Ko Yao Yai

Ko Yao Yai lies roughly 50 kilometres from Phuket and offers a more secluded and less-developed experience than its northern neighbour Ko Yao Noi, with fewer tourist facilities and a stronger sense of rural life. The island's population is predominantly Muslim and engages in fishing, rubber cultivation, and small-scale agriculture. Local legend holds that the two Ko Yao islands were once a single landmass split apart by battling sea serpents. Beaches on the western shore face toward the karst outcrops of Phang Nga Bay, providing scenery comparable to more famous destinations nearby at a fraction of the visitor numbers. The island is reachable by ferry from several piers in Phuket and Krabi.