Koh Yao Noi is a small Thai island located on the edge of Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand. It is midway between popular destinations such as Phuket and Krabi. The island is known for its tranquil atmosphere with pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and authentic local culture.
In this article, I will cover the 20 best attractions and activities to do and see in Koh Yao Noi. I will show you the best beaches, and activities such as island hopping tours and day trips to Koh Yao Yai.
Most of the beaches and tourist towns are located on the east coast of the island. Popular beaches are Pasai Beach, Klong Jark, Tha Khao, Long Beach, and Little Long Beach. These beaches have laid-back atmosphere and great places for swimming, sunbathing, and chilling.
Located in the Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Noi is a great base for taking boat trips to nearby islands such as Hong islands, and Jame Bond island. These islands are known for their breathtaking limestone cliffs rising above the crystal turquoise water. They are perfect for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling.
In addition to the beaches, you can have some attractions to explore such as the Tha Khao Waterfall, Hornbill view point, and Thondo Fishing Village. Then you can kayak along the Mangrove forests and end your day exploring by enjoying a relaxing oil massage.
You can check these articles about my itineraries and how I get around the island:
- Stay in Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai?
- Where to stay in Koh Yao Noi
- Where to stay in Koh Yao Yai
- How I Spend 3-4 Days In Koh Yao islands
- How to Get Around Koh Yao Noi
- 15 Best Things to Do in Koh Yao Yai
I explored Koh Yao Noi by scooter. I rented my scooter in Koh Yao Yai and brought it to Koh Yao Noi for a day on a long tail boat. If you are not planning to rent a scooter, you can consider renting a bicycle, taking organized tours, or hiring a private driver.
There is no Grab service on the island, and songthaews are not as common as on other Thai islands. If you need one, I believe you will need to ask your accommodation to arrange it for you.
Here are the main activities and attractions in Koh Yao Noi:
18 Best Things to Do in Koh Yao Noi
Beaches
Koh Yao Noi has a range of tranquil and uncrowded beaches. The beaches on the east coast have a mix of sandy stretches, and rocky coves, with views of the dramatic limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay.
You can get to all the beaches on Koh Yao Noi by scooter. Unlike many beaches on other islands in Thailand, the beaches on Koh Yao Noi weren’t blocked by private property. They are all very easy to access for the public.
#1. Pasai Beach
Pasai Beach is a popular beach town located on the southeastern coast of Yao Noi. This is the first beach you see when traveling from the island’s main pier to the east coast.
The beach has golden coarse sand with clean water, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. There are plenty of shades on its shores from palm trees and mangrove trees. You can also rent sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach. If you order food or drink from the bars, you can use it for free.
The road running parallel with the beach is lined with restaurants, bars, massage shops, travel agencies, and resorts. There was a food stall selling nice grilled chicken, sticky rice, and fruits on the beach.
The northern end of the beach is home to the pier with several longtail boat docks here. You can drive the scooter all the way to the top of the hill at the north end of Pasai Beach where you can view the whole beach.
#2. Klong Jark Beach
Klong Jark is a long beach located north of Pasai Beach. It is a quiet beach with golden coarse sand, lots of shaded areas, and stunning views of the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay. You can swim, sunbathe, and relax at the beach.
You can see big rocks under the water at low tides at some sections of the beach, but it is a long beach (1.5km long), so you will be able to find a good spot for swimming.
The beach road, particularly the southern section of the beach, is lined with resorts, restaurants, bars, and massage places. At the northern end of the beach, you’ll find the exclusive resort Six Senses.
#3. Tha Khao Beach
Tha Khao is around 1 km long beach located on the east coast of Yao Noi, just north of Klong Jark Beach. The beach has a tranquil atmosphere with golden sand, clean water, and beautiful views of Phang nga Bay and Ko Nui island in front of it.
At low tide, you can see the sandbank connecting the beach with Ko Nui. You can take a long walk on the sandbank. The beach is home to several resorts, restaurants, and bars. Most tourist amenities are concentrated around the pier area. It is quieter than Pasai and Klong Jark Beach.
In the area, you can visit Tha Khao Waterfall, or take a short hike to the Hornbill Viewpoint, and visit hidden sandy beaches after the viewpoint. Kayaking is also a popular activity around the pier area.
#4. Long Beach
Long Beach is a nice beach located on the north east coast of the island. It is easily accessible by scooter. The beach is home to a bar, which offers food, drinks, sunbeds, tables, and chairs for their customers. I didn’t see any accommodations on the beach and the surrounding areas.
Long Beach is busier than the nearby Little Long Beach but never feels crowded. The beach has lots of shades and clean water, ideal for chilling and swimming.
#5. Little Long Beach
Little Long Beach is a small secluded beach located south of Long Beach. The beach has a tranquil atmosphere because there are no beach facilities on it. You can enjoy swimming and sunbathing with little crowds.
Like other beaches on the island, it has golden coarse sand, clean water, and lots of shades on the sand. It also has stunning views of the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay. Bring your own mat towels and enjoy the peaceful vibe.
Accessible to the beach involves driving on the narrow paved and dirt roads. You’ll pass through the beautiful rubber plantations.
#6. Six Senses Beach
Six Senses Beach is a small quiet beach located north of Klong jark Beach. The beach has soft sand, crystal turquoise water, ideal for relaxing and swimming. To access the beach, you’ll need to drive on a narrow dirt road.
On rainy days, the road is not in good condition to drive. I tried but didn’t find the entrance. It seems to be blocked by a fence. If you have a motorbike, you can drive around and have a look at it. Otherwise, skip it.
#7. Thai Beach Massage
There are many massage parlors on popular beach towns on Koh yao Noi. You’ll find them on Pasai beach, Klong Jark beach, and Tha Khao Beach area. Having a beach massage is a must when traveling to Koh Yao Noi or any destinations in Thailand.
If you have never tried Thai massage, you can try it. My first Thai body massage was in Wat Pho Bangkok, then after that I did it in many other cities in Thailand. If you can’t stand the pain, I recommend trying oil massage instead.
#8. Tondo Fisherman Village
This local fishing village is located on the east coast of Koh Yao Noi. It is a good place to try fresh seafood. You’ll find a cluster of seafood restaurants around the village’s fishing pier.
You can take a walk on the pier and enjoy the beautiful views of the sea and the mangrove forests. There are also a couple of cafes on the house built on the water at the beginning of the pier.
#9. Hornbill Viewpoint
Hornbill Viewpoint is an attraction located close to Tha Khao Pier. The viewpoint is home to a covered-roof terrace that has beautiful views of Phang Nga Bay.
You can reach the viewpoint by walking across the white bridge near the pier, followed by a short climb up some stairs. It will take around 10 minutes to reach the top.
From the viewing terrace, you can continue walking to another stairs down to the beaches. You will find two secluded beaches here. One Beach is a golden sandy beach great for swimming and chilling. Another one is rocky beach with views of Tha Khao pier, great for taking photos.
#10. Tha Khao Waterfall
This is a small waterfall near Tha Khao Beach. If you are visiting Tha Khao Beach, you can combine it with a visit to the waterfall. You can reach the waterfall by scooter. I recommend parking at the end of the paved road then walking a couple of minutes to reach the falls.
I visited the waterfall in mid January, which is part of the dry season. There was no water in the stream. I assume it is full of water and flows in the rainy season.
Island Hopping tours
There are several boat trips that you can take from Koh Yao Noi. Long tails boats are docked at popular beaches on the island taking you to places such as Koh Nok, Koh Hong, and Jame Bond Island.
#11. Koh Nok
This is a small island located in the front of Pasai Beach. It is just only a few minute long tail boat rides from Koh Yao Noi. The island is home to a secluded beach where you can swim and a viewpoint where you can hike to the top and has beautiful views of the Koh Nok’s beach and Phanga Bay.
You can visit Koh Nok from Yao Noi by renting a private long tail boat, or visit it as a part of the island hopping tours, taking you places such as Hong islands.
#12. Hong Islands
Hong islands are one of the best islands in southern Thailand, known for its breathing linestome karts, powdery white sand beaches, and crystal clear water. Famous islands of this group are Koh Hong (the main island), Koh Pakbia, and Lao Lading Island.
If you take boat trips to Hong islands, the tour will take you to these islands for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and chilling. On my boat tour from Koh Yao, I visited Koh Pakbia for swimming, then headed to Koh Hong for swimming, snorkeling, and hiking to the viewpoint.
There are many boat trips from Ao Nang and Krabi to Koh Hong, but I waited until I reached Koh Yao to take a trip to Hong islands. I think it is closer than taing trip from Ao Nang.
#13. James Bond Island
James Bond Island is another popular boat trip from Koh Yao Noi, located just 17 km north east of Yao Noi. The island is known for its striking limestone karst towers and the iconic vertical rock formation.
You can visit James Bond Island by hiring a private boat or join and organise a tour. James Bond Island is also popular for boat trips from Phuket, Khao Lak, and Ao Nang.
#14. Day trip to Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Yai is the sister island of Koh Yao Noi, located just a 10 minute long tail boat ride away. Koh Yao Yai is bigger and less developed compared to Yao Noi. It has fewer restaurants, bars, massage shop options, offering a more secluded atmosphere.
I recommend spending at least a day on Yao Yai driving around the island and beach hopping. You can either rent a scooter in Yao Noi, bring it to Yao Yai on the longtail boat or rent a scooter at Yao Yai after the boat ride.
If you rent a scooter in Yao Noi and want to bring it to Yao Yai, you need to ask permission of the shop’s owner first. In many contracts, they are not allowed to bring scooters to other islands.
Once you are in Yao Yai, I recommend starting from the west coast, east coast, north coast then back to Yao Noi. My suggested route is Son Bay, Loh Pared, Loh Jark, Ao Muong, Ao Sai, Hin Kong, and Laem Had.
Other attractions and activities
#15. Kayaking/ Boat ride along Mangrove Forest
You can see Mangrove Forest in many parts of Koh Yao Noi. You can consider taking a kayaking or boat trip along the mangrove forest to experience the island’s rich ecosystems and quiet beauty. You can see monkeys, and a variety of animals along the way.
#16. Ride a scooter around the island
Riding a scooter is one of the best ways to explore all the beauty of Koh Yao Noi. The roads on the island are mainly paved and with fewer traffic. As long as you stay on the main road, and don’t venture too far to the very remote area such as Mankei Bay, you’ll be fine.
With a motorbike, you can explore secluded hidden beaches, rubber plantations, rice paddies, and local fishing villages along the way.
#17. Big tree
Big tree is an attraction located at the very northern end area of Yao Noi. I attempted to reach the tree on my scooter but I didn’t make it to the end. I skipped the last bits of the journey and returned back.
The last few km parts of the road were narrow, hilly, and dangerous to drive. If I still want to see the big tree, I could park your motorbike at the starting point of the dangerous road and walk to the beach.
If you make it to the tree, you’ll need to pay an entrance of 300 baht to go in. I saw similar ancient trees for free on Koh Kood, so I don’t regret skipping the Big Tree on Yao Noi.
#18. Mankei Bay
Mankei Bay is a secluded beach on the north coast of Koh Yao, in the same direction to the Big tree. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the beach due to dangerous road conditions. You can consider visiting the beach with long tail boats.
Like many other beaches on Yao Noi, this beach has golden coarse sand and clean water with just a few people on the beach. Great place to enjoy nature. If you don’t make it to the beach, you can visit many other secluded beaches on the island such as the Little Long Beach and Long Beach.
#19. Laem Yang Cape
This cape is located at the western tip of the island, a few minutes drive from the main pier and the main village. The cape has nice views of the mangrove, and several islands in front of it. If you have a scooter, it is worth taking a look, otherwise skip it.
#20. The Hideout Beach
This is a small hidden beach located close to Laem Yang Cape. You can combine the trip to Laem Yang Cape and the Hideout Beach within a single trip. To reach the beach, you need to walk down for a couple of minutes through the rubber trees.
I visited at low tide, the water went to the sea very far. It could be a peaceful place to swim at high tide. Lots of shades on the shore.
So there you have it, my list of the 20 best things to do and see in Koh Yao Noi Thailand. The island is an ideal destination for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat amidst nature, away from the crowded tourist spots. You can explore the secluded beaches, and enjoy the authentic Thai experience.