After travelling through busier parts of Thailand and enjoying the calm beaches of Khao Lak, we decided to do something a little different and head to a small, quiet island.
From Phuket, we took a boat across to Koh Yao Yai and it turned out to be one of the most peaceful and memorable stops of our entire trip.
We stayed at Yao Yai Beach Resort, and the combination of island life, space, and calm was exactly what we needed.
Why Visit Koh Yao Yai?
Koh Yao Yai sits in Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi, but feels worlds away from both.
Unlike many Thai islands, Koh Yao Yai is:
- quiet and undeveloped
- culturally traditional
- free from party tourism
- focused on fishing villages and local life
- calm, green, and spacious
One of the most unique things about the island is that it is predominantly Muslim, which means:
- alcohol is not widely available
- nightlife is basically non-existent
- the atmosphere is peaceful and family-friendly
If you’re looking for a slow, authentic island experience, this is the kind of place that stays with you.
Getting to Koh Yao Yai
We traveled from Phuket by boat, which was:
- easy to arrange
- scenic
- straightforward even with kids and luggage
The journey itself already feels like you’re leaving busy Thailand behind and entering a quieter, slower world.
Our Stay at Yao Yai Beach Resort
Yao Yai Beach Resort was absolutely stunning and perfectly suited to this kind of destination.
What stood out straight away:
- direct beach access
- spacious, beautifully designed rooms
- calm, relaxed atmosphere
- plenty of space for families to spread out
The rooms were huge, light, and airy, and felt far more like a luxury apartment than a standard hotel room.
After a lot of moving around Thailand, having space and comfort again made a massive difference.
We also loved having a gorgeous beachfront pool so we had the option to swim in the sea or the pool.
Getting Around the Island: Mopeds & Sidecars
One of the best parts of Koh Yao Yai is how easy it is to explore.
You can:
- hire a moped
- or even a moped with a sidecar for families
- and drive around the island at your own pace
The roads are quiet, the distances are short, and the whole experience feels:
- safe
- relaxed
- and genuinely fun
Exploring like this is part of the island experience, not just transport. Whilst driving around we got to meet more locals, see rubber drying at the side of someones house and find other smaller beaches.
What You Do (And Don’t Do) on Koh Yao Yai
This is not an island for:
- nightlife
- shopping
- packed excursion schedules
It is an island for:
- beach time
- swimming
- slow drives
- watching sunsets
- enjoying quiet meals
- switching off
- boat trips and fishing excursions
And honestly? That’s what makes it special. All the time we speak of how lovely it would be to live on this island.
Koh Yao Yai vs Thailand’s Busier Islands
If you’re deciding between somewhere like Koh Samui, Phuket, or Koh Phi Phi and Koh Yao Yai, the difference is huge.
Choose the busy islands if:
- you want nightlife
- tours every day
- lots of restaurants and shopping
- energy and buzz
Choose Koh Yao Yai if:
- you want peace and space
- slow travel
- authentic local life
- family-friendly calm
- beautiful beaches without crowds
For us, Koh Yao Yai was the perfect reset.
How Koh Yao Yai Fit Into Our Thailand Route
We visited Koh Yao Yai after:
- Khao Lak
- Phuket – for a brief stop for Phang Nga Bay
And before heading on to India where we knew it would get busy!
It worked perfectly as:
- a rest stop
- a slow island break
- a contrast to busier destinations
This kind of pacing makes long trips with kids far more enjoyable.
Is Yao Yai Beach Resort Worth It?
Absolutely.
If you want:
- space
- comfort
- beautiful design
- and a calm beachfront location
Yao Yai Beach Resort is a fantastic choice and fits the island’s slow, relaxed vibe perfectly.
You can discover here how you can book it saving up to 70% off via a wholesale travel app: How we travel so often (and YOU can too!)
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