Koh Yao Noi is a small island in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi, and you can only reach it by boat. From Phuket it is a short crossing from Bang Rong pier; from Krabi it is a crossing from Ao Thalen pier. Once there, the island is quiet: hotel sites describe rice fields, rubber plantations, small beaches and limestone islands on the horizon, not a resort strip. This guide covers how the boats work, what the island is like, what to do and how to pick a base, using only facts we could check on official sources on 16 October 2026.
The island in brief
Wikipedia says the Ko Yao district covers several islands of the Ko Yao archipelago in Phang Nga Bay near Phuket, and that its two main islands are Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi, which mean "big long island" and "small long island". It also says the northern tips of the islands are part of Ao Phang Nga National Park, and that ninety percent of the district's population is Muslim.
Sabai Corner Bungalows describes Koh Yao Noi as an island inhabited mostly by Muslim fishermen, still largely untouched by mass tourism, and asks visitors to respect the local customs and culture. We read that as a sensible reminder to dress modestly away from the beach and ask before photographing people, but the hotel does not set out a dress code.
Koyao Island Resort says Ko Yao Noi sits in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi, with the limestone islands of the "James Bond archipelago" all around it.
Getting to Koh Yao Noi
There is no airport and no bridge. The hotel pages we read describe the following, and they do not agree with each other on times, so always confirm with your hotel.
| Route | What hotels say |
|---|---|
| Phuket, Bang Rong pier to Manoh pier | Public speedboats and longtail boats; Koyao Bay Pavilions says about 30 minutes by speedboat and about an hour by longtail |
| Phuket, Ao Po Grand Marina to Manoh pier | Cape Kudu's shared shuttle, a 30-minute crossing, 2 or 3 departures a day depending on the season |
| Krabi, Ao Thalen (Tha Len) pier | Public boats listed by Koyao Bay; Cape Kudu says the speedboat to Tha Khao Pier takes about 20 minutes and the longtail about 40 |
| Hotel transfers | Paradise Koh Yao uses private speedboats to its own dock; Sabai Corner offers private car and boat transfers |
Koyao Bay Pavilions puts Phuket airport about 20 minutes from Bang Rong pier and Krabi airport about 40 minutes from Ao Thalen pier, with a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride from the island pier to the hotel. The full timetables we found, with the conflicts between them, are in where to stay on Koh Yao Noi. For getting out of Phuket airport, see Phuket airport transport and the official Phuket airport site; for the wider picture, read getting around Thailand.
Arrive in daylight. Cape Kudu says boat transfers stop after sunset and that guests who land at Phuket after 15:30 cannot transfer to the hotel that evening. Check the last boat before you book a flight, and keep a night in Phuket or Krabi as the fallback.
The booking button above opens the 12Go Phuket to Koh Yao Noi page, which lists many speedboat, ferry and taxi-plus-boat operators; the Krabi to Koh Yao Noi page lists fewer (we opened both in a browser on 16 October 2026). It is a partner link, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It is a comparison site, not an official timetable. Always buy from the pier, the hotel or an operator you can identify.
Things to do
The hotel sites agree on the shape of a stay here: slow days around the water and the village.
- Boat tours and island hopping. Hill House says boat tours around the karst rocks and small islands are the only way to see them up close and lists the James Bond Island and Koh Hong among its sights; Sabai Corner offers trips into Phang Nga Bay and to the Koh Hong archipelago for swimming and snorkelling. Prices vary by boat and group, so ask your hotel; Hill House's activities page quotes a private boat from 2,500 baht, and we cannot say whether that is current.
- Kayaking. Hill House says some limestone formations and caves can only be reached by sea canoe when the tide is right, and Koyao Island Resort lists kayaks, snorkelling and stand-up paddling.
- Cycling and scooters. Hill House says scooter hire is the easiest way to explore the island and describes the roads as hard to get lost on.
- Muay Thai and climbing. Hill House lists a Muay Thai gym and rock climbing, and says Phang Nga Bay is known to climbers.
- Village and nature. Cape Kudu and Paradise Koh Yao both mention hornbills on the island, and Koyao Island Resort names a tented camp after them.
Where to stay
Our where-to-stay guide compares 12 hotels, each checked against its own site and then verified in a second pass:
- East coast: Hill House, Sabai Corner Bungalows, Laguna Villas Yao Noi and ANI Thailand say they are on the east coast or eastern side.
- Tha Khao beach: Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow, simple wooden bungalows on the beach.
- Other stays: Six Senses Yao Noi, Koyao Island Resort, Paradise Koh Yao, Cape Kudu Hotel, Koyao Bay Pavilions, Jaiyen Eco Resort and The Simple Koh Yao Noi.
The Thai version is ที่พักเกาะยาวน้อย.
Seasons and sea conditions
Boat schedules and prices change with the season and the weather. Cape Kudu publishes two shuttle timetables, with fewer departures from 16 April to 31 October than from 1 November to 15 April, and says it does not run boat transfers in dangerous sea conditions. Check the Thai Meteorological Department forecast and read Thailand's best time by region and Phuket's best time to visit.
Nearby destinations
- Phuket: the airport and the start of most boat routes
- Phang Nga province: the bay, Koh Yao Yai and the west coast
- Phang Nga Bay tours from Phuket
- Krabi: across the bay to the east
- Which Thai island suits you
- Thailand overview
FAQ
How do I get to Koh Yao Noi?
By boat only. Public boats run from Bang Rong pier in Phuket to Manoh pier, about 30 minutes by speedboat per hotel pages, and from Ao Thalen pier in Krabi. Some hotels run their own transfers.
What is the last boat?
It depends on the route, the season and the operator. Hotels say transfers stop after sunset, and Cape Kudu says guests landing at Phuket after 15:30 cannot transfer that evening. Ask your hotel.
Is Koh Yao Noi the same as Koh Yao Yai?
No. They are the two main islands of Ko Yao district, "small long island" and "big long island". This guide covers Koh Yao Noi only; Phang Nga province has its own guide.
Is there a bridge or an airport?
No. Wikipedia and the hotel sites describe the island as reached by boat. The nearest airports are Phuket and Krabi.
What is the island like?
Hotel sites describe a quiet island of fishermen and farmers, with rice fields, rubber plantations and small beaches, with limestone islands in the bay. Sabai Corner says it is inhabited mostly by Muslim fishermen and asks guests to respect local customs.
Do I need to book a tour?
Not necessarily. Hotels sell boat tours and kayaking, and Hill House lists scooter hire. We do not quote prices because we cannot verify current ones.
Official sources and further reading
Prices, schedules and entry rules change. Figures here are approximate as of 2026; always confirm on the official or operator page before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
