Ko Yao Yai, or "Big Long Island", running about 30 kilometres in length from top to bottom, sits halfway between Phuket and Krabi in the middle of Phang Nga Bay. Though only a 25-minute speedboat trip from Phuket’s east coast, this long, narrow island ringed with thick mangroves and white-sand beaches has somehow avoided becoming another hectic island resort. It’s more than twice the size of neigh
bouring Ko Yao Noi, but tourism development here lags behind its sister island. Yao Yai’s slower pace of change likely rests with its local population, mostly conservative Muslim Thais who seem largely content to keep with a more traditional way of life. Though the island is now home to more than a dozen resorts and guesthouses, fishing and farming remain primary means of income for Yao Yai residents. Life is simple here yet there’s a feeling of fertile abundance, as seen in Yao Yai’s lush landscapes of coconut groves and rubber plantations, and its tidy villages of mostly handcrafted stilted wooden homes surrounded by tropical potted plants and bougainvilleas. The island’s infrastructure is good, being on the electrical grid with decent internet and mobile phone service throughout. The scenic main road that runs the length of the island is mostly smooth and easy to navigate, and more of the dirt-track side roads are being upgraded. With its accommodation mix mostly in the mid-range to luxury level, Koh Yao Yai tends to attract a more serene type of traveller, couples on a romantic escape and families seeking a quiet beach holiday. Beyond the occasional privately organised event, there’s certainly no party scene here. Alcohol is largely only available within the resorts, though one liquor store has now opened near Chong Lad village and, perhaps inevitably. Beach-hopping and exploring the island by motorbike or bicycle are among greatest pleasures of staying on Yao Yai. The beaches here are mostly narrow strips of white sand in calm, shallow bays that transform into mud flats at low tide – thus for most beaches you’ll need to time your swim sessions with the shifting of the tides. Loh Paret beach along the west coast is a notable exception, and with its appeal of all-day swimming and sunset views, this is where much of Koh Yao Yai’s (limited) resort development is taking place. Snorkelling is possible off some of Yao Yai’s beaches, or on boating trips out to the nearby islands of Ko Khai Nok and Ko Khai Nai. Orientation
If you have your own transport Ko Yao Yai is easy to get around, with one main road that runs up the centre from south to north, then makes a loop at the northern tip to reach two of the main piers of Chong Lad and Klong Hia. Several smaller roads radiate off this paved "highway" to the east and west, some of which turn from tarmac to red dirt as they lead towards the coast. Though you’ll probably reach a lot of dead-ends in exploring these roads (that’s part of the fun!), it’s nearly impossible to get lost on Yao Yai, especially now that the main junctions and turning-off points are all well signed in English. Loh Paret beach in the central west coast and Loh Jark beach on the southwest coast are the two busiest beaches here, though they’re in no way frantic. Three resorts are now found along Loh Paret’s soft sands, while the blinding white Loh Jark beach is split into two by its pier. So far Loh Jark has only two beachfront resorts, The White House and Heaven resort. A sprinkling of resorts offering views of the sunrise and the islands of Phang Nga Bay lie along the sandy northeastern coast of Yao Yai, on the way to Chong Lad village. The only way to Yao Yai is by boat from Phuket, Phang Nga or Krabi, and there are several ferries a day, plus many resorts and tour operators run private speedboat or long-tail boat transfers. Klong Hia pier in the north is the launching point for ferries and boats to Phuket and, via Ko Yao Noi, Phang Nga and Krabi. Loh Jark pier at the southwest coast is another main launching point for car and passenger ferries to Chianvanich pier near Phuket Town, while the pier at Laem Yai near Loh Paret beach is where the ferry to Phuket’s Laem Hin pier departs. Koh Yao Yai has no banks but ATMs may be found at each of the government offices in Chong Lad and Prunai villages, and at a shop at the junction leading to Loh Jark pier from Prunai. Currency exchange is available at the higher-end resorts. Free Wi-Fi is available at nearly all places to stay on Yao Yai and at most traveller-oriented restaurants. A detailed and useful free map of Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi is published
Where is Ko Yao Yai? You can find the island Ko Yao Yai in the south of Thailand, in the middle of the Andaman sea between the very busy Phuket and Krabi. It is a very quiet, Serene island and excellent for travellers that are looking for that cottage-near-the-beach feeling. but you will find the authentic and pristine Thailand. Ko Yao Yai is surrounded by many small, uninhabited islands with lots of small coves. People make a living on the island by fishing or working on the rubber plantations or rice fields, there is not a lot of tourism. escape to a tropical island hideaway on Thailand's Andaman coast with breathtaking natural scenery reminiscent of a bygone era. Koh Yao Yai is one of a small cluster of islands nearby Phuket with landscapes of rice paddies, rubber plantations and untouched rain forests, a place where locals have retained many aspects of traditional rural life. Long-tail boat car ferries, Speed boat make daily trips to Ko Yao Yai from Bang Rong Pier, Chian Wa Nich Pier, Lam Hin Pier on the east coast of Phuket. From the Phuket airport, a taxi will take you to the pier in 30-45 minutes. GLOW Elixir Koh Yao Yai, Koh Yao Yai Village, Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa, Betterview Bed Breakfast & Bungalow, Blue Bay Resort, Baan Taranya Koh Yao Yai, Thiw Son Beach Resort, Heimat Gardens, Esmeralda View Resort, Yao Yai Resort, Halawee Resort , The Heaven Resort , The White House
How many restaurants ? Baan Rim Nam Restaurant, Laanmaye restaurant, Rimlay Seafood Restaurant, Jikgo Bar Restaurant, Heimat Restaurant And many local restaurants. What can you find on Ko Yao? In short: not much! Life slows down considerably once you arrive in Ko Yao, you will have left the hectic tourist areas of Phuket or Phi Phi behind you and you will find yourself emerging in the traditional Thai lifestyle of taking it easy. No one will try to sell you stuff you don’t want, you will have space to explore the island the way you prefer. You can rent a scooter and cruise around the island, only occassionally avoiding other road users. You will see rubber farms (with tapping buckets hanging from trunks and square sheets of rubber drying on the ground beneath), water buffaloos, cockerels, lots of goats and farmers. You could go out and rent a kayak for a day, or go snorkling or go on a fishing trip,Off road explore the island by ATV, but you don’t have to, just plant your feet in the white sand, watch fishermen working in the distance and enjoy the sunset. but do not expect a convenience store. 7-11 because it is not in kohyaoyai. The difference of a smile was on the island that is different from the other attractions. People on this island are excited to see tourists blond hair. Explore the island hidden treasure with us. KOH YAO YAI ATV will leave you feeling like you have really accomplished something! We offer different and unique All Terrain Vehicle tour riding along off road to the countryside, jungle, rubber farm and hiding to the unseen beach we called “Nok Ok Beach”
Our proposing to arrange this trip to introduces the unseen side of Phang-Nga province, to all nature lovers and adventure seekers. You will be enamored with our extreme trip driving with off road vehicle escape to the nature. You will get in touch with local villages, pure natural life style without mass tourism island. Let's try new experience with us HERE!!! What you get!!! •
New experience •
Well come to Koh Yao Yai Koh Yao Yai is unspoilt and pristine islands right on the doorstep of Phuket. Tourists who yearn for Thailand as it once was before the arrival of mass tourism will find what they are looking for here. The local people are exceptionally welcoming to tourists, but they do not seem to be in any rush to turn their islands into an outgrowth of Phuket. There is no real effort made to attract tourists, even though it would almost certainly mean an increased flow of money into the local economy. The island and its vicinity are great places for snorkeling, diving, jungle hiking and of course our Koh Yao Yai ATV, the fun and exciting ATV adventure trip in Koh Yao Yai. This island also has many interesting beaches, such as Ao Thi Kud, Ao Klong Son, Ao Sai, Lo Pa Raed beach, Ao Laan, Ao Hin Kong, and Laem Nok Ok. Lo Jaak pier is an important pier from Koh Yao to Phuket. The water at the pier is clear and schools of fish swim near the bridge at the pier. Visitors can see the production of dried anchovies (pla ching chang) here. There are inexpensive bungalows on the island along with home-stay accommodation with the local people, who make a living by fishery or agriculture, to learn their lifestyle. Attractions on Koh Yao include: • Khai Islands: Consist of two island; Koh Kai Nok and Koh Kai Nai • Koh Rang Nok (Li Peh) • Koh Nok • Koh Phii (Pu Lao Hantu) Travel to Koh Yao is available from Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi, but leaving from Phuket is the most convenient
Package A Perfect Full Option
Off Road Super Adventure
Explore the west and east on Koh Yao by ATV
