Koh Yao Yai is located in the southern Phang Nga Bay, about 42 km from the mainland. From Phuket, the island is located east and can be easily reached by boat or ferry. Koh Yao Yai stands for nature-loving travel away from mass tourism. The most famous two islands of the Koh Yao archipelago are Koh Yao Noi ("small, long island") and Koh Yao Yai ("large, narrow island"). These islands are the main islands of the archipelago and belong to a common district. Here you will find deserted dream beaches and can experience breathtaking sunsets in a dreamlike setting. The islands are sparsely populated and you can enjoy original village life, fruit and rubber plantations, small fishing ports and beautiful nature.

The two Koh Yao islands mainly offer bungalow facilities along the beaches. From simple accommodation to the luxury hostel, everything is represented. The beaches are very quiet and perfect for a relaxing holiday in a fantastic setting.

The island of Koh Yao Yai is located east of Phuket in Phang Nga Bay. Despite its proximity to Phuket, the island officially belongs to the administration of Phang Nga Province and not to Phuket. There are several ways to travel by ferry or speedboat to the island.

Those who wish to travel directly from the airport have to go to Bang Rong Pier and from there by ferry to Koh Yao Yai. The ferry leaves every 90 minutes and a ride costs 200 THB.

Airport transfer from Phuket to Bang Rong Pier:
The airport transfer is regulated in Phuket. For about 800 Bath / Car you can get to Bang Rong Pier from Phuket Airport in about 40 minutes (depending on traffic). There are no price negotiations with the taxi drivers because the taxi tickets are still issued in the airport building, just before the exit, and the fixed price is charged depending on the destination. There you will receive a receipt and can then board the booked taxi or minibus / van. Depending on the time of day, speedboats, longtails and slightly larger ships operate from Bang Rong Pier. With the speedboat the crossing takes about 45 minutes. With the longtails and speedboats just over 1 hour. The speedboat costs about 250 THB. (If traveling by car or scooter, you will be charged another 10 THB car parking fee.) The boats run every hour between 7.35 and 17.40. Arrival is at Klong Hia Pier in the north of Koh Yao Yai.

Arrival from Phuket (with own / rented car):
With a rental car or scooter you drive best to Chiawanich pier in Phuket Town. Ferry ticket prices are 40 THB for people and 120 THB for the vehicle. Ferries from Chiawanich Pier arrive at Laem Yai Pier in the center of Koh Yao Yai. At 8.30 am and at 2.00 pm there is a car ferry. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.

There are also several speedboats departing from Chiawanich Pier every day (at 7:20, 10:00, 11:30, 17:00 and 18:10, which are much faster than the ferry (journey time about 30 minutes).) One vehicle Can not be taken with the speedboat transfer.The price is about 400 THB.The speed boats land in the southwest of the island at Loh Jak Pier.

From Laem Hin Pier on Phuket, a passenger and car ferry departs daily at 2:00 pm, arriving at Koh Yao Yai at 3:50 pm at Laem Yai Pier. Daily return from Laem Yai Pier in Koh Yao Yai leaves at 8.00 and 14.00, direction Laem Hin Pier on Phuket.

Hotel transfer on Koh Yao Yai:
If you have booked a hotel in advance, you will be picked up on request at the pier. Also available are scooters, which can be rented directly at the pier. The scooter rental is between 250 - 300 THB per day (depending on the provider, the price is verhandlebar.) Also bicycles can be rented (i.d.R. in the hotel)

Arrival from Bangkok:

• Arriving from Bangkok (to Phuket) by plane is possible with either Bangkok Airways or another local airline (PB Air, Thai AirAsia, NokAir, Thai Airways, etc.).
• The journey by land is e.g. Possible from Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi with the so-called "VIP Bus" or "Aircon Bus" and takes between 13 and 16 hours depending on traffic. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. There are 3 different buses at the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok:

1. Standard buses (orange) with approx. 75-80 seats (280 THB = approx. 7.- EUR) (the bus stops in different locations)
2. Aircon buses (blue) with approx. 40 seats (600 TBH = approx. 15.- EUR)
3. VIP buses (inscription "VIP Bus 999") with approx. 24 seats (895 THB = approx. 25.- EUR)

Arrival from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus continues to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani, take the minibus to the Bang Rong Pier in Phuket. From the pier, take the ferry to Koh Yao Yai.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (Krabi):
From Thalane Pier in Krabi between 9.15 am and 4 pm (several longtails and speedboats) to the Chong Lad Pier on Koh Yao Yai and 5.30 pm a speed boat to the Tha Khao Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip to Koh Yao Yai takes about 45 minutes with the longtails, the speedboat takes about 30 minutes.

From Ao Nang Beach in Krabi (Nopparat Thara Pier), a speedboat departs daily at 11:00 am to the Chong Lad Pier on Koh Yao Yai. From Klong Heng Pier in Ao Nang, long tail boats go to Koh Yao Yai.

From Koh Phi Phi daily at 15.00 clock a speed boat to the Chong Lad Pier.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Khao Lak, Pattaya, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the respective bus station and from there with the VIP bus to the Bang Rong Pier in Phuket. From the pier, take the ferry to Koh Yao Yai.

Also, the Khao Lak - Phuket and Krabi - Phuket routes are also served by public buses. Here the fare is much cheaper, but is stopped at many stops. The bus stops at the bus terminal in Phuket Town. From here it is best with a TukTuk or taxi on to the Bang Rong Pier. From the pier, take the ferry to Koh Yao Yai.

Boats operate between the islands of Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi. Depending on the beach and distance you can drive from 20 THB / per person on to the other island.

Generally applies to all boat connections that time information is without guarantee. Smaller islands are often approached only in the main season (November - May), because the sea has high waves, especially in the rainy season. Even during the main season, individual connections may u.U. also due to weather conditions.

As far as the choice of speedboat or long-tail boat is concerned, everyone has to make that decision themselves. Most of the time difference is only 15 minutes. We prefer the longtail variant, as the crossings are much calmer and more comfortable. Also, much less gas is consumed, clearly a plus for our environment. And by the way, the rides in Longtail are on average more than half cheaper!

Fishing village in the south of the island Koh Yao Yai, near the Ao Sai bay. Here you can see an authentic village life and watch the fishermen at work.

Laem Yai pier and fishing port: Here you can watch the fishermen at work.

On the side arms of the Lo Pa Lai River, also in the south, you can visit a mangrove forest with small boats.

Loh Jark Bay: On the west coast is one of the piers (this is where the boats dock from Chiawanich Pier in Phuket) and the place is bustling with some lodging and restaurants. The sunset on the beach is gorgeous and also very popular with the locals.

Loh Jark Bay on the west side of Koh Yao Yai: dream beach with crystal clear water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. In the evening one of the hot spots for the sunset. View of the offshore islands Koh Khai, Koh Rang and Koh Chong.

Ao Bo Lae on the west side of Koh Yao Yai: Here is one of the most luxurious accommodations on the island (Glow Elixir Resort) white about 250 m long dream beach with crystal clear water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. View of the offshore islands Koh Rang, Koh Khai and Koh Chong.

Loh Pa Red Bay (also located on the west side of Koh Yao Yai): About 8.5 km from Loh Jark Pier is the Loh Pa Red Bay a small, natural dream beach, which is very good for swimming. Along the road to the beach are several restaurants, a mini market / mom and pop shop, ATM and clothes shop.

Ao Sai Beach, in the very south Koh Yao Yais is a 1 km long beach. The last part of the road is unpaved. The beach is very natural and in the water are some larger rocks. Here, the water is usually low, so the beach is not suitable for swimming.

Laem Hat, Ao Khlong Kut, Khlong Nai Wang and Ao Pun Te are located on the north-east side of Koh Yao Yai. The beaches are located near Chong Lad Village and are beautiful natural beaches with some resorts. On this side of the island you can watch the sunrise and has a view of Koy Yao Noi, Ko Nok, Koh Rang Nok and Koh Luk Ko. The beach is very good for swimming and relaxing. At Laem Hat is a headland of sand and you can look at the opposite island Koh Yao Noi.