Haad Yao Beach stretches for about 700 meters (2,300 feet), nestled between Sri Thanu and Haad Salad beaches.
This tranquil beach offers a peaceful, semi-secluded vibe, perfect for those looking to escape the crowds. Its compact, laid-back infrastructure includes cozy bungalow resorts lining the shoreline. You can easily walk from one end to the other in 10 minutes, or zip across even faster on a scooter. Haad Yao attracts a diverse crowd of international visitors, so it’s common to hear a mix of languages spoken as you relax on the sand.
Beach Overview
Haad Yao is a serene and secluded beach on Koh Phangan, perfect for those seeking a quieter retreat. If you’re planning a longer stay, having your own transportation is a good idea.
This advice holds true for much of Koh Phangan—unless you’re content to simply relax on the beach. And if that’s your plan, Haad Yao won’t disappoint. With its soft sands and nearby spots to eat, unwind, and soak in the laid-back atmosphere, this beach has everything you need for a peaceful getaway.
Swimming
To my surprise, Haad Yao offers near-white sand—something rare on Koh Phangan, where the island’s geography doesn’t usually produce pristine white coral sands. However, a few beaches here come close.
In my photos, the sand may appear more yellow because it was wet at the time. Like many beaches on the island, Haad Yao’s shoreline narrows at high tide, which can be a bit inconvenient when beach cafés set up tables directly on the sand. You might find yourself wading knee-deep in water just to get around diners.
Tides greatly affect the beach’s appearance and swimming conditions. The seabed has a gentle slope and is easy to navigate. At low tide, the beach is perfect for a stroll, with wet sand strewn with seashells.
At high tide, the water reaches chest height just 5 meters (16 feet) from the shore, making it ideal for swimming. If you’re visiting with children, Haad Yao is a fantastic place for them to play and splash around safely.
Sunbeds and Shade
As you might expect on the west coast of any island, shade is only available until around noon, when the sun reaches its peak. Haad Yao is no different. There’s plenty of natural shade from casuarina trees and palms along the shore, but you’ll need to be mindful of the resorts’ boundaries.
Although all beaches in Thailand are technically public, locals often disregard this rule. You may be asked to move or pay if you’re using the part of the beach in front of a resort or café. It’s best to leave your things under the trees in neutral areas. If the best shady spots are taken, you can always grab a spot at one of the beachfront cafés.
I didn’t notice any sunbeds on Haad Yao.
Beach Photos
Near Sea Through and Ibiza Bungalows
Closer to Haad Yao Bayview Resort
Amenities
I wouldn’t say Haad Yao has a highly developed infrastructure. There are a few massage parlors and cafés, but the area is so small you can zip through it on a scooter without even realizing it.
Most visitors rely on the amenities provided by their resort or hotel, where the staff can arrange everything—meals, massages, scooter rentals, and even booking tours.
Haad Yao does have a 7-Eleven, which is a handy convenience for this small beach community. Having a 7-Eleven or FamilyMart nearby makes any area more appealing, especially for long-term tourists who want to avoid the hassle or expense of renting a car or scooter. One popular spot here is Wagga Bar, located right on the beach.
Accommodation
Despite its relatively small size, Haad Yao offers plenty of accommodation options, ranging from budget guesthouses to well-rated resorts. For example:
- High Life Bungalow
- Sun Moon Star Resort Koh Phangan
- No Name Bungalow Haad Yao
I stayed near the border between Haad Son and Haad Yao Beaches, at Haad Son Resort, but it’s located up on a hill.
Many of the beaches in this area are nestled in low spots, separated by hills with steep climbs and descents. My hotel happened to be on one of these hills.
Walking down to Haad Yao Beach is easy, but the climb back up can be tough. Of course, I could always stay at the hotel’s private beach. Here’s my review of the hotel.
I also stayed at Sea Through, where people often park their scooters and walk to the beach. It’s a great, convenient place. You can stay in the main hotel building (where I stayed—here’s my review) or in one of the bungalows.
How to Find the Beach
You can walk through any resort to reach the beach, and in some areas, there are even signs and arrows to guide you. Another good way to spot beach access is by looking for places where many scooters are parked.
The main paths to the beach are near Ibiza Bungalows and Sea Through, both of which are marked on the map below.
Google Reviews
