Ko Nang Yuan - island in the Gulf of Thailand

Ko Nang Yuan is a small island near Ko Tao, on the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand.

Understand

Ko Nang Yuan is a small island very close to Ko Tao. It is famous for its diving spots and its great snorkelling beach. Many day trippers come from the islands of Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan, and Ko Samui, as well as from Surat Thani on the Thai mainland.

Get in

There are two ways to get to Ko Nang Yuan: via boat taxi from Ko Tao, or via a snorkelling day trip from Ko Tao or further afield.

Longtail boat taxis from Ko Tao will quote you 600 baht return (March 2022), but you may be able to bargain them down. You pay half the money when you arrive and the other half when they pick you up at the agreed-upon time.

Snorkelling day trips from Ko Tao start at 250 baht per person including the round trip. It is also possible to come here for a snorkelling day trip from Ko Samui for about 1,200 baht, though this is of questionable value considering that while the trip may take the whole day you are likely to spend only an hour here. If you are really interested in visiting here, stay at least one night on Ko Tao.

Visitors to Ko Nang Yuan must pay a 200 baht fee (waived if you stay overnight).

Plastic bottles and cans are banned from the island. Buy water and other drinks in glass bottles in Ko Tao to avoid paying inflated prices on Ko Nang Yuan.

Get around

The island is tiny. The only way to get around is by walking.

See

Do

• Goodtime Adventures Zip Line, +66 87 2753604. The world's only zip line between islands! There are limited places with a new group every hour from 09:00-16:00. You can make your own way to the island and sign up for these times (operating on a first-come first-served basis) or you can book with Goodtime Adventures on Ko Tao for a dedicated trip or a half-day adventure trip that includes the zip line as well as a nice viewpoint hike, guided snorkelling of Ko Nang Yuan's famous reefs, and time to enjoy its beautiful beaches.
• The island is known for its snorkeling due to its variety of marine life and crystal clear water.

Eat

There is only one restaurant, at the Nang Yuan Resort. It has a selection of Thai and Western food. One of the best dishes on the menu is the barbequed fish. The restaurant takes full advantage of its monopoly on the island. Prices for food are 3-4 times what you will pay on Ko Tao, and the staff are reportedly not so friendly.

Sleep

The only accommodation on the island is the Nang Yuan Dive Resort . Rooms range from 1,200-14,000 depending on type and season.

The island is very beautiful and is well worth it if you really want to get away from it all. A few things to consider if you want to stay here:

• The cheaper rooms, especially in peak times, fill up well in advance. Try to book early.
• When considering the cost, factor in the mark-up for food (4x vs Ko Tao) and drinks (> 10x vs Ko Tao).
• Many rooms may require a significant hike up the mountain on narrow stairs.
• Rooms do not have telephones (i.e., you need to walk to reception if you have a problem). No room service.
• There is zero nightlife on Ko Nang Yuan. It is not feasible/possible to travel to Ko Tao at night.
• All rooms have a TV, but only a couple of rooms actually allow viewing of any television channels. You can borrow DVDs for free from reception.

Stay safe

Currents can be very strong.

Connect

Go next

• Ko Tao