Tha Khao Beach is a peaceful beach on the east coast of Koh Yao Noi. The beach is in a relatively central location of the island, close to most popular points of interest such as Pasai Beach, Klong Jark beach, Long Beach, Little Long Beach, and Tong Do fisherman village.
Tha Khao Beach is around 1km long, with golden coarse sand and shallow water. It has a serene atmosphere with stunning views of the limestone cliffs of Hong islands and Phang Nga Bay.
The island’s main road runs parallel with the beach, and there is a hill at the northern and southern end of the beach. There are some good resorts and hotels around Tha Khao Beach for those who want a quiet stay surrounded by nature.
There is a small village at the northern end of the beach where you can find tourist amenities, restaurants, and shops. The area has some local attractions such as Tha Khao waterfall, Koh Nui, the White Bridge, and the Hornbill Viewpoint.
In this article, we will be looking at the location of Tha Khao beach, how to get to the beach, things to do at Tha Khao Beach, and where to stay in Tha Khao Beach.
Where is Tha Khao Beach, Koh Yao Noi?
Tha Khao Beach is located on the middle east coast of Koh Yao Noi. It is north of Pasai Beach and Klong Jark beach. It’s south of Long Beach and Little Long Beach.
Tha Khao is around 20 minutes drive from Manoh Pier, via Pasai and Klong Jark beach. It’s a nice ride along the east coast, but there is also a main road connecting Manoh Pier with Tha Khao via the main village and the paved road on the west side of the island.
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How to get to Tha Khao Beach, Koh Yao Noi?
The best way to get Tha Khao is to rent a scooter. You can find scooter renting shops at the island’s main pier, as well as popular beach towns such as the main village, Pasai, Klong Jark beach.
The island’s main road is paved and relatively flat, so it’s easy to get around as long as you stick to the main beaches and areas. The price is reasonable around 250-300 baht a day.
When you arrive at Manoh Pier, you can take the local taxi songthaew to get to your accommodations in Tha Khao beach. The price is 100-150 baht. You can also ask your hotel to arrange transport for you in advance.
I visited Koh Yao Noi from Koh Yao Yai, and I brought my scooter on the long tail boats from Chong Lard Pier to Manoh Pier. It’s a bit more expensive to get the scooter on the boat than just renting a scooter on Koh Yao Yai, but I felt secure doing it that way.
Things to do at Tha Khao Beach, Koh Yao Noi?
Swimming, sunbathing, chilling
The beach is quiet and peaceful, which is ideal for relaxing and unwind. It has stunning views of the limestone cliffs. You will be likely to have the whole beach almost for yourself.
Like all beaches around Koh Yao Noi, Tha Khao is a good spot for swimming, especially at high tide. At low tide, the water goes very far, and if you want to swim at this time, you need to walk 15-20 minutes toward the sea. You can see muddy and rocky bottoms at low tide.
There are several hotels on the beach at the southern part of the bay. Most hotels here offer swimming pools so you can swim at the pool at low tide.
Some resorts at the southern end of the beach have massage parlors on the beach, so you can enjoy the beach massage if you want more relaxing with the breeze of the sea.
Watching the sun rise
Located on the east coast of Koh Yao Noi, Tha Khao is a good area on the island to watch the sun go up. Many hotels and resorts offer bungalows with lovely terraces where you can enjoy the sunrise without having to leave the rooms.
Check the Horn Bill Viewpoint and the White Bridge
The Horn Bill Viewpoint is a beautiful roofed terrace located near Tha Khao Pier at the northern end part of Tha Khao Beach. It’s around a 10 minute walk up the stairs from the White Bridge.
The Hornbill viewpoint has beautiful views of the limestone cliffs and Phang Nga Bay. if you’re lucky, you can spot hornbills and monkeys in the wild. You can visit the viewpoint anytime of the day, but the best time to visit is at sunrise and sunset. It’s free entrance.
From the viewpoint, you can continue walking down the stairs to two beautiful small secluded beaches for relaxing and unwinding.
The sandy secluded beaches north of Tha Khao Pier
If you want an isolated beach for yourself, you can visit a small sandy beach from the Hornbill viewpoint. The beach has clean clear water and plenty of shade. There are some big rocks, but still a good spot for swimming and relaxing. It has nice views of the Tha Khao Pier and the limestone cliffs.
The stairs from the viewpoint to the beach are broken and poorly maintained, making them uneven, so be careful when walking up and down.
Join a workshop at Batik Shop
There is a lovely batik workshop located right next to Tha Khao Pier. You can make your own batik design t-shirt, canvas, and sarong. You don’t need artistic skill to do this, as they have samples for you to follow.
I think it’s a great place to have fun activities, especially with children. You can bring your own products home as a memorial signover. Prices are reasonable around 200 baht for a small canvas.
Check out nice restaurants and cafes
Tha khao Beach and village is home to some lovely restaurants and cafes. These are all family-run restaurants, where you can try authentic local food and seafood.
Most restaurants are located in the village, northern part of the beach, but you can also find several restaurants and bars along the beachfront at the middle and southern part of the beach.
Stella restaurant is a popular restaurant in front of Koh Nui island. You can enjoy a nice meal at a lovely outdoor setting area and enjoy the views of the nearby islands. At low tide, you can walk along the sandy path to Koh Nui located 230m away.
Kayaking around Tha Khao beach
Koh Yao Noi is surrounded by mangrove forest, and waterway. There are also many small islands near Tha khao beach such as Koh Nui, Koh Ma Mit, or Lading Beach. You can rent a kayak to explore the area with crystal clear water, stunning views, and spot some wild animals.
Tha Khao Waterfall
This is a small waterfall located in the middle area of Tha Khao Beach. The waterfall is located on the hillside, offering a peaceful atmosphere. It’s worth checking out in the rainy season, when the fall is at its fullest.
I visited the waterfall in the dry season, in mid January. It was dry and there wasn’t much to see. But it was still a good stop when driving around on a scooter.
Walk to Koh Nui island at low tide
Koh Nui is located 300m from the central area of Tha Khao Beach. At low tide, you can walk to the island from Tha Khao Beach. It’s a lovely walk to take some nice pictures.
Where to stay in Tha Khao Beach: Best areas and Hotels
Tha Khao is a good area to stay in Koh Yao Noi. It’s located in the middle east coast of the island, making it a good base to explore the island. Additionally, it has a quieter atmosphere than the more popular Pasai and Klong Jark beach.
Most accommodations are located along the island’s main road, which runs along most part of the beach. If you want to stay right on the beach, you can choose a hotel at the southern part of the beach. The northern part is home to a small village with shops, restaurants, and a pier.
Tha Khao Beach is around 1km long, and I will divide it into two main areas, North Tha Khao Beach and South Tha Khao Beach.
If you want to stay within easy walking distance to a range of tourist amenities like restaurants, laundry shops, minimarts, you can choose to stay in the northern part of Tha Khao. The southern part offers a quieter atmosphere.
1. South Tha Khao Beach
South Tha Khao Beach is the area from the southern end of Tha Khao to the beach area opposite Koh Nui island. This area has some resorts on the beach side and has a quieter atmosphere than the northern area. You can take a long walk or short scooter ride for the northern area for more shops and dining options.
This area is close to Koh Nui island, which you can walk to the island at low tide. The Tha Khao waterfall is also a good spot to visit in South Tha Khao Beach in the rainy season.
Most popular resorts and hotels in Tha Khao are located at the southern part of the beach. These are also the first places you see when driving north from Pasai and Klong Jark Beach.
Best Hotels in South Tha Khao beach:
Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow
This is a popular resort on Thao Khao Beach, offering bungalows right on the beach. The resort has gorgeous and spacious rooms with the view of the garden and the seafront. It has a swimming pool and direct access to the beach. There are options for rooms with fans and AC.
Sunrise House
This resort has an onsite swimming pool and right on the beachfront area. They offer rooms with comfortable beds and private bathrooms with shampoo and shower gel. They can help organise day tours, kayaking, and boat transfer to other islands. The hotel is a short distance from several restaurants, and shops. Good base for those who want quiet atmosphere next to the beach;
Tha Khao Bay View Bungalow
This is a homey accommodation with bungalows overlooking Tha Khao Bay. It’s surrounded by nature and a peaceful environment. You can spot geckos, hornbills, or squirrels at your balcony’s bungalow.
2. North Tha Khao Beach
The north Tha Khao Beach is the area around Tha Khao Pier. In this area, you can find sea food restaurants, Batik shops, laundry shops, cafes, convenience stores, ATMs, and travel agencies.
This area has some lovely attractions such as the White Bridge, and Hornbill Viewpoints, and the two small but secluded beaches below the Hornbill Viewpoints.
You can find a nice restaurant with a view called “Farichta” right next to the river and the White Bridge. The restaurant serves good local Thai food and good views of the river.
Best Hotels in North Tha Khao beach:
The Best Bungalow
The hotel is located in Tha Khao Village. It’s a small family-run accommodation that offers bungalows well-equipped with basic facilities such as a kettle, fridge, and bottle of water. It’s a short distance from the piers, and the shops. The owner can help organise boat trips, kayak activities, and motorbike rental.
Namtok Bungalows
This lovely accommodation is located near Tha Khao waterfall, surrounded by trees and greenery. The bungalows have AC, all necessary amenities, and views of the mountain. You can rent a scooter to explore the island, or use local songthaews about 100 baht to anywhere around the island.
Suntisook Resort
The resort is located in the middle of the Tha Khao Beach area. It offers clean bungalows with natural settings. It’s a good spot to relax and unwind. You can book rooms with a balcony for hammock and lounging. You can enjoy the breathtaking sunset views from your own bungalows.
The hotel is within a short distance from Stella restaurant, which is a popular restaurant in this area, in front of Koh Nui island. You can enjoy the meal and drink with views of Koh Nui and the limestone cliffs.
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So there you have it, my brief introduction to Tha Khao Beach in Koh Yao Noi. It’s probably the third most popular place to stay on the island, after Klong Jark and Pasai Beach. If you want a quiet environment and plan to rent a scooter, this is a good area to book your accommodation.