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PICTURE THIS #05: KOH YAO YAI
Because a picture often says more than 1,000 words, we have created the Picture This section. In Picture This we share a special (current) event or a beautiful destination with you by means of photos. We use social media and other photo platforms to show you the very best of Thailand!
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Koh Yao Yai, a medium-sized island just below its smaller sister island Koh Yao Noi. Koh Yao Yai lies between Phuket and Krabi and is often used for a few days to relax and do nothing. The island is still quite pure and typically Thai. Because of this you can still find the everyday island life of the Thai here every day.
click on the photos to enlarge and zoom in
Image: Serena Cuccuru (Flickr)
Fun things to do on Koh Yao Yai
We’ve picked some nice locations for you. Like well-appreciated hotels, top restaurants and places of interest that are worth a visit, you’re here now anyway! We hope this will make your visit to Koh Yao Yai even more fun! Via the InfoBox below you can find more information about the subject per tab. We wish you a beautiful and great holiday!
Sleeping on Koh Yao Yai
- Backpack Hostel Koh Yao Yai
Very good hostel on the island of Koh Yao Yai - Koh Yao Beach Front
Sleeping in a simple cottage on the coast of Koh Yao Yai - Koh Yao Yai Hillside Resort
Fine resort on a hill where you also have the choice of pool villas! - GLOW Elixir Resort TIP | Also read our extensive review!
Our favorite resort on the island of Koh Yao Yai! The quality and service you get here is fantastic and this resort also has its own private beach! - Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
The most famous resort on the island of Koh Yao Yai and for good reason! - Betterview Bed Breakfast & Bungalow
A great resort for a family with young children, for example!
Curious about the best hotels of Koh Yao Yai? Then read our list of best hotels in Koh Yao Yai.
Eating & Drinking on Koh Yao Yai
- Jikgo Bar & Restaurant
Tasty authentic Thai dishes! A fine reflection of Koh Yao Yai! Also for a cocktail or other drink Jikgo is a top location. - Baan Rim Nam Restaurant
At Baan Rim Nam you can have lunch or dinner with a fantastic view over the sea. - Chill Chill @ Pai
At Chill Chill you eat delicious cakes and cookies but also fantastic dishes. And after dinner, chill out with a cocktail or two! - Iyara Cafe
When visiting the Iyara Cafe you can enjoy delicious shakes and cakes! A top spot for a hot or cold coffee! - Laem Had Bar
Eating and drinking on a special beach in Koh Yao Yai. - Emm Restaurant
The Emm Restaurant is not far from the Loh Jak Pier. A beautiful location in the middle of a beautiful green garden! - Together Restaurant
Whether it’s western or Thai food, here you eat together! - De restaurants van het Santhiya Resort
This immense Santhiya Resort has several restaurants. For example Jettin Teppan at the pier from where you can see a beautiful sunset. Or the Titan Grill for grilled dishes. Besides these restaurants there are also By the Sea and the Saaitara Restaurant. More than enough choice!
Going out Koh Yao Yai
The nightlife on Koh Yao Yai is limited to a single bar, usually in places where most tourists come. Because 90% of the population is Muslim, alcohol is not available everywhere. Small local shops do not sell alcoholic beverages. The Family Shops, 7 Elevens and most hotels do.
Taxi & Scooter on Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Yai can be reached from many destinations in Thailand, because the island has no airport you can only get there by boat. Taxis on the island are quite expensive, if you travel on the island from north to south you will soon be half an hour away and will cost you around 500 baht by taxi, one way. For short trips (10 minutes) you pay around 250 baht by taxi. Cheaper and maybe even more fun is exploring the island by scooter.
Boats and departure times Koh Yao Yai
Loh Jark Pier -> Chean Vanich (Phuket)
From Loh Jark Pier speedboats depart 11 times a day to Phuket’s Jain Vanit Pier, the boat trip takes about 30 minutes.
Departure times speedboats: 06:30 – 07:30 – 08:00 – 09:00 – 10:00 – 11:30 – 12:30 – 13:30 – 15:10 – 16:10 – 17:00.
On Friday the boat departs from 13:30 at 14:00.
Baan Larm Yai Pier / Laem Yai Pier ->Chean Vanich* (Phuket)
From the Lam Jay Pier a ferry leaves twice a day to the Chean Vanich Pier on Phuket.
Departure times ferry: 07.30 and 14.00, the trip takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.
*If you want to go to Patong Beach/ Kata Beach, the Chean Vanish Pier on Phuket is the nearest pier. From this pier it is about 30 minutes drive.
Chong Lard Pier -> Thalane Pier (Krabi)
From the Chong Lat Pier longtail boats and speedboats leave for the Tha Len pier, the speedboat takes about 30 minutes and the longtail boat 1 hour.
Departure times speedboats: 06:40 – 09:40 – 14:00
Departure times longtail boats: 07:40 – 08.40 – 13.00
Prices: Speedboat 300 baht, longtail boat 200 baht
Chong Lard -> Ao Nang
From this pier speedboats depart 3 times a day, the trip takes about 40 minutes.
Departure times speedboats: 09:00 – 13:00 – 15:30
Chong Lard Pier -> Phi Phi
From Chong Lat there are 2 speedboats a day to Phi Phi island, you are about an hour away by boat.
Departure times speedboats: 09:00 and 13:00
Khlong Hia Pier – >Bang Rong* (Phuket)
8 times a day speedboats depart from the Khlong Hia Pier to the Bang Rong Pier on Phuket. You’re about 30 minutes away.
Departure times speedboats: 06:30 – 07:50 – 09:30 – 10:30 – 11:30 – 14:00 – 15:00 – 16:00.
*If you want to go to the Phuket international airport the Bong Rong Pier on Phuket is the nearest pier. From this pier it is about a 30 minute drive.
Khlong Hia Pier – > Railay Beach ( Krabi)
Once a day a speedboat goes to Railay Beach,
Departure time Speedboat: 08:30, the speedboat is about 40 minutes away.
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