Thai Restaurant Laanmaye (Koh Yao Yai) - Mangrove Kayaking (Cocoman) / ครัวลานไม้ เกาะยาวใหญ่

We had an amazing time on this trip, one of my highlights of our time in Thailand. We just turned up at the restaurant mid morning and were able to go the same day on the tour, it was just me and my partner with Mr Coco and his colleague.
The kayaking experience was amazing, Mr Coco was so knowledgeable and answered our questions but also gave us time to appreciate the nature around us. We stopped for a snack, and afters went to the beach for a swim. He then took us to a local fishermans village, showed us the process of making rubber and even took us to his private look out point. At the end we had an amazing meal included in the price - we slept very well that night!
I really recommend this trip, Mr Coco says it only does groups up to 6 so it will not be busy. The kayaking is quite demanding but this was only my second time and I managed okay with Mr Cocos guidance.
Mr Coco also took some photos of us on his phone and airdropped them to us - what a bonus: D

We found Coco's tour through a blog and were not disappointed.
The tour begins with a pickup, then the idyllic kayak tour begins through the local mangroves. Coco has a lot of knowledge that he is happy to share.
You can tell that he does the tours with a lot of passion and it was worth every cent!
You can also see extraordinary animals and a beautiful beach.
Lunch was excellent and the fruit was great too.
A must if you are on Koh Yao.

Our experience was awesome, we enjoyed the kayaking and also the immersion in the Thai culture through the great explanations given by Coco. The food at the restaurant was delicious and seeing the monkeys in the forest was a nice surprise.
Definitely recommended!

Mangrove kayaking with Uncle Coco was a very wholesome experience. We took a speedboat (400 baht/person one way) from Bangrong pier to Ko Yao Yai island pier. His package includes pickup & drop off from the Ko Yao Yai island pier, Kayaking, a small trek, lunch at his own restaurant as well as visit to the various scenic beaches on the island. His years of experience definitely shows and he makes you feel very comfortable when kayaking even as a first timer. The kayaking was around 40 mins long and we even spotted some monkeys! It was a very serene experience. The lunch was homely authentic Thai food. He also provides water and fruits. Uncle Coco also showed us some hidden gems around the island where we could capture some wonderful memories. A noteworthy location was a secluded beach all to ourselves. All in all, worth the visit and a must go when in Phuket!

Coco is very funny. He knows his parents lands perfectly (I still don’t know how he can not being lost in the mangroves). He was also good English speaker and even some good expressions in French. Very nice days spent with him taking about the island history, what he created, what souvenir he made for us.

I went on a Kayaktour with Coco! Would highly recommend to use a tour guide, since they know at what point during the tides schedule it's best to go in and out. Coco was an awesome guide. He is very knowledgeable, speaks great english and is a fun guy. He showed me the Mangrove forest and we even got to see some monkeys.

Super Tour koko ist ein super Typ und sehr freundlich. Restaurant von ihm ist auch sehr zu empfehlen.

Uncle Coco was the perfekt tourguide - We were Only our family - mom, dad and our 2 kids. The trip in the mangrove was perfect, We Saw monkies, and feed Them fruit, Coco had fresh fruit, soft drinks and konumjak for us to drink and eat. He tok us to his view point, showed us the rummer trees and How the rubber was made ect.and We also had a delish vegan finner at the end af coco’s restaurant. We totaly recomend!

If you’re on koh Yao Yai we can really recommend coming to visit coco and his wife! We couldn’t go on a kayak tour due to the low tide however were shown around and taken to beautiful spots around the island by coco! We were even shown how to crack a coconut and ate at his wife’s restaurant. It’s a great way to find out more about the island and it’s culture first hand:) definitely pay them a visit when you’re around, they are lovely people

Es war super. Die Tour ist einfach klasse und man kann nichts negatives sagen. Ganz großes Lob. Sehr empfehlenswert.

This is by far, the best experience we've had whilst visiting Thailand, and with the most delightful, helpful, knowledgeable and informative tour guide we've ever had the pleasure of meeting; Coco.

He picked us up in the morning, and took us to his family's local restaurant, from there he took us on a small hike through his "gardens" up a hill, whilst on the way showing us all the different fruits he has growing around, and imparting his knowledge of them on us. He showed us his hand built terrace which looked across a beautiful view of the Koh Yao islands.

From there, we travelled in his truck to a small fishing port where his kayaks were ready and waiting, he took us on a tour of the rivers and mangroves for 2 hours, where our Kayaking skills were tested manoeuvring through tight corners and roots, having to limbo and avoid hanging vines. We saw monkeys very up close allowing for some amazing raw footage of monkeys in their habitat, and then stopped for a short break on a peaceful little hidden cove for some cold refreshments and bananas, Coco also demonstrates chopping up a pineapple which you then get to munch on!

After the Kayaking, Coco took us to a beautiful little beach spot to relax and swim for an hour, then back to his restaurant for some beautiful food, and drinks!

My group and I can not thank this guy enough, we had the best day with him, he was very friendly and genuine, I'd highly recommend arranging a trip with Coco, if not to support him and his lovely family, then to experience some of the raw island living Thailand truly offers.

Much love to Coco, may his future prosper!

An excellent tour. By far the best tour we've done in Thailand so far. It was super adventurous and very different from all other experiences. If you're looking for a tour that teaches you about the local culture with Incredible views and amazing food. This is the one for you. It goes far more off grid than other tours which we loved. Coco was an exceptional tour guide who made sure we were well taken care of. His restaurant was incredible and his knowledge was truly excellent. Coco spoke perfect English so we were able to speak to him about other subjects and he was able to answer all questions we had in depth. Do this tour if you are on this island, you will not be disappointed.

We just popped to Coco’s place to hike up to the lovely viewpoint he created on his land while out for a walk. He was super friendly and clearly knowledgeable. Next time we’ll have to make time to kayak with him!

Coco led a fantastic tour included time at two beaches, a couple hours of kayaking in the mangroves, a short hike to a view point, and a meal at his restaurant. He is extremely knowledgeable about the mangroves. I know several resorts offer kayaking, but please consider using Coco as you will learn so much about the island and his English is fantastic.

Coco's Mangrove tour was one of the highlights of our holidays. He had a lovely way about him, it was peaceful and engaging.

Sehr schöne Tour! Coco ist super nett und versucht so viel wie möglich zu zeigen. Man fährt durch eine schöne Kulisse im Mangrovenwald; wir hatten sogar sehr nahe einen Adler gesehen. Bei einem Zwischenstopp gibt es Getränke und Obst und im Anschluss noch ein gutes Abendessen (Tour startete um 14: 00 Uhr).

Zu beachten ist, dass die Tour abhängig von der Flut ist, also nicht bei Ebbe oder sehr niedriger Flut stattfindet. Am Besten vorher informieren.

We did the kajaktour with Coco and it was lovely! Very nice experience to kajak through the mangroves. Coco knows a lot about the plants and animals on the island, and he loves to tell you all about it.

Amazing Kayak Tour with Coco. He's such a nice, calm and super friendly guy. He really has a lot of knowledge and enjoys his work. After the Kayak Tour he showed us a secret spot where we saw big Warans and he walked with us to the viewpoint. He explained about the rubber trees and the production and also showed us how to crack a coconut. Also at the restaurant we enjoyed some very delicious food.
The whole day was super fun. Unfortunately he told us he will only be able to do the kayak Tours for one more year. So you definitely have to book a tour right now!

Amazing experience with a super guide: Mr Coco!
We went kayaking through the mangroves forest and we could spot few monkeys as well ;)
Coco was super friendly, we were able to speak in Italian too! He took us to a very private and exclusive beach with nobody there - we could really appreciate nature!
Fresh fruit and drinks recharged us while kayaking and afterwards we had a delicious lunch at his wife restaurant, a walk to a view point from where you can see loads of islands and a gum extraction demonstration.
We couldn’t ask for more: D THANK YOU!

The Kajak Tour with Mr Coco was absolutely amazing and definitely one of our Highlights during our thailand Trip!
We booked a Full day kajak tour as a couple. Mr Coco also does tours for bigger groups as well.
He picked us up at our hotel in KohYao Yai in the morning and we spent a wonderful day kayaking through beautiful mangrove forests, seeing Islands with fishermen, monkeys, crabs, mud skippers, different species of birds as well as big lizards. Mr Coco brought a fresh pineapple and cold drinks for how he said "energy during Kajak"
We heard a lot of interesting facts and stories from this well known man and experienced Kayaker.
At the end of the Tour we got spoiled with an amazing meal freshly cooked from Mr Cocos wife in their beautiful Restaurant Laanmaye in KohYao Yai. The restaurant is absolutely worth going! The food is fresh and delicious! Surrounded by a big garden with Palm trees, papaya, Beans, pineapples and a self built view point on top of the hill makes this restaurant a real experience!
To sum it up if you get to visit beautiful Koh Yao Yai on your trip make sure you stop in and meet Mr Coco for an unforgettable experience!