Koh Yao Noi (“long, little island” in Thai, though it is neither particularly long nor little), is located in Phang Nga Bay between Krabi and Phuket, and is the most up-and-coming destination in southern Thailand.

Ideally situated to offer the visitor a front-row view of Phang Nga Bay’s incomparably beautiful karst cathedrals, Koh Yao Noi is also a well-placed base from which to explore the bay, as the visitor can reach the world-class tropical kayaking destinations earlier in the day, before the crowds from Phuket envelope them.

 

 

Koh Yao Noi is a small island that one can explore in less than an afternoon. The pace of life is slow and peaceful here, and people smile and wave as you pass by.

In 2002, Koh Yao Noi gained worldwide attention after receiving the World Legacy Award for Destination Stewardship from National Geographic Traveler magazine.

 

 

One of the first things you notice after arriving on Koh Yao Noi is that all the motorbikes have the keys in the ignition. The people on Koh Yao Noi are particularly friendly - and by Thai standards, that means very, very friendly indeed.

 

 

Basic supplies can be purchased at Koh Yao Noi's market, but visitors not staying at the 4- and 5-star resorts are recommended to bring along good bread and breakfast cereal, as these are unobtainable on Koh Yao Noi. If you book your visit to Koh Yao Noi on this website, we’ll deliver your grocery supplies to you on pick-up at Phuket, Krabi or Ao Nang. We'll also offer you an unbeatable price!

 

 

 

Unlike almost all of the rest of Thailand, hiring a motorbike on Koh Yao Noi is a safe proposition, if you know how to ride one, as the Koh Yao Noi roads and dirt tracks are very quiet. A particularly enjoyable day out on Koh Yao Noi is to ride a bike up the dirt trails to the north of the island, immersing yourself in nature while in search of one of the lovely beaches there.

 

 

The ride to Koh Yao Noi's Paradise Beach is a difficult one and not recommended for novice motorcyclists, but nose-following to Koh Yao Noi's Had Yao and Buddha beaches is possible, if difficult, due to the lack of any signage. If you contact us, we’ll tell you the way.

 

One person’s paradise is another’s purgatory, and Koh Yao Noi charms will not woo everyone. The nightlife is low key and, outside the island’s three luxury resorts, the facilities on Koh Yao Noi are limited. There are a couple of bars, but you may need to bring your own company along, as they are often somewhat empty. Koh Yao Noi is not a good place to come in order to hook up with a member of the opposite gender.