Picnic on an Island with a View
Koh Nok is where most Phang Nga Bay day trips stop for lunch. It’s a small, uninhabited island between Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, and it serves a simple purpose: give people a beach to relax on, food to eat, and maybe a viewpoint to climb if they’re feeling energetic.
We arrived mid-morning before the tour boat crowds. The beach is narrow but pleasant, with soft sand and trees providing some shade. Kayaks were lined up on the shore. A longtail boat bobbed next to our speedboat. It felt relaxed and uncrowded. That changes around lunchtime when multiple tour boats arrive at once. By 2 pm, they’re all gone again.
The Viewpoint Climb
The main attraction here, beyond the beach, is the viewpoint. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to climb and it’s steep. You pull yourself up using ropes tied to trees. Flip-flops work, but proper shoes are better. The descent feels harder than going up.
At the top, you get 360-degree views across Phang Nga Bay. Limestone islands in every direction, the green hills of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, and on clear days, you can see surprisingly far. It’s worth the effort if you’re reasonably fit.
Wildlife and Lunch
Watch where you step on the beach. Water monitor lizards live here. We spotted one easily a metre long, just sitting on the sand near the treeline. They’re harmless if you don’t bother them, but they can give you a surprise.
A small restaurant called “Three Ladies” operates on the island. They serve Thai food and fresh juices. Most organised tours bring packed lunches instead, but independent visitors can eat here.
Timing Your Visit
If you’re on a day trip, you probably won’t control when you arrive. But if you have flexibility, come before 11 am or after 2 pm. The beach transforms once the lunch crowds leave. One visitor described having the entire beach to themselves by mid-afternoon. Sunset here is supposed to be excellent.
Koh Nok Map
Your Phang Nga Guide
