Koh Yao Noi: Thailand’s Hidden Paradise – Travel Guide

“Two tickets to Ko Yao Noi”

The morning of our first anniversary, we returned to our favourite country in the South East Asia with the only hope to find a place to unwind. We had a strong vision for this trip – it must be a quick getaway, days are to be spent soaking the sun at the beach, catching up on a book, watching sunsets, and unwinding in each other’s company without having to worry about the pumping bass. Koh Samui matched the description to a certain extent but the struggle to reach there and the exorbitantly priced flights quickly dissuaded us. This is when we discovered a hidden gem – Koh Yao Noi.

Pristine beaches, laid-back vibes, epic sunsets, and friendly locals, Koh Yao Noi is the lesser known island in the otherwise famous Phang Nga Bay. Set a quick 30-minutes’ boat ride away from the busy and touristy island of Phuket, Koh Yao Noi feels worlds away from its more famous neighbour. It retains its authenticity, culture, and natural beauty without compromising on the comfort and indulgences available for all those who visit.

If you’re looking for a getaway from India that doesn’t require exhausting travel or a visa but still promises tranquility and endless opportunities to unwind and rejuvenate, Koh Yao Noi should be at the top of your 2025 travel bucket-list.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable holiday:

How to Reach ✈️

Reaching Koh Yao Noi is surprisingly easy, owing to its proximity to Phuket.

From Phuket, speed boats depart from Bang Rong Pier at a 60-75 minutes’ interval. The unassuming pier is a quick 25 minutes’ drive away from the airport.

The trip costs 400 THB/pp ($11) and tickets are available at the pier.

From Krabi, speed boats depart from Thalen Pier, East Railay and Noppharat Thara Beach. The trip approximately costs 500 THB/pp ($17).

At Koh Yao Noi, the speedboats arrive at Manoh Pier or Tha Khao Pier that are usually lined with songthaews ready to take you to your stay.

The standard songthaew charges are 200 THB/pp ($6).

Best time to Visit 🏝️

The best time to visit Koh Yao Noi is during the dry season, which is between December and April. Although it is the peak travel season for Thailand, this duration mostly guarantees warm sunny days.

Accommodation in Koh Yao Noi 🏨

The island offers a wide range of accommodation options ranging from budget-friendly hostels and guest houses to luxury resorts that will spoil you rotten.

Here are a few of our best recommendations:

Luxury $$$$$

• Six Senses Yao Noi
• ANI Thailand
• Cape Kudu
• Coastal Escape Koh Yao Noi

Mid-range $$$

• Baan I Ta Lay (this is where we stayed – not sponsored)
• Kunna House
• Annie Meen’s place
• Baan Suan Amaleena

Budget $$

• najjamee Bungalows Koh Yao Noi
• Tabeak View Point

Hostels

• Connextions Hostel
• Mukda Hostel

Is Koh Yao Noi Safe? ✅

Thailand at large is a safe and tourist friendly country but Koh Yao Noi is perhaps the safest island. The locals are some of the friendliest people on the island. You will hear them call tourists to join them for a drink at their bar.

However, the most bizarre observation on the island was that nobody bothered to lock their scooters. It becomes much like a game to spot parked scooters with keys dangling in the ignition.

The island hasn’t fallen prey to over tourism that engulfs the rest of the country. There are no scams to warn and that is arguably one of the luxuries.

Itinerary ⭐️

The beauty of Koh Yao Noi lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a week to enjoy all that the island has to offers; a 3-4 day trip is enough to soak the laid-back vibe and the stunning natural beauty.

Dat 1: Arrival at Koh Yao Noi

Start your trip from Phuket. Hire a cab at the airport to reach Bang Rong Pier (about 25 minutes).

You will find plenty of songthaew taxis lined at Manoh Pier, Koh Yao Noi, ready to drive you to your stay (200 THB/pp).

We highly recommend renting a scooter upon arrival at the stay; it is the most convenient means to explore the island. We were charged 300 THB/day for a scooter.

Head out for a sunset chase at the Sunset Bar, one of the best spots on the island to enjoy delicious cocktails and bar nibbles while watching the sun go down. Don’t forget to check out the cute pop-up store on the road – Banana & Else – for some handmade earrings and souvenirs. It opens after 5 PM.

Conclude the first day at this paradise with an authentic Thai dinner at Koh Yao Bistro by Chef Aon. We highly recommend trying the raw papaya salad and massaman curry (non-vegetarian).

Click here to access our Google Maps list of all the best places to eat on the island.

Day 2: Beach Day at Koh Yao Noi

Start the day with a traditional Thai breakfast at a local’s favourite.

This hole in the wall breakfast shop opens early in the morning and usually get sold out a little before 9:30 AM. It is the best spot to enjoy some mango coconut roti or the curry and roti combo.

Alternatively, you can also head over to No.22 coffee for a good coffee fix and Thai roti.

Make your way to the best beach on the island – Pasai Beach. Although an excellent option to soak the sun rise over the majestic Phang Nga Bay, Pasai Beach equally lures vacationers during the day. It is one of the best spots to swim or enjoy a lazy day by the beach. Beach chairs are easily available at Mojito Cocktail Bar and its neighbours but we recommend carrying your own beach spread and grabbing some fresh coconut and mangoes from shops nearby to enjoy the quieter and shaded parts of the beach. You can also indulge yourselves is some traditional Thai massage with an ocean-view at Pasai Beach.

The island experiences low tide from 4 PM to 10 AM, making it unsuitable for swimming. We recommend hitting the beach around 11 AM for the best experience.

Should you crave some adventure from being a lazy beach bum, you can also rent a kayak and embark on a little expedition. Available at almost every other beach shop by Pasai Beach, a kayak rental usually costs 200 THB/hour. However, the thrill of rowing in the open sea is unmatched. Take this chance to head over to the neighbouring Nok Island.

Nok Island rewards all its visitors with turquoise blue water and a beautiful yellow-sand beach. A 15 minutes’ hike further up to the island’s limestone cliff offers a stunning panoramic view.

Wash up the beach dust and get ready for yet another sunset by the sea. Although we preferred returning to Sunset Bar, you can also check out Sunset Mountain View bar&restaurant.

Day 3: Island-hopping in Phang Nga

Embark on a boat tour to explore the remote island gems nestled in the beautiful Phang Nga Bay. This day tour takes you to some of the best islands – Hong Island, Lao Lading Island, and Koh Pakbia. You might have spent the previous day wondering about the tiny archipelago visible from Pasai Beach. You get to explore them and swim at their luring sand bars today.

Hong Island is one of the most rewarding islands of them all. With a beautiful beach stretch, a hike that reveals the beauty of Phang Nga Bay, and welcoming shacks to quench your thirst or calm your hunger pangs, a lot of vacationers prefer spending the entire day relaxing at the island.

You will find several tour operating kiosks near the town centre offering regular group and private boat trips to the nearby islands. A group tour typically costs 800 THB/pp including lunch, fruit break, and snorkelling masks. A private long-tail boat costs 2300-2500 THB with a little bargain.

Alternatively, you could also take a day trip to islands like Koh Phi Phi (1,200 THB) or Railay Beach (800 THB).

Enjoy the last night at Koh Yao Noi dining at Kindee Thai Cuisine followed by some live music or jamming at Sabai Reggae Bar Restaurant.

Day 4: Bid Goodbye to Paradise

Conclude your blissful trip at the island with a hearty breakfast at Natty’s Cafe. We highly recommend getting some mango and avocado salad and fresh waffles.

Make your way to Manoh Pier to secure a ticket to Bang Rong Pier, Phuket (400 THB/pp).

Hire a Grab/inDrive cab to make your way to the airport or to your next destination in Thailand.

Things to Do in Koh Yao Noi

Despite the exhaustive itinerary, there still remains a few activities worth considering on the island:

1. Six Senses Beach A popular contender to Pasai Beach in terms of beauty, Six Senses Beach is a secluded stretch perfect for swimming and unwinding. It is accessible to non-residents via dirt road.
2. Tha Khao Beach Another vacationer’s go-to spot, Tha Khao Beach is sparsely populated with beach bars and restaurants while you enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea. The most interesting part is that you can walk over to the nearby Ko Nui island during the low tide.
3. Muay Thai or Yoga Class: A vacation is the best time to try something different and taking a traditional Muay Thai class in Thailand is almost an imperative. Alternatively, Island Yoga Thailand also offers peaceful retreats and yoga sessions for vacationers to return to zen mode.
4. Day trip to Koh Yao Yai: Koh Yao Yai promises the stunning Laem Had Beach where you can enjoy the island’s longest sand bar with turquoise blue water. Regular long-tail boats operate from Manoh Pier to Koh Yao Yai (75 THB/pp). It is advisable to rent a scooter upon arrival from one of the few local shops close the pier.

Conclusion: Worth it or not?

In our opinion, Koh Yao Noi is the paradise that Thailand has always promised through films like The Beach. It’s proximity to Phuket, easy accessibility, and lack os mass-tourism floored us. We were looking to slow-down and enjoy the island-life without having to worry about a list of things to do, and Koh Yao Noi was all that and more.

If you are looking for a peaceful getaway that does not include exhaustive travel and commute, offers authentic Thai vibe and culture with friendliest locals in a safe environment, Koh Yao Noi is where you should be headed next.