Ko Yao simply means 'Long Island,' which is kind of funny if you're familiar with the one in New York. Ko Yao Noi is 'Little Long Island,' which is where you'll find most of the accommodation and is the primary destination for most travellers.

Rich in natural beauty, and as with Ko Yao Yai, Ko Yao Noi constitutes one of the last bastions of untouched wilderness in the region. There are some paved roads, a lot of them pretty rough, and many more are simply made of dirt. There's plenty of room to roam and explore in this area, and almost anywhere you choose to stay will be in a peaceful setting surrounded by nature.

The beach is no good on much of the coast at low tide -- too many rocks and mud flats -- but is largely swimmable at high tide, and a few beaches are good all day long. The Thais here are overwhelmingly Muslim, so alcohol, while available, is not ubiquitous. As with other Muslim areas in Thailand, nude sun-bathing and skimpy clothing are considered very offensive by locals.

None of the accommodation is walkable from the pier, so be sure to call ahead and they'll pick you up, usually for no charge. The centre of town is marked by a three-way intersection where you'll find the 7-eleven, which has a 24-hour ATM machine, and two internet places (dial-up only) which are open until about 21:00.

There aren't any road signs to be found, but the hospital is located on the same road as Amina Bungalows, quite a bit further down, on the road that leads to Pa Sai beach. The police station and the post office are near the centre of town, along the road that leads to Manok Pier, where you catch boats to Ko Yao Yai. Maps of the island are not readily available, but a lot of the guesthouses have some kind of map -- try stopping in and asking at Lemsai Village Guesthouse.

There are precious few restaurants here oriented towards tourists, so for the most part, it's local food or whatever's on the menu at the place you're staying in.

In the push to develop every inch of Thailand for the tourist industry, the Ko Yao islands represent something of a final frontier. Huge luxury developments are underway on both island, and this place won't remain a well-kept secret for long. Best to get here while the going is good.
 

 

Travel to KohYao is available from Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi, but leaving from Phuket is the most convenient. From Phuket Bang Rong Pier in Tambon Pha Khiok, Thalang District, (from the Heroines Monument to the tenth kilometer) There are boats going to: Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Bang Rong Pier at 11.00, 12.30,14.30,17.00 hrs. Chong Laad and Khiong Hia Piers on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Bang Rong Pier at 12.30 hrs. Laem Hin Pier  in Tambon Koh Kaew, Muang District, Phuket. There are boats going to: Laem Yai Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes 1 hour 20 minutes and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Hin Pier at 2 p.m. Tien Sin Pier on the way to Koh Sirey in Phuket Town, there are boats going to: Loh Jaak Pier on Koh Yao Yai, The trip takes an hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Tien Sin Pier at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Rassadana Port in Tambon Rassada, Phuket Town, there are boats going to: Loh Jaak Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes an hour and costs 50 baht. On Sunday-Thursday the boats leave at 2 p.m. On Saturday the boats leave at 6 a.m. From Phang-nga Customs Pier in Tambon Koh Panyee to Sukkhaphiban Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1 hour 30 minutes and costs 100 baht, leaving the Customs Pier at 12.00 a.m. except Sunday. From Krabi Thalane Pier in Ao Luek District, there are boats going to: - Baan Tha Khao Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Sak Pier at noon. - Chong Laad Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving at noon. Travel from Koh Yao From Koh Yao Noi to Bang Rong Pier, Phuket. The boat leaves Manoh and Sukkhaphiban pier at 7 and 7.30 a.m. There are 3-4 trips a day. From Koh Yao Noi to Thalane Pier, Krabi The boat leaves Thao Khao pier at 7.30 a.m. From Koh Yao Noi to Customs Pier, Phang-nga. The boat leaves at 7 a.m. From Koh Yao Yai to Bang Rong Pier, the boat leaves from Chong laad and Khiong Hia Pier at 7 a.m. From Koh Yao Yai to Laem Hin Pier, the boat leaves from Laem Yai Pier at 8 a.m. From Koh Yao Yai to Tien Sin Pier, the boat leaves Loh Jaak Pier at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. From Koh Yao Yai to Rassada Pier, the boat leaves Loh Jaak Pier at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday-Thursday and Saturday, and 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Note Timetable and rates may change. Apart from those that run according to the aforesaid times, boats must be chartered. From Koh Yao Yai to other small islands : Long-tail boat can be chartered From Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi to Chong Laad Pier on Koh Yao Yai, Ther are long-tail boats running all day long. The trip takes 15 minutes and costs 20 baht.