Bang Rong Pier, on Phuket's east coast, is the departure point for one of the island's quieter nearby escapes: Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.
The Koh Yao islands
Sitting in Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi, these two islands have a slower, more rural pace than Phuket itself — fishing villages, rubber plantations and a handful of resorts rather than a built-up tourist strip.
Koh Yao Noi vs Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Noi ("small long island") has more established tourist infrastructure and a wider range of accommodation; Koh Yao Yai ("big long island") is larger but less developed, with a genuinely quieter, more local feel.
Why visit
A genuine change of pace within a short boat ride of Phuket — good for a day trip or an overnight stay for travellers who've done the main west-coast circuit and want somewhere quieter. Views of the surrounding limestone karsts rival Phang Nga Bay's better-known sights, with far fewer visitors.
Getting there
Regular longtail and speedboat services run from Bang Rong Pier, with the crossing taking well under an hour depending on the boat and exact destination.