Nearby Phuket, there are two tiny islands of Naka Yai and Naka Noi. The larger one (Naka Yai) offers white, beautiful sandy beaches overlooking Phang Nga Bay. Rarely visited by day-trippers, there is a feeling of a deserted island. The smaller island (Naka Noi) offers an opportunity to learn about traditional pearl making. Both islands lie within Phuket accessible cruising ground vicinity.
Naka Yai island
Naka Yai is a small jewel island overlooking Phang Nga Bay, just off the coast of Phuket, with a charming fishing village and a couple of near-empty beaches. Naka Yai is approximately 2.5 km long and about 1 km wide. It can work best to explore the island on foot to take some great photos of the beautiful beaches and relax there. If you look around and know the beaches of Phuket, you will soon be amazed at how such differences can arise at such a short distance.
Recently, Naka Yai island has attracted the attention of several luxurious hotel chains due to its tranquil location and palm-covered beaches. So, it is not surprising that the island’s area may rapidly change from a small fishing village to an exclusive destination for visitors looking for the off-beaten-path luxury.
Naka Noi island
Naka Noi, or Pearl Island, is the sister island of Naka Yai. It is where the famous Andaman pearls are bred. A trip to the isle inevitably involves a visit to the Pearl Farm – a great way to see how the shiny pearls are made and extracted. On the northwest side, there is a lovely beach that comes with its entertainment. Otherwise, there is not much to do on the only 800 meters long and only 200 meters wide island. You can reach this tiny place within 20 minutes by boat from Phuket Town.
