|
Secret islands and snorkelling lagoonsRoute: Phuket/Krabi - Ko Yao YaiOur Ko Yao Yai Thailand tour will give you paradise in a nutshell. Of all of the islands in Thailand, Ko Yao Yai is one of the least developed - a perfect spot for travellers seeking a desert island experience. Ko Yao Yai lies in an inland sea south of Thailand, surrounded by uninhabited rocky islands that thrust up from the water. These islands have many secluded coves and tiny, hidden bays. Ko Yao Yai itself has a few residents, but hardly any tourists at all. You will spend two nights on Ko Yao Yai island, staying in a beach bungalow on a white powdery palm-lined beach set against a backdrop of dense jungle. The day after you arrive, you'll take a daytrip to hidden lagoons, abandoned beaches and superb snorkelling spots. Afterwards, you can enjoy the incredible sunset from the comfort of a hammock on the beach. |
| Duration |
3 days / 2 nights Daily from Phuket or Krabi (closed in September and October) |
Accommodation |
Two nights in a bungalow with shower, toilet and air conditioning. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Price |
£198 per person - based on 2 people sharing. Please enquire about the price for staying here longer! |
Includes |
Hotel pick up in Krabi or Phuket and transfer to pier. |
|
Transport |
Transfer by ferry to Ko Yao Yai Thailand, transfer on the island and transfer from the pier on the mainland |
Excludes |
Return ferry to Ko Yao Yai Thailand (approx £2 each way) Other meals, drinks, excursions and entrance fees |
Day 1: Arrival on Ko Yao Yai IslandToday, you will be collected in Phuket or Krabi and taken to the pier for the ferry crossing to Ko Yao Yai Island. You'll pay less than £1 for the ferry crossing, handing the fare directly to the boatman. An hour and a half later, you will arrive at Ko Yao Yai - an idyllic island standing in Pha Nga Bay. On the way, you'll pass the sheer limestone rockfaces for which the bay is famous, and watch seabirds soar in the cloudless sky.You’ll be met at the pier on Ko Yao Yai Island by your friendly hosts. From here, it's only a 30min drive to the beach where you'll spend the next two nights. The bungalows are made of palm wood, and equipped with fans, air conditioning, toilets and showers. There's no warm water here, unlike more developed islands in Thailand but high temperatures make it totally unnecessary and you're unlikely to notice its absence. There are also no shops and no restaurants - you really are marooned on a desert island. Take enough cash and a credit card with you, as there are no ATMs here. You'll eat in the open-air restaurant, and there's bound to be fresh fish on the menu. The welcoming owner usually stops by for a chat and a drink or two with the guests. |
|
|
You are free to enjoy the tranquility of the island for the rest of the day. During your stay on Ko Yao Yai Thailand, you can hire some snorkelling gear or book a massage. You can also hire mopeds and Jeeps to explore the island- just ask at reception. Ko Yao Yai is quite large, and you'll drive through cashew orchards, rubber trees, and paddy fields. The majority of the locals are Muslim, so please dress modestly if you are leaving the beach (your shoulders and knees need to be covered). The sunset views from the beach by your hotel are indescribably beautiful. Grab a cocktail and stretch out in a hammock to watch the sun sink into the ocean. |
Day 2: Ko Yao Yai - Longtail Boat TourToday is a great day with some great Thailand snorkeling on the menu. You can eat breakfast to the sound of waves gently lapping the shore. Around 9.00am, you'll set off in a longtail boat for Ko Hong, an island with two white beaches and a beautiful lagoon. The lagoon is a lake formed by the collapse of a huge cave in the middle of the island (Ko Hong means 'room island'). It is surrounded by sheer limestone walls dotted with caves, and inhabited by creatures like bats and swallows. If you like, take a dip into the deep turquoise water.In the afternoon, you'll visit another beach where the water is unbelievably clear. You can snorkel amongst the coral, and shoals of rainbow-bright fish. You'll get back to your Thailand island base at around 3pm, giving you a few hours to soak up the sun before it begins to set. |
|
|
Day 3: End of Ko Yao Yai tour - DepartureToday it's time to leave Ko Yao Yai Island, and the exact time of your departure will depend on whether you're travelling to Krabi or Phuket.If you're heading for Krabi you'll have an early 6am start, and set off to the pier to take the local boat. It leaves at around 7:30am. You'll pay your own fare for the ferry trip (less than £1). The early morning trip across the misty bay is unforgettable. You'll be met at the pier when you arrive and transferred either to your hotel in Phuket, the pier for the bay of Railay beach, or Krabi airport (extra cost). If you're heading for Phuket you'll leave the resort around 14:30 to catch the boat around 15:00. You'll be met at the pier and transferred to your hotel, or for a little extra cost taken to Phuket airport. |
|
If you wish to see more of the beautiful islands in Thailand then you can be dropped off in Krabi for Trang and our Beach huts in Thailand stay on Robinson Crusoe island. Those travelling north can go overland by bus from Krabi to Surat Thani to begin our Thailand adventure at Khao Sok National Park, or island hop onto our Ko Samui trip. |
|
Islands in Thailand - Accommodation (click to enlarge)
 |
 |
 |
