Koh Yao Noi, Thailand – 2024 Travel Guide to the Most Authentic Island

Why would you travel to an island called “Koh Yao Noi” that seemingly no one has ever heard of?
Exactly, that`s your reason.

Koh Yao Noi is a hidden gem with authenticity, empty white-sand beaches, and thriving wildlife.

In this travel guide, I gathered all you need to know before visiting Koh Yao Noi in Thailand: scooter rental, best hotels, best restaurants, beaches, and best things to do in Koh Yao Noi. Read along!

Koh Yao Noi is authentic, raw, and has great wildlife and picturesque beaches. It is the perfect place for those who do not mind slowing down and enjoying life while being in picturesque natural surroundings. In addition, the local people are so friendly that you will feel at home instantly.

Although I planned to spend only a few nights here, I ended up staying for nine days and I would gladly visit the island again.

No Time to Spend More Days on Koh Yao Noi?

If you have a limited time, but still want to visit Koh Yao Noi:
check out this Bike & Beach Day Trip from Phuket. In my opinion, taking this trip is the best option to see as much as possible in one day: beaches, nature, jungles (probably hornbills!) and rice fields.

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Is Koh Yao Noi worth it?

I traveled to many places in Thailand and Koh Yao Noi was the place that had everything I was looking for: jungle, wildlife, good food, kind locals, authenticity – without mass tourism.

If you love nature and want to see the authentic side of Thailand, then Koh Yao Noi is a good match for you.

However, if you are looking for a party island, you better go somewhere else. There are some bars where the travelers hang out, but there are no clubs and no full-moon parties on the island.

The residents of this island are predominantly Muslims, constituting 90% of the population.
Given that, alcohol is not sold everywhere (although it is pretty easy to buy beer or have some cocktails).
Please always show respect towards the local people and their customs.

Map of Koh Yao Noi – Where is Koh Yao Noi located?

Koh Yao Noi is a small island with ca. 4500-5000 inhabitants and situated in southern Thailand, in the famous Phang Nga Bay, approximately midway between Krabi and Phuket. Here is a map of Koh Yao Noi:

How to reach Koh Yao Noi?

Koh Yao Noi does not have its own airport. The nearest airports are the Phuket International Airport and the Krabi International Airport.
As a first step, take a flight to either of the aforementioned places.

Speedboat / Ferry to Koh Yao Noi:

• From Krabi/Ao Nang to Koh Yao Noi: the speedboats depart from the Nopparat Thara Beach and the transfer from your accommodation in Krabi/Ao Nang to the pier is usually included in the ticket price. (cost: 650 Baht one way, boat ride duration: approximately 1 hour)
• From Phuket to Koh Yao Noi: head to the Bang Rong Pier and take the speedboat. The boats leave for Koh Yao Noi hourly, however, I would advise you not to overplan it as delays are common. (cost: 400 Baht one way, boat ride duration: approximately 45 minutes)
• From Koh Lanta to Koh Yao Noi: there are daily speedboats from the Sala Dan Pier (cost: 1050-1950 Baht one way, depending on the speedboat company, boat ride duration: approximately 3 hours)

For the speedboat ticket reservation, you have several options:
– ask your hotel for help, they will be happy to help you
– go to any of the tourist offices and purchase the boat tickets there
– If you want to reserve tickets by yourself, the best way is to do it via 12GoAsia

In the price, a pick-up from your hotel is usually included. I find it great because you won`t need to bother finding the right pier, you will simply be taken to the right place by a transfer bus.

Upon arrival at the Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi, ask your host to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.

How to get around in Koh Yao Noi?

There is no public transportation and no taxis on the island.
It means one thing: it is a good option to rent a scooter. Hear me out: if you have never driven a scooter (but you want to conquer your fear), I would say getting some practice and learning how to ride a motorbike makes perfect sense here.
As the island is small with only a few thousand inhabitants, there is never heavy traffic, like at most of the other, more crowded Thai islands. The roads are also of fairly good quality.

Where to rent a motorbike?
– At the Manoh Pier: When you arrive at the island, right on the Pier there will be many bikes that you can rent.
– At your Accommodation: Most hotels and guesthouses offer motorbikes for rental.

How much does the motorbike rental cost?
We paid 250 Baht/day for the bikes, but if you are there for several days, you can usually negotiate a better price.

Road conditions and what to do if you have a flat tyre?
If you want to go to the beaches, there are dirt roads leading there. We went there by bike and had no problems. However, if you do get a flat tyre, there will definitely be a repair shop nearby, We did get a flat tyre so we took the bike to the nearest repair shop and it was repaired within 30 minutes. We called our landlord to come by and also they paid for the repair, which cost them around 10-15 EUR.

Best time to visit Koh Yao Noi:

The high season is from December to April. During this time the island has the least precipitation and the seas are calmer.

We traveled here during May, exactly when the monsoon season starts according to most articles I read online. Well, it soon turned out that despite the warm weather, the heavy rainy season usually arrives later. We spent altogether 9 days on the island and I believe we had rain only on one occasion.

My friends even took a visit here in July and had no complaints about the weather.

Things to Do in Koh Yao Noi

1. Enjoy a spectacular sunrise overlooking the famous limestone cliffs

Getting up before the sun is what undoubtedly many of us struggle with. Without a doubt, this occasion will be worth it. As the island is pretty small, no matter where you are, you can quickly head to the Eastern side of the island (Pasai Beach is a great option) to watch the sun rise above Phang Nga Bay, overlooking the famous limestone cliffs.

2. Take a Muay Thai class in KYN

When in Thailand, taking a traditional Muay Thai class is close to a mandatory activity.
Many people come to Koh Yao Noi to enroll for a week- or sometimes a month-long Muay Thai boot camp.

We tried their morning class and it was so enjoyable that we almost prolonged our stay with an additional week just to train at KYN. The club offers accommodation at the same place and the vibes are phenomenal.
Check out the club.

3. Rent a kayak at the An Pao Pier and paddle to Koh Roi

If the seas are calm, this activity is a must.

Although I have to admit, paddling until you reach the island Koh Roi might seem forever and you might get into a fight – or two – with your travel partner due to the sun exposure and excessive sweating.
This is primarily because, when you start paddling, the island appears to be so close…. and then, after paddling hard for 30 minutes, the island seems just as distant (or near) as it was when you started kayaking.

No pain, no gain, right? However, once you arrive, I promise, you won´t regret it.
Koh Roi is such a hidden gem that I won`t tell you exactly what you`ll find there, let this be a surprise!
So just head to Koh Roi, paddle around it, and look for a hidden entrance – there you go.

Kayak Rental: You can rent the kayak at the An Pao Pier – for phone number and prices, see the picture below. The owner of it is the sweetest lady who even got us delicious mangos from her garden after our trip.

4. Go for a hike in the jungle for a wildlife encounter

Witnessing animals in the wild is such a precious experience.
On Koh Yao Noi, wildlife encounters are common as two-thirds of the island is covered by forests.
So, what kind of wildlife can you expect? Sharpen your eyes to see monitor lizards, monkeys, and hornbills.

Where to go for animal encounters?
In general, you can look for trails in the Northern part of the island.

We parked our scooter next to the Paradise Koh Yao Resort and set off for the adventure. As we started walking on the path, we saw many hornbills, and later, somewhat deeper in the forest, we also saw a big monkey in the distance. We hiked down to a beach Mankei Bay, where we could have the entire beach for ourselves.
Hike duration: 25 minutes one way

5. Watch the sunset and try the cocktails at the Sunset Bar

The Sunset Bar is one of the few places where travelers gather to enjoy the night along with some drinks. It is the perfect place to watch the sunset, listen to some music, or make new friends. The staff at the bar was so welcoming that we returned to this place on most nights.
Alternatively, the 360 Bar is a great option, too.

6. Discover the island and its beaches on a scooter

As there is no public transportation and no taxis on the island, the best option to get to know the island is on a motorbike. You can reach the best beaches only by scooter – as there are dirt roads leading there.

7. Take a guided tour to the neighboring islands

To see the picturesque limestone cliff islands nearby, taking a guided tour is an obvious choice.
You can reserve your place at Pasai Beach from the sellers. They offer mostly a tour which includes 4 islands, among which Hong Island is the most beautiful – make sure it is included in the list.
The trip takes half a day, costs around 25-30 EUR, and includes fruits, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

In general, group trips are not my thing, however, this was worth it due to the views and the snorkeling – I saw even an octopus.

Is Koh Yao Noi safe?

The answer is YES.

To give you an example, I observed that the locals even leave their keys in their motorbikes.
I also asked my landlord if I need to worry about anything here and she found my question just funny. No need to worry about safety on Koh Yao Noi.

In case you are wondering, there is also a hospital on the island.

Is there an ATM on Koh Noi Yao?

Yes, there are 4-5 ATM-s distributed throughout the island. The island is small, therefore you will always find an ATM nearby to withdraw cash

Where to stay in Koh Yao Noi?

Koh Yao Noi Restaurants – Where to eat?

This travel guide wouldn`t be complete without mentioning the best places to eat on the island.
In my opinion, Thai food is one of the best in the world, and we were overly happy with the Koh Yao Noi restaurants. Below are my favorite places to eat:

• Lok Mun Restaurant: they use their own ingredients from the garden. Traditional Thai cuisine, and they also offer cooking classes and accommodation. Highly recommended!
• Sawasdee Restaurant: heavenly seafood! The restaurant is located next to a fishermen`s canal and the mangroves. You can watch the fishermen going about their day. Great, authentic experience.
• Anchor Point: partially Western-styled comfort food. If you like coffee, try the Durian coffee, it is the best. The bonus: they serve the coconut ice cold, using metal straws (no plastic).
• Local Restaurant at the Market: I`d doubt if this place had a name. Run by a sweet local lady, she serves traditional local food, including Pad Thai, Thai Basil Chicken, and soups. We came here multiple times and felt always so welcomed. Very affordable local place, on average we spent 75 Baht (2 EUR) for a meal.

Koh Yao Noi Beaches

If you love long, empty sand beaches, you will have a great time on Koh Yao Noi. The finest beaches lie on the Eastern side of the island, and most of them are reachable on dirt roads. I recommend going there with a scooter. Also, keep in mind that most beaches lack amenities (bring your own food and drinks – but please leave no trace).

Best Beaches on Koh Yao Noi:

1. Mankei Bay: from the Paradise Koh Yao Resort, walk for 15-20 minutes to reach this picturesque bay. You will not regret it, the beach is beautiful.
2. Long Beach: great view of the limestone cliffs
3. Little Long Beach: this was my personal favorite, located close to the Long Beach
4. Hornbill Viewpoint Beach: this beach is not even on Google Maps. To reach it: ascend to the Hornbill Viewpoint, and follow the road leading down to the beach
5. Pasai Beach – although not the best for swimming, it offers great views of Phang Nga Bay. There are some restaurants at the beachfront. Great to watch the sunrise from here.

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Koh Yao Noi offers plenty of great accommodation options.
I recommend staying near Pasai Beach for convenient access to everything: the local market, the bars, the nicest beaches, restaurants, ATM-s, and grocery stores.

Hotel Recommendations:
– We stayed at Annie Meen’s Place and enjoyed it greatly; it’s a budget-friendly choice. Annie Meen even greeted us every morning by leaving some freshly baked Roti at our bungalow. We could also rent a motorbike from them. I would gladly choose them again.
– A friend of mine stayed at HillHouse, they have open sea-view bungalows. She absolutely loved the experience.
– For a luxurious getaway, the Koh Yao Noi Six Senses, Paradise KohYao, and Cape Kudu Koh Yao Noi are great choices.

How many days to spend on Koh Yao Noi?

If you are short on time, I recommend staying for 2-3 days. If time is no problem, you can find enough activities to do for 4-5 days. I enjoyed life on this island so much that I ended up extending my stay to 9 days – and I plan to visit again soon.

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Daily Budget Summary

The expenses on Koh Yao Noi fit the budget of most travelers. You will find everything from budget to luxurious hotels, and from local food stalls to high-end restaurants. The below summary reflects the average daily expenses for a mid-range budget.

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Conclusion

Koh Yao Noi is a hidden gem in Thailand that is more than worth exploring. If you are a fellow nature enthusiast (like me) and looking for places off the beaten path, then Koh Yao Noi will definitely be of your liking.
If you go there, let me know how you liked it 🙂

If you have any questions about this Koh Yao Noi Thailand Travel Guide, ask me in the comments. 🙂

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