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.
Details
Tours that include Laem Haad Beach
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Laem Haad Beach.
Why go, and how to do it well
Laem Haad is on the northwest 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 meters 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 Oct 2026
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Tours that include Laem Haad Beach
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Laem Haad Beach.
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 MapsMore beaches nearby
All within 4.4 km of Laem Haad Beach.
Pasai Beach
Koh Yao Noi's longest east-coast beach, about 2 km of sand facing the Krabi karsts, with cafés and bungalows along the road behind it.
Klong Jark Beach
A 1.5 km east-coast beach on Koh Yao Noi between Pasai and Tha Khao, best for swimming at high tide, with beachfront restaurants at its south end.
Tips 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: May – October (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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Bang Bao Beach (Koh Kood)
Bang Bao Beach is Koh Kood's postcard bay — a sheltered, palm-fringed crescent on the island's west coast where shallow, bathtub-calm water grades from clear to aquamarine over clean sand. A long wooden pier stretches across the bay, resorts sit low-key behind the palm line, and even in high season
