Guide to Koh Yao Yai | Plan a Perfect Island Getaway near Phuket

A serene tropical oasis that is located approximately 28 kilometers off of the east coast of Phuket, Koh Yao Yai is a peaceful retreat away from all the buzzing tourist activity Thailand experiences during the high season. It is a quaint fishing community that is adorned in cascading rock formations, lush jungles and beautiful sandy beaches that beg to be laid upon. This island is accessible by a passenger ferry or chartered speedboat, and guests are welcome to take the less than 30-minute journey while visiting Thailand. Visitors can explore Koh Yao Yai in search of exotic wildlife, lush mangrove forests, and magnificent rocky cliffs that appear to reach up into the heavens. Use this guide to Koh Yao Yai and experience a vacation in Thailand that is remote and peaceful.

Guide to Koh Yao Yai | Getting to the island

Trying to figure out how to get to Koh Yao Yai? It is easy to get there thanks to the many transportation options available in Phuket. To get to Koh Yao Yai, visitors will most likely catch a public ferry boat or chartered speed boat from Bang Rong Pier on the east side of the island. If you are landing at Phuket International Airport, you can catch a taxi directly from the airport to the pier. From any of the neighborhoods in Phuket, simply arrange for public or private transportation. The boat ride to Koh Yao Yai offers spectacular views and is an adventure in itself. Public ferries depart from their pier approximately every hour.

Guide to Koh Yao Yai | Etiquette & Considerations

Before embarking on a fun-filled journey to Koh Yao Yai, it is important to understand the local customs in order to avoid offending the locals. Here is a list of local etiquette considerations to make before arriving at the island.

• Respect any Buddha statue or monument you encounter. The Buddha is symbolic of the master of the Buddhism religion and visitors should refrain from defacing or climbing on such statues.
• Dress conservatively. The primary religion observed on Koh Yao Yai is Buddhism, followed closely by Islam, so guests to the island should dress conservatively out of respect for local customs.
• Be humble and kind. What could you possibly have to be angry about on such a beautiful tropical island? Visitors should refrain from displaying outward outbursts of anger as negative energy is frowned upon by the residents.
• Carry cash for purchases made on the island. Residents and business owners on Koh Yao Yai observe the simple life and follow ancient traditions and cultures. Most business owners and local hotels only accept cash for purchases.
• Take off your shoes Before entering into a sacred religious building or shrine, be sure to take off your shoes. This same custom applies when invited into the home of a local Thai resident.

Guide to Koh Yao Yai | Best Time to Visit

As with visiting any region of Phuket, the best time of year to plan a vacation to Koh Yao Yai is during high season, which lasts from November through April. During this time of year, guests will experience dry and beautiful weather with temperatures ranging in the mid- to high-80s. When visiting the island during high season, tourists can enjoy warm beach weather and calm seas. The ocean is a brilliant shade of turquoise this time of year and the birds and wildlife are in abundance.

Low season runs from March through October, and the weather can be quite unpredictable. The low season is considered to be monsoon season and conditions out on the ocean can be dangerous. Access to Koh Yao Yai is limited during this time of year, so it is recommended that visitors plan to visit when the weather clears up during high season.

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Guide to Koh Yao Yai | Outdoor Activities

Koh Yao Yai is the ideal warm-weather vacation destination for those who love spending time outdoors. Whether you love thrilling water sports or lazy afternoons on the beach, guests of all ages will find a nature activity that appeals to them. Here is a look at some of the ways visitors can have fun in the sun while visiting Koh Yao Yai.

• Off-Road Tours – The best way to experience all of the beauty that Koh Yao Yai has to offer is to reserve your spot on a guided off-road tour of the island. Koh Yao Yai has several tour companies to choose from and guests are guaranteed to have an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives. An expert guide will take you on a journey into the jungle in a Jeep or other rugged SUV vehicle, where you will then be turned loose to explore the jungle and mangrove forests further with ATVs. Tours of the island last a couple of hours or all day depending on which tour package you sign up for. Your guide will share interesting facts with you as well as give you a little history lesson while you are out exploring.

• Sunbathing on the Beach – No trip to Koh Yao Yai is complete without spending some time laying around on the beach doing…well, nothing! Koh Yao Yai is mostly untouched by tourist hubs and so guests will find quiet places to lay down a beach towel and enjoy some fun in the sun. Loh Paret Beach is the most popular beach on the island and is home to a sprinkling of resorts, restaurants, and activities. Laem Haad Beach is another stretch of beach worth checking out. It is quieter than Loh Paret Beach and offers panoramic views of nothing but nature.

• Snorkeling & Diving – Whether you are new to snorkeling or have been doing it for years, Koh Yao Yai has a stunning underwater world you do not want to miss out on seeing. Complete with a colorful array of tropical fish, coral reefs, and whimsical aquatic plants, guests will have an exceptional time discovering what lies below the surface along the coastline. Guests are welcome to bring their own snorkeling equipment or rent some from one of the tour companies or resorts located on Koh Yao Yai. Koh Yao Yai is a great destination for divers of all skill levels. During high season, the ocean current is calm offering an exceptionally easy diving experience that is full of exotic natural beauty. Swim among a variety of colorful fish and get an up-close look at the coral reefs at the bottom of the sea. Visitors can dive with their own group or sign up for an exciting excursion with a diving guide located on the island.

• Driving Tour – Full of remote jungles, hidden coves, and pristine beaches, take some time to tour Koh Yao Yai in the comfort of a vehicle on a guided driving trip. The island is home to cars and drivers that can be hired by the hour to take you around. For your safety, be sure to only hire tour guides from reputable tour companies. While on tour, be on the lookout for tropical birds and other wildlife that lurk through the jungle. Guests will get to see rubber and coconut plantations, Thai villages, mangroves, stunning rock formations, and the beautiful coastal ocean water. Be sure to bring a camera so you can capture lasting memories.

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Guide to Koh Yao Yai | Restaurants

Looking for something delicious to eat while visiting Koh Yao Yai? While largely uninhabited, the island offers a few exceptional restaurants that add a little zing to the whole tropical island vacation experience. Here is a guide to Koh Yao Yai restaurant options.

• The Titan Grill – Situated along the beach, The Titan Grill is an aromatic Asian grill that serves up classic Thai BBQ in a fun tropical setting. It features outdoor seating and a full-service bar.
• By the Sea Restaurant and Bar – Located at Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa, this fun and tropical restaurant features an upscale dining experience where guests can sink their teeth into local surf and turf dishes that tantalize the palette.
• Together Restaurant – Featuring an assortment of quick-serve menu options, this small eatery boasts big flavors and palette-pleasing bites. From seafood to vegan, this restaurant has everything.
• Lyara Cafe – A fun throwback 1950s style Western cafe and dessert shop that offers an assortment of juicy cheeseburgers, flavorful french fries, fountain sodas, and ice cream sundaes that will make your jaw drop. This restaurant features a fun and contemporary vibe.

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Resorts on Koh Yao Yai

Experience the pure bliss of spending a vacation truly away from it all when booking a room at one of the luxury hotel resorts located on Koh Yao Yai. Guests will receive 5-star accommodations while enjoying some good-old-fashioned peace and quiet amid scenery that is almost too beautiful to be real. When you are ready to escape all of the buzzing tourism activities on the main island, plan your escape to a place where you can enjoy some quality time with friends and family. Here is a look at some of the most prestigious resorts located on the island.

Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa

Set amid lush tropical flora and fauna, Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa is an oasis in the jungle. Suites at the hotel can be reserved for as little as 3,900 baht per night during the non-peak travel months of the year. Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa is located right on the beach and provides visitors with exceptional service and a long list of exceptional amenities. Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa is the premier resort on the island and provides all of its guests with a first-class vacation experience.

When booking a room at the hotel, guests have the choice between several floor plans depending on the size of their party. Suites offered at Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa include deluxe rooms with ocean and garden views, supreme rooms with ocean views, and multiple room suites with garden and ocean views. Each room features ornate natural wood sculpted walls, oversized canopy beds, hardwood floors, and natural wood furnishings. The beds are dressed in plush white bedding with colorful accents and fluffy pillows. Each room has a private bathroom with a large tub that looks over the natural landscape outside of the room.

While staying at Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort and Spa guests are provided with an assortment of luxury amenities that make staying on the island even more special. Spend the afternoon lounging poolside with a cocktail in hand and go for a swim in the warm and sunny weather. The hotel features a spacious kid’s club that comes complete with slides, swings, and games. Break a sweat in the spacious fitness facility and then cool off while relaxing at the coffee shop. Guests are also invited to get an expert massage or other beauty treatment at the onsite salon and day spa.

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Yao Yai Beach Resort

Nestled along the shoreline of the beach, Yao Yai Beach Resort is a privately-owned hotel and resort that offers contemporary suites that fit in with the ambiance of the island. With over 68 meters of private beach to enjoy, guests will experience a relaxing vacation while staying at this resort. Rooms start out at just 2,360 baht per night during the non-peak travel months of the year, making this place an exceptional value for those who want to get away from all of the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Lodging options available at Yao Yai Beach Resort include standard rooms and an assortment of private villas. Most of the villas at this resort feature a private swimming pool and beautiful views of the gardens on the property. The rooms are adorned in simple Thai-inspired decor and each comes with a private restroom that is stocked with fresh linens and plenty of toiletries. When not at the beach laying in the sand or playing in the ocean, guests are welcome to take advantage of all of the accommodations that Yao Yai Beach Resort has to offer. Guests are treated to 24-hour room service, a cocktail bar, concierge services, an on-site seafood restaurant, a game room, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

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Koh Yao Yai Village

Modern and tropical, Koh Yao Yai Village offers a fun spa-like vibe that appeals to visitors who are looking for lodging opportunities that are cool and contemporary. Suites at Koh Yao Yai Village start as low as 3,600 baht per night and is located a short distance away from the beach and ferry pier. This resort offers several different lodging options to suite the needs of any size party. Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly standard room or a multi-room villa, Koh Yao Yai Village will make sure you are sleeping in style.

All guests staying at Koh Yao Yai Village receive a complimentary breakfast to start their day off right. Each room is designed to showcase its own unique personality through neutral color furnishings and fun accent decorations. The rooms come with private bathrooms that are stocked with fresh linens and an assortment of toiletries. Venture out of your room and take advantage of fine luxury amenities such as a full-service day spa, an on-site restaurant that serves up casual Thai and international fare, a large outdoor pool, a poolside bar, an outdoor eating area, and more.

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