The Koh Yao islands are unknown to most travelers – they don't even know that these two islands, located between Krabi and Phuket (but officially part of the Phang Nga province), exist. I, too, belonged to this group until a few years ago, when a long-time client recommended a visit to a particular luxury resort on Koh Yao Noi.

(Spoiler alert: It was a property I could never afford, not even in my wildest dreams.)

Nevertheless, it inspired me to begin researching for a trip to the island and its neighboring island, from gathering information about ferries from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai to finding beautiful and appealing accommodations whose overnight prices were actually within my budget.

In the following paragraphs, I will do my best to help you decide which of the two islands you should visit. Or whether both are worthwhile: If you have enough time, you don't have to choose between Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi.

Accommodation in Koh Yao Yai (or Koh Yao Noi)

Before traveling to the islands, I already knew how to get an eSIM, and thanks to my internet connection, I decided to stay on Koh Yao Yai. For my resort, I chose Koh Yao Yai Village, which was quiet and secluded and offered a fantastic breakfast (not to mention the other meals I ate there, which I had to pay for myself). The resort's beach wasn't particularly beautiful, but—and I'll get to this in a moment—the Koh Yao islands aren't exactly known for their stunning beaches.

Had I had the necessary funds, the Six Senses Koh Yao Noi would definitely have been my first choice, even though I hadn't originally planned to stay on Koh Yao Noi at all. Of course, there are other, less luxurious accommodations on the smaller islands of Koh Yao, with Paradise Koh Yao (just a short walk from the Six Senses, in the secluded northeastern corner of the island) probably being the best option.

Ways to compare Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi

beaches

Whether we're talking about the beaches on Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi, I have bad news: they're simply not very nice. The extreme tidal range on these islands is the most pronounced I've ever seen in Thailand. At low tide, the beach (which isn't exactly inviting) stretches so far out to sea that it looks like a dried-up salt lake; at high tide, the murky (sometimes blue-green) water laps almost to the coastal roads.

Size

A scooter is absolutely essential on Koh Yao Yai; it's also recommended on Koh Yao Noi. Strictly speaking, that's not entirely true: on Koh Yao Noi, which is significantly flatter than Koh Yao Yai, you could theoretically also ride a bicycle. Although Koh Yao Noi is larger, both islands feel roughly the same size. There's essentially only one main road on each island, and the distances between the various beaches and attractions are similar.

Activities

The decision between Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi isn't any easier when it comes to activities. There isn't much to do on the islands themselves. For example, Koh Yao Yai advertises a viewpoint, but it's actually just a makeshift lookout built by a local fruit farmer to attract customers to his wife's restaurant. Aside from the rather mediocre beaches on Koh Yao Noi, most activities are limited to day trips to neighboring islands.

Mood

Whether it's restaurants on Koh Yao Yai or bars on Koh Yao Noi, the atmosphere on these islands is incredibly relaxed. And although the local business owners spoke surprisingly good English (and were happy to help me brush up on my rusty Thai), I would describe the feel as authentic and local, especially compared to similar islands and beach resorts in Krabi or Phuket. I would say that this aspect of the Koh Yao islands, along with the general sense of seclusion, is their greatest strength.

Arrival

Generally, you travel from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai and from Krabi to Koh Yao Noi, not the other way around. However, since the islands are only connected by a short longtail boat ride (more on that later), your location doesn't really matter. If you're staying at one of the island's luxury resorts (such as the Six Senses or the Cape Kudu Hotel on Koh Yao Noi), the transfer is most likely included in your room rate.

Day trip from Koh Yao Yai to Koh Yao Noi (or vice versa)

An alternative to choosing between Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi, if you don't want to constantly switch hotels and stay overnight on both islands, would be day trips between the two. The two islands' jetties are practically connected, as they are so close together; a ride in a longtail boat costs about 50 baht per person, and the boatmen often depart with only 3-4 passengers on board.

Ironically, many day trips from Koh Yao Yai (and Koh Yao Noi) don't go to the other main island, but rather to the smaller islands in Phang Nga Bay and the province of Krabi to the east. In fact, many of these four (or five, six, or seven – you get the idea) island-hopping trips are to the very same islands you could visit from Ao Nang or Railay Beach in Krabi. In my opinion, they're therefore somewhat redundant if you're planning to spend some time in Krabi before or after your trip to Koh Yao Yai anyway.

Is a visit to the Koh Yao islands worthwhile?

If you judge an island (or in this case, several) solely by its most beautiful beach, Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi are honestly not among my favorites among the Thai islands. Furthermore, the rather barren landscape and the unassuming village life on these islands don't impress me at all. I admit that the area is remote and that this remoteness is an important factor for many travelers when deciding where to go. But do I dare say that this is one reason (or even several reasons) why so many people don't come here and why the islands have never become as overrun with tourists as others?

The deciding factor, and not just whether you can afford a stay amidst the magnificent architecture of the Six Senses on Koh Yao, is, in my opinion, the fact that a resort you truly love can be reason enough to travel here. Whether it's Koh Yao Yai Village, Paradise Koh Yao, or one of the other dreamy resorts, the pampering and tranquility of one of the five-star hotels on the Koh Yao islands could be exactly what makes a visit worthwhile if you're still undecided (and if you've landed here, you probably are).

Other frequently asked questions about visiting the Koh Yao islands

How do I get to Koh Yao Yai?

You can reach Koh Yao Yai by public ferry from Bang Rong Pier in Phuket or from Ao Nang and Railay beaches in Krabi. If you can afford a private speedboat transfer, you can easily reach Koh Yao Yai from anywhere in the Andaman Sea, including Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.

How do I get from Krabi to Koh Yao Yai?

Public ferries depart from Ao Nang and Railay beaches in Krabi once or twice daily during the high season, and once a day or every other day during the low season. The most reliable way to reach Koh Yao Yai from Krabi is by private speedboat transfer, which you can book through your hotel.

Is Koh Yao Noi expensive?

Koh Yao Noi isn't expensive as long as you avoid Six Senses and other luxury hotels. Prices for standard accommodation, food, and motorbike rentals are comparable to those in the rest of Thailand.

Conclusion

Should you visit Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi? For some travelers, the answer is: both (if possible); for others—I dare say the majority—it's: neither! I thoroughly enjoyed my time on these two tranquil islands, but I also understand why they aren't as crowded as many other beach paradises in Thailand. If peace and relaxation are your top priorities, this is certainly a compelling argument. However, if you're looking for idyllic, picture-perfect beaches, you should probably look elsewhere. Stop guessing about your next beach adventure in Thailand and book me as your travel coach.