Laem Haad Beach
Koh Yao Yai's sandbar beach in Phang Nga Bay: a spit of white sand that runs out into shallow turquoise water at low tide, with karst islands on every horizon and almost nobody on it.
Tours that include Laem Haad Beach
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Laem Haad Beach.
This placeLaem Haad Beach: tickets, guides & combos
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
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On the waterBoat trips & snorkelling from Phuket
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See pricesDay toursPhuket island-hopping day tours
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
Laem Haad is on the north-west shore of Koh Yao Yai, the larger and sleepier of the two Yao islands sitting in the middle of Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi. Its draw is a sandbar: at low tide a narrow spit of white sand emerges and runs a few hundred metres out into water shallow enough to walk, with the limestone towers of the bay standing up all around you. At high tide it disappears and the beach becomes an ordinary, very quiet stretch of sand.
Tide timing therefore decides whether the trip is worth making, and it is worth checking a tide table before committing the morning to it. The walk down from the road is short but steep in places and passes through rubber plantation. Carry water, because there is little in the way of shops nearby and the sandbar has no shade at all.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Laem Haad Beach, round out your day in Phuket with contrasting stops nearby.
3HJX+WF, Tambon Ko Yao Yai, Amphoe Ko Yao
Open in Google MapsTips for Visiting Beaches
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. Sunrise walks on Kata, Chaweng, or Railay are magical — and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Explore Beyond the Main Strip
Every popular beach area has quieter alternatives nearby. Rent a scooter and ride 10 minutes from Patong to find Freedom Beach, or head to Phuket's northeast coast for nearly empty shores.
Laem Haad Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laem Haad Beach worth visiting?
Laem Haad Beach holds a 4.6★ rating from 1,371 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated beaches in Phuket.
When is the best time to visit Laem Haad Beach?
The best months to visit Phuket are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – September (rough seas).
Where is Laem Haad Beach located?
Laem Haad Beach is at 3HJX+WF, Tambon Ko Yao Yai, Amphoe Ko Yao, in Phuket. Getting around Phuket: Grab (widely available); Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate).
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Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket
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Ko Racha Yai
A car-free island near Phuket with crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and resorts for all budgets.
Ko Yao Yai
A largely undeveloped island in Phang Nga Bay offering secluded beaches, dive sites, and peaceful rural scenery.
Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi sits in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, thirty to forty-five minutes by boat from either Phuket or Krabi, yet it feels a decade removed from both — a quiet Muslim fishing island of rice paddies, rubber plantations, water-buffalo pastures, and east-coast viewpoints looking onto the.
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Postcard sand and limestone cliffs, reachable only by longtail, and worth catching the first boat over.
