The coast of Koh Yao Yai is lined with idyllic beaches. Whilst you may be a little hard-pressed to find kilometers-long stretches of sand, as in Phuket, the smaller beaches here are more secluded and tranquil.
These tranquil beaches offer the perfect opportunity for topping up the tan, but if you’re planning on hitting the ocean for a swim, you may need to schedule your beach time to coincide with high tide, depending on which beach you choose.
LAEM HAAD
If you are looking for a picture-perfect beach with swaying palm trees, head to Laem Haad, meaning “cape beach” in Thai. This idyllic beach at the end of a headland is arguably Koh Yao Yai’s most beautiful beach.
LOH JARK BEACH
Loh Jark Beach is another favorite on Koh Yao Yai. If you are craving some powdery-soft white sand, like all those idyllic images of Thailand that are everywhere, this is the beach for you.
LOH PARED BEACH
To the north of Loh Jark, you’ll find Loh Pared Beach, near the Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa.
If you are looking to spoil yourself, this is an excellent resort, conveniently located on this stunning west-facing beach.
Loh Pared is an excellent swimming beach, and at low tide, the water is not as shallow as on some of the other beaches. It’s the most popular beach on the island.
AO MUONG CHAN BEACH
A short way to the south of Loh Jark is Ao Muong Chan Beach. If you want to enjoy this beach, you will need to stay at GLOW Elixir Resort, as it is a private beach for the guests of this fine resort.
The resort cleans the beach on a regular basis, and it’s a great spot for a sunset cocktail away from the madding crowds.
SON BAY BEACH
Son Bay Beach is perfect for those looking for a quiet little bay to enjoy the sun. This bay is a twenty-minute scooter ride to the north of Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa. It’s very peaceful here, and there’s a great restaurant for a spot of authentic Thai lunch—Sea Breeze Restaurant.
If you’re not too keen on spicy Thai food, just remember to ask the wait staff to prepare your food ‘mai pet’, which means ‘not spicy.’