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Complete Koh Nang Yuan Travel Guide

Complete Koh Nang Yuan Travel Guide [Must See]

WHAT TO KNOW AND THE BEST THINGS TO DO KOH NANG YUAN IN 21/22

Koh Nang Yuan or Koh Nauyuan is a small island near Koh Samui, Thailand. The name means “turtle island” in Thai and is located in the eastern part of Surat Thani Province close to the border with Chumpon  Province. It is approximately 5 km east of the town of Chaweng in the north central part of the large island of Samui. There are 9 beaches, white sand in front of all lodges. The best time for snorkeling is between May and October before or after the rainy season when visibility underwater during high tide gets better (make sure to check out the Koh Nang Yuan accommodation).

If you’re looking for a quick, remote island getaway Koh Nang Yuan is for you. It’s a magnificent sight to behold, with several pristine, picture-worthy beaches nestled in the center of beautiful turquoise waters. Once you arrive on Koh Nang Yuan it will be hard to leave.

Everybody knows that Koh Tao is famous for the quality of its Koh Tao scuba diving tours, but there’s a special place out there that lures many day-trippers: Koh Nang Yuan. This small island is a 10-15 minute longtail boat ride away from the main tourist village of Sairee and is undeniably gorgeous. It also happens to be an incredibly laid-back and quiet excursion that’ll allow you to see some of the island’s most breathtaking sights, with none of the crowds of its more famous neighbour.

Here are some other useful Koh Tao Travel Tips;

What is the best way to get to Koh Nang Yuan?

Koh Nang Yuan is a stunning little island about 6 km from Koh Samui and the easiest way to get there is by ferry. Several boats service this route in either direction, from several points on Koh Samui. These times and prices are for the standard boat, which isn’t the fastest or most comfortable but does the trick.

There are no roads leading to this little island, just boats. Three Chailai boats leave from either Sairee or Chaloklum pier daily with the first leaving at 9:00 and the last at 12:30. Be very clear with the crew that you want to go to Koh Nang Yuan, they can get you to Koh Nang Yuan Beach Resort but you still need to take a 20 minute longtail boat to the actual island.

bangkok to koh tao flight ferry and bus travel tips in Thailand with 12go asia

Koh Samui to Koh Nang Yuan (Koh Samui to Koh Nang Yuan)

Day trips from Koh Samui are much more costly due to the distance, so making Koh Tao your home base to explore Koh Nang Yuan is much more ideal. Snorkeling trips to Koh Nang Yuan can be arranged with any tour operator for about 1800-2700 Baht per passenger. This should include the boat ride, snorkelling supplies, the island entry fee, and food.

Check 12GoAsia Tickets

Koh Samui to Koh Nang Yuan Koh Samui to Koh Nang Yuan

Koh Nang Yuan to the coast of Koh Tao.

Koh Nang Yuan is just a 10-25 minute long tail boat ride from Koh Tao depending on weather of course! While any tour agent or operator can arrange a snorkelling ride, the cheapest and most recommended option is to charter a longtail boat yourself. You can haggle a deal, but expect to pay between 100 and 150 Baht one way. Because you want to stay on the island overnight, make arrangements with the boatman ahead of time for a trip out. Exchange phone numbers so you don’t have to waste time looking for a cruise to return to Koh Tao.

5 Things Expect in Koh Nang Yuan?

Things Expect in Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint and beach

  1. Entrance fee: Tourists were paid 100 Baht as of April 2016.
    It can feel a little crowded! There are several boats carrying huge groups of visitors. The island closes at 5 p.m., and only the resort’s visitors are permitted to stay.
  2. The resort restaurant is the only place to eat, and it is more expensive than a typical Thai eatery.
  3. As previously said, the island currently has only one resort, Koh Nang Yuan Island Dive Resort.
  4. Staying here may be your best bet if you want to have the beach to yourself (until the tours come and depart).
  5. When you arrive, plastic water bottles are seized, so you’ll have to buy water from the resort’s cafeteria.

Koh Nang Yuan activities

Hike all the way to the Nang Yuan Lookout Point

Nang Yuan Lookout Point

There are opposing viewpoints on the internet right now. Some claim it’s worth watching, although others disagree. You can ascend up from the beach to the view point, which is a fast 15-20 minute hike in my experience. We were lucky that there were not many people there when we went because I think waiting in line for a chance to take a picture of the view can be a serious pain. This fast uphill walk can be done in flip flops, but there are a few stretches where you’ll have to pinch and crawl your way up boulders. As soon as you hit the top, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the three islands connected by the sandbar. The photo doesn’t do it justice because it was a bit hot when we went!

Scuba Diving or Snorkeling

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A full guide to the top 22 things to do in Koh Tao and where to stay in Koh Tao.

The snorkelling on Koh Nang Yuan is exceptional as compared to other islands. Just a few metres from the beach, both soft and hard corals can be found. Twin Peak and the Japanese Gardens are two nearby dive sites that are suitable for snorkelers. Other nearby dive sites include White Rock and Green Rock. On Koh Nang Yuan, marine life is diverse and plentiful. I remember seeing a massive triggerfish and a swarm of parrotfish only a few metres from the water. Although the resort has a dive shop, trips to these locations from Koh Tao Island are also popular. Admire the variety of habitats and vibrant corals found in the marine environment.

Ziplining is epic!

Anyone looking for a bit more excitement will go ziplining on the island. We’re not sure if this service is still open, but I’m sure the resort employees will be happy to help you if this is something you’re interested in.

Take a trip to the ocean.

Despite being a little crowded, the beach on Koh Nang Yuan is awesome. Depending on where you go and the tides, you’ll be able to enjoy the white sand beach and deep blue seas. It wasn’t awful when we went, but due to the high number of guests, you can temper your expectations. Either we hit the jackpot or we took advantage of the off-season. Apart from the crowded sea, Koh Nang Yuan’s beach is lovely, making it a pleasant day trip from Koh Tao.

Where to stay Koh Tao?

Where to stay Koh Tao? That’s a question that is often asked by backpackers and other people who decide to visit the beautiful island. And I was one of them. There were plenty of travel guides, forums and more with recommendations, but all I wanted was a simple list based on opinions of real people who visited the island before me. I quickly discovered how hard it is to get that information if you don’t speak Thai or don’t have time to read through forums etc. Most of those pages were difficult for me to understand because they used Thai words etc. So here is my guide on where to stay Koh Tao.

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