Koh Yao Noi, Paradise Island: Escape The Crowds In Thailand!

By Viroon on 30 Apr 2020

Senior Creative Editor

When looking for an island destination in Thailand, Phuket and Krabi is one of the most popular choices for tourists. But with such popularity comes crowds of tourists. To escape the crowds of tourists, visit Koh Yao Noi a remote hideaway island 30-minute away from Phuket.

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Koh Yao Noi

Photo from Pinterest

Koh Yao Noi is known as Thailand’s most unspoilt islands. It is in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, surrounded by the Andaman Sea. Phuket is to the west of the Islands; Krabi is the east. Whichever port you’re departing from, on the way to Koh Yao Noi you will be travelling through the emerald green waters on a boat, with amazing views of the limestone formations surrounding the area.

How to Get to Koh Yao Noi

Photo from TripCanvas

Fortunately, Koh Yao Noi is super-easy to get to. Fly into Phuket or Krabi first and take a taxi to Bang Rong Pier, a 20 to 30 minutes drive from the airport. Catch a shared speed boat to Klong Hia Pier in Koh Yao Yai. The boat ride takes 40 minutes and costs approximately $18.

We recommend to use 12Go Asia in Thailand to book public transportation in advance. The prices are pretty much exactly what you’ll pay from a travel agent

Getting around

Photo from TripCanvas

To get around, Tuk Tuks (taxis) are available, and if one prefers to travel around independently, scooters are available for rent too. Otherwise, transport may be arranged at your hotel reception or one of the handful of tour offices around the island.

Where to Stay

Six Senses Yao Noi

Photo from Six Senses Yao Noi (Phuket)

Six Senses Yao Noi is a quiet retreat away from the city. Surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes, it offers luxurious air-conditioned villas with a private pool and a personal butler.

Photo from Six Senses Yao Noi (Phuket)

They also have a range of beauty and body treatments to pamper each guest, while the gym provides for a refreshing workout. Thai cooking classes and wine tasting sessions are also available. Bonfires and outdoor movie screenings can be enjoyed at the private beach.

Cape Kudu Hotel

Photo from Cape Kudu Hotel

Situated on the eastern coast, Cape Kudu Hotel is exactly what you want when travelling to a destination like Yao Noi. Adjacent to the beach, Cape Kudu Hotel offers cosy accommodation in a peaceful area of Ko Yao Noi. Guests can indulge in the outdoor pool overlooking endless views of the sea.

TreeHouse Villas

Photo from TreeHouse Villas

Located on the remote northern tip of Koh Yao Noi, TreeHouse Villas is an adults-only luxury resort offering spacious air conditioned villas dotting the border of lush tropical forest, towering limestone cliffs, and 400 meters of private beach. Enter each of the signature TreeHouse Villa over a suspension bridge. Where downstairs guests will find the spacious outdoor deck-area with a private plunge pool, dining area, sun beds and stand-up bar with a mini-fridge and mini wine-cooler.

What to Do

For the most part, people head to Koh Yao Noi to enjoy the beach. But there are other activities you can enjoy there too!

Snorkelling

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Koh Yao Noi is surrounded by a cluster of serene islands nearby including Koh Lao Lading, Koh Nok, Koh Khai Nok, Koh Pak Bia, Koh Khai Nai and Koh Hong, offering sparkling white bits of sand and teal-toned waters for snorkelling.

Island Hopping

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Make sure you reserve a full day to sail around Phang Nga Bay and take in the dramatic, Jurassic Park–like limestone formations that jut out from the emerald water. Start the day early on a long-tail boat and savor your breakfast in the center of one of these towering karsts, kayak through mangroves, and hop around to the nearby islets.

Spa & Massage

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If you are looking to relax even more while on the Paradise island, try one of the local spa and massage parlour to calm your mind, soul and soothe the body. A popular Spa on this particular Island is the JJ Queen Spa, which offers fantastic natural and traditional massage therapy, healing and general relaxation away from everything else.

Rock Climbing

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Another popular activity in Koh Yao Yai is rock Climbing. Climbers from all over the world come to Koh Yao Yai to enjoy a great experience of climbing adventure. The cliff is challenging and the cliffs themselves are located on the beaten path. Making getting to the cliffs itself a challenging task.

KYN Muay Thai

Photo from KYN Muay Thai

Get trained by a professional Muay Thai boxer! KYN Muay Thai is owned by 10 time boxing and Muay Thai champion, Hlukhin. Hlukhin and his team of dedicated teachers are more than equipped to perfect your Muay Thai in their intensive courses. The gym is located right at the water’s edge so you can relax after training

Big Tree

Photo from Pinterest

Unmistakable for its size and beauty, the Big Tree is a hidden gem located far north of Koh Yao Noi, which makes it lesser known to tourists as accommodations on the island are mostly in the south. Get a longtail boat from the south bay to Ao Kian Bay, a small beach at the northern end of Koh Yao Noi. Take a short hike through the untouched jungle where you will spot indigenous plants and wildlife before you reach the Big Tree.