By Kylian Dev
1
Longtail trip around Phang Nga Bay
The Koh Hong lagoons and the stilt village of Koh Panyi, from 15 October to 15 May.
Destination guide · Andaman Sea
Koh Yao Noi: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
A rural island of 13 mostly Muslim villages in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, 30–40 minutes by boat from Phuket. Rubber plantations, fishing villages and views of the limestone peaks: people come here to slow down.
- Best: November to April
- €36 - 103 / day
In short
Koh Yao Noi (Andaman Sea) — Rice paddies, buffalo and limestone peaks in the heart of Phang Nga Bay. Best time to go: November to April; average temperatures 29°C. Budget: about €36 - 103 / day. Weather: 29°C • Dry season November to April, calm sea December to February
RegionAndaman Sea
TypeIsland
Best seasonNovember to April
Avg. temperature29°C
Budget / day€36 - 103 / day
Suggested stay2 to 3 nights
Thai nameเกาะยาวน้อย
Must-sees
Things to do in Koh Yao Noi
Rice paddies, buffalo and limestone peaks in the heart of Phang Nga Bay
2
Pasai and Klong Jark beaches
The heart of the south-east coast, with most of the restaurants facing the karst peaks.
3
Round-island scooter ride
A 35 km loop through rubber plantations and villages, up to the Khao Joul viewpoint.
More things to do in Koh Yao Noi
- 4
Kayaking in the mangroves
Sea & islands2 to 3 hThe mangrove channels north of Tha Khao are calm and free of boat traffic: kayaks cost 300 THB an hour.
- 5
Koh Hong lagoons and Koh Panyi
Sea & islandsFull dayA 5-hour group trip to the Hong Islands: 800 THB per person, plus the 300 THB Ao Phang Nga park fee. Private longtail from Tha Khao with a stop at the stilt village of Koh Panyi: 1,200 to 1,800 THB per boat for a half day, 2,500 to 3,000 THB for a full day with lunch.
- 6
Rock climbing
ActivityHalf dayThe island has climbing routes with a view over the bay, for beginners and experienced climbers.
- 7
Visiting the rubber plantations
CultureAbout 1 hA quiet walk in the rubber plantations to see how latex is collected.
- 8
Round the island by scooter or bike
ActivityHalf dayA 35 km loop, 3 to 4 hours with stops. Scooter: 200 to 350 THB a day, plus 80 THB of fuel; bicycle: 80 to 120 THB. Ride up to the free 360° viewpoint on Khao Joul hill.
- 9
Sunrise from the east coast
ViewpointAbout 1 hThe east coast faces the bay; sunrise over the islets is superb.
- 10
Fishing village life
Culture2 to 3 hThe island has 13 communities, mostly Muslim, living from fishing and fish farming. Cover up away from the beach; alcohol is only served in a few restaurants.
- 11
Southern Thai cooking class
FoodHalf daySouthern Thai cooking with a local family, including a market visit: 800 to 1,200 THB per person for a half day.
- 12
Muay thai and yoga
Activity2 to 3 hKYN Muay Thai Gym: group class 400 THB, private 800 THB, at 8 am and 4.30 pm, no booking needed. Island Yoga: one class a day at 10 am, 1.5 hours, 400 THB.
Great forBeaches & RelaxingYoga & WellnessJungle & Hiking
Weather
When to go to Koh Yao Noi?
29°C • Dry season November to April, calm sea December to February. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayRain / monsoon
- JunRain / monsoon
- JulRain / monsoon
- AugRain / monsoon
- SepRain / monsoon
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovIdeal
- DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Koh Yao Noi: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €36 - 103 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Mid-range
36–103 € / day
Split of a typical day (mid-range traveller)
Accommodation
~23 €
Food
~14 €
Activities
~21 €
Local transport
~9 €
Transport
How to get to Koh Yao Noi
Transport tip
Shared longtail or speedboat from Bang Rong or Ao Po on Phuket (30 to 40 minutes, 200 to 300 THB), or the morning boat from Thalane in Krabi (40 minutes).
From Bangkok → Koh Yao Noi
Long haul: a domestic flight or night bus/train is usually easier
Flight
~858 km
Nearest destinations
Koh Yao Noi → Phuket
Boat
30–45 min
Koh Yao Noi → Krabi & Railay
Road
~36 km · ~1.5 h by road
Koh Yao Noi → Koh Phi Phi
Road
~60 km · ~4 h by road
Times and tickets Bangkok → Koh Yao NoiPartner link
Where is Koh Yao Noi?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Koh Yao Noi
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Pasai / Klong Jark
A 2 km strip on the south-east coast, the heart of the island: Klong Jark is the longest beach, with the most restaurants and bars. The beaches are tidal: swim at high tide. Fan bungalows from 600 THB at Pasai (Pasai Beach Lodge), 800 THB at Klong Jark (Sabai Corner official rate sheet); expect 1,300 to 1,500 THB for air conditioning, and up to 3,900 THB for a family or beachfront bungalow.
Tha Khao
North-east, quieter and more local, with its market. At low tide, a sandbar lets you walk to an islet 50 m offshore. Songthaew or scooter: 100 to 150 THB from Pasai. Fan bungalows 600 to 900 THB, air-conditioned 1,200 to 1,800 THB; Tha Khao Bay View reaches 2,200 THB.
Manoh (main village)
Around the pier for boats from Phuket, for local life and long stays. Guesthouses near the pier: 500 to 900 THB a night. Community homestay run by the village cooperative: 800 to 1,200 THB per person, three meals included.
Price guide
Dorm bed: 350 to 500 THB (250 to 300 THB in low season). Mid-range resort: 1,800 to 3,200 THB, Koyao Island Resort (Klong Jark): 3,000 to 18,200 THB depending on season. Six Senses, 56 pool villas on the headland north of Klong Jark: from 35,000 THB in low season and 45,000 THB in high season, up to 180,000 THB for the largest (2026 rates). Fan bungalows start at 500 THB on the island: that is the real floor.
Food
What to eat in Koh Yao Noi
Southern sour fish curry (gaeng som)
Roti for breakfast
Prawns and crab from the bay's farms
Combine with
Similar destinations
Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Koh Yao Noi
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Koh Yao Chaipat HospitalPublic hospitalDirections
Serious cases are transferred to Phuket, about 1.5 h by boat and road.
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Koh Yao Noi
What are the best things to do in Koh Yao Noi?
The must-sees are Longtail trip around Phang Nga Bay, Pasai and Klong Jark beaches, Round-island scooter ride. Also worth your time: Kayaking in the mangroves, Koh Hong lagoons and Koh Panyi, Rock climbing, Visiting the rubber plantations.
How do I get to Koh Yao Noi from Phuket?
From Bangkok, fly to Phuket (800 to 2,500 THB if you book early). From the airport, head to Bang Rong Pier (30 km, 45 minutes, about 200 THB by minivan, 400 to 700 THB by private taxi) or Ao Po Grand Marina, 25 minutes away. Shared longtail or speedboat: 30 to 40 minutes, 200 to 300 THB; private boat: 1,500 to 2,500 THB. Combined van + boat tickets can be booked online from 390 THB.
How do I get to Koh Yao Noi from Krabi or Ao Nang?
From Krabi, boats leave Thalane pier (Ao Luek): 40 minutes, about 200 THB, mornings only. The combined van + speedboat ticket leaves at 8.45 am and reaches Manoh Pier in 1 hour 55, from 650 THB. If you miss the morning boat, several boats a day leave Nopparat Thara pier in Ao Nang. From Phang Nga there is just one boat a day, at 12 pm (30 minutes, 150 THB).
How many days should I spend on Koh Yao Noi?
Two nights minimum, three ideally: one day on a boat in Phang Nga Bay, one for the scooter loop and a cooking class, one for the beach. A day trip from Phuket leaves only a few hours on the island.
When is the best time to visit Koh Yao Noi?
The dry season runs from November to April, with the busiest period from December to February. From December to March, 20 to 60 mm of rain falls each month; April gets 100 mm, May 200 mm, then June to October 280 to 320 mm over 20 to 22 days, September and October being the wettest; November drops back to 180 mm. Ao Phang Nga National Park, which includes the north of the island, is open from 15 October to 15 May.
Can I get stuck on the island in the monsoon?
Yes: from May to October the bay can be rough and boats sometimes do not run, which can keep you there 24 to 48 hours, or several days in August and September from Bang Rong. Buy your ticket the same morning rather than the day before, so you can switch piers or wait a day, and leave a buffer before your flight. Boats are open, so a dry bag protects your things.
ATMs and clinic: what should I sort out before crossing?
Guesthouses, scooter rentals, longtails and the Tha Khao market stalls are paid in cash. The island has few ATMs and each withdrawal costs 200 to 220 THB, so withdraw in Phuket or Krabi. A small clinic handles basic care; beyond that, you go to Phuket, and an emergency night speedboat costs 3,000 to 5,000 THB.
How much does a day on Koh Yao Noi cost?
Allow about 1,580 THB a day on a backpacker budget: dorm bed 400 THB, three meals 350 THB, scooter 250 THB plus 80 THB of fuel, activities 300 THB, drinks 200 THB. A dish in the village costs 60 to 100 THB, a seafood dish by the sea 150 to 400 THB.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Koh Yao Noi
Compare with the other destinations
Koh Yao Noi is one of the 28 destinations covered in detail on the site. The destinations hub sorts them by traveler profile, by month of travel and by daily budget, to help you decide where to go and how many days to stay.