Must visit places on a Thailand bareboat Charter: Koh Yao Islands

If you are on a Thailand bareboat charter, then we would certainly recommend a visit to the Koh Yao Islands.

In Phang Nga Bay between the island of Phuket and the Krabi mainland is where the two islands Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are situated. The islands are very quiet so a perfect getaway from the faster pace of Phuket. The islands are being slowly developed, particularly Koh Yao Noi, (also known as Small Long Island) however, it is still a quiet beautiful location to visit. Ko Yao Yai is the bigger of the two islands, but the smaller island of Ko Yao Noi (around 140 square km) is the more developed.

The island of Koh Yao Noi received the World Legacy Award for Destination Stewardship for the eco-friendly homestay programmes that the local residents offer.

What’s there?

Whilst there are no noticeable landmarks on either Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai, the reason they are worth a visit on your Thailand bareboat charter, is for the traditional and peaceful feel to the islands that have not changed in many many years. So enjoy and embrace the laid back and natural feel to these islands.

The islands boast a very diverse and beautiful landscape with the mangrove forests lining the West coast, the beaches are very sandy with superb views across Phang Nga Bay.

What to do on the islands?

There are many activities available to do on the island once you have reached it on your Thailand bareboat charter, these include kayaking, hiking ashore, snorkelling and swimming in the azure clear waters. You can also take in the agricultural demonstrations on offer, such as rubber and fishing, and gain an understanding of the work that the local community do.

If you want to just have a wander around and appreciate the quiet simplicity of these islands, then expect to see buffalo taking mud baths in the rice paddies alongside the quiet roads. Appreciate the local architecture in the simple wooden houses situated along the roads, and wonder at the many rubber plantations on the island.

The island is also home to a yoga retreat and a Muay Thai boxing training camp.

Getting around

There is a road and track that circles the island if you want to do some exploring ashore, it is fairly easy to hire motorbikes for half a day to explore the interior. The beaches are mainly found on the East Coast, but the West coast is worth a look to see the rice fields and mangroves.

Top Tips

The islands are a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle, if you are have been partaking in some of the nightlife on Phuket, and fancy more of a getaway on your Thailand bareboat charter, but be aware that there are no banking facilities available so take plenty of cash with you. There are a few restaurants and a small number of shops to be found near the pier, and this is also where the government buildings and a school, hospital, police station and post office can be found.

There is also another small concentration of amenities on the East coast of the island at the Tha Krao Pier, where the boats from Krabi dock.

Do respect the islanders and their traditional ways, as Yao Noi has a very tight-knit local Muslim community, which is guiding the island along a more low-impact development compared to some of the surrounding islands, so you should remember to dress modestly and only drink alcohol when you are within the restaurants/cafes.

So we certainly would recommend a visit to the Koh Yao islands as part of your Thailand bareboat charter.