If you search online for photos of Koh Tao, you will almost always come across Koh Nang Yuan. That can be a little confusing, because officially this famous viewpoint is not actually part of Koh Tao itself. Koh Nang Yuan lies just off the coast of Koh Tao and consists of three small islands connected by a strip of powdery white sand. It is mainly known for its viewpoint, beautiful beach, clear turquoise water and snorkelling among tropical fish. Koh Nang Yuan has not been a hidden gem for a long time. Every day the island fills up with day trippers. Even so, it is still one of those places where you instantly understand why it keeps appearing on postcards and Instagram.
Read this article in DutchHow to get to Koh Nang Yuan
Most people visit Koh Nang Yuan from Koh Tao. From Sairee Beach, a longtail boat takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the island. Boats also leave from Mae Haad, although the journey is slightly longer from there. We are staying at Sairee Hut Resort and arrange a longtail boat at the reception desk. Around 10 in the morning we head out and while Koh Tao slowly disappears behind us, the huge rounded rocks of Koh Nang Yuan come closer and closer.
As soon as we arrive, it is immediately clear how popular Koh Nang Yuan has become. Our longtail boat is not tied up at the pier but attached to several other boats already lined up beside each other. To get ashore we literally climb across multiple boats, passing boat captains taking naps, people having breakfast on larger excursion boats and diving instructors preparing their groups for the day.
The famous viewpoint of Koh Nang Yuan
Before arriving, we had already thought it might be smart to head straight to the viewpoint, assuming most people would first make their way to the white beach and the clear water below. As it turns out, that was not entirely the best strategy after all. By the time we are almost at the top, it is already quite crowded and we end up waiting a while before we can continue onto the final part of the climb. The walk up takes around 15 minutes and starts along a wooden boardwalk before continuing mostly via a steep staircase through the jungle. If you are reasonably fit, the climb is very manageable, although the heat definitely makes it feel more intense than expected.
Just before reaching the top, the stairs disappear completely. From here you have to scramble across huge rounded boulders to get all the way up, which requires a bit of flexibility and balance. At the summit there is only space for a handful of people at the same time, so it does not take long before a small queue forms for the actual viewpoint itself. Still, the view is absolutely beautiful. From the top you look out over the three tiny islands, the brilliant white sand and the turquoise water surrounding Koh Nang Yuan. It is exactly the scene that appears everywhere online.
Snorkelling around Koh Nang Yuan
Snorkelling around Koh Nang Yuan is at least as popular as visiting the viewpoint. The water here is incredibly clear and you barely have to swim any distance before spotting fish and coral. Just off the island lies Japanese Garden, a well known snorkelling and diving site with relatively shallow coral reefs. Many snorkelling and diving boats from Koh Taostop here during their excursions.
One of the nicest things about snorkelling at Koh Nang Yuan is how easily accessible it is. You can simply walk straight into the sea from the beach and within minutes you are already swimming among colourful tropical fish. If you did not bring your own equipment, snorkels can also be rented on the island. In some places you can unfortunately see damaged or dead coral as well. That is also one of the reasons why the rules on Koh Nang Yuan have become fairly strict in recent years.
Sunbeds, beach and crowds
On the beach you can rent sunbeds with umbrellas, all lined up neatly beside each other. Around midday the atmosphere can feel quite crowded because of this. If you prefer a quieter spot, it is better to walk a little further and find a place to put down your towel instead. Even with the crowds, there are still parts of the beach that feel slightly more relaxed. One thing to keep in mind is that there is very little natural shade on Koh Nang Yuan. Especially around midday, the sun here can feel extremely strong.
Entrance fee and rules on Koh Nang Yuan
Koh Nang Yuan is a privately owned island and visitors have to pay an entrance fee to access it. The money is used for the maintenance and protection of the island and its coral reefs. There are also some surprisingly strict rules in place. Plastic bottles are not allowed and bags are checked upon arrival. In certain areas, swimming fins are prohibited as well to help prevent damage to the coral. Day visitors are only allowed to stay on the island for a limited part of the day. Depending on the season and the current regulations, boats usually start departing back to Koh Tao around 3 or 5 in the afternoon.
Food and drinks on Koh Nang Yuan
Because plastic bottles are not allowed on the island, many visitors rely on the restaurant and the small cafés on Koh Nang Yuan itself. Around lunchtime, the restaurant becomes quite chaotic. Everyone seems to be looking for a shaded table at the same time, which makes the atmosphere feel rather crowded and noisy. A little further away, we find a smaller coffee place that feels much calmer. It is a nice spot to cool down for a while before heading back to Koh Tao later in the day.
Is Koh Nang Yuan worth visiting?
Koh Nang Yuan is definitely touristy, but it still feels like a special place. The combination of huge granite boulders, bright white sand, the famous viewpoint and the crystal clear water continues to make this one of the most beautiful little islands near Koh Tao. If you would like to experience the island in a quieter atmosphere, it is worth looking into the possibility of staying overnight on Koh Nang Yuan itself. Once the day trippers leave, the island becomes peaceful again and it almost feels as though you have the whole place to yourself.
From Hua Hin to the islands in the Gulf of Thailand
Koh Nang Yuan fits perfectly into a travel route through the islands in the Gulf of Thailand. We travel from Hua Hin to Chumphon first, which is one of the main departure points for ferries heading towards the islands. We stay in a lovely little house directly on the beach in Chumphon, which turns out to be an absolute recommendation. From there we continue to Koh Tao, where a visit to Koh Nang Yuan really feels like an essential excursion. Afterwards we travel onwards to Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui before flying back to Bangkok. The combination of beaches, tropical islands, snorkelling spots and local life on the mainland makes this route through Thailand feel wonderfully varied.
