North West Coast Guide

Ao Suan Yai This 3km stretch of white powder sand and crystal clear bright blue waters are shared between only three resorts. It’s a great place to watch the sunset and looks out to Ko Kham Island, which you can easily kayak out to. Ko Kham is home to a single high-end resort and has a beautiful beach which has some great snorkelling; you have to pay 100B to go on the island. The beach has a small shack selling drinks. The wooden pier in the middle of Ao Suan Yai is used by Panan Speedboats to the mainland and Bang Boa boats to Ko Chang, Ko Wai and Ko Kut. Koh Mak resort organises wind surfing, and if you fancy an on-land adventure, there is a small trail from the far northern end of the beach leading to Turtle Beach. Just head past Happy Days and a sign on a tree points to the trail. It’s a 10-minute walk through the trees until you arrive at Ao Tao Kai (Turtle Beach). You’re pretty much guaranteed to have the place to yourself. The trail to Kingdom of Somachi sculpture park is also nearby (see separate highlight). Ao Phra A shallow sandy bay perfect for snorkelling and has a quiet sandy beach with just two resorts on. If you kayak to here, you can also kayak out to Ko Pii, which is essentially just a rock but also offers great snorkelling. The bumpy track from the main road near Cococape Resort brings you here.