🌴 Koh Yao Noi – Thailand’s Best-Kept Island Secret
Looking for the real Thailand — the kind without crowds, beach parties and endless souvenir shops? Let us introduce you to Koh Yao Noi: a small, serene island tucked between the popular hotspots of Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Phi Phi. While those islands are often swarmed with tourists, Koh Yao Noi is still blissfully quiet. Think deserted beaches, hornbills in the trees, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and nothing on your to-do list except… absolutely nothing.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about this magical Thai island: how to get there, where to stay, what to do (or not do), and where to find the most beautiful beaches.
📍 Where Is Koh Yao Noi?
Koh Yao Noi lies in the stunning Phang Nga Bay, just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Phuket. Together with the larger but quieter Koh Yao Yai, it forms the Koh Yao archipelago.
The best part? While Thailand’s beaches have become pretty crowded in recent years, these islands have managed to fly under the radar. That means no mass tourism, no wild nightlife, just pure peace. If that sounds like your kind of paradise — keep reading.
✨ Best travel time: November to April (dry season). The rest of the year is rainy season — hot and humid, with frequent showers.
🌐 Internet in Thailand: Wi-Fi is available in most hotels. Want to stay connected everywhere? Get an eSIM via Airalo for affordable 4G or 5G on the go.
✈️ How to Get to Koh Yao Noi
Getting to Koh Yao Noi is easier than you’d think!
🛫 Step 1: Fly to Phuket (or Krabi)
From Amsterdam, you can fly directly to Phuket — the closest airport to Koh Yao Noi. Return flights start around €450. We always compare prices on Skyscanner (use the calendar view to spot the cheapest dates!) and double-check conditions on Tix.nl. Sometimes Tix offers more flexible rebooking options — which can be a big plus.
🛥️ Step 2: Take the boat
From Phuket Airport, hop in a taxi to Bang Rong Pier. From there:
- Speedboat: ~20–30 min (fast & comfy)
- Longtail boat: cheaper and more scenic, but slower
📍 Alternative: Traveling from Krabi? Take a taxi to Thalane Pier, then a longtail boat (about 1 hour) to Koh Yao Noi. Use Direct Ferries to check routes and times.
🛌 Where to Stay on Koh Yao Noi
Between the two islands, Koh Yao Noi is a bit more developed. It has more restaurants, a few 7-Elevens (handy!), and a broader range of accommodations — from budget bungalows to ultra-luxury resorts.
✨ Travelicious Tip: Stay on the east coast of Koh Yao Noi — this is where you’ll find the best beaches, sunrises, and most restaurants.
Here are some cozy (and dreamy!) options for every budget:
💰 Budget
- Baan Suan Coconut – charming bungalows in nature from €16/night
- Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow – simple, beachfront bungalows from €22/night
💛 Mid-range
- Suntisook Resort – comfortable cottages from €37/night
💎 Luxury
- Koyao Island Resort – elegant beachfront bungalows from €100/night
- Six Senses Yao Noi – the crème de la crème. Infinity pools, stunning views, total privacy. From €400/night
🛵 What to Do on Koh Yao Noi
Spoiler: not much — and that’s exactly the point. Koh Yao Noi is all about slowing down. But for the curious traveler, there’s still plenty to explore.
🛵 Rent a scooter and explore
There’s no better way to experience the island than by scooter. Wind through the countryside past rice paddies, coconut trees, and rubber plantations. There aren’t many roads, but that’s the fun of it — every bend brings a new hidden beach or lookout point.
😌 Chill to the max
Read a book, sip fresh coconut juice, float in the sea, repeat. You won’t find noisy beach clubs or party bars here — just hammocks, quiet beaches, and that blissful feeling of doing nothing.
🛶 Kayak to Koh Nok
Feeling active? Rent a kayak from Pasai Beach and paddle to Koh Nok, a tiny island about 45 minutes away. Bring shoes if you want to climb to the viewpoint — it’s steep but totally worth it.
🛶 Day Trip: Longtail Boat to Hong Island
One of our favourite experiences from Koh Yao Noi was a day trip by longtail boat to Hong Island — a tropical paradise straight out of a travel magazine.
The journey itself is already a treat: gliding over turquoise water, passing dramatic limestone cliffs and tiny uninhabited islands. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach Hong Island (also called Koh Hong) from Koh Yao Noi, depending on the tide and your starting point.
Once you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by powdery white sand, crystal-clear water, and a hidden lagoon that you can paddle into by kayak or swim through at high tide. The water here is calm and shallow — perfect for families with kids too.
We arranged our trip directly via our accommodation, but you’ll find several local operators offering private longtail tours or group trips around the nearby islands. Most tours include:
- A visit to Hong Lagoon
- Snorkeling stops
- Time to relax on the beach
- Water & fresh fruit
🧡 Travelicious Tip: Try to leave early in the morning — not only to beat the heat, but also to have the beaches (almost) to yourself before the day-trippers from Krabi and Ao Nang arrive.
💰 Cost: Around 1500–2500 THB for a private boat (depending on group size and negotiation skills 😉)
🎒 Bring: Snorkel gear (if not included), plenty of water, reef-safe sunscreen, and a waterproof bag
Trust us — this is the kind of day you’ll dream about long after your trip.
🌅 Sunrise & Sunset Spots
- Sunrise: Go to Tha Khao Beach on the east side — peaceful, scenic, and absolutely beautiful with the limestone cliffs in the distance.
- Sunset: Head to the “Secret Beach” on the island’s western tip. A hidden gem with golden skies and zero crowds.
🐦 Spot hornbills
Keep your eyes (and ears) open — the island is home to tons of hornbills, and you’ll often see them flying between the trees.
🏖️ The Most Beautiful Beaches on Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi has a ton of gorgeous beaches, each with its own vibe. But — and this is important — tides matter a lot here. Some beaches are dreamy at high tide and rocky at low tide. Ask your hotel for the tide schedule!
🏝 Mankei Bay
Hidden in the north of the island, this beach takes some effort to reach (bad roads = scooter skills required!), but the reward? A totally deserted bay with postcard views.
🏝 Pasai Beach
The island’s most popular beach — still quiet by Thai standards. Great for families, with calm water, beach bars, and hornbills flying overhead. You can also kayak to Koh Nok from here.
🏝 More quiet gems
Hop on your scooter and go exploring! These beaches are perfect for some peaceful alone time:
- Tha Khao Beach
- Klong Jark Beach
- Long Beach
- Secret Beach (our favourite for sunset!)
🎒 What to Pack for Thailand (Travelicious Essentials)
Make your trip smoother with these handy items:
- 🧴 Hammam towel – lightweight, fast-drying & space-saving
- 🔌 World plug + PowerCube – charge everything, everywhere
- 🎒 Packing cubes – stay organized on the go
- 🔐 Neck pouch RFID – keep your passport & cash safe
- 🧼 Laundry line + drain plug – for quick hostel laundry
- 💧 Mini Sawyer water filter – skip the plastic bottles and drink straight from the tap
🧡 Final Thoughts on Koh Yao Noi
If you’re dreaming of Thailand without the chaos, Koh Yao Noi is your answer. It’s calm, authentic, and utterly beautiful. Whether you’re a backpacker, a couple on a romantic escape, or a family seeking off-the-beaten-track adventure — this island will steal your heart.
Ready to add Koh Yao Noi to your Thailand itinerary?
Let us know if you need help planning your trip — we’re always happy to share Travelicious tips!