Ao Po

Ao Po: Phuket's Hidden Northeast Cape

Ao Po (also spelled Ao Por) is Phuket's least-known luxury enclave, occupying the northeast cape of the island with views across Phang Nga Bay toward the iconic limestone karst formations of James Bond Island and beyond. This is the antithesis of the west coast party scene — a tranquil, yacht-oriented community that offers a completely different vision of Phuket living.

Marina & Yacht Lifestyle

The Ao Po Grand Marina is the area's centrepiece — a full-service marina with berths for vessels up to 80 metres, a hardstand yard, marine services and a waterfront restaurant. The marina hosts several charter companies offering day trips and multi-day cruises through Phang Nga Bay, the Similan Islands and beyond to the Andaman coast of Myanmar. The annual Phuket International Boat Show was held here. For yacht owners and sailing enthusiasts, Ao Po provides direct, sheltered access to some of the world's most spectacular cruising waters.

Views & Natural Setting

The east coast of Phuket offers dramatically different scenery from the west. Instead of open ocean sunsets, Ao Po provides sunrise panoramas over Phang Nga Bay's karst islands — a landscape of surreal beauty that inspired the James Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun." The coastline is characterised by mangrove forests, tidal flats and small islands, creating a rich marine ecosystem. Sea eagle sightings are common. The area is noticeably cooler and less humid than the west coast due to prevailing breezes from the mainland.

Real Estate Market

Ao Po's property market is small, exclusive and value-oriented compared to the west coast. Hillside villas with stunning Phang Nga Bay views start from 15-30 million THB — properties that would command 50-100 million THB on the Surin-Kamala headland. COMO Point Yamu, a luxury resort by the COMO Group, established the area's credentials as a high-end destination and its branded residences trade at 30-80 million THB. Beachfront plots on the cape offer rare opportunities for custom estate construction. Condominiums are limited, with a few boutique projects from 3-8 million THB. Rental yields average 4-6%, with strong demand from yacht owners and guests seeking bay-view tranquillity.

Activities & Dining

Beyond yachting, Ao Po offers kayaking through mangrove channels, cycling on quiet roads, and visits to the nearby Mission Hills golf course. The Ao Po seafood restaurants along the pier serve fresh catches at reasonable prices. COMO Point Yamu's restaurants (La Sirena Italian, Nahmyaa Thai) are destination dining venues. The area is also the closest point to Naka Island, accessible by a 10-minute longtail boat ride, with its pearl farm and unspoiled beaches.

Infrastructure & Access

Ao Po is 15 km from the airport via Route 402 and the Ao Po road (20-30 minutes). The area is quieter and less developed than the west coast, with limited local shops but improving infrastructure. A Lotus's Express and several convenience stores serve daily needs. The drive to Phuket Town or the west coast beaches takes 25-40 minutes. The relatively undeveloped surroundings contribute to the sense of exclusivity.

Investment Outlook

Ao Po represents what many savvy investors consider Phuket's most undervalued luxury market. Bay-view properties here offer 50-70% discounts compared to equivalent west-coast sea views, yet the natural beauty of Phang Nga Bay is arguably superior. As yacht tourism continues to grow and the marina expands its services, Ao Po is expected to see accelerating demand from the international yachting community, European retirees and Asian investors seeking unique, non-mainstream locations.