Koh Yao Noi
DAN'S KOYAO RETREAT
The Island
Koh Yao Noi (English: “Lesser Long Island”) sits in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, halfway between Phuket and Krabi, next to its’ sister island Koh Yao Yai (“Greater Long Island”). It is home to about 3’500 people who live of fishing, rubber plantations and, more recently, tourism. Phang Nga Bay, the collapsed crater of a huge historic volcano, is dotted with numerous karst islands, the most famous of which is James Bond Island, known originally and locally as Ko Tapu or Nail Island, which found fame through the 1974 Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun”.
No! it did not get blown up at the end of the movie, that was just a model…
THE ISLAND
Infrastructure & Safety
Koh Yao Noi, though smaller than the sister island Koh Yao Yai, it is more populated and has a better developed infrastructure.
There are a number of international hotels with restaurants as well as many smaller local eating places. There is a variety small local stores and a lively market. For Western style shopping people go to Phuket where a number of modern shopping centers offer ample opportunities to test the limits of you credit cards.
There is no public transport on the island. People generally get around on bicycles and motor bikes. Any number of local entrepreneurs provide “Tuk-Tuk” transportation, i.e. pick-ups trucks with benches installed.
A local police force assures security and safety for locals as well as guests. Crime rates are low, as most people on the island know each other. Nevertheless, in an abundance of caution, DKR employs a night watchman who makes sure our guests are safe day and night.
There is a hospital, a pharmacy and an ambulance service.
KOH YAO NOI
Things to Do
Boat Trips
There are plenty of things to do on the water. There is of course “James Bond Island”, famous from the film “The Man with the Golden Gun”. Nearby is an entire village, including shops, restaurants and even a mosque, floating on rafts. You can go swimming, snorklig, sun-bathing on a remote island or simply go for a picnic. We can tailor an excursion with a local long-tail boat to your wishes. Our resident manager will gladly advise you on the different options an make the necessary arrangements.
Sight Seeing
If you’re looking to explore the island, you have a number of options available to you. You can rent a motor scooter or mountain bike and venture out on your own, giving you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, you could hire a Tuk Tuk, which is essentially a pick-up truck with benches in the back. This can be a fun and convenient way to see the island, especially if you’re traveling with a group of people.
Cooking Classes
Our staff is quite happy to show you their little secrets of Thai Cooking. If you want a more formal introduction to Thai cuisine our resident manager can arrange for a qualified local cook to come to the house and teach. Or maybe, you want to first go to the market with the cook to see all the foods that are locally available.
Explore Phuket
There are any number of activities that are offered in Phuket, only a forty-minute boat ride away. How about a round of golf at the Mission Hills Golf Resort? How about a tour of the numerous temples and pagodas? Old Phuket Town has lovely old streets with traditional shop houses that today offer anything from fabric stores to coffee shops. Our resident manager can arrange for a reliable taxi to pick you up from the ferry pier and take you around.
Shopping
The local market is a always a worthwhile experience. If you want fashion and name-brands there are a number of top-tier shopping centers in Phuket. Talk to our resident manager, he will be happy to arrange transportation for you.