Summary
The Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint is easily the most famous picture in Koh Tao, and it’s one of the most scenic too!
Nang Yuan island is located very close to the main island of Koh Tao, and you can see the iconic twin islands view on a day tour from either Koh Tao, Koh Samui, or Koh Phangan.
This travel guide for Koh Nang Yuan will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!
How To Get To Koh Nang Yuan Island
Nang Yuan island is located just 500 meters from the northwestern end of Koh Tao.
You can get there by taking a long tail boat taxi from Sairee Beach. There are lots of boats waiting on the beach, so you don’t need to wait around or make any kind of booking.
The journey by sea takes about 15 minutes and costs 100-150 Baht ($6-$10 USD) per person, per way. The boat drivers can also wait for you until you’re ready to go back.
If you’re staying outside of Koh Tao (i.e. on Koh Samui or Koh Phangan), it won’t be quite as easy to get to Nang Yuan, but you can still visit it as part of a pre-packaged day tour.
Koh Nang Yuan Island: What To Expect
There are several cool things to do at Nang Yuan island.
The viewpoint is the main attraction, but the sandbar connecting the islands also makes a nice place for tanning or swimming.
I’ve heard the snorkeling is decent on the west side of the island too (opposite of the pier where the boats land), and you may be able to see small sharks there.
There’s a resort and restaurant on the island, but be warned that the food in the cafe is very overpriced for what you get.
Island Rules
There are a few strict rules on the island.
Plastic water bottles are not allowed at all, and neither are water shoes or flippers.
The resort staff will search and take these from you at the entrance to the island, so if you have any bottled water just leave it in the boat for when you go back.
Drones aren’t allowed to be flown on the island (there’s a sign posted), but it should be fine to carry one around with you.
If you really want to get some drone shots of Nang Yuan, it’s not hard to launch from Sairee Beach on Koh Tao and fly over the water. That’s what I did.
You can watch the Koh Tao drone footage on my YouTube channel.
Entrance Fees
The Nang Yuan island has an entry fee of 250 Baht (~$7 USD) per person for adults, and 100 Baht for kids, as of 2024.
This is because the island is privately owned by a resort. The fee must be paid in cash.
Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint
The best thing about this island is the famous Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint.
The hike up is on paved steps and only takes about 10 minutes. Do wear bug spray, because the mosquitoes on the way up are absolutely massive — some of the biggest mosquitoes I’ve ever seen in my life.
From the top, you get an incredible panoramic view of the twin islands, connected by a white sandbar in the middle. It’s a unique landscape that’s great for photos!
Best Time To Visit
Nang Yuan is one of the most popular attractions at Koh Tao, so it can get very crowded with day trippers.
This is especially true at the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint, where during peak hours a long line forms to take pictures at the top, and you’ll have to suffer through the horrendous mosquitoes while you’re waiting.
The best time to visit is early in the morning or later in the afternoon. This gets you there without the day trippers. Just keep in mind the last boats go back to Koh Tao at 5:00 PM!
Where We Stayed
We stayed at a hotel called Aukotan Place in south Koh Tao. The price was $25 USD for a big double room with cold A/C, hot shower, and good WiFi.
This hotel includes free buffet breakfast even though it’s not mentioned on Booking.com. They also provide a free daily transfer to and from the pier, and Sairee Beach, which was super handy, and they have scooter rentals for a good price.
The location of the hotel was perfect. It’s a 15-minute walk from Freedom Beach, Shark Bay, and John Suwan Viewpoint.
Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.
