Koh Yao Noi is a small island in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, approximately 12 km long and 5 km wide. It is home to around 5,000 people, mostly Muslim fishing and farming families. The island is a 40-minute speedboat ride from Bang Rong Pier on the northeast coast of Phuket and about 20 minutes from Ao Thalane on the Krabi side. The pier is closer to Phuket Airport than most of the island's beaches.
The island has no bars, no jet skis, and no high-rise buildings. The main beaches line the east coast and offer views of the limestone towers off Krabi. In the mornings, you can experience the sunrise; in the evenings, tranquility reigns. Two things define your stay: the tides determine when you can swim, and the island culture means that alcohol is served primarily in resorts and tourist restaurants, rather than on every corner. Plan for three nights, travel between November and April, and choose your beach directly from your hotel.
Accommodation in Koh Yao Noi
Search for hotels on Koh Yao Noi for your desired travel dates. Filter for hotels with free cancellation if you'd like to book a room and decide later.
Open Booking.com with your travel dates · also on Expedia
Key facts
The speedboat ride from Bang Rong Pier in Phuket takes about 40 minutes.
Bang Rong is a 25- to 40-minute drive from Phuket Airport. Boats run to Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi during the day; speedboats take 30 to 40 minutes, while slower boats take about an hour. According to Green Planet, the 3:00 PM speedboat fare is 400 baht. The last public boats depart around 5:00 PM.
From Krabi, the speedboat journey from Ao Thalane takes about 20 minutes.
Speedboats depart from the pier in Ao Thalane, less than an hour from Krabi Airport, to the pier in Tha Khao on the island's northeast coast for about 300 baht, and a longtail boat at 1 p.m. costs about 200 baht. From the pier in Nopparat Thara in Ao Nang, the speedboat to Bundhaya costs 650 baht.
The beaches are tide-dependent, so plan your swimming times around high tide.
Pasai, Klong Jark, and Tha Khao become shallow at low tide when the sea recedes over the sand and mudflats. In Tha Khao, a special highlight awaits you at low tide: a sandbar connects the beach to the small island of Koh Nui. Check the tide tables as well as the weather forecast.
It is a Muslim island, and alcohol is served in the resorts and tourist restaurants.
Not every shop or restaurant offers it, and some of the best fish restaurants don't. Appropriate attire is appropriate away from the beach and in the villages. In practice, no one suffers from thirst, but the island isn't suitable for nightlife.
Three nights is the right length for most trips.
A full day for the beach and a scooter tour, a day for a longtail boat trip in Phang Nga Bay, and a relaxing morning before the boat trip. Overnight stays for climbing, a yoga retreat, or a trip to neighboring Koh Yao Yai are also possible.
The main season is from November to April, and from June onwards there are fewer boats on the water.
The dry season lasts from November to April and is quietest from December to March. From June to September, there are about half as many trips from Bang Rong, the sea can be rough, and September is the wettest month according to the nearest weather station in Phuket.
Is Koh Yao Noi worth a visit?
Yes, if you're looking for peace and quiet on a Thai island. Koh Yao Noi is the answer to the question most people ask themselves after a few days in Patong or on Phi Phi: Are there any places left that feel like villages with beaches? The island offers rice paddies, rubber plantations, and water buffalo inland, some very good resorts on the east coast, and breathtaking views of Phang Nga Bay with its karst islands stretching across towards Krabi. The island is also unusually easy to reach: in just 40 minutes you can reach a pier that's closer to Phuket Airport than Kata.
It's not for everyone. The beaches are tide-dependent. So, if you want to spend all day lounging on a sunbed in crystal-clear water, you're better off on the Andaman Sea's west coast with Phuket or Koh Lanta. There's no real nightlife, the shops close early, and you need to plan ahead for alcohol. If you're on a budget for island hopping, keep in mind that the boats from here usually return to your starting point. Is it too quiet? Perhaps for a week on your own. But for three nights at the end of an eventful trip, it's just right.
Koh Yao Noi or Krabi? They're better together than separately. Ao Nang and Railay in Krabi entice visitors with stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, while Koh Yao Noi offers peace and relaxation. Boats run during the day between Tha Khao and Ao Thalane or Nopparat Thara. Our Phuket to Krabi travel guide also describes the speedboat trip to the Yao Islands along the way.
Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai?
The two islands are 10 minutes apart by longtail boat from Manoh Pier to Chong Lard Pier on Koh Yao Yai, making a day trip to the Laem Haad sandbank easily possible from either side.
The beaches and when you should best visit which beach
The main beaches of Koh Yao Noi are all located on the east coast and are therefore listed here from south to north, followed by the two beaches on Koh Yao Yai that are worth a boat trip. There is no ranking, as on a tidal island, the right beach is simply the one with tide when you arrive.
Accommodation on Koh Yao Noi (and Koh Yao Yai)
The island's hotels are sparsely scattered along the east coast and at the northern tip, while the large resorts are located on the opposite island of Koh Yao Yai. Depending on where you stay, you determine how much of the island you can see. Therefore, the accommodations are listed in order from the most accessible to the most remote.
Things to do on Koh Yao Noi
The best day on the island is a longtail boat trip to Phang Nga Bay, the best afternoon a aimless scooter tour. Everything else depends on the tides.
Phang Nga Bay by longboat
Koh Yao Noi is situated in the middle of the bay, so the karst islands, which can be reached by excursion boat from Phuket in an hour, are right on your doorstep. From the island, longtail boats depart for Koh Hong with its protected lagoon and for Koh Lao Lading. Most resorts organize these excursions or can arrange a boat guide for you. The national park fee for the Hong Islands is 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children and must be paid in cash. Leave early before the speedboats from Phuket and Krabi arrive.
A scooter ride around the island
A main road encircles the island. A drive around it without stops takes about an hour and passes rice paddies, rubber plantations, and villages. Side roads lead to the beaches. Rental prices are around 250–350 baht per day. The roads are quiet but dark after sunset, and the paths to the bays at the northern tip are unpaved.
Climb
Koh Yao Noi's limestone cliffs offer over 150 climbing routes, including deep-water soloing. Local climbing shops and resorts provide guides and equipment. The best climbing season is from November to March when the rock is dry.
Yoga and slowing down
Island Yoga offers five- and seven-day retreats in Tha Khao on the east coast, extending a three-day stay into a full week. A cooking class with a local chef, organized by Koyao Island Resort, is another relaxing way to spend an afternoon.
A day on Koh Yao Yai
From Manoh, it's a 10-minute longtail boat ride to Chong Lard. There, you can rent a scooter and, at low tide, visit the Laem Haad sandbank and Loh Pared beach for swimming and enjoying the sunset. Koh Yao Yai is more than twice the size of Koh Yao Noi and even quieter – ideal for a relaxing day trip and a welcome change of pace.
The places mentioned in this guidebook
Tha Khao Bay View Restaurant
Pradu Seafood
Pyramid Restaurant
Bang Rong Pier
Tha Khao Pier
Manoh Pier
Food, drink, and the alcohol question
Koh Yao Noi is a Muslim island, and this significantly influences the evening scene. Alcohol isn't served in every shop or restaurant, and some of the best seafood restaurants don't serve it at all. However, the resorts and tourist restaurants along the Pasai and Klong Jark do serve alcohol, so enjoying a beer with dinner there is perfectly acceptable. Pradu Seafood, a restaurant built on stilts over the water on the west coast, is Muslim-owned and doesn't sell alcohol. Guests are usually welcome to bring their own drinks, though; it's best to check upon arrival.
On the west coast, you can enjoy the sunset at Pradu or Tha Ton Do Seafood, both built over the water. The east coast invites you to leisurely lunches on the beach at Klong Jark and breakfast with a view at Tha Khao Bay View, which closes at 2:00 pm. There's a small evening market in Tha Khao village. Apart from a few beach bars, the nightlife is rather quiet, so dinner is the highlight.
In the villages and away from the beach, one should dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees when visiting a mosque, and wear swimwear only on the beach and in the resorts.
How many days does one need on Koh Yao Noi?
Three nights is ideal for most trips. The drive from Phuket Airport is short, about 90 minutes door-to-door, but the boats stop running around 5:00 PM, so an afternoon flight could take up your first evening. Three nights allows for two full days: one day for the beach and a scooter tour, and one day for a longtail boat trip to Phang Nga Bay. This gives you a relaxing morning before your return boat trip.
Five nights or more are recommended if you plan to go rock climbing, participate in a yoga retreat, or spend a day on Koh Yao Yai. Is a day trip from Phuket possible? Tours are offered from Phuket that combine Koh Yao Noi with Hong Island or a cycling tour, providing a good opportunity to explore the island. However, Koh Yao Noi is most beautiful early in the morning and after the day boats have departed, which isn't possible on a day trip.
Getting to Koh Yao Noi from Phuket and Krabi
From Phuket, all access is via Bang Rong Pier on the northeast coast, a 25- to 40-minute drive from Phuket Airport and considerably further from Patong or the southern beaches. Speedboats reach Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi in 30 to 40 minutes, while slower boats take about an hour. Crossings operate during the day; according to Green Planet, the 3:00 PM departure costs 400 baht. The same boats dock about 15 to 20 minutes offshore at Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The last public boats depart around 5:00 PM, and from June to September, there are only about half as many trips. A late arrival at Phuket Airport is therefore the classic way to end up spending the night on the wrong island. 12Go offers the boat trip individually or as a package with a van from the airport or hotel. Some boats dock at Laem Sai Pier on the southeast tip instead of Manoh, and my Phuket to Koh Yao Noi guidebook includes all departure times, piers, and return boat trips.
From Krabi, speedboats depart from the pier in Ao Thalane to the pier in Tha Khao on the northeast coast of Koh Yao Noi. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs approximately 300 baht. Departure times are between approximately 8:00 AM and 5:45 PM. A longtail boat departs at 1:00 PM for approximately 200 baht. Ao Thalane is less than an hour's drive from Krabi Airport. Speedboats from the pier in Nopparat Thara in Ao Nang eliminate the need to travel to Ao Thalane and cost 650 baht (including a bundhaya). Some speedboats between Phuket and Ao Nang stop at the Yao Islands along the way.
Several resorts offer their own transfers, for example Santhiya from Ao Po Grand Marina, Paradise from Yacht Haven Marina, and Anantara via Laem Sai Pier. These boats do not adhere to the official schedule. If you have booked one of these transfers, please check with the resort before making any purchases.
Bookable departures · updated daily
Phuket → Koh Yao Noi: Departure times you can book now
All flights currently bookable via 12Go on this route, sorted by booking class. The prices shown are distributed across the different booking classes; the exact price for a seat and a specific date can be found on the booking page.
Ferry & Speedboat
12Go timetables and fares are updated daily. Services that operate only locally—regular trains, weekend trips, and ferry terminal tickets—are not listed; these can be found in the table above. Sponsored link: We may receive a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Book the boat from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi
12Go sells the Bang Rong speedboats and van-boat combinations from Phuket Airport and the hotels on the west coast, so you can check the day's departures and secure a spot before the afternoon boats are full.
Sponsored link – We may receive a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Getting around on the island
Rent a scooter. At around 250–350 baht per day, it's the cheapest way to explore the island. It's flat by Thai standards and is encircled by a main road. Local taxis wait for the boats at Manoh Pier, and hotels offer pick-up upon request. However, there are no buses, and you should expect delays elsewhere.
Bring cash. There are a few ATMs and a 7-Eleven in the main town, but on busy weekends the ATMs may be empty, and many small shops only accept cash. Bring enough cash from Phuket or Krabi for a couple of days.
When should you go?
The quietest months are November to April and December to March. Koh Yao Noi follows the Andaman calendar. The weather station in Phuket, 13 km away, records only 24 mm of rainfall in February and 350 mm in September, the wettest month. The main rainy season begins in May.
The rainy season is more critical here than on a larger island, as it particularly affects the boats. From June to September, only about half as many crossings take place in Bang Rong, the crossing can be rough, and trips are sometimes canceled. May and October are considered shoulder seasons: green, calm, and cheaper – ideal if your travel dates include a day with little rain. Our monthly weather guide contains all the information on the weather in the Andaman Islands.
Plan the rest of your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the Koh Yao Noi travel guide.
Drive to Bang Rong Pier on Phuket's northeast coast (a 25-40 minute drive from Phuket Airport) and take a speedboat to Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi (30-40 minute journey). Slower boats take about an hour. According to Green Planet, the 3:00 PM speedboat costs 400 baht. The last public boats depart around 5:00 PM. The total travel time from the airport is approximately 90 minutes.
Take the speedboat from Ao Thalane Pier (less than an hour's journey from Krabi Airport) to Tha Khao Pier on the island's northeast coast (approximately 20 minutes, around 300 baht). From Ao Nang, the speedboat departs from Bundhaya's Nopparat Thara Pier (650 baht). See the Krabi to Koh Yao Noi travel guide for all departure times.
Yes, for about three nights it's ideal if you're looking for a quiet island with good resorts, Phang Nga Bay right on your doorstep, and no nightlife. The beaches are tide-dependent, and alcohol is only served in resorts and tourist restaurants. Therefore, it's not the right place for all-day swimming or partying. It combines well with a stay in Krabi or on the beaches of Phuket before or after.
Koh Yao Noi is ideal for a first-time visit. The island is smaller and easier to explore. Cafes and restaurants, as well as the best boutique resorts, can be found along Pasai and Klong Jark streets. Koh Yao Yai is more than twice the size and even quieter. Here you'll find several large resorts, the Laem Haad sandbar, and Loh Pared, a beach where you can swim and enjoy the sunset at any tide. The two islands are only a 10-minute longtail boat ride apart, making them easily accessible.
The speedboat ride from Bang Rong Pier to Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes; boats to Koh Yao Noi dock there first. Guests of the Santhiya Resort use the hotel's own speedboat, which can be reached from Ao Po Grand Marina in about 20 minutes.
Yes, in the resorts and tourist restaurants, mainly along Pasai and Klong Jark. Since it's a Muslim island, not every shop or restaurant serves alcohol. In some seafood restaurants, like Pradu Seafood, you can bring your own drinks. Aside from a few beach bars, don't expect many others.
Almost nothing. A few beach bars, a small evening market in Tha Khao, and a dinner with a sea view on the west coast – that's all. That's why people come.
Yes. Tours are offered from Phuket that combine Koh Yao Noi with Hong Island or a cycling tour. Alternatively, you can take the public speedboat to and from the island yourself (40 minutes each way from Bang Rong). The island is most beautiful early in the morning and after the day boats have departed. Therefore, if possible, a stay of one or more nights is recommended.
There are a few shops in the main town, plus a 7-Eleven. On busy weekends, cash may be unavailable, and many small shops only accept cash. Therefore, bring enough cash from Phuket or Krabi to last a few days.
The weather is calmest from November to April, and also from December to March. Rain begins in May and peaks in September. From June to September, there are about half as many boats leaving Phuket, and the crossing can be rough. May and October are calm, green transitional months.
Where to stay on Koh Yao Noi
Compare current hotel prices on Koh Yao Noi for your desired travel dates. Filter for rooms with free cancellation if you'd like to book a room and decide later.
Compare prices on Booking.com
We may receive a commission for bookings made through these links – this will not incur any additional costs for you. Learn more.
Discover more in this guide
You might also like this
5 days in Phuket
Two days on a boat, one day of culture, two days at the beach – all in Kata, so nothing is more than an hour away.
Things to do in Phuket
Twenty-five things worth the flight, ranked by price and time, taking into account the boats, flags, and sunset.
7 days in Thailand
Capital city, mountains, islands – six nights, two short flights and not a single day was lost to the journey.
10 days in Thailand – Itinerary
Capital city, night train, mountains, then ferry to the Andaman coast – nine nights, one way, no return.
Best time to travel to Thailand
The best time to travel is from November to February; the rest of the year is best on the east coast.
I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.
Ready to create your travel itinerary?
Use our free trip planner to save places, organize days, and share your trip.
Community
Comments 0
Start the conversation.