The Magic Island of Koh Yao Noi (Koh Yao Noi) 
The archipelago of Ko Yao islands is located in the south of Phang-nga Bay, 42 kilometers from the mainland and Phang-nga province. The total area of the archipelago is 141.067 square kilometers, consisting of 44 islands. Of these islands, the two largest and most important are Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, which is twice the size of its colleague.
 
Ko Yao Noi (Koh Yao Noi) is an administrative center with all government offices located in the same place. The island has many attractions that still continue to beautify its natural beauty with many beautiful beaches. The people of this island lead a simple life connected with the sea.
 
In addition, near the coast of Koh Yao (Koh Yao), there are many exotic islands that adorn the archipelago and attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.
 
To a large extent unaffected by the rapidly developing tourist activity, compared to nearby Phuket, Koh Yao retains its almost unchanged traditional Muslim culture. On the island, there are fine hotels, resorts, and inexpensive bungalows. Rent a car is not expensive. You can also charter a Tuk Tuk for sightseeing around the island. A trip to Koh Yao Yai is like a journey back in time.

 

The History of Koh Yao


During the late Ayutthaya period, Koh Yao, Koh Lang, and Lem Pak Pra were part of Thailand. In 1903 Koh Yao changed his status to a simple sub-district and later in 1988 to the district. It is assumed that the early population of Koh Yao sought refuge from the war in the provinces of Trang and Satun.
 
Then, who came back from Trang province settled on Koh Yao Noi Island, while other refugees returning from the Satun province settled in Koh Yao Yai.
 
Currently, the archipelago Ko Yao (Koh Yao) is inhabited by about 13,000 people, most of whom are Muslims. The main income of the population is the extraction and processing of rubber, coconut, cashew nut plantations, fisheries, and livestock.

Koh Yao Island Attractions:


Tha Khao Beach

Located about 5 km from the administrative office of Koh Yao (Koh Yao). The beach is covered with a multitude of colored pebbles and stones. Not far from the beach lies a small island of Koh Nok (Koh Nok), which can be reached either by boat or on foot at low tide.
 

Beach of Pa Sai Beach (Pa Sai Beach)

Located about 7 km from the administrative office of Koh Yao (Koh Yao). A long beach covered with snow-white sand, along with the banks of which many trees grow, in the shade of which it will pleasantly relax in the afternoon heat. From the shore, beautiful sea scenery opens up.
 

Ao Kian Lagoon

 
It is located on the territory of the nat. Park Phang-nga (Phang-nga Bay National Park), located north of the island of Koh Yao Noi (Koh Yao Noi). Surrounded by tall trees that obscure a beautiful white beach. A great place to relax and swim.
 
In addition, tourists can rent a boat from Koh Yao to Koh Pa, which is a group of more than 100 islands, such as Koh Lao Ka Lao, Koh Lao Laing Ding) and Koh Pak Bia (Koh Pak Bia). For fans of diving with a mask, these are the best places.
 

Gulf of Ti Kut (Ao Ti Kut)

Gulf of Ti Kut (Ao Ti Kut) is located on the island of Ko Yao Yai (Ko Yao Yai). The bay is surrounded by a white beach. To the north of the bay stands a majestic rock, towering above the beach on the bank of which pine trees grow.
 

Gulf of Son (Ao Klong Son)

Bay Klong Son (Ao Klong Son) offers a beautiful white snowy beach under the pines. On the left side of the beach stands a colorful stone formation with an equally beautiful multicolored pebble.
 

Hin Kong Bay (Ao Hin Kong)

located on the island of Ko Yao Yai (Ko Yao Yai). This is the beach where you can hide in the shade of Cotyletobium trees. The bay is inhabited by a multitude of sea urchins, which makes it unsuitable for bathing. Gulf of Hin Kong (Ao Hin Kong) is populated mainly by Muslims, for whom the main occupation is fishing seafood.
 

Lan Bay (Ao Lan)

Lan Bay (Ao Lan) has beautiful beaches for rest and swimming. To the north, there is a cape, which has a steep cliff from which it is convenient to dive downwards because the depth here is decent.
 

Sao Bay (A o Sai)

Bay of Sai (Ao Sai) is covered with white beaches. The beach is surrounded by quaint rocks. Very suitable for swimming.
 

Hat Lo Pa Rae t (Hat Lo Pa Raet)

Hat Lo Pa Raet (Hat Lo Pa Raet) is covered with beautiful sandy beaches framed by coconut palms. To the north of the bay there are bizarre stone formations. The sea around the cape is perfect for swimming.

Cape Knock Ok (Lae m Nok Ok)

Cape Knok Ok (Laem Nok Ok) is located on the island of Ko Yao Yai (Ko Yao Yai). The beach is formed by stone formations and multicolored pebbles. Swimming is not recommended.
 
Around the two main islands are scattered small islets: The Khai Islands consists of two islands. From Phuket to the islands you can get from the piers Koh Sirey, Laem Hin Pier, and Chalong Bay, renting a boat or buying a tour in any company. Koh Kai Nog has beautiful stone beaches with clear water. Around the island are wonderful places for scuba diving - there are plenty of corals here. Almost every day dolphins frolic. Koh Kai Nog is accessible by boat from the Lo Jack pier or Phuket, 15 km away.
 
Koh Kai Nai is a small island with beautiful beaches framed by trees. There are no artificial buildings on the island - it is completely wild. Nothing breaks here the unity of man with nature. Here is a great place for underwater diving, underwater there are a lot of different corals, among which seaside life is boiling. Get to the island from the pier Lo Chak (Lo Jaak pier) just 25 minutes.
 

Is land Ko Rang Nok (Koh Rang Nok or Li Peh)

Koh Rang Nok (Li Koh Rang) is one of many islands where swallows grow their nests, considered to be the strongest and the most qualitative. Usually, travelers are not planted on the island, giving the opportunity to observe the natural habitat of swallows from the side.
 

Koh Nog Island

Koh Nog is located near Koh Yao Noi. It has beautiful beaches where tents are allowed to be installed. The island is private and can be reached on a small boat (long-tail boat), housing 5-10 people. The price for the boat is 300-500W.
 
Koh Phi Island or Pu Lao Hantu The island has caves in which the skeletons of sea gypsies are stored. Sea gypsies usually bypass this island side. Tourists are allowed to drive around the island, but to go ashore is not allowed because of the numerous colonies of swallows that are nesting here their nests.
 
You can get to Ko Yao from Phuket, Phang-nga, and Krabi, but the best option is from Phuket.
 

Getting to Koh Yao from Koh Phuket

From the Bang Rong Pier at Pha Khiok, Thalang, from the monument to the heroes go 10km. From here go ferries to piers:
 
- Mano (Manoh Pier) on the island of Koh Yao Noi (Koh Yao Noi). Travel time 1 hour, ticket price 50W, departure from Bang Rong Pier at 11.00, 12.30,14.30,17.00.
 
- Chong Lead (Khiong Hia Pier) on the island of Ko Yao Yai (Koh Yao Yai). Travel time 1 hour, ticket price 50W, departure from Bang Rong Pier at 12.30.
 
From Pier Laem Hin Pier in the Koh Kaew area, Muang District, Phuket. From here ferries go to the pier:
- Laem Yai Pier on the island of Ko Yao Yai (Koh Yao Yai). Travel time 1 hour 20min, ticket price 50W, departure from the pier of Lem Hin (Laem Hin Pier) at 14.00.
 
From the pier of Tien Sin Pier near Phuket Town. From here ferries go to the pier:
- Loh Chaak (Loh Jaak Pier) on the island of Ko Yao Yai (Koh Yao Yai). Travel time 1 hour, ticket price 50W, departure from the pier of Tien Sin Pier at 10.00, 14.00
 
From the port of Rassa dana Port in the Rassada area, Phuket Town. From here ferries go to the pier:
- Loh Chaak (Loh Jaak Pier) on the island of Ko Yao Yai (Koh Yao Yai). The journey time is 1 hour, the ticket price is 50W. From Sunday to Thursday departure of the ferry at 14.00, on Saturdays at 18.00.
 

From Phang Nga

 
Ferries depart from the local pier in the Koh Panyee area and arrive at the Sukkhaphiban Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes, the ticket price is 100W, departure at 12.00, except Sunday.


From Krabi

Ferries depart from the Thalane Pier in the Ao Luek District and follow the piers:

- Ba Ta Khao Pier on the island of Koh Yao Noi. Travel time 1 hour, ticket price 50W, departure at 12.00
- Chong Laad Pier on the island of Koh Yao Yai. Travel time 1 hour, ticket price 50W, departure at 12.00

The movement of ferries from Koh Yao (Koh Yao)

- from Koh Yao Noi to Bang Rong Pier, Phuket. Boats depart from the piers of Mano and Sukkhaphiban at 07.00 and 07.30. Usually, carry out 3-4 flights a day.

- from Koh Yao Noi to Thalane Pier, in Krabi. Boats depart from the pier of Thao Khao pier at 07.30.
- from the island of Koh Yao Noi to the local pier, in Phang-nga. Departure is at 07.00.
 
- From Koh Yao Yai to Bang Rong Pier, boats leave from Chong lead and Khiong Hia 07.00 piers.
- From Koh Yao Yai to Laem Hin Pier, boats leave from Pier Laem Yai Pier at 08.00.
- from Koh Yao Yai to Tien Sin Pier, boats leave from Loh Jaak Pier at 08.00. and at 15.00.
- from Koh Yao Yai to Rassada Pier, boats leave from Loh Jaak Pier at 08.30, on Thursdays, and on Saturdays, and at 14.30 on Fridays.
 
The schedule and prices may vary.
 
In addition to the above flights, many charter trips are carried out. From the island of Ko Yao Yai (Koh Yao Yai), you can rent boats for trips to other small islands.
 
From the Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi to the Chong Laad Pier on Koh Yao Yai, long-nosed boats cruise the whole day. The journey time is 15 minutes, the price is 20W.