Certain places in Thailand seem too perfect to be true and Nang Yuan Island is one of them. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, right by Koh Tao, this tiny trio of islands is known for its white sandbars, turquoise waters and boulders stacked around its shores. The best part about Nang Yuan Island is its protected status, which helps keep the island pristine all year round.

Local authorities keep a close eye on what comes into the island, and ban things like single-use plastics and aluminium cans. This results in clean beaches and superb water clarity - something that’s rare in Southeast Asia today. There are no towns or beach clubs to be found here, just nature in its purest form and one lonely dive resort. Nang Yuan Island is definitely worth visiting - be it on a longtail from Koh Tao or speedboat from Koh Phangan.

Nang Yuan Island - Beach Rules — *Nang Yuan Island*

Nang Yuan Island - Travel Guide — *Famous sandbar*

How to Get to Nang Yuan Island

From Koh Phangan

We visited Nang Yuan Island as part of a speedboat tour from Koh Phangan, which also included some snorkeling stops at Koh Tao. The ride there took about an hour, much quicker than from Koh Samui (for example) which can take up to 2 hours. When we arrived at Nang Yuan Island, there were a few other boats docked by the pier but it didn’t feel too overcrowded. We were given 3 hours of free time - enough to go swimming, relax on the sandbars and hike to the famous viewpoint.

Book here: Speedboat Day Tour from Koh Phangan

Nang Yuan Island - Boat Tour from Koh Phangan — *Speedboat tour from Koh Phangan*

From Koh Tao

If you’re based in Koh Tao, Nang Yuan Island is easy to visit as it sits less than a kilometer offshore. Longtails run frequently between the two, and only take 10 or 15 minutes from Sairee Beach or Mae Haad Pier. You can organise a departure and return time with the driver, as long as it falls between the opening hours of 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (or sometimes 5:00 PM, depending on the season). The price is around 300/400 THB per person for the return trip, which (importantly) doesn’t include the island’s entry fee.

You can also visit on a snorkeling tour which typically stops at Nang Yuan Island first, before venturing around Koh Tao to a number of different snorkeling spots: Mango Bay, Aow Leuk Bay, Shark Bay and more. Since you won’t be traveling in the open seas, the vessel tends to be more of a modified fishing boat rather than a speedboat. But they’re spacious and comfortable enough for slow cruising and jumping in and out off the boat.

Book here: Snorkeling Day Tour from Koh Tao

Nang Yuan Island - Boat Tour from Koh Tao — *Koh Tao*

From Koh Samui

Speedboat tours are also available from Koh Samui but the journey is noticeably longer: between 90 minutes and 2 hours. The best strategy (in our opinion) is to save Nang Yuan Island for Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, and then use Samui as your base to explore Ang Thong National Marine Park. Ang Thong is a collection of beautiful limestone islands west of Samui.

What to Do at Nang Yuan Island

Head Up to the Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint

The best thing to do at Nang Yuan Island is, without doubt, heading up to the Viewpoint that looks out over beaches and sandbars. It only takes 15 minutes to walk up, but it does challenge you with a few steep and rope sections along the way. Once at the top, you’ll see some giant boulders which are the perfect platforms for taking photos and admiring the views.

Nang Yuan Island - Walk to the Viewpoint — *Wooden boardwalk to the viewpoint*

Nang Yuan Island - Famous Sandbar Viewpoint — *Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint*

Soak Up the Sun on the Sandbars

The sandbars of Nang Yuan Island are soft to walk on and well manicured, in order to keep their condition as pristine as possible. On our visit, we were allowed to lay down a towel and sunbathe on the sand (which you’ll see in our photos). However, apparently the rules have changed since then. You may be required to use a sunlounger, and take off your shoes when walking on the sand. Either way, the beaches here are spectacular.

Nang Yuan Island - Beautiful Beaches — *Sandbars*

Nang Yuan Island - Sandbar Connecting 3 Islands — *Sandbars*

Swim & Snorkel at the Japanese Garden

One area between two of the little islets is called the Japanese Garden, and it was our favorite swimming spot on Nang Yuan Island. The waters here are shallow and crystal clear - it honestly looked like a swimming pool. You can swim by the massive boulders, and (if you’d like) venture out to the deeper waters where the boats are anchored and do a bit of snorkeling. It’s common to see colorful corals and tropical fish here. Alternatively, you can go swimming at the other sandbars - inside the zones marked with buoys.

Nang Yuan Island - Japanese Garden — *Japanese Garden*

Nang Yuan Island - Swimming — *Japanese Garden*

Have a Fresh Coconut at the Beach Cafe

There’s a small beach cafe on Nang Yuan Island, technically part of the dive resort, that sells items like fresh coconuts, snacks, juices and water. All drinks are served in reusable cups or glass bottles, apart from the coconuts of course which are naturally the most eco-friendly option. Prices are pretty extravagant here but what else can you expect in a remote paradise?

Nang Yuan Island - Beach Cafe — *Beach Cafe*

FAQs for Visiting Nang Yuan Island

Can you stay overnight on the island itself?

The only place to sleep overnight on Nang Yuan Island is the Dive Resort, who are the sole private lease holders on the island. Staying here would be a unique and beautiful thing: experiencing the island without the daytripper crowds and embarking on one of the diving trips that the resort runs. That being said, the food and rooms are pretty basic, and the price is high compared to what you can get for the same money back in Koh Tao.

When is the best time to visit Nang Yuan Island?

Nang Yuan Island is open year round, and doesn’t have a mandated closure period in the monsoon season. If the sea gets rough though, boat trips can be postponed or outright canceled. Keep in mind that the monsoon season starts later in the Gulf of Thailand, when compared to other beach destinations such as Phuket or Krabi. The best time to visit Nang Yuan Island is from January to March (the hot, calm dry season), or June to August (the usually dry but windy shoulder season).

Nang Yuan Island - Best Time to Visit — *Nang Yuan Island*

What’s the best way to avoid the crowds?

The only surefire way to avoid the crowds is to stay at the Dive Resort or arrive at 10:00 AM sharp via longtail from Koh Tao. Be sure to bring some cash to pay the entrance fee (250 THB) and to buy drinks at the cafe. You can also bring your own snorkel gear but just remember to leave any plastic bottles at the hotel, as bags are routinely checked upon arrival.

Nang Yuan Island - How to Visit — *Nang Yuan Island*

Is Nang Yuan Thailand’s most beautiful island?

Nang Yuan Island is certainly up there in terms of the most beautiful islands in Thailand. It’s probably only beaten aesthetically by Koh Ngai and the Similan Islands. But since it’s so small and limited, it’s more of a day trip island rather than a place you can relax for days on end. We prefer the Thai islands that can be explored by scooter, with endless beaches to choose from, and a bit of local life to enjoy too (like Koh Kood or Koh Lanta).

Nang Yuan Island - Emerald Waters — *Nang Yuan Island*

Nang Yuan Island: A Guide to Thailand's Famous Sandbar