Koh Lao Ya

Koh Lao Ya (also written Koh Laoya) is the largest of a small island cluster — Laoya Nai, Laoya Klang and Laoya Nok — off the southern tip of Koh Chang, reachable by boat from either Salakphet on the southeast coast or Bang Bao on the southwest. A long white-sand beach runs the length of its eastern shore, looking back across the water toward Long Beach on Koh Chang proper.

The island’s one attempt at development, Laoya Coco Island Resort, tells its own story: renovated during the pandemic in hopes of a comeback, it never found the occupancy to stay open, and as of the 2026 season it remains closed — just a rudimentary drinks stand still operates near the old resort grounds. That makes Koh Lao Ya a day-trip island rather than a place to stay, which keeps it markedly quieter than the resort-lined beaches back on Koh Chang. A wooden footbridge historically linked the main island to the smaller Laoya Nok, letting visitors walk between the two and snorkel the channel in between.

Snorkeling is the main reason to make the trip — clear water off the northern end of the main beach, away from the worst of the boat traffic, with better visibility than the more heavily touristed islands closer to Bang Bao. Because it’s private land with no permanent facilities, there’s no vendor infrastructure beyond the drinks stand, so bring your own gear, water and sun protection.

The island is small enough to walk in an hour or two — the beach runs the full eastern shore, and rocky points at either end make good spots to sit and watch longtail boats work the channel toward Koh Chang. Outside Thai long weekends, when Salakphet-based operators run heavier traffic here, it’s realistic to have long stretches of sand to yourself, which is the main reason to choose Koh Lao Ya over a beach back on Koh Chang itself.

Watch out: Don’t book a trip here expecting to overnight — booking sites occasionally still list the old resort, but it’s been non-operational for several seasons. Treat any online listing for accommodation on Koh Lao Ya with suspicion and confirm status before paying.

Insider Tip: Combine Koh Lao Ya with a multi-island group tour (Koh Wai and Koh Kham are nearby) rather than chartering alone — it’s a fraction of the cost and covers more ground in a half-day.