BEACH
Laem Sai on Ko Yao Noi is celebrated for its natural beauty, with a pristine shoreline, sandy beach, and stunning views of the surrounding bay and limestone karsts. It’s a peaceful and tranquil spot, perfect for relaxing and taking in the picturesque scenery.
We think Laem Sai, located in the southeast, is a great beach on Ko Yao Noi, featuring a golden beach with coarse sand. It has a wonderful, bizarre atmosphere due to the view of the rock formations and the large tidal range makes it a great place to stay. Another advantage is that the bay is secluded from the main road, while at many other beaches on the island the road runs close to the beach.
However, it is not the best place for swimmers. At low tide you have to take a long walk before you can swim. At high tide most of the beach disappears.
WHERE TO STAY
On this beach there are 3 places to stay. Koyao Bay Pavilion and The Simple are the higher range options. Please note that only the beach bungalows of Koyao Bay Pavilions are located directly near the beach. The other bungalows are a 3-minute walk away and have a private pool.
Koh Yao New Garden is the most inexpensive stay you can book on this beach with wooden bungalows for 600-800 baht and only a 5-minute walk from the beach. The stays have restaurants, although a 5-minute drive to the main road will take you to other places to eat.
ISLAND
Ko Yao Noi is a beautiful island located in the Phang Nga Bay, situated in between the popular tourist destinations of Phuket and Krabi in southern Thailand. The island is known for its natural beauty and tranquility.
Neither too big nor too small, Ko Yai Noi is an idyllic island and slightly smaller than its brother Ko Yao Yai. Tourism is somewhat better developed, although this does not detract from the stunning nature and beauty of the island. The atmosphere here just feels right! From the island you have amazing views of the impressive rock formations in the sea. The most beautiful beaches are located along the east coast of the island, meaning it is possible to admire the sunrise if you are willing to get up early.
However, there are some disadvantages: in many areas on the island there are roads between the accommodations and the beach. Also, enjoying a nice swim requires some planning on the beaches of Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi: the tide has to be just right! At low tide the sea retreats, making the beach super wide but difficult to access because the soil becomes rocky or muddy. Of course, this is beautiful for photos but less pleasant for swimming. Yet, the view of the sea is wonderful.
WHAT TO DO
The island offers hiking trails through lush jungles and hilly terrains. Some trails lead to viewpoints where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding islands. Ko Yai Noi is known for rock climbing and is a more relaxed alternative than the touristy Railay.
Some resorts on the island offer yoga classes, meditation sessions, and wellness programs to help you relax and rejuvenate. We recommend taking yoga classes at Nature Lodge and taking cooking lessons at Mina. For more information, please check the internet!
Ko Yao Noi is located in Phang Nga Bay. This bay is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. A nice day trip is a boat tour to explore the limestone karsts and nearby islands. Some tours offer opportunities for fishing and exploring caves. We found 2 dive centers on the island.
TRANSPORT
To get to Ko Yao Noi you can take a boat from Phuket at Bang Rong Pier close to the airport or from Ao Thalen Pier near Krabi. The speed boat from Bang Rong is 400 baht and the slow boat from Ao Thalen is 150 baht. At the pier on Ko Yai Noi, a transfer to your residence starts at 100 baht per person.
It is easy to rent a scooter on the island.
