Holiday in Koh Yao Noi

About Koh Yao Noi

Koh Yao Noi is the quiet soul of Phang Nga Bay – a small, Muslim-influenced island between Phuket and Krabi that has successfully resisted mass tourism so far. While the famous limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay serve as a backdrop right at the doorstep, time ticks differently on Koh Yao Noi: here, rice fields, rubber plantations, and the gentle sound of the waves determine the rhythm of the day. The island has been recognized by the Thai government as a model for sustainable tourism and offers an authentic Thai experience that has long been lost on the more popular islands. The landscape of Koh Yao Noi is surprisingly diverse for such a small island: emerald green rice terraces alternate with mangrove forests, water buffalo graze in the meadows, and the coast offers both rocky bays and long sandy beaches. The main beach, Pasai Beach on the east coast, looks directly at the dramatic limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay – a backdrop that can only be seen on James Bond posters. At Long Beach on the northeast side, you can wade hundreds of meters over the sandy bottom at low tide. Koh Yao Noi is the perfect counterbalance to the hustle and bustle of Phuket and Krabi. The few accommodations range from simple homestays with local fishing families to some of the most exclusive boutique resorts in Thailand, such as Six Senses. Activities are nature-based: kayaking through the mangroves, snorkeling tours to the surrounding islands, cooking classes in the villages, and bike tours through the rice fields. The island is accessible in 30-40 minutes by longtail boat from Phuket or by speedboat from Krabi. In the evenings, it becomes quiet – there is no party mile, no go-go bars, just the chirping of cicadas and the starry sky.