Koh Yao Yai, an island in Pang-Nga, where enchantment grows
Koh Yao Yai an island nestled in the Andaman Sea in the south of Thailand where the place is under the administration of the Pang-Nga province. Nevertheless, the island is in the middle among 3 important tourist provinces, namely Pang-Nga, Krabi, and Phuket. Mentioning convenience to reach the island, the visitor can get the flight to land in either Phuket or Krabi and transfer to the boat to the destination from both locations.
About the Place
The irresistible charm of Koh Yao Yai is the peaceful, tranquil, and abundant atmosphere. However, another thing which is an outstanding characteristic is the life of this traditional community that is unique as the perfect mixed bowl of diverse people. Basically, the residents of Koh Yao Yai consist of three different origins of the people who live the life by fishing, lobster farming, and traditional rice cultivation, generousness, the strength of community, helpfulness, and friendliness are typical to see from the villagers of this lovely island. Also, imitativeness and participation regarding the conservation of the environment, natural resource, and state domain are not compromised by the resident here, as well.
Highlights of Koh Yao Yai Island
Ao Khlong Son
In term of the tourism, Koh Yao Yai is second to none in the tourism property from other sightseeing within the Andaman Sea region. For example, Ao Khlong Son, a wonderful sea beach with the powdery white sand surrounded by the She-oak trees and vibrant small rock ridges and coral reef. So, the site is a must-not-miss diving spot for the snorkeler.
Ao Ti Kut – Ao Hin Kohng
Ao Ti Kut, a clean and soft sandy beach with the shady She-oak tress. Ao Hin Kohng, a pleasant seaside environed by the canopy of Cotylelobium lanceolatum, although the area is not suitable for a swim it is distinctive as the home of the baby stingray and the villagers who are mostly the Muslim make a living by fishing.
Ao Sai – Ao Lan -Koh Lo Pa Rad
Next, Ao Sai, the splendid bay with powdery sand, beautiful ridge, and clear water for a swim. Ao Lan, a lovely sandy beach that is perfect for water playing, as well, however, the north part of this bay is a steep cliff and deep water. Laem Had where the location is many coconut gardens, cashew nut orchard, and She-oak forests environed the soft white sand beach. Koh Lo Pa Rad, a small islet with the sandy beach and the coconut orchard all around the space and provides a distant view of the endless beach that you also can enjoy water play.
Laem Nok Ok
Laem Nok Ok, a sandy beach with the ridge and colorful rocks but it’s ok for a swim. Otherwise, you can go with the fishermen to see how they live in a simple lifestyle. Moreover, the homestay accommodation is welcome for the tourist who would love to touch the feeling of local to stay and participate in activities with the villagers, such as fishing, catching the dog conch and ark shell, and cycling along the nature trail, etc. Anyway, if you prefer to stay in the regular accommodation, there’s a private resort to serve the visitors, too.
Live in the Homestay and explore the mangrove forest
Indulge with the rustic lifestyle of the Muslim villagers of Koh Yao Yai by staying at homestay accommodation and sailing the traditional long-tail boat to see the vast land of the mangrove forest. And if that is not enough to fill your wish, you can add some more adventure with the 4 kilometers trail and end up the day to lay your back on the smooth sand beach.
Homestay contact
For whom interesting the homestay tour at Koh Yao Yai you can contact directly to the contact person of the homestay group of Koh Yao Yai at +66 87272 6733 and +66 89726 2419. The tourist who travels to the island, once you arrived at the pier, you can take the pick-up truck serviced by the local to the homestay you book. Also, the pick-up truck is the convenient transportation on this island that can take you to any tourist spots.
Activities at Homestay in Koh Yao Yai
Day 1 in Khao Yai Yao Island:
Lots of local and oriented nature activities which are all exciting are waiting for the tourist to entertain. Resulted from cooperation among the residents of 4 villages on the island to make the best memory for the tourists. The tour may begin with the long-tail boat tour to see the giant mangrove in the forest nearby Had Son Beach. The tourist also can choose either cruising to see the mangrove forest or kayaking.
And if your choice is taking the tour by the long-tail boat which can take up to 6 passengers and takes time about 1.30 – 2 hours in the estimate of the journey. During the trip is quite sunny so make sure you wear proper sunblock and bring any sun shield. Along the way, you will spot many giant mangrove trees look like you sail through the tunnel.
The vibrant canopy presents the abundance of the place that we will get the information and background of the site by the boat driver who is also the touring guide. The exclusive bit of the trip is you will take a break at the area where to culture many aquatic animals – shrimp, shell, crab, and fish that we think it’s a good chance for you to get even closer to the life here.
Afterward, it’s time to get back to the land that is the dinnertime. The villager who is the host will prepare the guest with traditional style dinner that mostly cooked from the fresh seafood, such as shrimp, shell, crab, and sea bass served with the spicy dip (the price of each meal depends on the deal that you make with the host that mostly it will prepare to follow to the need and number of guest).
Day 2 in Khao Yai Yao Island:
The next morning before the first light cracks the sky is the time that you have to get up earlier than your usual itinerary to go to the place called “Hin Gong Pier,” where to watch the sunrise.
And after witnessing the first aurora or for someone that can’t make it since you wake up late, the plan for the day is the nature trail which are two routes for the tourists. For anyone who prefers the more casual way you shall get the 2-km path and if the adventure is in your blood, we recommend you to get the 4-km track. The nature trail at Koh Yao Yai is quite a pleasant road unless you face the day with high moist, so the soil tends to be slippery. The goal of the nature trail is a stream called “Ang Namtok Hin Gong” (Hin Gong Waterfall Basin).
The trail will take about 3 – 4 hours that is the proper time for you to get back to the homestay site and wash up before the luncheon. And after lunch, the afternoon session is touring at the old residence on the island which ages more than 60 years. Then, the guide will take the tourist to see the demonstration of goat milk soap and the handicrafts manufacturing at the village center. Also, you can try to make them, too.
In the late afternoon, that would be the time everyone is waiting for. The tour will go to Laem Had, a silky white sandy beach the famous spot of the tourists in Koh Yao Yai especially the foreigners. So, you can enjoy and chillax at the beach with beach activities for the rest of the afternoon.
Well, the dinner of the last evening at homestay accommodation will be a bit more special because the villagers invite the guests to have dinner at the place called “Ban Sam Lang” (the Three Houses), a site built as a shelter for the victim from the Tsunami Disaster. After the guests are satiated with the delicious meal, the residents will clear up the center area preparing for the entertainment with a select show by the villagers. Many notable traditional performances well made by the people of this lovely community would be another impressive memory of the trip, indeed.
Day 3 in Khao Yai Yao Island:
In the morning which is the last day of the tour, the host will bring you to see the traditional rice farming that plants the rice by throwing and of course the tourist can try it, too. Then, the trip moves on to Chong Lad Pier that you will get on the long-tail boat to see the lobster culture in a floating basket. The farm is in the middle of the sea that all the lobster here is huge and healthy!
And then the tourist will come back to the homestay to have lunch with the host and it is the last meal of the program before the journey back to the land.
Right, it’s so simple, but undeniably the trip would be something you may want to spend your next holidays.
How to Get to Koh Yao Yai
Traveling to Koh Yao Yai, you can go from whether from Phuket, Pang-Nga, or Krabi, however, the most convenient is from Phuket.
From Phuket, the visitors can depart from Thien Sin Pier on Si Suthat Road (Phuket – Koh Yao Yai). The ship departs from the pier at 10.00am and 2.00pm which takes approximately an hour, and the trip back from the island departs from Lo Chak Pier to Thian Sin Pier at noon. The cost is THB50 per person/trip.
Alternatively, the tourist who visits Koh Yao Noi also can come to Koh Yao Yai by boat that departs from Mano Pier to Koh Yao Yai. And the trip back you can get the ship at Chong Lad or Khlong Hia Pier with the price is THB10 per person/trip and takes only 10 minutes of the journey.
