Ko Yao Yai

Ko Yao Yai is the larger of the two Yao Islands, sitting in the middle of Phang Nga Bay. This is untouched Thailand — rice paddies, rubber farms, fishing villages, and beaches so empty you'll wonder if you've discovered them for the first time. A private speedboat or yacht charter from Ao Po Grand Marina puts this authentic island within reach.

The journey from Ao Po Grand Marina takes 1 hour 15 minutes, crossing the bay to Ko Yao Yai's eastern coast. As you approach, the landscape changes: the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay give way to flat green fields, coconut groves, and long stretches of empty sand.

Ko Yao Yai is not a tourist island. There are a few small resorts, but most of the island is local life — fishing communities, rice fields, and quiet roads where water buffalo still roam. Rent a scooter, walk the beaches, or simply anchor in a quiet bay and swim in water that's yours alone.

The beaches on Ko Yao Yai are stunning and nearly always empty. Laem Had (sandbar beach) extends into the bay at low tide, creating a dramatic strip of white sand surrounded by turquoise water. The northeast coast has several quiet beaches accessible only by boat.

For travelers seeking authenticity, space, and tranquility, Ko Yao Yai is the ultimate destination. It's a full-day trip, but the reward is experiencing a Thailand that most tourists never see.