Only some 400 meters off Koh Tao, the island is a visual treat. As such, it is a very popular attraction with visitors from Koh Tao, and ever increasing numbers of day trippers on trips from Koh Samui. Nang Yuan is owned by a Government Ministry, and leased to a private company who operate the resort here.

It is strictly forbidden to bring plastic bottles, drink cans etc, in order to preserve the beauty of the island and surrounding waters. There is a charge of 100 THB for the day, payable as you land. Passage is by longtail boat, or by the Nang Yuan ferry which departs from the main pier a couple of times through the day. Check for correct latest sailings.

Longtail taxi boats will barter on price depending on numbers of people. It is usual to arrange a time for them to collect you in the afternoon/evening. Perhaps a wise precaution is to defer payment until they collect you. All you have to do is remember which taxi boat is yours. Don't worry, they will find you!

There is a good restaurant serving food and drink plus a beach bar for the thirst quenchers, and for those whose day at the beach is not complete without a cocktail at sundown. Seems fair. The sand is pristine. The beach mere meters wide. The open ocean at one side, a pretty lagoon at the other.

The water within the bay is shallow, sandy and paddling safe. A line of buoys keeps boats away from the area. As you venture further out the snorkeling is better, and you can swim over the dive site known as Japanese Gardens. Her the coral can be a wonderment of colours and shapes.

Abundant fish fill the waters, the luckiest of divers discover a turtle, and all snorkelers discover a wealth of highly coloured tropical fish.

Around the islands the waters deepen, providing the more intrepid snorkelers with some excellent sport. You can easily snorkel here for several hours. A t-shirt may be advisable to prevent sunburn on even those who have a base tan.

An eagle ray has been spotted many times and would be an excitement for any snorkeler. Four scuba Dive Sites surround the island, depths ranging from between a few meters to around 20 meters. A full variety of fish can be seen. The bay will abound in sergeant fish attracted by the human activity, the rocks with parrot fish, rabbit fish, wrasse, and angelfish. Look for the small but beautiful eight banded butterfly fish in small family groups.

The far side of the island has a nesting site for trigger fish, both titan and yellow margin varieties. The latter are distinguished by the large c shape of their tail, and are far more docile than the titan triggers. Snapper, trevally, barracuda, and king fish can be seen in the deeper waters. Special beauties to watch for here include the spotted box fish, scrawled file fish, blue lined surgeon fish, six-banded angel fish and the orange banded coral fish.

A treat. And as such very popular with snorkelers. However it is still very easy to find yourself out of sight of the beach, and other snorkelers. Even the beach rarely seems crowded in the way that most Europeans and Americans would imagine a popular beach. Early morning, and late afternoon it can be almost deserted.