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Everything You Need to Know about Koh Yao Yai
- Where is Koh Yao Yai?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Koh Yao Yai
- What to See and Do in Koh Yao Yai
- Enjoy beach hopping in Koh Yao Yai
- Book a mangrove kayaking tour
- Arrange a diving trip around the island
- Explore the island through an adrenaline-pumping ATV tour
- Join the workshop at Batik de Kohyao
- Where to Eat and Drink in Koh Yao Yai
- Gypsy’s
- Isaan Fine
- Baan Rim Nam Restaurant
- Where to Shop in Koh Yao Yai
- Eleven
- Amina at Kohyao
- Family Shop
- Where to Stay in Koh Yao Yai
- Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
- Koh Yao Yai Village Beach Resort
- Thiwson Beach Resort
- FAQs about Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Yai is an off-the-beaten tropical hideaway in Phang Nga Bay. It’s an underrated island destination with numerous pristine beaches, popular dive sites, and a sprawling mangrove forest minus the noise of the crowd.
Armed with adequate hotels, restaurants, and bars, Koh Yao Yai is a cozy but peaceful holiday destination empty of crowds of tourists. And its proximity to popular Phuket or Krabi makes it a convenient option if you need some alone time.
This island is certainly worth considering if you want a relaxed island escape ripe with opportunities for nature exploration. In short, if you want some serious me-time.
Where is Koh Yao Yai?
Koh Yao Yai is at the south end of Phang Nga Bay. This island is east of mainland Phuket, west of mainland Krabi, south of Koh Yao Noi, and northwest of the Phi Phi Islands.
Things to Know
Phone: +66 63 643 1744
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Costs: Free
How to Get to Koh Yao Yai
Plane: The best way to get to Koh Yao Yai from Bangkok is to book a flight to Phuket International Airport. From there, you must board an airport taxi to the Bang Rong Pier in Thalang District.
Here, you can ride a ferry bound for Klong Hia Pier in Koh Yao Yai. The whole trip should only take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Bus: The cheaper alternative is to catch a provincial bus at the Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal bound for Phuket Town. Afterward, you can book a taxi from Bang Rong Pier where you can board a ferry to reach Koh Yao Yai vial Klong Hia Pier.
Keep in mind that this may take up to 14 hours, so it’s not ideal if you’re only visiting Koh Yao Yai for a few days.
What to See and Do in Koh Yao Yai
Enjoy beach hopping in Koh Yao Yai
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Koh Yao Yai is a charming beach destination near Phuket. There, you can hop between numerous pristine beaches like Laem Haad Beach, Lo Chak Beach, Ao Muong Beach, Son Bay Beach, and more.
Laem Haad Beach, in particular, is a must-see because of its iconic sandbank which fully emerges during the low tide. During this time, the sandbank also becomes a feeding ground for birds, so expect to see them hunting fish in the shallow water.
Most of the island’s beaches also offer a wide range of water activities. Think kayaking, snorkeling, jet skiing, banana boating, etc.
Book a mangrove kayaking tour
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Kayaking is a popular activity in the northern portion of Koh Yao Yai because of the sprawling mangrove forest along Klong Hia. The mangrove forest’s winding canal is approximately 5 kilometers long and it flows into the Andaman Sea.
Exploring this natural attraction also gives you a chance to spot a variety of wild animals. This includes crab-eating macaques, blue-eared kingfishers, striated herons, Asian openbill, and more.
This mangrove kayaking tour is available to book via tour agencies like Koh Yao Explore and Koh Yao Island Safari or a resort such as Palm Beach Club.
Arrange a diving trip around the island
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A trip to Koh Yao Yai won’t be complete without experiencing the breathtaking dive sites around the island. The only diving center on the island is Elixir Divers so it’s your only option for beginner and advanced PADI diving courses during your trip.
They offer daily diving trips to numerous popular dive sites around Koh Yao Yai. Think Shark Point, Anemone Reef, Koh Doc Mai, King Cruiser Wreck, and more.
Moreover, the waters around the island are rich with marine life so expect a wide variety of tropical fishes, sharks, and coral reefs.
Explore the island through an adrenaline-pumping ATV tour
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The best way to explore Koh Yao Yai is to join an adrenaline-pumping ATV tour. This tour will take you through the island’s challenging dirt roads, forest trails, streams, viewpoints, and more.
Plus, this gives you a chance to spot a wide range of local bird species. Some ATV tours also include farm visits where you can observe and feed water buffaloes,
Your best options for booking this exciting activity are Koh Yao ATV and Palm Beach Club.
Join the workshop at Batik de Kohyao
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Batik painting is one of the more unique experiences you can get out of your Koh Yao Yai trip. This fun workshop is available at Batik di Kohyao and it’s popular among vacationing families and artsy tourists.
Here, you can learn how to paint or dye over textile products like handkerchiefs, shirts, hats, towels, and more. It’s also worth noting that they serve snacks and refreshments during the workshop.
If you’re pressed for time, you can also just buy their homemade batik-patterned products which are great souvenir items.
Where to Eat and Drink in Koh Yao Yai
Gypsy’s
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Address: Moo 7, Phru Nai Subdistrict
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. – 12 a.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for drinks
Gypsy’s is a popular and scenic beachside bar on the south end of Loh Pared Beach. This bar is particularly known for its affordable and wide selection of cocktails, from mai tai to mojito, caipirinha, Cuba libre, and more.
However, it also serves other beverages like mocktails, wines, fruit juices, and local beers. They also play Bob Marley songs that reggae fans will definitely enjoy. The complimentary WiFi is also a big plus!
Isaan Fine
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Address: 84/2 Moo 7, Phru Nai Subdistrict
Phone: +66 97 345 3355
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food, Western food
Isaan Fine is one of the more popular restaurants in Koh Yao Yai. This local food haunt boasts a massive selection of classic Thai dishes. Their menu also includes several Western dishes like Italian-style pasta, chicken nuggets, burgers, and more.
Baan Rim Nam Restaurant
Address: 23/3 Moo 1
Phone: +66 81 956 2141
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for seafood
Baan Rim Nam Restaurant is a well-known seafood place in Koh Yao Yai. It specializes in Thai seafood dishes, with their tom yum goong, deep-fried fish with fish sauce, crab with Thai basil and rice noodles as must-tries.
This place also offers seasonal seafood sets, with king tiger king tiger prawns, rock lobsters, and crabs, which is good for up to 2 people.
Where to Shop in Koh Yao Yai
7-Eleven
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Address: Moo 1
Phone: +66 2 826 7744
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for snacks, everyday essentials
There are two 7-Eleven stores in Koh Yao Yai but the one near Chong Lard Pier is the better option because of its accessible location. This 24/7 convenience store is a great place to shop for packaged snacks.
However, you can find a wide range of everyday essentials here. There’s also a dedicated section for essential travel items, which is handy in case you forgot your phone charger.
Amina at Kohyao
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Address: Moo 3, Phru Nai Subdistrict
Phone: +66 92 523 5583
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for souvenirs
Amina at Kohyao is one of the best souvenir shops in Koh Yao Yai. This family-run shop offers a large selection of clothes and accessories, from patterned dresses to hats, underwear, handbags, and more.
Family Shop
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Address: Moo 4
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for groceries
Family Shop is arguably the best grocery store in Koh Yao Yai. It has a nice selection of snacks and drinks, but it stands out for offering numerous alcoholic beverages which are unavailable at the convenience stores on the island.
Their inventory also includes various household essentials and toiletries. There’s also a conveniently placed ATM next to the shop’s door in case you’re short on cash.
Where to Stay in Koh Yao Yai
Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
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Address: 88 Phru Nai Subdistrict
Phone: +66 76 592 888
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa is Koh Yao Yai’s most popular hotel for good reason. For one, this massive estate’s idyllic location provides a breathtaking panoramic ocean view and quick access to the island’s Laem Yai Pier.
Moreover, it boasts decked-out 1 to 3-story villas with carved wood furnishings, private pools, whirlpool tubs, and open-air bathrooms. It also has several on-site restaurants: Chantara, By The Sea Restaurant, The Titan Grill, SaaiTara Restaurant, and more.
Plus, they provide numerous services, from boat rentals to boxing lessons, yoga classes, and cooking classes.
Koh Yao Yai Village Beach Resort
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Address: 78 Moo 4
Phone: +66 76 363 700
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Koh Yao Yai Village Beach Resort is an upscale beachfront hotel on the island’s east end. This luxe hotel is known for its chic thatched-roof bungalows with Thai-style furnishings, cable TVs, mini-fridges, terraces with sun loungers, and more.
They also have sizable villas with open-air showers, direct sea views, and shared pool access that can accommodate up to 5 guests. You can also opt for a deluxe upgrade if you like to add a separate living room.
This hotel also provides reliable room service and numerous other amenities. Think of 2 on-site restaurants, a chic infinity pool with a swim-up bar, and a full-service spa specializing in Thai massage.
Thiwson Beach Resort
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Address: 57 Moo 4
Phone: +66 81 737 4420
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 10 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for families
Thiwson Beach Resort is a mid-range hotel ideal for families with small children. Here, kids aged 11 and below stay for free as long as they share any of their rustic bungalows with an adult.
These standard bungalows are also fully equipped with open-air bathrooms, sofa beds, high-speed WiFi, and flat-screen TVs. There’s an upgrade option in case you like to add a sea view and separate sitting space.
Plus, they have a lagoon-style outdoor pool, tropical garden, and open-air restaurant. Their motorbike rentals and tour packages are also a plus if you plan to explore Koh Yao Yai to the fullest.
