Ko Yao simply means 'Long Island,' which is kind of funny if you're familiar with the one in New York. Ko Yao Yai is 'Big Long Island' and it is indeed big and long.

As with Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao Yai constitutes one of the last bastions of untouched wilderness in the region. There are some paved roads, a lot of them pretty rough, and many more are simply made of dirt. There's plenty of room to roam and explore in this area, and almost anywhere you choose to stay will be in a peaceful setting surrounded by nature.

As with Ko Yao Noi, accommodation is not in walking distance from the pier and local transport options are limited, so be sure to call ahead for pick up. Also, you can bring a motorbike over with you on the boat -- not a bad idea -- it's a really, really big island.

They aren't particular about naming roads or putting up road signs here, but there is only one main road, running north-south up and down the length of the island. There's a hospital on the main road, just south of where you turn off for Yao Yai Island Resort, which is not far from the police station. There's another hospital near the Chonglad pier where you get off the boat. The number for the police station is (076) 597 123., but there's reportedly no crime on the island, so probably won't need it.

There aren't any readily available maps of the island, but they have a hand-drawn map at Tabaek Viewpoint Bungalows that they might give you a copy of if you ask nicely.