Located along the east coast of Phuket, Cape Yamu is a peninsula that points out towards Phang Nga Bay, offering panoramas over the Andaman Sea. Once a little-known region only frequented by fisherman and locals working in the plantations, Cape Yamu has since transformed into a destination that draws in luxury travellers with its variety of upscale accommodation and estates.
What is Cape Yamu like?
Tranquil and remote, the area is popular among couples and families seeking a quiet, relaxing holiday. Yet, you won’t be too far from the heart of the action. Picturesque offshore islands, yacht cruising, waterfront restaurants and family-friendly attractions are located within proximity to your villa.
Hop on a long-tail boat to discover the paradisiacal shores of Rang Yai Island, feast on scrumptious seafood spreads, get up close and personal with wildlife at a sanctuary. No matter what your preference, our travel guide has you covered.
Let’s begin!
Things to do in Cape Yamu
1. Spend a day at the beach
A tropical vacation isn’t complete without a day at the beach. And while Cape Yamu Beach only allows for private access, travellers may hop into a longtail boat to visit the coasts of the neighbouring Rang Yai Island.
Located five kilometres off Phuket’s east coast, Rang Yai Island boasts a relaxed vibe and palm-fringed beaches. You can rent sea kayaks, go for a swim, sunbathe or enjoy good snorkelling near the headland rocks. There’s also a couple of restaurants around, so you won’t have to bring along your food for a day trip.
Getting to Rang Yai Island from Phuket: Take a 20-minute longtail boat ride from Laem Hin Pier. The pier is between 20 to 30 minutes’ drive from your villa.
2. Explore viewpoints and cultural attractions
Enjoy sweeping views over the southern region of the island, and out to the ocean when you stand at the peak of Rang Hill (also known as Khao Rang). Appealing to travellers across ages, the viewpoint features amenities like a playground, fitness park, viewpoint bridge and restaurants. It’s worth making a stop by at Wat Khao Rang during your visit; while the temple isn’t as grand as the Big Buddha, it offers a peaceful environment free from bustling tourist crowds.
Just 11 minutes’ drive away is Phuket Old Town. Take a stroll along its alleyways and streets to admire the colourful Sino-Portuguese architecture. There are also plenty of coffee shops, galleries, textile stores, shrines, museums and restaurants to explore.
3. Get up close and personal with wildlife at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Spread out over 30 acres; the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary serves as a retirement facility for elephants rescued from abusive and harmful environments, such as wildlife attractions and elephant parks.
Riding the animals aren’t permitted, but you’ll be able to feed them and observe them in their natural habitats. A presentation on the work of the sanctuary is included as part of a half-day tour. Proceeds will contribute towards the operations of the facility, making your visit an educational and meaningful experience.
4. Trek through the jungle to Bang Pae Waterfall
Bang Pae Waterfall may be a fairly small attraction, but it remains a popular nature spot for holidaymakers and locals alike. The waterfall cascades down from a height of 10 metres, splashing down into plunge pools that islanders gleefully dip into to cool down from the heat.
Relatively easy to reach, getting to Bang Pae Waterfall doesn’t require a challenging walk; however, the paths can get slippery, so do don a pair of good trekking shoes. If you’re visiting the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, the waterfall is just 15 to 20-minute uphill walk away. Round out your visit with a meal at the nearby Bang Pae Seafood restaurant.
5. Enjoy a spa ritual
You’re just a skip away from Como Point Yamu and its excellent spa offerings and amenities. The spa menu features a deep tissue massage, traditional Thai massage, reflexology, and even a Thai abdominal chi massage – a treatment that targets the naval and surrounding areas, where stress and tension easily accumulate. Round out your massage with a facial, body scrub, full body compress – or even the sun soother treatment if your skin feels sensitive from being out in the heat all day.
And even if you don’t feel like stepping out, you won’t be missing out. Just inform your villa manager, and he or she will make arrangements for an in-villa massage.
6. Discover traditional techniques and secrets of Thai cooking
At BrassWok Thai Cooking Studio, lessons start off with a market tour, where you’ll get a glimpse into the local lifestyle and try out street food and snacks. During the lesson, the instructor, Pui conducts a demonstration, before participants try their hand at preparing a variety of Thai staples.
7. Boost your energy levels with a yoga class
Group and private yoga classes are available at health and sports resort Thanyapura. There’s a variety of yoga styles to suit different preferences, and classes are conducted out in enviable locations, like the beach or amidst lush tropical greenery.
8. Spend a fun-filled family day at kid-friendly attractions
Get your cameras ready, as both the Baan Teelanka and Phuket Trickeye Museum offers great photo taking opportunities. The former is a three storey attraction where just about everything is inverted; it feels bewildering stepping in, as you’ll be walking on the ceiling in all of the living spaces, and taking in the sight of furnishings hanging upside down from above.
With over 100 paintings depicting myriad scenes and landscapes, you can be photographed riding on a flying carpet or escaping from a crocodile at the Phuket Trickeye Museum. There are pictures and instructions at each scene to guide you into positioning yourself for a photo, if you’re not quite sure about what you should do.
If your little ones are adventure seekers brimming with energy, they’ll enjoy spending the day at Hanuman World. This eco-adventure park features multiple zip lines, platforms positioned high up in the trees and a skywalk. It’s definitely not an attraction for acrophobics!
9. Discover the scenic landscapes, mysterious caves and towering limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay
There are a variety of ways to get to Phang Nga Bay from Phuket – you can charter a luxury yacht, join in a tour via long-tail boat, kayak or drive out to Phang Nga Town. A typical tour itinerary includes stopovers at James Bond Island, Koh Panyi and kayaking out to sea caves at Koh Hong or Koh Panak.
While the dramatic limestone cliffs of James Bond Island (so called because it was featured in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’) are picturesque, its beauty is somewhat marred by the numerous tourist groups and souvenir stalls.
Koh Panyi may be fairly busy depending on when you choose to visit, but the attraction is unusual, and worth battling the crowds for. It’s a large Muslim village built almost entirely on stilts – including homes, souvenir stalls, restaurants, a school, health center and police station. You’ll get to observe the locals as they go about in their day-to-day activities and look out to the village and limestone cliffs from afar as you navigate the island’s perimeter on a boat or yacht.
Koh Hong, Koh Thalu and Koh Panak are home to mysterious sea caves, also known as ‘hongs‘. Depending on the time of your visit, you could be gliding in on a kayak or exploring the site on foot. If entering via a kayak, you’ll be told to lie back down, so that your guide can steer the kayak in through a narrow opening leading to the cave. It’s a unique experience: you’ll look up to rock formations above, hear nothing but the sound of the waters and experience an unparalleled sense of serenity within the cave.
Where to eat in Cape Yamu
1. Breeze at Cape Yamu
Mention dining at Cape Yamu and Breeze will be one of the first places you’ll hear about. And it isn’t hard to figure out why: the restaurant enjoys a scenic location with uninterrupted views over Cape Yamu, the decor and vibes are tasteful and elegant, and it’s neither touristy nor crowded – a rare combination in Phuket.
The extensive menu ranges from seafood and steaks to cheeses and desserts. You won’t go wrong with ordering a starter of creamy shrimp cocktail or duck rillette, or mains like the impeccably executed duck confit.
Breeze at Cape Yamu, 224 Moo 7, Pa Khlok, Phuket, p. +66 81 271 2320. Open 12 pm – 11 pm daily.
2. Nahmyaa
The decor at Nahmyaa may be contemporary and colourful, but when it comes to the food, the restaurant takes its inspiration from the best: Thai street food cooking. The venue is open for dinner only, and its idyllic setting makes it a great spot for pre-dinner drinks. Pair your sundowners with light nibbles like fish cakes or sates, before you dig in on the sumptuous mains. True carnivores will appreciate offerings like the massaman curry with lamb shank, wok-fried pork belly and green curry Wagyu beef.
Nahmyaa, COMO Point Yamu, 225 Moo 7, Paklok, Phuket Town, Phuket, p. +66 76 360 100. Open 6.30 pm – 10.30 pm daily.
3. La Sirena
Italian restaurant La Sirena offers a refreshing change-up from Thai fare. While the main draws here are the wood-fired pizzas, seafood dishes, antipasto platters and pastas, there’s also a selection of wholesome fares for health-conscious and vegetarian diners – like lentil burgers and linseed crackers with dips. The restaurant’s poolside location, with views out to Phang Nga Bay, adds to its allure.
La Sirena, Point Yamu by Como, 225 Moo 7, Paklok, Phuket Town, Phuket, p. +66 76 360 100. Open for all-day dining.
4. Vésu Phuket
Healthy, wholesome meals take center stage at Vésu: dishes are prepared with care, flavoured with fresh herbs and spices, and homemade. The menu features a good selection of Thai dishes, salads, pizzas and pastas, including highlights like the mushroom pizza, lotus-wrapped chicken and pumpkin soup. Pair your meals up with refreshing concoctions like the fruit-infused sodas or virgin lemongrass mojito.
Vésu Phuket, 114/13, Moo 5, Si Sunthon, Phuket, p. +66 93 714 6669. Open Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 5 pm – 11 pm.
5. Bang Pae Seafood
Bang Pae Seafood is popular among the locals – a good sign that it’s dishing out authentic Thai fare. We’ve been told that the tom yum talay, yam gung siap (a type of salad), hor mok (curry cooked in banana leaves), oysters and deep-fried shrimp tempura here are absolutely divine – so make sure you’ve included these items in your orders when you’re here. Families will appreciate the venue’s tranquil setting, as well as a small beach nearby where young children can run or play about after the meal.
Bang Pae Seafood, Paklok, Thalang Phuket, p. +66 87 887 5785. Open 10 am – 8.30 pm daily.
6. Lay Yamu
But we aren’t all about fancy fine-dining experiences. Some of the tastiest plates on the island can be found in nondescript, fuss-free venues. Lay Yamu is one of these places. Its setting is cosy and rustic, in a seafront setting overlooking the ocean. What makes Lay Yamu stand out is its focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, all of which go into preparing Thai staples like the green curry, pad thai, blue crab papaya salad and stir-fried Holy Basil with beef. Simple, but so very good.
Lay Yamu, 4003, Paklok, Phuket, p. +66 83 504 2661. Open 11 am – 9 pm Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun. Closed on Wed.
7. Wooden Spoon Phuket
Also located within the Boat Arcade, Wooden Spoon is a great option for a coffee break or quiet meal. The cafe offers a cosy ambience, along with a menu featuring burgers, quiches, smoothies, shakes, coffees and desserts.
Wooden Spoon Phuket, Boat Arcade, Boat Lagoon, Moo 2, Thepkrasattri Rd, Phuket Town, Phuket, p. +66 98 017 7694. Open Mon – Sat 8 am – 8 pm.
8. Breeze and Bluebird
Tucked away in a corner of Boat Arcade, Breeze and Bluebird serves up generous servings of fresh seafood and sushi, along with western breakfasts.
Breeze and Bluebird, 20/161 Boat Arcade 2FL, Boat Lagoon, Moo 2, Thepkrasattri Rd, Phuket Town, Phuket, p. +66 63 082 4416. Open 11 am – 9 pm.
9. Pool Deck Bar and Restaurant
This modern restaurant has a sleek exterior and interior. With its large pool on the yard and beach club-like setting, Pool Deck Bar & Restaurant will be a place that doesn’t just offer dining, but an experience.
But even if you just come to eat, it would still be worth it. The restaurants offer familiar cuisines that you expect to find, like spaghetti, burger, fish and chips, or desserts like pancake with ice cream, with a low price for the quality and place
Pool Deck Bar & Restaurant, 171/23 Moo 7 Baan Yamu, p. 084 771 2350, Open Sun to Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 12pm-9pm
10. Monkeypod Coffeehouse
One can never have too much of excellent coffees and tasty cafe fare. Monkeypod delivers on both counts, serving up well-made beverages and generous portions of Thai and western fare in an airy, clean-lined setting.
There’s the usual Thai staples, along with thin-crust pizzas, salads or even an intriguing-sounding chicken cordon bleu with a rambutan cream sauce. Complete your meal with decadent desserts like the deep-fried banana with caramel sauce or chocolate mousse.
Monkeypod Coffeehouse, 116 Moo 2 Tharua-Muangmai Rd, Paklok, Phuket Town, Phuket, p. +66 76 529 775. Open Tue-Sun 10 am – 9 pm. Closed on Mon.
Where to stay in Cape Yamu
1. Villa Skyfall
With its luxurious and hi-tech design, Villa Skyfall looks like a comfortable reclusive home for the jet set. The hilltop luxury home is incredibly spacious with a spacious garden and a large swimming pool in the backyard. Built in a strategic spot, guests can enjoy the breathtaking view of Phuket beaches from every corner of the house. All the amenities available are suited for the high-profile lifestyle. Here, you can find an infinity swimming pool, a private gym and sauna, a football pitch, and a huge multi-level garden with an alfresco lounge and BBQ.
Around Villa Skyfall
The villa is located 5 minutes from the center of Phuket Town and 5 minutes from the beach. while The Central Festival (mall) is 10 minutes away by car. We recommend a short walk to Celeb House Cafe for enjoying cups of coffee, a shopping trip to The Central Festival mall, and a visit to the well-known Phuket Aquarium. You can also enjoy Thai cuisine at Panwa House or do beach-hopping around the beaches that surround the villa.
Key features
Beach view | infinity pool | private gym with sauna | BBQ | football pitch
2. Villa Ocean’s 11
With a name like Ocean’s 11, you’re bound to expect glorious sea views at the villa, and you won’t be disappointed. Vast vistas of the ocean are enjoyed across the property – whether you’re lounging by the pool, tucking into a spread at the dining room or working out in the gym.
Beyond the breathtaking view, the villa also offers five-star amenities like a cinema and spa room, excellent guest services and shared access to a tennis court. Villa Ocean’s 11 accommodates 12 guests in six bedrooms.
Around Villa Ocean’s 11
The villa is within proximity to the restaurants and lifestyle establishments. We recommend fine-dining experiences at Breeze at Cape Yamu, spas and wellness therapies at Thanyapura and sampling some of the best seafood on the island at Bang Pae Seafood. Spend quality time with friends and family at Phuket Trickeye Museum, Hanuman World, Rang Hill or Bang Pae Waterfall.
Key features
Sea view | Infinity pool | On-site gym, media room and spa| Shared access to a tennis court
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