Uncover the natural wonder of one of Thailand’s last remaining hidden beauties: a tropical island near Phuket with hilly jungles and blissfully barren beaches.
The tropical island idyll is often promised but rarely realized. By nature, deserted islands tend to be remote and difficult to access, or too rustic for comfort. Not Koh Yao Yai. This 30-kilometre-long island is just a 25-minute speedboat ride off Phuket’s eastern coastline, sharing the same balmy Andaman waters as the Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay.
In contrast to its famous neighbors, Koh Yao Yai is a sleepy, village-speckled isle. It offers only a modest sprinkling of mom-and-pop guesthouses and nature resorts and has no nightlife or noisy traffic to speak of. Its main attractions are its spectacular shorelines and its local, laidback vibe — the perfect setting for beach-centric journeys off the beaten path.
Whether you’re on a family adventure holiday or a romantic couple’s getaway, you’ll find plenty of memorable things to do in Koh Yao Yai.