Ko Yao Yai

Ideal for those looking for peace and quiet. Activities, jet skiing, snorkelling, boat trips to nearby islands and James Bond islands. There are times when it's almost impossible to swim at Lo Pared beach because it's filled with thousands of tiny jellyfish that sting your whole body, making it uncomfortable to be in the water, especially in January and February. The best beach for swimming, snorkelling and monkey watching at the end of the day is Au Moang beach in the south of the island... superb. In the north of the island, because the beaches are almost all mangroves, it's almost impossible to swim, and there's the needle fish that's buried in the ground and when it stings, you get really sick for a few weeks. To swim in the north of the island you have to go to Sandbank beach and swim in the direction of Koh Yao Noi, the neighbouring island to Koh Yao Yai. You can see that the corals on the beaches are being destroyed by the mooring of all kinds of boats. Devastating for public health and the environment is that the population burns plastics mixed with coconuts, herbs and leaves, making the island's air saturated and foul-smelling. Relatively cheap island in general, friendly and pleasant people, good hotels and restaurants, good regional sweets. Before we only saw motorbikes, today we are invaded by cars and jeeps driving along these roads with poor infrastructure. If you're looking for a cure for your bones, rheumatism, blood circulation and other ailments, you should visit Dr Saad, an old, half-blind man who works small or large miracles on your body with an ancient Thai massage called "haille"... I recommend it. I really like this island and the people.

When we entered the island our guide said welcome to paradise and I think that's the best way to describe it. It's a perfect place to rest and swim. There's a bar you can buy a drink, they're toilets and showers. I really enjoyed my visit.

Beautiful island but hotel/resorts prices are just crazy even in very low season.