At a Glance
- Location: Phang Nga Bay, Thailand – between Phuket and Krabi
- Best time to visit: November to April – dry season, calm Andaman Sea
- How long to stay: 4-7 days – the island rewards slower exploration
- Best for: Families who want genuine island quiet, stunning scenery and adventure
- Budget (family of 4): 6,000THB/day (USD$180/day)
- Getting there: 35-minute speedboat from Nopparat Thara Pier, Krabi – see our full getting here guide
- Getting around: Scooters are the main option. No hire cars. Sidecars available but approach with extreme caution
- Best area to stay: East Coast has best beaches – Pa Sai beach and north are best
- Family friendly rating: 7/10 – stunning scenery, mainly beach activities, brilliant day trips, but getting around requires planning
After Koh Lanta, which was beautiful but busier than we’d hoped, we were chasing something different. Quieter. More remote. The kind of Thailand that travel writers keep promising exists but that increasingly requires effort to find.
Koh Yao Noi delivered. Mostly.
A small island sitting in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, ringed by some of the most spectacular scenery in Southeast Asia – towering limestone karsts rising from turquoise water in every direction, like being dropped inside the movie Avatar – Koh Yao Noi is the kind of place that makes you feel you’ve found the Thailand you were looking for.
Just be careful if you hire a sidecar.
This is our honest guide to Koh Yao Noi with kids – the Avatar views, the hidden lagoon at Hong Island, and the sidecar that nearly killed us all on a hill.
In This Article:
- What is Koh Yao Noi like for families?
- When to visit Koh Yao Noi with kids
- Getting to Koh Yao Noi
- Getting around Koh Yao Noi — including the sidecar of doom
- Where to stay in Koh Yao Noi
- Where to eat in Koh Yao Noi
- Things to do in Koh Yao Noi with kids
- Hong Island – the highlight of our trip
- Beaches on Koh Yao Noi
- Costs and budget
- Is Koh Yao Noi worth it for families?
- Frequently asked questions
What is Koh Yao Noi Like for Families?
Koh Yao Noi is a small island of around 4,000 people sitting in the middle of Phang Nga Bay – the stretch of water between Phuket and Krabi that is famous worldwide for its dramatic karst scenery. The island itself is quiet, green, and largely undeveloped by Thai tourist island standards. No full moon parties. No strip of bars. No Starbucks.
What you get instead is the real Thailand – rubber plantations, rice fields, fishing boats, and a predominantly Muslim community going about their lives with polite indifference to the tourist trade. The pace is slow, the roads are quiet, and the views are extraordinary in every direction.
For families it offers something genuinely different to the more developed Thai islands. The beaches are beautiful, the day trips to surrounding islands are exceptional, and the scenery alone is worth the journey. The only downside is that life is limited to beaches and not many other activities on offer. Getting around as a family requires more thought than on islands with proper roads and hire cars but with some planning, it’s manageable.
Our honest take: Our time on Koh Yao Noi was slightly complicated by the transport situation but the island itself was exactly what we’d been looking for after months of more touristy destinations. The views were breathtaking, and the Hong Island trip was one of the best days of our entire two and half months in Thailand.
When to Visit Koh Yao Noi with Kids
Dry Season (November to April) – Best
The Andaman Sea is calm and clear from November to April which is ideal for the boat trips and snorkelling that make Koh Yao Noi special. We visited in January and the weather was perfect. December to February is the sweet spot.
Wet Season (May to October) – Avoid
The southwest monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas to the Andaman coast from May onwards. Boat trips to the surrounding islands may be cancelled, and the island’s already limited tourist infrastructure scales back further. Not recommended for families.
Getting to Koh Yao Noi
We came from Koh Lanta via Krabi, returning the hire car to Krabi, taking a taxi to the pier, and boarding a thirty-minute speedboat to the island. Three different modes of transport to cover a relatively short distance. You can go direct from Koh Lanta but taking a car (which we had on Koh Lanta) to Koh Yao Noi was more challenging due to the cost of the ferry (only from Krabi anyway) so we ditched the car in Krabi.
By Speedboat from Krabi – Our Route
The main ferry to Koh Yao Noi leaves from Nopparat Thara Pier near Ao Nang in Krabi – a 35-minute speedboat crossing with Bundhaya Speedboat. We booked through Bookaway and found it straightforward. The boat stops at Koh Yao Noi before continuing to Koh Yao Yai, so make sure you get off at the right stop.
We have a full guide to this crossing, including what to expect, what it costs, and the story of being dropped at the wrong accommodation on arrival.
Read our full guide: How to Get to Koh Yao Noi from Krabi – click here.
Book your ferry to Koh Yao Noi from Krabi here.
By Boat from Phuket
Ferries also run from Bang Rong Pier on Phuket’s north coast – a slightly shorter crossing of around 30 minutes. A good option if you’re coming from Phuket rather than Krabi.
Book your ferry from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi here.
Getting Around Koh Yao Noi with Kids
This is the section that requires the most thought and where our trip went most memorably wrong.
Unlike Koh Lanta where we had a hire car, Koh Yao Noi has no car hire. Your options are scooter, sidecar, bicycle, or the infrequent local songthaew. For a family of four this means either two scooters, or the sidecar.
The Sidecar of Doom
I thought the sidecar would be fun. Given my experience on motorbikes, I told myself, how hard could it be?
When the rental lady arrived with it, I was surprised to see that it looked like a piece of Lego on wheels. I’ve built things with the kids from toilet rolls and sticky tape that appeared more structurally sound.
At her request I took it for a test ride, expecting to be back within two minutes. Ten minutes later I was still going, completely unable to find a way to turn around. This thing had a mind of its own. If a vehicle could be blind drunk, this was it – like it was recovering from a night out at a Koh Phangan full moon party.
The steering fought me constantly. Turning required strength and commitment entirely disproportionate to the vehicle’s size. My heart was pounding as giggling locals watched the incompetent foreigner attempt to master seventeen horsepower of wobbling chaos.
After watching six YouTube videos on ‘how to ride a sidecar’ and two more extended test runs, I eventually felt confident enough to take the family out. We set a firm speed limit of 20kph. In a straight line it was genuinely fun, despite the sweat pouring from my brow as my triceps fought to keep us pointing in the right direction.
Then we came to a steep hill.
The further up we got, the louder the horrific engine noise, the more the thing wanted to career left, and the more it required every ounce of strength I had to stay on the road. ‘Dad, you’re getting too close to the grass’ were the last words I recall before my muscles gave out entirely.
We stopped halfway up the hill at a dangerous angle, the front parked on the grass, the rear sticking out into the road at a deeply concerning angle. The front wheel began to tip upward under the family’s weight on the sidecar.
‘Everybody out!’ I yelled. The kids jumped as the thing started sliding sideways down the hill, cutting my calf in the process. I stood there in the road, bleeding, having just deployed the family on a Thai hillside, wondering how this had become my afternoon.
We somehow got it back under control. Then we found another hill. Same result.
We returned the sidecar and got a scooter instead. The next morning my elbow joints were so stiff I couldn’t straighten my arms – walking around Koh Yao Noi doing an unintentional impression of a robot for the rest of the day.
Getting around without a car – our practical advice:
- Scooter is the most practical option for families – recommended if you have some experience. We saw some very dodgy riders plodding around, although the quietness of the roads, reduces the risk.
- Shuttle runs are necessary on a scooter with multiple kids as Police do checks and “4-up” is not allowed, although “3-up” seems to be accepted. So you need to factor in the extra time of the shuttle runs and it does limit your reach
- Sidecar: genuinely fun in a straight line, genuinely terrifying on hills. Avoid hills. Although we did see other families happily riding sidecars so maybe it was either 1) just me, 2) a real dodgy side car
- Songthaews (local shared taxis) exist but are infrequent and cost a lot more so don’t rely on them all the time
- For beach and pier trips, many guesthouses can arrange basic transport
Where to Stay in Koh Yao Noi with Kids
Accommodation on Koh Yao Noi is more limited than on the larger Thai islands – a mix of small guesthouses, bungalow resorts and a handful of higher-end properties. Most are spread along the east coast which has the best beaches and views.
We stayed at a lovely place called Baan Ja Da. It was a wooden stilted 2-bedroom spacious villa with a huge front and back deck – perfect for just chilling out. The kitchen was one of the best equipped kitchens on our trip and with 2 bathrooms, we had amble space for the four of us. Location wasn’t great without a transport. Beaches were not walkable, but there were a few shops, cafes and bars that were walkable (15 minute walk to the famous sunset bar).
A Word About Arrival
When we arrived at the ferry pier, local songthaew drivers met the boat and offered to take us to our accommodation. We told our driver where we were staying. He nodded with great confidence and delivered us to a completely different guesthouse with a similar name on the other side of the island.
We didn’t realise until we’d unloaded the bags and stood in an unfamiliar reception wondering why nothing matched the photos. By which point our driver had left. They did come back and sort us out but with tired kids, it wasn’t ideal. Songthaew was 100THB per person which is quite steep but there is no other choice.
Show the driver the exact name and address of your accommodation on your phone. Have the guesthouse’s phone number saved and available offline. If there is any doubt, call them and let them speak to the driver directly.
What to Look For
- Somewhere with air conditioning – essential
- Sea views if budget allows: the Phang Nga Bay views from the east coast are extraordinary
- Proximity to food options if you don’t have any transport – essential
- If you’re after beaches, then being walkable to a beach is best – east coast is the best option
We stayed at Baan Ja Da – book here.
For other accommodation, book here.
Where to Eat in Koh Yao Noi with Kids
Koh Yao Noi has a food scene built around fresh seafood, rice dishes and noodles rather than the tourist-oriented menus of larger Thai islands. This is, on balance, a good thing – the food is genuine, fresh and cheap. You can get Western Food but at a premium. We paid 1000THB for 4 pizzas compared to an average meal for four of 450-500THB for local food. This is still approx. double the price of the mainland / what we paid in Hua Hin.
The best place we ate was Koh Yao Bistro B. Chef Aon, just a 5-minute walk from our accommodation. 450THB all in for noodle and rice dishes.
There are plenty of food options in Pa Sai Beach but we found them a little hit and miss.
If you can get Ban Manoh, the main (sleepy) town, you will find a 7-Eleven where you can stock on snacks, self-catering items (we self-catered for breakfast), plus there’s several cafes and restaurants to eat.
Things to Do in Koh Yao Noi with Kids
1. Hong Island – One of the Highlights of Our Entire Trip in Thailand
If you do one thing from Koh Yao Noi, do this.
Hong Island is often called ‘the new Beach’ – a reference to Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film. Unlike Maya Bay, which was loved almost to death by overtourism before being temporarily closed, Hong Island hasn’t reached that tipping point yet. It’s busy but hasn’t imploded.
We hired a private traditional Thai longtail boat for a half-day trip out into the Andaman Sea. As the sea breeze blew through our hair, the sun shone, and our noses filled with the engine smell of the rickety boat, we finally reached one of those travel ‘moments’ that etch in the memory forever. And the kids loved it.
Hong Island is built around a natural hidden turquoise lagoon – enclosed on all sides by towering limestone cliffs, with a white powdered beach curving around the bay that sits completely secret from the sea outside. You enter through a narrow gap in the karsts and suddenly there it is: a perfect hidden world.
I took a steep hike up to the lookout – calf-burning and worth every step – for views of the islands dotting the sea as far as I could see, and the stunning beauty of the lagoon far below. It was almost too perfect. Like sitting inside a photoshopped image. The hike is steep and most boat trips are time-limited so if you have young kids, take this into account as you will not save much time for the actual beach.
The kids snorkelled and saw tropical fish in the clear water. They were considerably more enthusiastic about the fish than the ‘dad, they’re boring’ karsts. We’ll take the win.
Practical tips for Hong Island:
- Book a private longtail boat rather than joining a group tour – worth the slightly higher cost for flexibility
- Go early if you can – the lagoon gets busier through the day but the captain usually decides due to currents/tides
- Snorkelling gear is provided but bring your own if prefer
- Take water and snacks – limited facilities on the island and boat (our boat provided some fruit and plenty if water). Hong Island has some food but limited and pricey.
- Allow a full half-day minimum. Our kids were exhausted by the end so a full day probably would’ve been too much and half a day was enough.
Book your Hong Island tour here.
2. The Avatar Views - Phang Nga Bay Scenery – riding around
You don’t need to go anywhere specific to experience the defining feature of Koh Yao Noi – the scenery is everywhere you look. The karst limestone islands that surround the bay rise majestically from the water in every direction, like we were inside a scene from the movie Avatar (although they’re not floating in the sky, they look majestic floating on the ocean).
Simply sitting on the beach at sunset or riding along the east coast on the scooter with the bay on your right, is one of the most visually spectacular things we experienced in the whole of Thailand. The kids found it less impressive than the fish at Hong Island.
3. The Beaches
Koh Yao Noi’s beaches are beautiful – not as long and wide as some of Thailand’s more famous stretches but quieter and with extraordinary views. The east coast has the best beaches for swimming and the most spectacular views across the bay towards the karsts.
Pa Sai Beach was our closest and probably the busiest. By busy, we mean, just a few other people. Beautiful waters and plenty of places to eat nearby.
Six Sense Beach – further north on the east coast and a little harder to find, down a dirt track, this place is a little off the beaten path but was our favourite and simply stunning. We got there early and had it to ourselves until lunchtime. The water is stunning and the views uncredible. No facilities around.
4. Simply Doing Nothing
This deserves its own section because Koh Yao Noi is one of the few places left in Thailand where doing nothing is still genuinely possible. No beach hawkers every five minutes. No jet ski touts. No full moon party leaflet distributors. Just the sound of the sea, the view of the karsts, and the considerable pleasure of being somewhere that hasn’t been optimised for tourism.
After months of more touristy destinations, we found this unexpectedly restorative.
Our accommodation at Baan Ja Da were perfect for this. The back balcony became a shaded, cool, chill-out area to totally get some quality down time.
Costs and Budget for Koh Yao Noi with Kids
| Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (2 bed villa) | 2,600 THB / USD$80 per night |
| Meal for family of 4 | 400-500 THB / USD$12-15 |
| Sidecar hire | 650 THB / USD$19 per day |
| Scooter hire | 300 THB / USD$9 per day |
| Hong Island trip (family of 4) | 2,800 THB / USD$85 |
| Overall daily budget (family of 4) | 6,000 THB / USD$180 per day |
Is Koh Yao Noi Worth It for Families?
Yes – without question one of the best stops of our entire Thailand leg.
It requires more effort than the bigger, more developed islands – getting there and getting around demands thought and some physical courage (see: sidecars), and the limited accommodation and food options mean it suits families who are happy to be flexible and self-sufficient.
But the reward is a Thailand that most visitors never find. The Hong Island trip was one of the best days of our entire year of travel. The scenery was unlike anything we’d seen. And arriving somewhere quiet, genuine and unhurried after months of more touristy Thailand felt like exactly what we needed.
Kid’s activities are limited to beach activities. Don’t expect water parks, mini golf, bowling here. That may be a challenge for some.
Go. Just hire a scooter or a sidecar (with caution) and explore and enjoy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Koh Yao Noi good for families with young children?
A: Yes – with some planning. The beaches are beautiful, the day trips are exceptional, and the island is genuinely quiet and safe. The main challenge is getting around without a hire car – plan your transport carefully, stick to scooters or sidecars (with caution). Just be prepared that activities are limited to beach life, not much more.
Q: When is the best time to visit Koh Yao Noi with kids?
A: November to April – dry season on the Andaman coast. The sea is calm, the boat trips to Hong Island and surrounding islands run reliably, and the beaches are at their best. December to February is the peak and the most reliably good weather.
Q: How do you get to Koh Yao Noi?
Q: How do you get around Koh Yao Noi?
A: Scooter is the main option – there are no hire cars on the island. Sidecars are also available and are genuinely fun on flat roads but require significant skill and upper body strength on hills. Bicycles work for the flatter coastal roads. Local songthaews exist but are infrequent and expensive.
Q: What is there to do on Koh Yao Noi with kids?
A: The highlight is the day trip to Hong Island – a hidden turquoise lagoon surrounded by limestone karsts that is genuinely one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. Kayaking in the mangroves, beach time, snorkelling and cycling are the other main activities. The scenery itself – the Avatar-like views across Phang Nga Bay is reason enough to visit. But be prepared, activities are limited to beach style activities.
Q: Is Koh Yao Noi expensive?
A: Koh Yao Noi is affordable by Thai island standards, roughly comparable to Koh Lanta. This means paying more than the mainland, EG: food was approx. double what we paid in Hua Hin, but still cheap comparing to western prices. Accommodation options are more limited so book in advance in peak season. At approx. USD$80/night, we found a great place at Baan Ja Da, but this again was much more than what we paid on the mainland. The main expense is the boat trip to Hong Island which is worth every baht.
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