Koh Nang Yuan: Landing Fee, the Plastic Bottle Ban and the Viewpoint Climb

Koh Nang Yuan is three small islands joined by sandbars, off the northwest tip of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. From the viewpoint on top you see all three at once, the white sand spits curving between them and water on both sides in two shades of blue. It's one of the most photographed views in Thailand, and it's a short boat ride from where you'll probably be staying.

It's also private land with a resort on it, and day visitors play by its rules. Know them before you get on the boat.

The photo below is from the water's edge. Smooth granite boulders in the foreground, clear turquoise water going deep fast, longtail boats and speedboats clustered at the jetty, and the green hills of Koh Tao across the channel. That's mid-morning. By lunch the jetty is busier.

The rules

The fee. Day visitors pay a landing fee at the jetty, cash. As of a March 2026 update it was 250 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Older guides quote less; budget for the higher figure.

No plastic bottles. The island bans single-use plastic bottles, and staff check bags at the entrance. Leave yours on the boat. Buy drinks on the island or bring a reusable bottle.

No fins, no water shoes. Fins and water shoes are banned too, to protect the coral. You can snorkel with a mask. You'll need to be careful in the shallows without shoes.

The viewpoint

The climb takes 15 to 25 minutes up a steep path and wooden steps, with a short scramble over rocks at the very top. Wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops. Go early, before the heat and before the day-trip boats from Samui unload. At the top there's room for a handful of people at a time, and a queue for the classic shot forms by late morning.

The view runs south over the sandbar to the other islands and on a clear day across to Koh Tao. It's worth the sweat.

Getting there

From Koh Tao, longtail taxi boats leave from Sairee Beach and Mae Haad pier. The ride takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs roughly 100 to 200 baht each way, depending on how many are in the boat and how hard you bargain. Agree a pick-up time; the last boats back usually leave around 5pm.

There's no direct boat from Koh Samui. Take a catamaran to Koh Tao, about 90 minutes to two hours, and a taxi boat from there. Or book one of the day-trip speedboat tours that combine Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao snorkelling stops. It's a long day, but it saves the planning.

The best time for calm water and clear visibility is the dry season on this coast, roughly February to September. From October to December the Gulf side gets its heaviest rain and rougher seas, and boats sometimes don't run.

More on the island and its sandbars: Where Three Islands Meet the Sea: Koh Nang Yuan, Gulf of Thailand on Travel Marketing.