Koh Yao Noi: Travel Guide to an Authentic Thai Island

Why would you travel to an island called “Koh Yao Noi” that seemingly no one has ever heard of?
Right, we found the reason.

Koh Yao Noi is an authentic, quiet island with empty, white-sand beaches and thriving wildlife.

In this travel guide, I gathered all you need to know before you visit Koh Yao Noi in Thailand: where to stay, where to eat, the best beaches, the best things to do, scooter rental, ATMs, and more! Read along!

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Koh Yao Noi Hotels: Where to Stay?

On Koh Yao Noi, you`ll want to stay near Pasai Beach on the eastern side of the island. Then, you`ll have convenient access to the market, the bars, the best beaches, and restaurants.

We stayed at Annie Meen`s Place and we loved it! Annie greeted us each morning by leaving some fresh, warm roti on the terrace of our bungalow. We loved this place so much that in the end, we stayed at Annie Meen`s Place for 6 nights – instead of the two we had planned.

If Annie Meen`s place is sold out, try Hillhouse or the Sabai Corner Bungalows! My friends stayed there and couldn’t stop talking about it! They both offer open-air bungalows close to the sea – you`ll feel like you are in an untouched jungle.

If you are looking for a luxurious stay on Koh Yao Noi, choose Cape Kudu Koh Yao Noi – it is close to everything, yet it`s fairly priced and has the best reviews.

Koh Yao Noi Location + Getting There

Koh Yao Noi is a small island with ca. 4500-5000 inhabitants and situated in southern Thailand, in Andaman Sea, approximately midway between Krabi and Phuket.

How to Get to Koh Yao Noi?

Reaching the island is easy, you just need to take a speedboat/ longtail boat / ferry from the nearby ports.

From Krabi/ Ao Nang, speedboats depart from Nopparat Thara Beach, Railay East, and Tubkaek Beach. Tickets cost 600-650 Baht one way, and the boat trip takes about an hour. Transfers from your hotel to the pier are often included.

If you come from Krabi, don`t miss Railay Beach: there are some great, unique things to do on Railay Beach.

From Phuket, boats leave hourly from Bang Rong Pier. The trip costs 400-550 Baht one way and takes around 45 minutes. Delays are common, so don’t over-plan.

Boat Ticket Booking Options:
– book through your hotel
– through local tourist offices
– or online via 12GoAsia.

Most tickets include hotel pick-up, so you won’t need to travel to the pier yourself.

Pro Tip: On Koh Yao Noi, boats arrive at the Manoh Pier. Contact your host beforehand to arrange a pickup from the pier. Most hotels offer to pick you up free of charge.

Best Things to Do on Koh Yao Noi

1. Watch the sunrise at Pasai Beach

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 east coast of the island (Pasai Beach is a great option) to watch the sun rise above Phang Nga Bay, overlooking the famous limestone islands (such as Koh Phi Phi or James Bond Island).

2. Island Hopping Trip to the Neighboring Islands

A private day trip to the surrounding islands is one of the best things to do on the island. Cruise through turquoise waters, visit empty beaches, and famous Koh Hong and Koh Lao Lading, surrounded by limestone cliffs.

On this boat trip from Koh Yao Noi, you can snorkel at vibrant spots with great marine life – I even spotted an octopus!

Key Highlights:
– Koh Hong Beach and Viewpoint
– Koh Lao Lading
– Snorkel spots

Pro Tip: Pack sunscreen, a hat, and your camera for this unforgettable adventure!

Don`t Wait! Book your private island hopping trip here.

3. 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 here 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 on this tiny island just to train at KYN. The club offers accommodation at the same place and the vibes are phenomenal.
Check out the club.

4. Rent a kayak and Paddle to Koh Roi

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

Paddling to Koh Roi might feel endless. At first, the island seems close, but after 30 minutes of hard paddling, it still looks just as far. Sun exposure and excessive sweating might even lead to a fight—or—two—with your travel partner.

No pain, no gain, right? Once you arrive, you won’t regret it. Koh Roi is a hidden gem, and I won’t spoil the surprise. Just paddle around the island, look for a hidden entrance, and see for yourself.

Kayak Rental: Rent a kayak at An Pao Pier. For prices and the owner’s phone number, check the picture below. She’s the sweetest lady and even treated us to fresh mangos from her garden after our trip.

5. Watch the sunset + try 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 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 also a fantastic place for sunset.

6. Jungle Hike to See Wildlife

Witnessing animals in the wild is such a precious experience. On Koh Yao Noi, wildlife encounters are common: two-thirds of the island is covered by forests.

So, what kind of wildlife can you expect? Look out for 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 dirt track, we saw many hornbills, and later, we saw a big monkey in the distance.

We hiked down to Mankei Bay beach where we could have the whole stretch of beach for ourselves.
Hike duration: 25 minutes one way

7. Scooter around the Island

As there is no public transportation and no taxis around the island, the best option is to rent a scooter. You can reach the best beaches only by scooter, as only dirt roads lead there.

8. Visit Koh Yao Yai

Unfortunately, we did not visit Koh Yao Yai, and I wish we had!

It is next to Koh Yao Noi, even quieter, and greener. Boats go there frequently during the day. Just ask your host to arrange the trip for you.

There is a picturesque beach close to the port: the Laem Had Beach. It is basically a strip of sand, a double-sided beach, surrounded by palm trees! A wonderful place – do not miss it.

Restaurants on Koh Yao Noi – 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. These were my favourite restaurants:

• 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: 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 always felt so welcomed. Very affordable local place, on average, we spent 75 Baht (2 EUR) for a meal.

Best Beaches of Koh Yao Noi

If you love long, empty sand beaches, you will have a great time.

The finest beaches are along the east coast, 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:

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: my personal favorite, located close to 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 due to low tide, it offers great views of Phang Nga Bay. There are some restaurants at the beachfront. Great to watch the sunrise from here.

Koh Yao Noi FAQ-s

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, Koh Yao Noi is not a party island. There are some bars to hang out, but there are no clubs or parties.

For an equally unknown island (but with more bars), check out my Koh Mook travel guide.

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.

How to get around in Koh Yao Noi?

There’s no public transportation or taxis on the island. That means one thing—it’s a great place to rent a scooter.

If you’ve never driven a scooter but want to conquer your fear, this is the perfect place to practice.

With only a few thousand inhabitants, the island has no heavy traffic like other crowded Thai destinations. The roads are also in fairly good condition.

Where to Rent a Motorbike?

• Manoh Pier: As soon as you arrive, you’ll find plenty of bikes available for rent.
• Your Accommodation: Many hotels and guesthouses offer motorbike rentals.

We paid 250 Baht/day, but if you’re staying longer, you can usually negotiate a better price.

Road Conditions & What If You Get a Flat Tire?

Dirt roads lead to some beaches, but we had no issues riding there. If you do get a flat, don’t worry—there are repair shops nearby. We had a flat tire, took it to the nearest shop, and it was fixed in 30 minutes. Our landlord even covered the 10–15 EUR repair cost.

If a motorbike isn’t an option, you can always rent a bicycle and explore the island on two wheels.

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 in May, exactly when the monsoon season starts according to most articles. Well, it soon turned out that the heavy rainy season usually arrives later. We spent altogether 7 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.

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 ATMs distributed throughout the island. The island is small, therefore you will always find an ATM nearby to withdraw cash

How many days are needed for 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 7 days on this beautiful island

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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 be of your liking.

This island is authentic, raw, and has great wildlife and picturesque beaches. It is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy Thailand in scenic surroundings. In addition, the local people are so friendly that you will feel at home instantly.

I planned to spend only two nights here, but I stayed for nine days and would gladly visit Ko Yao Noi again.

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

Further Thailand Resources

Planning a trip to Thailand? Check out my detailed travel guides I write with great care. I focus on authentic places, hidden gems, and nature destinations.

• Visit the Hidden Corner of Koh Phangan: Thong Nai Pan Travel Guide
• Best Landscapes: How to avoid the crowds on Railay Beach
• Most Authentic & Best Nature Island: Koh Mook
• Off the Beaten Path: Hidden Gems in Thailand

Planning your next destination?
Which country suits you more: Thailand vs. Sri Lanka destination comparison

Getting ready for Thailand:
What to Pack: Complete Packing List for Southeast Asia