Joanna James
Occupying the breathtaking environs of Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Yai is a little piece of paradise that’s ideal for a family getaway. From engaging in island-hopping adventures to learning local crafts, here’s a rundown of the best activities to enjoy as a family in captivating Koh Yao Yai.
Families with a love of nature and a taste for adventure can sign up for a private kayaking tour in Koh Yao Yai’s breathtaking mangrove forests. These guided tours, which typically take place during the early afternoon, not only provide snacks and refreshments but also kayaks and life vests for children and adults. The 2.5-hour excursion into the island’s mangrove forests can be an educational experience as well as a recreational activity, as families will come across scores of wildlife inhabitants from mischievous monkeys and birds to snakes napping on tree tops.
Those based at Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas or any similar family hotel will find that the island’s finest beaches are scattered all around the coastline. Although beach hopping is one of the best things to do in Phuket the activity is no less enchanting in Koh Yao Yai, where white, pristine stretches of beach are competing for travellers’ attention. The top beaches for families include Laem Haad Beach, which is renowned for its spectacular sunsets and sandbanks, while the west coast Klongson Beach is ideal for a quiet day by the water. Families in search of a safe beach for swimming and sunbathing, however, should head to Loh Pared Beach, where some of the island’s most underrated seafood restaurants are also found.
Although families can rent a car or a van for the duration of their stay on the island, those who prefer to take matters into their own hands or feet, as it were, can always pedal around the isle for a fraction of the cost. While this activity may only be feasible for those travelling with older kids or teens, biking around Koh Yao Yai can be a magical experience as the roads are well-maintained and free from traffic congestion.
As a key part of the local economy, families will come across countless rubber plantations on their sightseeing tours around Koh Yao Yai. Those with an interest in hiking around leafy rubber estates and learning more about the rubber trade can sign up for a rubber plantation tour with a tapping demo. Easily accessible via tour operators in Koh Yao Yai Village, this unassuming tour might be one of the best things to do as a family.
Creative families with a passion for local arts and crafts can also enjoy a batik painting session at Batik de Koh Yao. Run by a local family, tourists can learn the skills required to create beautiful batik designs on pieces of cloth and t-shirts of their choosing.
The island’s advantageous location on the Andaman Sea means that it is also a prime location for island-hopping adventures. Nearby islands, including the Koh Hong Islands, Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island are just some of the most popular locations listed on most island-hopping itineraries.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
