DISCOVER KOH NANG YUAN ISLAND!
Koh Nang Yuan is a unique tropical island in southern Thailand and one of the best day trips to be had from the nearby Koh Tao Island.
Experience the ultimate serenity and tranquillity on Nang Yuan Island, where you’ll find beautiful beaches, panoramic viewpoints and some of Thailand’s best scuba diving sites.
I have put together this complete guide of Koh Nang Yuan including how to get there and what to expect!
Have you got travel insurance for Thailand? I know that nobody likes to talk about this stuff but accidents can happen and having World Nomads Insurance can save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
HOW TO GET TO KOH NANG YUAN
Koh Nang Yuan is only accessible by taxi boat and the most popular route to get to Koh Nang Yuan Island is by organising a day trip from the nearby island, Koh Tao. The boat trip to Koh Nang Yuan from Koh Tao takes approximately 15-minutes across the channel.
Here are a couple of options to book a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan listed below:
Option #1: Ask a local
I found the easiest and cheapest way to get over to Koh Nang Yuan is to head down to the northern end of Sairee Beach where all the boats are lined up and find a local who has a boat that is willing to take you over to Koh Nang Yuan.
My friends and I did exactly this and we were able to barter a price of 1000 Baht between the five of us (200 Baht per person) for a return trip to Koh Nang Yuan.
Option #2: Tourist Office
You can book a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan from any of the tourist information offices dotted around the Mae Haad Pier and Sairee Beach areas. Expect to pay between 250-350 Baht per person if you book with this option as the tour companies charge more so they can make a commission.
Find All ∼ Hostels & Resorts in Koh Tao
Heading over to Koh Nang Yuan
Arriving at Koh Nang Yuan
ARRIVING AT KOH NANG YUAN
Koh Nang Yuan is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. I recommended spending at least half a day here to enjoy exploring as much of Koh Nang Yuan as you possibly can.
Make sure to arrange a time with your taxi boat driver for when you want to be picked up again to make the return trip from Koh Nang Yuan back to Koh Tao.
KOH NANG YUAN ENTRANCE FEE
There is a 100 Baht entry fee per person to visit Koh Nang Yuan and you must leave at no later than 5 pm unless you are staying at the Nangyuan Island Dive Resort.
Also, plastic water bottles and the flying of drones are prohibited on Nang Yuan Island.
Koh Nang Yuan Island Viewpoint
The beach boardwalk on Koh Nang Yuan
WHAT TO EXPECT AT KOH NANG YUAN
Koh Nang Yuan is very popular nowadays, so you can expect there to be quite a lot of tourists on the island. Regardless of the herds of people, I still had a fantastic time swimming at the unique sandbar beach and hiking to the famous Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint.
Nomatic Travel Bag: Best travel bag in the world! The Nomatic 40L Travel Bag is a game changer and perfect for all adventures. With an incredible organization system that enables you to pack more in less space, this carry-on size bag will change the way you travel!
If you would like to experience Koh Nang Yuan Island without the crowds, I recommend booking one or two nights at the Nangyuan Island Dive Resort. This way you will have the beaches and viewpoints all to yourself before the gates open to tourists each day.
There is a restaurant attached to the Dive Resort on Koh Nang Yuan which is the only place to buy food and drinks, however, the prices here are much higher than the average Thai restaurant.
Sandbar beach on Nang Yuan Island
The popular white sand Koh Nang Yuan beach
KOH NANG YUAN VIEWPOINT
The best adventure to be had on Koh Nang Yuan is hiking to the famous viewpoint that overlooks the entire island.
It’s an easy 15-minute hike to the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint via a concrete path that leads the way through a small forest, up some stairs and then a quick scramble along a couple of large boulders, finally emerging at the viewpoint.
Incredible panoramic views await at the top of the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint, with an aerial perspective overlooking Nang Yuan Island and a glimpse of the beautiful western coastline of Koh Tao.
Must Read → 3 Week Thailand Itinerary
Made it to the top of Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint
WHERE TO STAY IN KOH TAO
Koh Tao has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few the best places to stay near Koh Nang Yuan to suit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Sai Daeng Resort Koh Tao
I personally stayed at Sai Daeng Resort and can’t recommend this place enough! This 4-star accommodation is located right on the beachfront and features an outdoor swimming pool, a bar and restaurant on the beach, water sports activities, a shared lounge, free wifi and shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious, fitted with air conditioning, flat-screen tv, a fridge and kettle, work desk, private bathroom and balcony with ocean views. Buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Perfect place to stay for couples, families and friends.
Mid Range: Wind Beach Resort
Wind Beach Resort is the best value-pick accommodation located in the main tourist hub, Sairee Beach. Featuring a beachfront bar and restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, Thai massage services and free wifi. The rooms are fitted with beautiful wooden furniture and decor, air conditioning, flat-screen tv, minibar, ensuite bathroom and ocean views. Great place to stay in Koh Tao for couples, friends and families.
Budget: Koh Tao Central Hostel
Koh Tao Central Hostel is rated one of the best budget accommodations for solo travelers, friends and couples. Centrally located in Mae Hadd and walking distance to the beach. There are dormitory-style rooms with air conditioning, free wifi, power sockets, lockers and privacy curtains on all beds. Also at this hostel is a shared outdoor deck with cushions and a common area for guests to enjoy during their stay.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY NEAR KOH NANG YUAN, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
LONELY PLANET – THAILAND
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Thailand Travel Guide!
BUY NOW ON AMAZON → LONELY PLANET THAILAND
MORE THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES
Thailand Travel Guide: 3 Week Thailand Itinerary
Bangkok Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Bangkok
Koh Tao Travel Guide: 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
Chiang Mai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Chiang Mai
Pai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Pai
Krabi Travel Guide: 5 Best Beaches in Krabi
AIRBNB KOH TAO
Another option for accommodation near Koh Nang Yuan is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!
WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE
JOIN MY FACEBOOK TRAVEL TRIBE
Do you have any questions about Koh Nang Yuan?
Join my Facebook Travel Tribe and send a message at any time for a quick response!
WHAT TO PACK FOR KOH NANG YUAN
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING
Do you want to travel full-time and get paid along the way?
Teaching English online is one of the easiest and most flexible jobs out there! Become a Digital Nomad, choose your own hours and work remotely from anywhere in the world by teaching English online. All you need is a laptop, good WiFi connection, a TEFL certificate and you’re good to go!
Click here to obtain your TEFL certificate with MyTefl
MY SHOP
Before you go from this Koh Nang Yuan post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS OF KOH NANG YUAN
If you have any questions about Koh Nang Yuan Island please drop me a line below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
↓ PIN IT FOR LATER ↓
Hey, I’m Jonny – surfer, skater, photographer, and coffee-lover from Australia!
With a burning passion for travel and the outdoors, I launched this Adventure Travel Blog in 2017, and I’ve been exploring the world ever since!
My little corner of the interwebs is a space where I love to share all of my epic adventures, cultural experiences, and captivating photos from around the globe with the ultimate goal to inspire and motivate other like-minded travelers to explore this wonderful earth too!
