Thailand's Andaman Coast · Island destination
Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Yai is the larger of the two Yao islands in Phang Nga Bay, reached by speedboat from Phuket piers (Bang Rong, Laem Hin, Chionwanit) or from Krabi piers (Klong Jilad, Thalen, Nopparat Thara).
Overview
Overview
Koh Yao Yai is the larger of the two Yao islands in Phang Nga Bay, reached by speedboat from Phuket piers (Bang Rong, Laem Hin, Chionwanit) or from Krabi piers (Klong Jilad, Thalen, Nopparat Thara).
Speedboats run on a scheduled basis from three Phuket piers and three Krabi piers, with a Krabi crossing of about 50 minutes to just over an hour — confirm current departure times before travel.
Experience
What it's like
Areas to know
These are reference descriptions of areas within Koh Yao Yai — not a stay comparison.
- Loh Pared Beach (west coast) — A straightforward swimming beach with nearby restaurants and shops, good for sunset.
- Laem Haad sandbar (north coast) — Near Chong Lard village — a free, highly photographed sandbar running into shallow turquoise water.
Plan your visit
Plan your visit
Getting there & around
Getting there
Speedboats run from three Phuket piers (Bang Rong, Laem Hin, Chionwanit/Chianwanich) on a scheduled basis. From Krabi, speedboats run from Klong Jilad, Thalen, or Nopparat Thara piers, with a crossing of about 50 minutes to just over an hour.
Getting around
Tuk-tuks wait at Chong Lard Pier for the most efficient transfer to accommodation. Renting a motorbike or scooter, from around 250 baht a day, gives the independence to visit multiple beaches in a day, since songthaews and tuk-tuks are limited beyond pier transfers.
Your trip
How Koh Yao Yai fits your trip
May suit travelers wanting the larger, less-developed of the two Yao islands, with independence to reach multiple beaches by rented scooter since onward transport beyond the pier is limited.
Dates, other stops, and what matters on this trip can make this fit clearer.
Add dates and other stopsInformation used
Information used
Wherely research — Wherely's own governed depth-production research for Koh Yao Yai — drawn from independently-owned travel sources — covering gateway, access, and local-mobility choices, and area orientation. Exact fares, schedules, and prices change too often to publish as fixed facts.
Photo credit
Hero photograph: Der absolute Traumstrand auf Ko Yao Yai by Ole.Pophal, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
What to do next
What to do next
Return to Thailand's Andaman Coast when you want the wider geography, or save this Place when it still fits.