Koh Nang Yuan island is beautiful, the snorkelling is pretty great, there is a spectacular viewpoint and it’s located just 15-20 minutes away from Sairee Beach. So, how could anyone question whether a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan is worth it?
Well, there are a couple of things you should know before deciding whether to visit the island :
An Expensive Day Trip for Budgeting Backpackers
A round trip on a longtail boat to Koh Nang Yuan costs 300-500 BHT, but you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of 250 BHT per person. Unlike many beaches in Koh Tao, this admission fee doesn’t include sun beds which will cost you 200BHT.
Although 700-950 BHT isn’t an awful amount to spend there are countless of better backpacking activities on Koh Tao that cost half this amount and are far more memorable.
It is very busy
Don’t expect any peace and quiet in the sand or sea.
We visited the island in peak season and could barely find a spot on the beach. We also had to wait almost 45 minutes to climb the viewpoint because of crowds and in the ocean, it isn’t much better. The island is a hotspot for snorkelling tours so although the crystal waters are great for spotting marine life you will struggle to find any undisturbed spots.
If you do decide to make the trip be sure to go in the morning on the first boats that reach the island at 10:00 am or just before it closes at 5:00 pm
Picture perfect or posing perfectionists
Not only are the beaches extremely busy but they are filled with photoshoots. Drones, tripods and dedicated cameramen are all competing for the best shots of the famous narrow beach and it makes it a rather intense experience for those just wanting to enjoy themselves.
If you’ve been to Maya Bay you’ll understand what we mean here. The character of the island has given way to a mad chase for perfect angles. We were asked to move out of someone’s shot twice in the two hours we were there.
Not enough focus on Environmental protection.
Across many beaches in Thailand, admission fees are supposedly spent on environmental protection however sadly like many other areas of natural beauty it isn’t clear how authorities prioritise preserving Koh Nang Yuan’s marine ecosystems.
We noticed a lot of litter, no bins at all. unregulated visitor numbers, and a crazy amount of waterway traffic over the shallow coral.
We suggest that the profits from the admission fees should be spent on a more sustainable waste disposal system and some regularly emptied beach bins.
Food is overpriced compared to Koh Tao
Perhaps our expectations were too high as we were spoilt for choice by Koh Tao’s cheap and delicious Thai food restaurants like 995 Duck and Mama Tam’s. Yet, the restaurant charges almost double what you’d pay on the mainland and the quality is nowhere near as high.
The whole island feels like a bit of a money-making trap. Once you’ve arrived they’ve got you, they know you need to eat, will want shade etc and will charge you for it. After 2 hours of dodging wannabe models and splashing snorkelling tours, we were sat at the pier ready to leave.
Where to visit instead of Koh Nang Yuan
If you are backpacking around Thailand save the small island exploration for places like Krabi’s Koh Haa and Koh Rok islands, Koh Muk or the Similian Islands a world-renowned diving location.
After over a month of living in Koh Tao trust us when we say there are countless things to do on Koh Tao that make the best day trips for next to nothing. From the snorkelling of Freedom Bay to the unspoilt bay of Ao Hin Wong and over 5 other stunning island viewpoints. We’ve got plenty of budget-friendly day trips in Koh Tao that won’t leave you disappointed.
