Sometimes it is also sometimes called Long Beach. This beach, about a kilometer long, quite wide, with fine white sand, is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan. Picturesque palm trees, coniferous and deciduous trees grow near the shore, which create a pleasant shade for relaxation.
Haad Yao Beach has very fine white sand and clear turquoise sea. But the tides are noticeable on the sea, of course, the tides are not as terrible as on the beaches in the south-west of the island, but still swimming in the sea in the evening is not very comfortable. Not far from the shore there is a reef where you can snorkel and look at the fish and corals.
On the shore on the beach Haad Yao(Haad Yao) there are no local settlements, but only hotels and bungalows for every taste and budget. We lived at the very beginning of Haad Yao beach (if you go from the port of Thong Sala) in a hotel. From the port of Thong Sala to the hotel is a normal road, travel time 15-20 minutes.
The beach on this side of Haad Yao is wide, there is a place to play football or volleyball. But closer to the end of the bay, near the cape, a lot of algae were noticed, which made swimming in this place not very comfortable.
On the opposite side of the beach, the beach strip is narrower and in the morning, at high tide, the water reaches almost to the hotel restaurants.
On the beach there are restaurants and bars that offer Thai and European dishes.
Very nice bar on the beach - Vaga Bar 
Vaga Bar in the evening In the evening, closer to sunset, many restaurants put tables on the sand and people gather to drink cocktails and watch the sunset first, and then taste BBQ or other delicious dishes.
Evening gatherings on the beach for a cocktail 
My favorite Thai cocktail is Mai Tai :) In the evening, all bars are beautifully illuminated and many host fakir shows.
Haad Yao is located in the west of Koh Phangan, so you can watch magnificent sunsets from it.
On the Haad Yao beach there are many salons with Thai massage for 300 baht (I can’t say anything about the quality of the massage - they didn’t do massage there, as there was always no time) and, for some reason, a lot of costume shops !!! We haven't seen this on the beach for a long time 😎
On the beach of Haad Yao there is a rocking chair, which is so nice to ride 😎
A little further, on the road parallel to the beach, there is a 7 eleven store, which opened in 2011. In it you can buy water, coffee, nuts, chocolate, wine and other little things. Prices in this 7 eleven are cheaper than on the beach, but more expensive than on. And what surprised me - there were queues at 7 eleven! First time I meet this!
Near 7 eleven in the evening they bake and sell delicious Thai pancakes. But the fruit market on the beach Haad Yao was not noticed. But we didn’t really look, because we specifically went to the market in Thong Sala and Tesco Lotus for fruit and water.
There are many houses for rent in the area of Haad Yao beach. As we understood, many winterers from Russia also live in this place 😎
Here are a few offers for houses for rent on Koh Phangan - there are phones in the photo, you can call and find out the terms of rent and book a house for yourself:
Contingent on the beach Haad Yao different from the contingent on Thong Nai Pan Yai beach. If a more respectable audience rests on the Thong Nai Pan Yai beach, then on the Haad Yao beach there are more young people and more informal people and a lot of families with children and a lot of Russians. We have not heard so much Russian speech since that time.
If we compare the two beaches where we lived on Koh Phangan, I liked the beach more than Haad Yai beach. Firstly, because of the contingent living on the beach, and secondly, because Haad Yai is somehow less well-groomed, the beach is cleaned worse, the cafes are not so pretty 😎 . Yes, and there are much more people on the beach of Haad Yao.
Although for those who need at least a minimal party and the ability to easily get to the largest town on Koh Phangan - Thong Sala, Tesco Lotus, the market, other attractions and beaches of Koh Phangan, I recommend the beach for living Haad Yao.
Haad Yao Beach is located in the western part of Koh Phangan. Haad Yao beach is considered one of the most popular beaches in Koh Phangan according to guidebooks. We stopped at Had Yao for a few days to form our opinion about this beach and show you what it really looks like.
Overview of Haad Yao Beach
The beach is quite big. Some even consider it the longest on Phanagna. The coastline is about 700 meters. During low tides, the beach becomes wide, and in the high tide season, on the right side, the water can reach almost to the palms. The sand is light, almost white. Walking barefoot is nice.
Hotels near Haad Yao beach
- See Through Resort
- Sun Moon Star Resort
- Haad Yao Bayview Resort
- High Life Bungalow
- Longbay Resort Koh Phangan
All hotels on Koh Phangan
On the right side (if you stand facing the sea) there is an inaccessible place. There are boats, even smaller and the bottom is more rocky. Swimming should go to the left side.
Almost the entire coastline, except for a few sections, is built up with hotels. In several places massage "parlors" are equipped. Massage costs 300 baht. Several beach restaurants. The prices are adequate. There is even one Indian costume shop. But what we like most about Hat Yao is the tall palm trees!
Few tourists
There are few vacationers on Had Yao Beach. Even on the eve of the Full Moon Party, there were no crowds here. And on ordinary days, the beach can be almost deserted.
The contingent of vacationers on Had Yao is European youth, especially during the Full Moon period, and middle-aged people. There are tourists with small children. There are few Russians, in 6 days only one Russian-speaking company was heard. By the way, European girls are now in fashion with large tattoos on the floor of the thigh or back. Literally every first Euro-girl in Koh Phangan with these weird tattoos.
Sunbeds
There are no sun loungers on Had Yao. Only near the hotels for the guests of these hotels can be sun loungers. On the beach itself, you can only stay on your own bedding.
Where can I order a transfer from the airport?
We use the service - KiwiTaxi
Ordered a taxi online, paid by card. We were greeted at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You have already talked about your experience In this article.
Shadow
There is very little natural shade. If there is shade in the morning until 12-13 o'clock, then in the afternoon there is almost no shade left. This is due to the fact that the beach is western. In the afternoon, the sun shines from the sea and there is almost nowhere to hide from it. A little shade can be found in the central part under coniferous trees.
Where to eat on Haad Yao
There are several beach cafes in the central part of the beach. Also in the depths of the area there are 7 Eleven. All hotels have restaurants. Therefore, there will be no problem with food.
Where to swim on Haad Yao
It seems that everything should be fine, the beach is large and beautiful, the water is blue, there are few people. So why such a question? In fact, it turned out that swimming on Haad Yao is problematic due to the shallow sea and the rocky bottom in most of the beach. All tourists swim on the left side of the beach near the Haad Yao Resort hotel and the IBIZZA cafe. For swimming in the sea, choose these bright glades with a sandy bottom.
There is no depth, but you can swim even at low tide. The water does not go away completely, it remains somewhere knee-deep, at best waist-deep. Therefore, swimming at Haad Yao is not swimming, but just sitting at the bottom.
Everyone here does it, they went in and flopped into the water. You won’t be able to swim further, since the dark spots in the sea, which can be seen in the photo, are stones, corals and algae. But people like on Had Yao. We ourselves have also become accustomed to this feature of the western beaches of Koh Phangan, we wallow in shallow water with pleasure. The main thing is that the water is transparent and there are no waves.
sunsets
Sunsets are visible every evening on Haad Yao. You can admire the sunsets from a restaurant at dinner or just during an evening stroll along the beach.
By the way, while watching the sunset, we noticed that a pig was running around on the left side of the beach. We learned that she lives in one of the cafes as a pet and sometimes she is let out to run around to the delight and surprise of tourists. We also saw a big green parrot. Perhaps he also lives in a cafe and sometimes flies out for a walk.
Also, dogs come out on the beach in the evenings, like on all the beaches of Koh Phangan. Therefore, walking in the evening may not be very comfortable. Especially if you have reheated food from 7-11 with you in the package.
Haad Yao videos
Watch an overview video of the beach from different angles.
On the island of Koh Phangan there is a wonderful beach called Haad Yao, although sometimes it is also called Logn Beach. His landscapes could decorate any postcard.
Architecture
Haad Yao is an ideal place for football and volleyball championships. The length of the sandy shore is about one kilometer. Coconut palms grow around, under the shade of which more than one resort and hotel hid; bar with restaurant; a massage parlour, and a mini market facing west. Sea sunsets here are simply amazing. The beach is perfect due to its unforgettable sea views.
Neighborhood
Of the islands to the western coast of Koh Phangan, the closest, perhaps, will be a small island called Koh Ma. They were connected by an artificially created sand spit. And in Koh Phangan's only National Marine Park, turtles, reef sharks and a wide variety of tropical fish will attract your attention. The areas surrounding Khaat Yao Beach are mountainous, but numerous paths and paths allow for pedestrian crossings between neighboring beaches. Particular attention should be paid to the freshwater lake Lem Son and Wang Sai waterfall. The Chorenrit Muau Thai camp is considered the first sports institution in the area. His age is over 15 years old. It is equipped with a gym and a gym where boxers train. More than 1000 athletes have been trained in this camp. It is notable for the fact that it welcomes not only local residents, but also tourists. Thanks to special courses, people with different levels of training can be trained here. Tourists prefer to spend time in the fitness room. To attend classes, it is enough for them to acquire a subscription that gives the right to take a two-week course, although you can use a one-time entrance ticket. The camp is ready to accept its clients on any day throughout the year. And in the local sports shop there is sportswear and nutrition. Behind the picturesque hills you will find the Paeng waterfall. Climbing the path up, you can take a break and plunge into a wide pool of fresh water. A little higher there will be another level of the waterfall. After enjoying its view to the full, you can go to the Wat Phu Khao Noi temple - one of the oldest religious institutions in Koh Phangan. In translation, its name means the temple of a small mountain. Everything here breathes antiquity. In this functioning temple, you can see numerous relics of the Buddha. The atmosphere of this place is really special, not the same as in a young temple.
Note to the tourist
Haad Yao Beach is a great place for hiking. Diving enthusiasts strive to get to the island of Koh Phangan, because the opportunity to swim next to the coral reef is a chance to see the local marine fauna. On the territory of Haad Yao beach there is a light, relaxed atmosphere. Everything you may need, you will find within it or in the surrounding areas.
Haad Yao beach. Photo credit: Ian Duffield, Flickr
A pleasant place with a hospitable friendly atmosphere, so you want to come back here again and again. Haad Yao is a versatile beach. It is suitable for young couples, families with children, as well as singles who prefer a quiet, relaxing holiday. There is enough space for everyone on the beach and, even more so, in some places it remains almost empty.
Haad Yao. Photo credit: Ian Duffield, Flickr
Haad Yao beach. Photo credit: eric molina, Flickr
The beach has all the amenities for a comfortable and pleasant stay: massage parlors, yoga classes, diving schools and beach restaurants with cocktails and sunset barbecues. Some of the latter work until late at night.
Beach restaurants. Photo credit: eric molina, Flickr
Beach volleyball. Photo credit: pethamguy, Flickr
Restaurant on the beach. Photo credit: Christian Fusi, Flickr
Photo credit: Koji Kominami, Flickr
About the beach
Shops, restaurants, pharmacies and ATMs stretch along the beach from the side of the road. By the way, in small Thai restaurants located along the road, you can eat a little cheaper than on the beach itself. The cost of main dishes here is from 50 baht, on the beach - from 100 baht.
The main infrastructure of the island is about 20 minutes away, in Thong Sala. You can take a car to Thong Sala Pier at the hotel or by the road, near 7-Eleven (an international chain of small shops).
You can't really walk around the beach, because. everything is completely covered with greenery, but if you wish, you can ride a bike to neighboring beaches, go to the night market of Thong Sala or the famous Full Moon Party in the southern part of the island (taxi can be ordered at the hotel).
Among the attractions nearby are the Wang Sai waterfall and Laem Son lake, where you can have a picnic, but it is better to refuse swimming - its bottom is dotted with thick plants in which it is easy to get confused. Temple Wat Phu Khao Noi near the pier Thong Sala or the Chinese Temple just outside the diving village Chaloklum. Mae Haad Beach is the best snorkeling spot on the island and the small idyllic beaches of Malibu and Haad Khom. See more about Koh Phangan.
Road over Had Yao beach. Photo credit: Alexis Padilla, Flickr
Beach features
Soft white sand literally merges with turquoise water - this is a great place for swimming. There are high/low tides on Haad Yao beach. At the same time, they are not critical and also contribute to recreation with children in shallow water. During low tides, the little ones can play on the shore in complete safety.
Haad Yao beach. Photo credit: Caffeinehit, Flickr
Low tides on Haad Yao during the low tide season. Photo credit: Jurgen Menu, Flickr
Toddler on the beach. Photo credit: Katya Stavitskaya, Flickr
400 meters from the beach stretches a coral reef with a lot of colorful living creatures, so this is a great place for snorkeling. The strip of the beach on the south side is quite wide, while, closer to the north, the sand narrows so that during high tides the water rises to the foot of the restaurants.
Haad Yao beach. Photo credit: Ursel Ramsch, Flickr
Haad Yao beach. Photo credit: Samantha Rodrigues, Flickr
Where to live on Haad Yao Beach
Haad Yao Beach belongs to the category of beaches where it is better to book accommodation in advance, especially during the high season.
Traditional Thai bungalows on the beach. Photo credit: James Evans, Flickr
View of the beach from the hotel. Photo credit: TNP Life, Flickr
How to get to the beach
Haad Yao Beach is located in the northwestern part. From the port of Thong Sala, it can be reached in 15-20 minutes by songthaew (route pickup), taxi or motorbike. The beach is connected to all the western beaches and the diving village of Chaloklum by a large good road, on which scheduled songthaews run regularly. Taxi boats are available to/from remote east coast beaches.
