Koh Yao

Ko Yao Noi
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.

Getting there and away
Boat
Getting to Ko Yao NoiBoats depart Phuket (two piers), Krabi (Tha Len) and Phang Nga for Ko Yao Noi at the following times:.Phuket (Bang Rong Pier): 09:30; 11:00; 12:30; 14:30; 16:00 and 17:00Phuket (Rastdad Pier): 10:30 and 14:00Krabi (Tha Len): 11:00 and 13:00Phang Nga: 07:00Leaving Ko Yao NoiBoats depart Ko Yao Noi for Phuket (two piers), Krabi (Tha Len) and Phang Nga at the following times:Phuket (Bang Rong Pier): 07:30; 10:00; 13:30 and 15:00Phuket (Ratsada Pier): 08:05 and 15.05Krabi (Tha Len): 07:30Phang Nga: 07:30All trips cost 100B per person, 120B to transport a motorcycle, one-way. Pay on the boat.Regular long-tails ply between Chonglad Pier on Ko Yao Yai and Manok Pier on Ko Yao Noi during daylight hours -- 20B per person, 30B extra to bring a motorcycle, takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Ko Yao Yai
Ko Yao simply means 'Long Island,' which is kind of funny if you're familiar with the one in New York. Ko Yao Yai is 'Big Long Island' and it is indeed big and long.As with Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao Yai 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. As with Ko Yao Noi, accommodation is not in walking distance from the pier and local transport options are limited, so be sure to call ahead for pick up. Also, you can bring a motorbike over with you on the boat -- not a bad idea -- it's a really, really big island. They aren't particular about naming roads or putting up road signs here, but there is only one main road, running north-south up and down the length of the island. There aren't any readily available maps of the island, but they have a hand-drawn map at Tabaek Viewpoint Bungalows that they might give you a copy of if you ask nicely. There's always the Travelfish map if you really end up in dire straits!
OrientationThere's a hospital on the main road, just south of where you turn off for Yao Yai Island Resort, which is not far from the police station. There's another hospital near the Chonglad pier where you get off the boat. The number for the police station is (076) 597 123, but there's reportedly no crime on the island, so probably won't need it.

Getting there and away
Boat
Getting to Ko Yao YaiBoats depart Phuket (two piers), Krabi (Tha Len) and Phang Nga for Ko Yao Yai (via Ko Yao Noi) at the following times:.Phuket (Bang Rong Pier): 09:30; 11:00; 12:30; 14:30; 16:00 and 17:00Phuket (Rastdad Pier): 10:30 and 14:00Krabi (Tha Len): 11:00 and 13:00Phang Nga: 07:00Leaving Ko Yao YaiBoats depart Ko Yao Yai (via Ko Yao Noi) for Phuket (two piers), Krabi (Tha Len) and Phang Nga at the following times:Phuket (Bang Rong Pier): 07:30; 10:00; 13:30 and 15:00Phuket (Ratsada Pier): 08:05 and 15.05Krabi (Tha Len): 07:30Phang Nga: 07:30Leaving Ko Yao YaiBoats depart Ko Yao Yai direct to Phuket's Ratsada pier at the following times:Phuket (Ratsada Pier): 08:00 and 15.00All trips cost 100B per person, 120B to transport a motorcycle, one-way. Pay on the boat.Regular long-tails ply between Chonglad Pier on Ko Yao Yai and Manok Pier on Ko Yao Noi during daylight hours -- 20B per person, 30B extra to bring a motorcycle, takes 10 to 15 minutes.