Ao Nang to Koh Yao Noi by Green Planet Speed Boat

Island transfers can eat half a day. This one takes about 30 minutes, with hotel pickup from Ao Nang and nearby beaches, making it a useful way to reach Koh Yao Noi without hunting for a boat at the last minute. I especially like the guaranteed place on the boat and the fact that you can leave your suitcase pickup to the crew rather than dragging it to the pier yourself.

The price is reasonable at $24.06 per person, particularly if you value a fixed departure and short crossing. I also like that the service runs daily in both high and low season. The main caution is boarding: some passengers have had to carry luggage over uneven surfaces and across several boats, so this is not a completely effortless transfer for older people or anyone with heavy bags.

Key points before you book

• About 30 minutes on the water: The speedboat makes the crossing quickly, with a short stop at Koh Yao Yai to handle other passengers.
• Hotel pickup is included: Pickup is available from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, Tubkaek Beach, and Railay East.
• The fixed 11:20 am departure matters: Your exact hotel pickup time comes later by email, but the listed boat start time is 11:20 am.
• You finish at Manoh Pier: From there, you need to arrange your own taxi to your Koh Yao Noi hotel.
• Expect shared-boat conditions: The boat can carry up to 75 people, and boarding may involve uneven surfaces and crossing other boats.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor sea conditions can cause a delay, postponement, or cancellation with a full refund.

Why this short crossing is worth booking

Ao Nang is well connected, but island transport can be oddly uncertain. You may reach a pier only to find that the next available boat is full, delayed, or not running at the time you need. Booking this Green Planet transfer removes that guesswork.

At $24.06, you are paying for more than the ride itself. The useful part is the reserved place, the scheduled departure, and the pickup from your hotel area. If you have luggage, young children, or a tight arrival plan on Koh Yao Noi, those details can be worth more than saving a few dollars on an improvised local transfer.

The trip is also refreshingly short. A 30-minute boat ride feels manageable even if you are not fond of open-water transport. You are not signing up for a full sightseeing cruise, but you do get a quick look at the water and nearby islands while the boat moves toward Yao Noi.

The price does not include a hotel drop-off at the far end. That is the tradeoff. You are delivered to Manoh Pier, then take a local taxi onward. I would budget a little extra time after arrival, especially if you have booked a hotel away from the pier.

Pickup from six useful departure areas

Pickup is offered from hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. Railay Beach has a different arrangement: you meet at the small floating pier at Railay East, in front of Railay Princess Resort & Spa.

This is a practical feature, but do not treat the pickup time as automatic. The boat departure is listed for 11:20 am, while your exact collection time is confirmed by email after booking. Check that message carefully and keep it available on your phone.

For most people staying in Ao Nang, hotel pickup saves a taxi ride to Nopparat Thara Pier. It also removes the awkward question of where to stand with bags at the pier. In Krabi, roads and resort access points can make a short journey feel longer than expected, so having the transfer company organize the first leg is helpful.

If you are staying at Railay, pay close attention to the meeting point. You do not get a standard road pickup there. You need to reach Railay East and wait at the small floating pier. That is important because Railay’s beaches and piers are not interchangeable, especially when you are carrying bags.

Nopparat Thara Pier and the 11:20 departure

The boat service begins at Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang. This is the point where the transfer changes from road transport to shared speedboat travel. Staff handle the ticketing and direct passengers toward the correct boat.

One passenger described the ticketing as easy, the pickup as on time, and the pier reception as good. Those are exactly the small details that matter on a transfer day. You want the first part to feel organized, not like a negotiation beside the water.

Boarding deserves more caution. A passenger in their seventies reported carrying luggage over uneven surfaces and across four other boats before reaching the speedboat. Another French-language account praised the organization and said the staff handled the bags. Both details can be true: staff may help with luggage, but you should still be ready for an awkward path from the pier to the boat.

If you have a large suitcase, ask for assistance as soon as you arrive. Keep your most important items in a smaller bag that you can carry easily. Older passengers, anyone with a strained back, and people with limited mobility should not assume that boarding will be level or step-free.

The speedboat ride and Koh Yao Yai stop

Once underway, the crossing takes roughly half an hour. The boat makes a short stop at Koh Yao Yai to pick up or drop off other passengers. This is a working transfer rather than a nonstop private charter, so the advertised 30 minutes should be treated as an approximate duration.

Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi are neighboring islands, but they are not the same destination. The stop is there to serve other passengers, not to give you free time to explore. You may pause briefly while bags and passengers change, then continue to Koh Yao Noi.

That short stop is also why it is wise to keep your luggage marked and close to hand. Staff are involved in handling bags, but a shared boat can be busy during loading. Take a quick look at your suitcase before the boat leaves each pier.

The boat service operates daily in both high and low season. That gives you more planning flexibility than a limited weekly connection, though bad sea conditions can still interrupt the schedule.

Arriving at Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi

The operational description places your arrival at Manoh Pier in the southwest of Koh Yao Noi. From there, you arrange a taxi to your hotel. This is a simple setup, but it means the transfer is not door to door.

The booking information also displays Klong Hia Pier in the end-point field, while the arrival instructions say Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi. Since Klong Hia is associated with Koh Yao Yai, I would confirm the exact arrival pier with Green Planet or Trip Store Krabi before departure. This is particularly important if you are meeting someone, arranging a taxi, or staying far from Manoh.

The practical lesson is easy: save the name Manoh Pier, keep your hotel address ready, and do not expect a hotel representative to meet you unless you have arranged that separately. The boat operator provides the water crossing and pickup from your departure area, not the final ride to your resort.

Is $24.06 a fair price?

For a 30-minute crossing, $24.06 may look high beside a basic local boat fare. But this service includes several useful extras: a reserved place, hotel pickup in listed areas, the scheduled boat departure, and basic travel insurance.

I consider it good value when your priority is certainty. A last-minute search may cost less, but it can also leave you waiting at the pier or unable to travel on your preferred day. The price is easiest to justify when you have a fixed hotel booking on Koh Yao Noi or a connection to protect.

The value is weaker if you are traveling with a very tight budget and have plenty of time. You are also paying for a shared service, not a private boat. The maximum group size is 75 people, so do not expect a quiet, custom-arranged crossing.

The biggest extra cost comes after arrival. Since hotel drop-off is not included, you need a taxi from Manoh Pier. The booking price is therefore the cost of the boat transfer, not your full journey from Ao Nang to your room.

Who will like this transfer most?

I would choose this service if you are staying in one of the listed pickup areas and want a straightforward, prearranged move to Koh Yao Noi. It suits people who prefer a fixed schedule over bargaining at the pier.

It is also a good fit for visitors with a same-day hotel check-in plan. Knowing that the boat leaves at 11:20 am gives your morning a clear shape, even though the exact hotel pickup time arrives later by email.

Families may appreciate the short crossing and the hotel pickup. Still, adults should manage children closely during boarding because the route to the boat may involve uneven surfaces and other vessels.

Older passengers need to think carefully. The boat ride itself is short, but boarding can be the hardest part. If you have trouble with steps, uneven footing, or lifting luggage, contact the operator ahead of time and ask what help is available.

I would not choose it if you need a hotel drop-off, a private boat, or a guaranteed smooth, level boarding route. I would also avoid locking in a tight onward appointment, since weather and sea conditions can delay the service.

Weather, cancellation, and basic insurance

This transfer requires good weather. Bad sea conditions can lead to a delay, a new date, or cancellation with a full refund. That policy is sensible for a speedboat crossing, but you should leave some flexibility in your island plans during unsettled weather.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a late cancellation is not refunded unless the operator cancels because of conditions.

Basic travel insurance is included. That is useful, but the information provided does not describe its coverage or limits. Treat it as a small included benefit, not a replacement for checking your own travel insurance.

Booking details that can prevent trouble

Confirmation arrives at booking time, while the precise hotel pickup time follows by email. Watch for that second message, especially if you book close to your departure date.

The service is often booked around 18 days ahead. That suggests planning ahead is wise during popular periods, even though the boat runs daily. Advance booking also gives you a better chance of keeping your preferred date rather than relying on an open seat at the pier.

Bring your booking confirmation on your phone. Wear shoes that are easy to walk in, keep your hands free for boarding, and use luggage you can manage if staff are not immediately beside you. A small day bag should contain your phone, documents, medication, and valuables rather than leaving everything in a large suitcase.

Also verify the arrival pier. The instructions identify Manoh Pier, while the displayed end-point information shows Klong Hia Pier. A quick confirmation can prevent a needless taxi chase after the crossing.

Should you book the Green Planet speedboat?

Yes, if you want a short, scheduled transfer with hotel pickup and a reserved seat. The best features are the on-time pickup, easy pier reception, daily operation, and the simple 30-minute crossing. At $24.06, it offers fair value when certainty matters more than finding the absolute cheapest boat.

I would book it with three conditions in mind: confirm your pickup email, prepare for uneven boarding, and arrange your taxi from Manoh Pier. If you are older, carrying heavy luggage, or need completely accessible boarding, ask questions before paying.

For most people leaving Ao Nang for Koh Yao Noi, this is a practical transport choice rather than a sightseeing experience. It gets the important job done quickly. Just make sure you know which pier you will reach, and the trip should be much easier than turning up without a plan.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip take?

The crossing takes approximately 30 minutes, although the short stop at Koh Yao Yai and sea conditions can affect the total journey time.

What time does the boat leave Ao Nang?

The listed start time is 11:20 am from Nopparat Thara Pier. Your exact hotel pickup time is confirmed by email after booking.

Where can pickup be arranged?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. Railay passengers are picked up from the small floating pier at Railay East.

Where do I meet the boat in Ao Nang?

The meeting point is Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, Krabi.

Where do I arrive on Koh Yao Noi?

The arrival instructions state that you are dropped at Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The end-point information also displays Klong Hia Pier, so confirm the exact pier before departure.

Is hotel drop-off included on Koh Yao Noi?

No. The service drops you at the pier, and you need to arrange a taxi to your hotel.

Does the boat operate every day?

Yes. The service operates daily during both low and high season.

What happens if bad weather cancels the transfer?

The transfer may be delayed, postponed, or canceled because of bad weather or sea conditions. If the operator cancels it for poor weather, you can accept another date or receive a full refund.