Koh Yao Yai is far quieter than Phuket – and that is exactly what makes the island so special. Instead of crowded beach clubs and busy tourist hotspots, you will find long, often nearly empty beaches, laid-back beach bars, and a more authentic island feel. In this guide, I’ll show you the best beaches on Koh Yao Yai – including personal impressions, honest recommendations, and tips on which beaches are truly worth visiting.

The Best Beaches on Koh Yao Yai at a Glance

Koh Yao Yai is not packed with famous postcard beaches – and that is part of its charm. Many of the island’s beaches feel more natural, quieter, and far less developed than those on Phuket. Some are perfect for a full beach day, while others are better suited for a short stop or a snorkeling break. These are the five beaches we loved most on Koh Yao Yai:

1. Loh Pared Beach

• What makes it special: Long, peaceful stretches of sand, turquoise water, and a shallow entry into the sea
• Best for: A relaxing beach day, quiet walks, and anyone looking for beautiful water

Loh Pared Beach is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Yao Yai. It is long and spacious, combining quiet, almost empty sections with a few small restaurants and cafés – without ever feeling crowded or overdeveloped.

What stands out most here is the turquoise water, which feels more vibrant than at many other beaches on the island. The view across to Phuket also adds to the scenery and gives the beach a particularly beautiful backdrop. The left side of the bay is especially peaceful, with plenty of shade and long natural stretches of sand. Thanks to the shallow water and easy access by scooter, Loh Pared Beach is ideal for a full, relaxed beach day.

2. Laem Haad Beach

• What makes it special: A stunning sandbank at low tide, shallow water, and a peaceful atmosphere
• Best for: Unique photo spots, walking through shallow water, and a relaxed half-day beach trip

Laem Haad Beach is one of the most beautiful highlights on Koh Yao Yai and becomes especially magical at low tide. That is when you can walk along the long sandbank, with shallow water gently washing in on both sides – a truly special experience that makes this beach stand out.

Even beyond the sandbank, Laem Haad Beach is a lovely place to spend a few peaceful hours by the sea. There is enough shade, and the whole setting feels calm and unhurried. In my opinion, the water is not quite as intensely turquoise as at Loh Pared Beach, but Laem Haad Beach is still definitely one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

3. Ao Muong Beach

• What makes it special: A snorkeling spot with coral close to shore, a quiet setting, and an interesting underwater world
• Best for: Snorkeling, natural beaches, and anyone wanting to explore more than just the shoreline

Ao Muong Beach is one of the most exciting beaches on Koh Yao Yai if you want to do more than just swim. There are plenty of corals close to the shore, which means you can discover quite a bit straight from the beach. With a bit of luck, you may even spot moray eels – making this beach a real highlight for snorkeling enthusiasts.

On land, Ao Muong Beach also feels peaceful and natural. At low tide, however, it becomes much rockier, so water shoes are highly recommended. It may not be the best choice for a classic swim-and-sunbathe beach day, especially since the final part of the road is sandy and a little trickier to access. But for snorkeling and a quiet natural beach, Ao Muong Beach is absolutely worth it.

4. Son Bay Beach

• What makes it special: A wide beach popular with locals, lots of shade, and an authentic atmosphere
• Best for: Peaceful hours by the sea, laid-back beach breaks, and a more local beach experience

Son Bay Beach is especially popular with locals, which gives it an easygoing and authentic feel. The beach is wide, offers plenty of space, and has enough shade to comfortably spend a few relaxed hours here.

What I liked a little less was the seabed, which can feel somewhat muddy and silty in places. As a result, swimming here is not quite as pleasant as at some of the other beaches on Koh Yao Yai. Even so, Son Bay Beach has its own charm and is a lovely place to discover if you are looking for a more remote and local beach.

5. Ao Sai Beach

• What makes it special: A small, quiet beach with very few visitors and a wonderfully natural atmosphere
• Best for: Anyone who prefers beaches that feel untouched, peaceful, and non-touristy

Ao Sai Beach is one of the quieter beaches on Koh Yao Yai – and that is exactly why many people will love it. It is small, relaxed, and much less visited than other beaches on the island. If you are looking for a calm place with very little infrastructure, this is a great choice.

At low tide, however, Ao Sai Beach becomes quite rocky, and the water here is not as turquoise as at the island’s most beautiful stretches of coast. There are also slightly stronger waves, as the offshore land formations are farther away. I would not choose Ao Sai Beach for a full classic beach day, but as a peaceful, natural stop, it is definitely worth visiting.

Beach Map for Koh Yao Yai – All Beaches at a Glance

To make planning your route around Koh Yao Yai easier, I marked all the beaches from this guide in a Google My Map. That way, you can see at a glance where the island’s best beaches are located and which ones combine well in one day.

This is especially useful on Koh Yao Yai, as the beaches are quite different from one another and depending on your plans, some are better for a quick stop, a full beach day, or snorkeling.

Beach Tips for Koh Yao Yai

To make your beach day on Koh Yao Yai as relaxing and memorable as possible, it helps to plan a few practical things in advance:

• Water shoes: Especially at beaches with rocks, coral, or a stony seabed – such as Ao Muong Beach – water shoes are very useful.
• Snorkeling gear: If you want to snorkel straight from the beach, bringing your own mask and snorkel is a great idea. Ao Muong Beach in particular has plenty to explore underwater.
• Check the tides: The water level on Koh Yao Yai changes significantly with the tides. At low tide, some beaches look wider, rockier, or the sea retreats far out. Laem Haad Beach is especially interesting then, as you can walk along the sandbank. (You can find the current tide times for Koh Yao Yai here.)
• Beach towel or light blanket: Many beach sections offer natural shade under trees and palm trees – perfect for a relaxed break. Just make sure not to sit directly under coconut palms, as coconuts can fall.

Not every beach on Koh Yao Yai has plenty of cafés, sunbeds, or other infrastructure. That is why it is useful to bring a few essentials yourself – such as water shoes, a light beach blanket, or a waterproof pouch for your phone and camera. You can find my personal beach day essentials for relaxed beach days while traveling here.

Our conclusion: My personal favorite is Loh Pared Beach, because it simply offers the full package – turquoise water, plenty of space, beautiful stretches of sand, and a peaceful atmosphere. Laem Haad Beach, on the other hand, is the standout spot for unique photo opportunities and its impressive sandbank at low tide. If you love long sandy beaches and relaxed beach days without much hustle and bustle, you will absolutely love Koh Yao Yai.

Which beach is at the top of your list?
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