlds: the tranquility of a small, untouristed island, paired with the comforts of solid infrastructure.

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There’s a surprisingly wide choice of excellent restaurants and cafes, plus accommodations ranging from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly bungalows.

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With smooth paved roads and hardly any traffic, it’s also one of the best places in Thailand to ride a motorbike, making it both easy and enjoyable to get around!

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Map of Koh Yao Noi Island

Use this map to get your bearings and plan your time on the island. We’ve highlighted the main areas to explore, the best things to do, top beaches, where to eat, places to stay, and nearby islands worth visiting.

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Things to Do on Koh Yao Noi

While Koh Yao Noi is best known for its slow pace and peaceful vibe, there’s still plenty to see and do if you’re looking to fill your days. Hop on a motorbike and discover everything the island has to offer.

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Northern Coast: Secluded Bays & Island Adventures

The northern end of Koh Yao Noi feels especially remote and serene, with much of the coastline left untouched and uninhabited. On the northeastern corner, upscale resorts dot Yao Beach, offering some of the island’s most secluded stays.

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High-End

TreeHouse Villas

High-End

Paradise Koh Yao

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At the very tip of the island lies Kian Bay, accessible only by longtail boat from the north shore. Nearby Mankei Bay can be reached by a rugged 5-kilometer road, recommended only for confident drivers. For the best experience, time your visit with high tide.

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Tip: Park in front of the Paradise Hotel and follow the forest path for about 25 minutes to reach the beach. The trail is hilly but scenic, and you might spot monkeys or hornbills along the way.

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For a more accessible stretch of sand, head to Long Beach, just south of Mankei Bay. It’s a great spot for sunbathing and swimming at high tide, with a simple beachfront restaurant serving cold drinks and snacks.

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Getting there is part of the fun: the road is narrow but mostly paved, with only the final stretch turning into a rough dirt track. Nearby is Little Long Beach, a smaller and more deserted spot.

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Eastern Side: Limestone Views & Beach Stretches

The eastern coast of Koh Yao Noi is all about long, quiet beaches and postcard-perfect views of limestone karsts rising from the sea. This side of the island, with its coastal roads and scattered bungalows, offers a front-row seat to some of the best sunrises in the region.

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Mid-Range

Hillhouse

High-End

Cape Kudu Hotel

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Located next to Tha Khao Pier, a short climb up uneven stone steps leads to a viewpoint where, with a bit of luck, you might spot some hornbills—the island’s mascot. Though slightly run-down, the roofed terrace still offers a great view over the bay.

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South of the pier, Tha Khao Beach stretches for about a kilometer and is mostly deserted. It’s not ideal for swimming, as the water stays shallow, even at high tide. During low tide, you can walk across a sandbar to nearby Ko Nui island.

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A few kilometers south is Klong Jark Beach, the island’s longest stretch of sand lined with palm trees.

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Southern Tip: Beach Bars & Quiet Corners

At the southernmost point of Koh Yao Noi, the land narrows into a slender peninsula flanked by two calm bays. Wrapped in dense greenery and home to Laem Sai Pier, this corner of the island feels pleasantly off the radar.

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On the eastern side of the peninsula lies Pasai Beach, a livelier stretch lined with beach bars and restaurants.

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To the west is Rim Thalay Village, known for its laid-back sunset bars. One of the most popular spots is Hornbill Bar, located right next to the pier, where you can sip cocktails with a breathtaking view.

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Looking for a hotel along the southern coast of Koh Yao Noi? Book Samsam Resort—one of the island’s top accommodations, featuring a swimming pool with a view.

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Thakhai Village, the Island’s Main Town

Located on the southwestern tip of the island, Thakhai Village is Koh Yao Noi’s main town and liveliest area. Most of the local population lives here, and it is where you’ll find the most restaurants, cafes, and bars. It’s also home to the island’s only 7-Eleven and Manoh Pier, the main gateway for ferries arriving from Phuket.

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Western Coast: Rice Fields & Sunset Rides

The less developed west side of Koh Yao Noi opens into wide rice paddies and mangrove forests. It’s also where you’ll find some of the island’s most scenic winding roads, weaving past rubber plantations, grazing water buffalo, and children flying kites in the late afternoon.

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For the best sunset spot on the island, head to Tong Do Pier. It stretches out into the mangroves and guarantees a quiet spot to end the day.

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Island Hopping from Koh Yao Noi

Koh Yao Noi is a great starting point for boat tours around Phang Nga Bay. Its location is much closer to the famous limestone islands than Phuket or Krabi, meaning shorter travel times and fewer crowds, especially if you set off early in the morning.

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Most tours are private and last around 6 to 7 hours, with flexible stops along the way. They usually include lunch, fresh fruits, and drinking water.

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Hong Island Tour

Islands: Koh Hong, Koh Lading, Koh Pakbia, Koh Ka, Monkey Island

Price: Around ฿3,200 ($98)

Duration: Half-day or full-day

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One of the most popular island-hopping tours from Koh Yao Noi is the Five Island Tour, with Koh Hong as the main highlight. Expect pristine beaches lined with palm trees, crystal-clear waters, and a few good spots for snorkeling. The trip usually ends at Monkey Island, where you can watch monkeys descend from the trees near the shore.

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We booked our tour through our hotel, and it turned out to be one of the best island-hopping experiences we’ve had in Thailand!

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Here are popular tours you can book online in advance.

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3 Island Tour

Islands: Koh Kudu, Koh Roi, Kian Bay

Price: Around ฿3,000 ($92)

Duration: Half-day or full-day

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This relaxed tour focuses on the quieter northern end of Koh Yao Noi. It includes a visit to Kian Bay, where a short jungle trail leads to the island’s famous Big Tree, which stands about 30 meters tall. You’ll also visit the nearby limestone islands of Koh Kudu and Koh Roi, both uninhabited and rarely crowded.

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Tours can be arranged directly through your hotel or with one of the many tour operators on the island, such as Koh Yao Island Tour, located near Klong Jark Beach (WhatsApp: +66 99 218 2887).

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Tip: If you’re up for an adventure, you can also rent a kayak at An Pao (near Unpao Pier) and paddle to the islands on your own. It takes about 45 minutes each way—just be mindful of the currents.

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James Bond Island & Koh Panyi

Islands: Koh Tapu, Koh Panyi, Lot Cave

Price: Around ฿7,000 ($200)

Duration: Full-Day

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This tour heads north into Phang Nga Bay to visit some of its most iconic spots: James Bond Island, made famous by The Man with the Golden Gun, and Koh Panyi, a traditional Muslim village with a floating soccer field.

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While it’s possible to do this trip from Koh Yao Noi, we don’t recommend it. The journey is longer, and by the time you arrive, both sites are often crowded. That said, if you don’t have time to visit from Phang Nga town, it’s still a decent option for seeing these famous landmarks.

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Top Restaurants on Koh Yao Noi

For such a small island, we found the food scene on Koh Yao Noi pleasantly surprising, offering a range of options from beachfront cafes to cozy local spots. Here are our top places to eat on Koh Yao Noi.

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Pradu Seafood: A great place to end the day after catching sunset at Tong Do Pier. They offer a wide selection of seafood and meat dishes, but our favorite was the beef with garlic and pepper sauce. 9am-9pm

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Chaba Cafe and Gallery: Our go-to spot for homemade meals, with a wide menu ranging from Thai classics to plant-based dishes and pasta. We loved the paninis and excellent coffee. 9am-5:30pm

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Three ladies & the Free Bird: A laid-back restaurant right on Long Beach, serving fresh juices, cold beers, and comforting Thai dishes, perfect for a beachside meal. 7am-10pm

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Ciao Bella: A cozy Italian eatery by Pasai Beach known for its bruschetta, gnocchi, and a wide selection of pizzas. 10:30am-9:30pm

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Lek’s Restaurant: This casual garden-style spot serves a wide selection of Thai home-cooked meals, all beautifully presented. The curries and pad thais were some of our favorites. 11:30am-10pm

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Plan Your Trip to Koh Yao Noi

Best Place to Stay

Choosing your hotel on Koh Yao Noi depends on the kind of experience you’re after. Stay in the main town if you want to be close to shops and restaurants, or head to the east side for easy beach access.

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During our visit, we stayed at Sabai House Bungalow, tucked away in the heart of the island. While it doesn’t offer ocean views, it more than makes up for it with peaceful surroundings, a sense of home, and beautifully built bungalows where breakfast is served on a spacious private terrace.

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The owners, Mak and his wife, are among the kindest people we’ve met in Thailand. Mak picked us up from the port in his self-converted pickup truck and happily offered rides around the island whenever we needed them.

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They genuinely care about their guests, from arranging boat tours to packing a breakfast basket for our island-hopping trip, and always checking in to see if we needed anything. Staying here felt like visiting family.

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Book your stay at Sabai House Bungalow now!

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Best Time to Visit

For the best weather, visit Koh Yao Noi from November to April during the dry season. These months offer plenty of sunshine, ideal for beach days, boat trips, and exploring the island. Avoid the monsoon season from May to October, when heavy rains and rough seas are common.

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Ferry to Koh Yao Noi

To reach Koh Yao Noi, fly into either Phuket or Krabi, both of which have international airports with frequent flights from Bangkok and major cities. From there, ferries and speedboats take you to the island in 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the departure point.

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Tip: After arriving in Koh Yao Noi, you can take a shared taxi to your hotel for ฿100 ($3) per person. You can also check with your accommodation if they offer free pick-up, as ours did.

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From Krabi

Regular ferries and speedboats depart from various piers, including Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang and the floating pier at East Railay.

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Book your speedboat from Krabi here.

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From Phuket

Boats to Koh Yao Noi depart from several piers, such as Thiensin Pier near Phuket Old Town and Laem Hin Pier, close to Coconut Island.

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However, the most convenient and popular option is Bang Rong Pier, located in the northeast of Phuket, just a short drive from the airport. We departed from here, and the journey took about 30 minutes.

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Book your speedboat from Phuket here.

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Note: Bang Rong Pier has a few simple restaurants and cafes where you can grab snacks or drinks while you wait.

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Getting Around the Island

The best way to get around Koh Yao Noi is by motorbike, which costs around ฿250 ($7) per day and can usually be rented directly from your accommodation. The island’s main gas station is located in the southern part near the main town, but smaller roadside shops also sell fuel.

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Alternatively, you can rent bicycles at some hotels or from Eco Island Bicycles for ฿200 ($6) a day. That said, the island is quite hilly, so cycling the entire island can be challenging.

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Some accommodations offer private island tours or transportation services for guests, so it’s worth checking with your host in advance.

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Note: Ride-sharing apps like Grab are not available on Koh Yao Noi.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Koh Yao Noi worth visiting?

While it depends on what you’re looking for, we truly believe Koh Yao Noi is one of the best islands we’ve visited in Thailand. Its relaxed pace, limited activities, and quiet beaches keep the crowds away, giving it a peaceful and authentic feel. It has all the charm of Thai island life without the overwhelming number of tourists.

How long should I stay on Koh Yao Noi?

We recommend staying at least two nights to soak up the island’s relaxed vibe, explore at a comfortable pace, and have time for an island-hopping tour.

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Can I buy alcohol on the island?

Yes, alcohol is available on Koh Yao Noi. However, since the island has a predominantly Muslim community, most local shops and restaurants don’t sell it. You’ll find a few liquor stores along the east coast, such as Bubbles Shop in Tha Khao Bay and P'Son Bottle Shop near Pasai Beach.

Are there ATMs on the Island?

Yes, there are several ATMs, mostly located in the main town and along the east coast. There’s no need to bring large amounts of cash before arriving.

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That’s everything you need to know to plan your trip to Koh Yao Noi, one of Thailand’s most underrated islands.

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Have questions or need help planning your trip? Drop us a comment below!