Islands Discovery: Koh Yao and Koh Hong with Bicycles and Beaches

Koh Yao Noi sits in the middle of Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi, and most tourists skip it entirely. This 10-hour trip pairs a bike ride across the island’s rice-field back lanes with an afternoon snorkelling stop at Koh Hong’s mangrove lagoon, run from a lobby meeting at CC’s Hideaway Hotel on Phuket.

A longtail boat carries you from Phuket across to Koh Yao Noi, where you swap to bicycles for the island portion. The ride follows rural paths past rice fields and coastal stretches, with a shuttle vehicle running behind the group so you can hop in whenever you’ve had enough pedalling. Lunch is at a local Koh Yao Noi restaurant before the longtail continues to Koh Hong for the afternoon. The island’s hidden lagoon, ringed by mangrove trees and limestone cliffs, is the day’s snorkelling highlight, with coral and reef fish in the shallows. Optional walking and birdwatching fit in around the swim.

Suits travellers wanting an active day that ducks the usual Phang Nga speedboat circuit. Bike segment is easy going on flat rural roads but you should be comfortable cycling for 90 minutes or so. Bottled water, snacks, bicycle hire, snorkelling gear, lunch and National Park entrance are included. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and swimwear. Dietary needs are accommodated if you flag them in advance. Alcoholic beverages, onboard wifi and private transportation aren’t included. The meeting point is CC’s Hideaway Hotel & Retreat lobby at 36 Patak Road Soi 10 on Phuket. A 4.7 rating across 11 reviews is a small sample but the feedback reads consistent. Worth pairing with a Koh Yao Noi overnight if you like what you see during the day.