Koh Yao District consists of a group of islands
with beautiful beaches in Phang-nga Bay. there are all together
44 islands. The two most important islands are;
- Yao Yai Island: This is the biggest island
in Koh Yao District. There are many beaches on the island, such
as Tikud Bay, Klong Sorn Bay, Sai Bay, Lo Pa Raed Beach, and Laem
Nok-ok. Lo Pier is an important pier on Yao Yai Island. The water
at the pier is sparkling clear with school of fish swimming around.
Visitors can also see how the local villagers make dried anchovies,
a famous product of the island. On Yao Yai are inexpensive bungalows
for rent along with home-stay (tel. 0-1270 -2533) programs with
local villagers in order to learn their lifestyle. Visitors can
also rent a long-tail boat to go snorkeling at Khai Nok and Khai
Nai islands.
-Yao
Noi Island: Koh Yao District administrative office is
located on this island. There are many beautiful beaches, such
as Pa Sai Beach and Tha Khao Beach. There are resorts, inexpensive
bungalows, or home-stay programs available on the island. Visitors
can also rent a boat from Yao Noi to "Pa Koh", numerous
small islands nearby, such as Lao Ka Lao Island, Lao La Ding Island,
etc., or to Hong Island in Krabi. For more information, Please
contact Koh Yao Noi Ecotourism Club tel. 0-7659-7428,0-7659-7244.
Apart from the beautiful nature on Yao Yai and Yao Noi islands,
visitors can find handicraft made by the local housewives such
as fish-scale flowers, flowers made from leaves of Para rubber
trees, dried anchovies, shrimp paste, etc.
Travelling to Yao Islands
From Phuket
:
-Bang
Rong Pier in Tambon Pha Khlok, Thalang District
-To Manoh Pier on Yao Noi Island. The trip takes I hour and costs
50 baht, leaving Bang Rong Pier between 10:00-12.00 hrs.
-To Chong laad and Khlong Hia Piers on Yao Yai
Island. The trip takes I hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Bang
Rong Pier at 12.30 hr.
-La em Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Kaew, Muang District
-To Laem Yai Pier on Yao Yai Island. The trip takes I hour 20
minutes and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Hin Pier at 2 p.m.
-Thien Sin Pier on the way to Koh Sirey in
Phuket
Town
-To Lo Pier on Yao Yai Island. The trip takes an hour and costs
50 baht, leaving Thien Sin Pier at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
-Rassada Port in Tambon Rassada, Phuket
Town
-To Lo Pier on Yao Yai Island. The trip takes an hour and costs
50 baht. On Sunday-Thursday the boat leaves Rassada Port at 2
p.m. On Saturday the boat leaves at 6 a.m.
From Phang-nga
-Customs Pier in Tambon Koh Panyee
-To Sukkhaphiban Pier on
Yao Noi Island. The trip takes I 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
- To Baan Tha Khao Pier on Yao Noi Island. The trip takes I hour
and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Sak Pier at noon.
- To Chong Laad Pier on Yao Yai Island. The trip takes I hour
and cost 50 baht, leaving at noon.
Coming Back from Yao Islands
-From Yao Noi Island to Bang Rong Pier, Phuket
:
The boat leaves Manoh and Sukkhaphiban piers at 7 and
7.30 a.m. There are 3-4 trips a day.
-From Yao Noi Island to Thalane Pier, Krabi
: The boat leaves Tha Khao pier at 7.30 a.m.
-From Yao Noi Island to Customs Pier, Phang-nga
: The boat leaves at 7 a.m.
-From Yao Yai Island to Bang Rong Pier: The boat
leaves from Chong laad and Khlong Hia piers at 7 a.m.
-From Yao Yai Island to Laem Hin Pier: The boat
leaves from Laem Yai Pier at 8 a.m.
-From Yao Yai Island to Thien Sin Pier: The boat
leaves Lo J ak Pier at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
-From Yao Yai Island to Rassada Port: The boat
leaves Lo Jaak Pier at 8:30 a.m. on SundayThursday and Saturday
and 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
*Note: -Timetables and rates
may change.
-Apart from those that run according to the aforesaid times, boats
must be chartered.
-From Yao Yai Island to other small islands:
Long-tail boats can be chartered.
-From Manoh Pier on Yao Noi Island to Chong Laad Pier
on Yao Yai Island: There are long-tail boats running
all day long. The trip takes 15 minutes.
Khai Nok Island: This island is well know for
its rocks, beaches and clear water. Visitors snorkel and see beautiful
coral and fish. Dolphins can also be spotted here. There is a
restaurant on the island
Khai nai Island: This is a small island with
beautiful sandy beaches, coral and fish.
Travelling to these 2 islands, visitors can buy tours from a tour
agency or charter a boat at Koh Sirey Pier, Laem Hin Pier, or
Chalong Bay. Another choice is to charter boat from Yao yai Island.
