There are actually two Ao Yons lying south of Cape Panwa and they are separated by a rocky headland. Ao Yon junior is home to a large shrimp farm but is actually very attractive and virtually deserted with a great view out to Chalong Bay and Lone Island.
Locals sit under the tree line and small children like to play at the far western end, where an ice cold stream coming down from the hills (there is a waterfall behind the beach) meets the sea.
If you head over the hill and round the bend you will come to Ao Yon senior. Here it is best to leave your car on the main road and walk down one of the several paths leading to the sea.
Ao Yon sparkles at any time of day and is a gem of a beach. If someone would have designed it, no doubt he would be accused of using too many clichés: fine white sand, overhanging coconut palms, waves twinkling in the sunlight and a bright blue sea.
How to Get There
From Cape Panwa take the small road leading left that says 'Tripetch Farm' and follow it over a hill into Ao Yon junior. It is only a minute's drive to the larger Ao Yon or if you are feeling energetic and the tide is low enough, you can park your car and walk over the rocks into Ao Yon.
Ao Yon Beach Facilities
Ao Yon is a residential beach and the locals don't take kindly to people running businesses on it so there are no facilities as such. However, if you wish to hire a longtail boat from a beach resident it is possible if you ask around.
Ao Yon Beach Activities
Thai people love to hold weekend picnics at Ao Yon and indeed it is a lovely shady spot to relax. Just be sure to take your empties away with you as many residents are tired of cleaning up after visitors.
The Phuket Yacht Club is situated here, and as the bay is an excellent mooring location, there are a lot of yachts here and weekend activities for local children are held. The swimming is leisurely but there is no snorkelling and swimmers should not approach the pearl farms, some 150 metres out.
Ao Yon Beach Restaurants & Food
None on Ao Yon senior but there is a small stand selling snacks on Ao Yon junior with a temporary on-again-off-again food stand by the river. Above in the hills there is a 'Pizza Bar'.
Where to Stay near Ao Yon Beach
The nearest hotels are Cape Panwa to the south and the Panwa Beach Resort (actually on Khao Khat beach around the corner) and the upscale Sri Panwa near to Cape Panwa.
Best Hotel on Ao Yon Beach
Panwa Boutique Beach Resort
Panwa Beach Resort is located by Chalong Bay and has views out over the bay that are unmatched.On absolute beachfront, half of the experience here is beach related and the magic allure is only heightened by the fact that the resort is located in a relatively isolated area.But this is more than a mere beach stay; Panwa Beach Resort has full guest facilities that encompass Thai cooking classes, a state-of-the-art fitness club, a fully equipped kids club, a scuba diving school, boat excursions, weekly Thai language/culture/dancing classes, a high-standard spa with all manner of treatments, teambuilding exercises and meeting facilities. Read More...
Ao Yon
- How to get there: Located between Cape Panwa and Panwa Beach Resort; park on the hillside road and walk down to the beach.
