Naka Yai Island

Naka Yai Island is the larger of two islands off the east coast of Phuket Island. The island is in the shape of an upside down small letter ‘h’. From top to bottom, the longest part is 2.7 km. and the width of the island at its widest is almost 1 km. Naka Yai Island has 8.5 km. of coastline and just 2.2 Sq. km. of land area.

This island has a lot of trees and even some rubber tree plantations. It is also surrounded by other interesting islands. Just 3 km. to the west is the island of Phuket. About 1 km. to the south is its sister island Naka Noi. To the east at a distance of 7 km. is Khao Yao Yai.

The best way to reach Naka Yai Island is to just take a long tail boat from the east coast of Phuket Island for a ten-minute trip. Keep in mind, the waves are often too high for longtail boats from May through October. Naka Yai is a nice island for a half-day or even full-day trip if you’re looking for a laid-back experience with good places to eat. There is even a 5-star resort on the island’s northwest side.

Naka Yai’s sister island to the south, Naka Noi, is less than a kilometer away and is the perfect spot for a day trip if Naka Yai still has too many people for you.

Accommodation are limited in variety but they do have one 5-star resort with sixty-seven luxury villas called The Naka Island Luxury Collection Resort and Spa. This resort is around 6,000 Thai Baht per night for one of their private villas complete with pool and steam-room. The positive reviews for this resort are astounding. If you want a first-class experience, you won’t go wrong with this moderately priced luxury resort. Z-Bar is a part of this resort. Facing west for the sunset, this is a modern bar offering a good choice of drinks.

Here are some other night clubs and places to eat that that are scattered around the island:
– Naka Island Beach Bar – right on a nice wide beach with white sand and shade trees, this little bar has been established for years and receives consistently great reviews. Located about mid-island (north to south) on the east coast.
– Como Beach Club Restaurant and Bar – kayaking, stand-up paddling, and snorkeling along with great food and a bar on the beach. Located on the northeast side of the Naka Yai Island.
– The Naka Palm Restaurant is also worth a stop for lunch or dinner. This one too, is on the west coast and about mid-island.