Visualise briny waves slowly and gently moving in and soothing the sandbed, coconut palms hanging low out in the sea, direct access to the bluish water for the kids while you are enjoying a cocktail or some delicious food, a mouthwatering pizza from the wood-fired oven or some smoked salmon carpaccio. The Boutique hotel and beach club The Cove on Ao Yon offers just that. The Cove also has sun loungers on their little artificial beach. And like a hotel, they have only three rooms. For the pictures below, you have to think of yourself in the same place on a nice sunny high season day.

Ao Yon, just beyond Cape Panwa, is a picnic spot for locals and says that it is a bit too good to be true. Well sheltered and shallow. A beach that is definitely within reach but still a well-kept secret. It is between Cape Panwa and Panwa Beach. I had this low season heavy rain there when I was there, but I still hung around for some time. Being here was very de-stressing. I was sitting by a table in the sand, looking out at the bay and the sailing boats. The area is famous for sailing. It would be an ideal spot to work for a few hours on the computer and relax the eyes on the sea on a good day.

As for a day trip with kids, this could also easily be combined with Cape Panwa and the Phuket Aquaria/ Aquarium there. The largest aquarium in Thailand and a good place to go for the whole family and education.

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Ao Yon is also close to Phuket Town with all its cafes, street art and restaurants. The Cape Panwa section of Phuket has this Singapore light atmosphere. Well managed and organised, similar to Lion City.