Ao Sai Beach, Koh Yao Yai

Ao Sai Beach is around 350m long on the south east coast of Koh Yao Yai. This beach has crystal clear water, white sand, and a serene atmosphere. If you rent a scooter to explore the island, you should add Ao Sai beach to the list of the places on Yao Yai that you want to visit.

The beach has crystal clear water and rocks at some areas, especially at the two ends, which are ideal for snorkeling. It’s also a good beach for swimming. The water is calm and shallow, making it good for both children and adults.

The most famous feature of Ao Sai Beach is its peaceful atmosphere. As there are almost no accommodations and tourist amenities on and around the beach, it’s very quiet. If you want to escape from the crowd, this beach is a must see.

Behind the beach is the jungle and mountains, so you can encounter some wild monkeys. They can be cute to interact with but make sure to take care of your belongings and your scooter to avoid scratching on your scooter.

The beach is home to only one small beach bar, where you can buy smoothies, cold beers, cut fruits, and local Thai food. They have sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, which is good for relaxing and unwinding.

Where is Ao Sai Beach, Koh Yao Yai?

Ao Sai Beach is located next to a small local fishing village on the far south of Koh Yao Yai island, on the east coast. Ao Sai Beach is around 40 minutes drive from Chong Lard Pier and Laem Haad Beach, which are the popular pier and beach on the northern coast of Yao Yai.

The closest beach towns with accommodation to Ao Sai Beach are Loh Jark and Loh Pared. Ao Sai is around 10-15 minutes drive southeast of Loh Jark Beach & Pier, and 20 minutes drive from Loh Pared Beach.

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How to get to Ao Sai Beach, Koh Yao Yai?

The best way to get to Koh Yao Yai is by scooter. The beach is well-connected with the island’s main road but you need to drive through the narrow dirt path at the last bit to the beach.

When you park a scooter near the beach, make sure you don’t leave any food or fruits on the scooter. The surrounding jungle has many monkeys, and if they smell food, they can damage your scooter.

The road from Loh Jark village to Ao Sai is also quite remote, lined with rubber plantations, so I recommend avoiding driving in this area in the dark. Try to leave the beach before it gets dark.

You can rent a scooter easily from your hotel or at local rental shops at popular piers and villages such as Chong Lard, Hin Kong, Loh Pared, or Loh Jark Beach. The price is similar with other parts of Thailand, around 250 baht to 300 baht per day.

Things to do on Ao Sai Beach, Koh Yao Yai

Swimming, Sunbathing, Chilling, Snorkeling

Ao Sai Beach has a secluded atmosphere and is surrounded by nature, making it a great spot for relaxing and unwind. When I visited the beach in the late afternoon during sunset, there were just a few people on the beach.

There are shaded areas at the southern end part of the beach. You can bring your own beach towel to lay down or rent umbrellas and sunbeds at the beach bar & restaurant. There are some big rocks on the seabeds, so it’s best to bring water shoes for swimming and snorkeling.

Have a drink or meal at the onsite beach bar

Ao Sai Beach is home to a nicely-decorated beach bar. The bar has sunbeds, umbrellas, and hammocks for customers on the sand. You can rent it for 100 baht per day.

The bar served smoothies, cold beers, soft drinks, fruits, and traditional local Thai food. You can just have a drink and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere with the breeze of the sea.

Explore the nearby Pru Nai fisherman village

There is a small local fisherman village located on Lo Ba Lai Bay, just 5 minutes drive west of Ao Sai Beach. You can drive though this village and have a quick look of the local life and their traditional houses on the water. The end of the village is the pier, which has good views of the area.

Where to stay in Ao Sai Beach, Koh Yao Yai

There is almost no accommodation in Ao Sai Beach. You can stay at nearby villages such as Loh Jark and Loh Pared for convenience and explore the southern part of Koh Yao Yai, including Ao Sai Beach.

Loh Jark Village is located around 5km north of Koh Yao Yai. This village is home to a nice beach, a pier, and close proximity to several other nice beaches such as Ao Muong Beach and Loh Pared Beach. You can find several hotels and guest houses along the main roads of the village.

Best Hotels in Ao Sai Beach, Koh Yao Yai:

Baan seefa homestay kohyaoyai

This homestay is located in a secluded location in South Koh Yao Yai. If you want a tranquil stay away from everything, this is a good choice.

It’s close to several beaches such as Ao Sai, Muang Beach, and Loh Jark Beach. You can rent a scooter to get around. The restaurants and 7-Eleven store is around 5 minutes drive away.

The Secret Garden Koh Yao Yai

This is a lovely guest house in a peacefully quiet location on the south side of Koh Yai Yai. You can stay in a clean bungalow with a balcony with greenery in the surroundings. Like staying in all other parts of the island, it’s recommended to rent a scooter if you want to explore.

Koh Yao unnrak Resort

This is a good budget-friendly accommodation in South Yao Yai island, close to Ao Sai, Muong Beach, which are good spots for snorkeling and swimming. The hotel offers comfort with basic facilities for a nice stay.

Elixir Resort Koh Yao Yai

This mid-range beachfront resort is located in a bay south of Loh Jark Beach and north of Muang Beach. It’s a good choice if you want to stay right on a beach in a serene environment. You can just relax and unwind at the resort’s beach and facilities or rent a scooter to explore other parts of the island.