Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
Ko Yao
With mountainous backbones, unspoilt shorelines, a large variety of birdlife and a popu-
lation of friendly Muslim fishermen and their families,
Ko Yao Yai
and
Ko Yao Noi
are laid-
back vantage points for soaking up Ao Phang-Nga's beautiful scenery. The islands are
part of the Ao Phang-Nga National Marine Park but are most easily accessed from
Phuket.
Please remember to respect the beliefs of the local Muslim population and wear mod-
est clothing when away from the beaches.
Sights & Activities
Despite being the relative pipsqueak of the Ko Yao Islands, Ko Yao Noi is the main pop-
ulation centre, with fishing, coconut farming and tourism sustaining its small, year-round
population. Bays on the east coast recede to mud flats at low tides, and don't expect
postcard-perfect white-sand beaches and turquoise lagoons even when the tide is high.
That said,
Hat Pa Sai
and
Hat Paradise
are both gorgeous.
Ko Yao Yai is far less developed than Ko Yao Noi; it offers an even more remote and
wild getaway. It's twice the size of Yao Noi with a fraction of the development, which is
why villagers are still pleasantly surprised to see tourists pedalling their bicycles or buzz-
ing the concrete streets on rented motorbikes. If you explore some of the island's dirt
trails that wind into the hills you may glimpse wild boar, monkeys, flying squirrels or
small barking deer.
Hat Lo Pa Red
and
Hat Tiikut
are two of the island's best beaches - the former lined with
coconut palms, the latter with casuarina trees. But
Hat Chonglard
, best accessed from Th-
wison Beach Resort, trumps them both. The powder-white sand extends into a jutting
palm-shaded peninsula to the north, and it's perfectly oriented to the limestone islands
that layer the eastern horizon.
Ko Bele
, a small island east of the twin Ko Yao islands, features a large tidal lagoon,
three white-sand beaches, and easily accessible caves and coral reefs.
If you enjoy self-propulsion, rent a mountain bike (200B per day from most guest
houses) and explore either island's numerous dirt trails (though bikes are far more readily
available on Ko Yao Noi), or join up with Phuket's
Amazing Bike Tours
(
08 7263 2031;
