Koh Yao Noi to Ao Nang by Green Planet Speed Boat

Island hopping should not require a full day. This Green Planet speedboat links Koh Yao Noi with Ao Nang in about 40 minutes, giving you a fast ride across the Andaman Sea instead of a slow, pieced-together transfer. I like the advance booking and the included hotel drop-off in Ao Nang, two small comforts that matter when you are carrying luggage and working around a fixed travel plan.

I also like the practical touches: a bottle of water was handed out at boarding, and the crossing was reported as punctual and trouble-free. The main catch is that you must reach Manoh Pier yourself, meet the crew 15 minutes before departure, and accept that rough seas or bad weather can delay or cancel the trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet at Manoh Pier at 3:25 pm: The scheduled departure is 3:40 pm, so plan to be at the pier 15 minutes early.
• The crossing takes about 40 minutes: There is a short stop at Koh Yao Yai to pick up or drop off other passengers.
• Hotel transfer is included in Ao Nang: You arrive at Nopparat Thara Pier, then receive a free transfer if your hotel is within the covered area.
• You arrange your own way to Manoh Pier: Hotel pickup on Koh Yao Noi is not included.
• The service runs daily: It operates in both low and high season, subject to sea and weather conditions.
• The price is about $24.12 per person: That is a reasonable fare if the hotel transfer saves you a separate taxi ride.

Why this speedboat is useful between Koh Yao Noi and Ao Nang

Koh Yao Noi is close enough to Krabi to make a boat transfer practical, but far enough away that the wrong connection can eat up a large part of your day. Green Planet’s direct speedboat keeps the move simple: arrive at the pier, cross the water, and continue to your Ao Nang hotel.

I like this kind of transfer because it does more than move you from one map point to another. It gives you a short look at the Andaman Sea without turning the journey into an all-day outing. You can sit back while the pilot handles the route, watch the islands pass, and arrive in Ao Nang with time left for dinner or an evening walk.

The listed journey time is about 40 minutes. That is an approximate figure, not a guarantee, since the boat makes a short stop at Koh Yao Yai. The stop is part of the regular route and allows the crew to pick up or drop off other passengers. If you are expecting a nonstop private ride, this is not that kind of service.

The daily schedule is useful for trip planning. You do not have to wait for a special high-season sailing, since the service operates in both low and high season. Still, daily operation does not remove the need to check your departure details. Sea transport depends on conditions, and the company can delay, postpone, or cancel a crossing if the weather or sea is poor.

Reaching Manoh Pier for the 3:40 pm departure

Your starting point is Manoh Pier on the southwest side of Koh Yao Noi. The scheduled departure is 3:40 pm, and you should meet the Green Planet crew at about 3:25 pm.

That 15-minute margin is sensible. A speedboat transfer is not like walking onto a city bus, where another vehicle may arrive soon. If you reach the pier late, the boat may already be preparing to leave. I would allow extra time for the journey across the island, especially if you are coming from a hotel or beach area.

Hotel pickup is not included. This is the most important logistics point on the Koh Yao Noi side. You need to arrange your own transport to Manoh Pier, then show your mobile ticket and check in with the crew.

The meeting point is specific:

• Manoh Pier
• Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao District
• Phang Nga 82160, Thailand

Since the pier is on Koh Yao Noi rather than on the mainland, confirm your route before departure day. The booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, so keep the mobile ticket accessible on your phone.

The service has a maximum capacity of 75 passengers. That tells you this is a shared transfer rather than a small private boat. The group size can feel substantial at the pier, but the capacity also gives the operator room to serve a popular route without requiring you to charter a boat.

The 40-minute ride across the Andaman Sea

Once aboard, you travel by speedboat toward Ao Nang. The boat ride is the scenic part of the transfer, though you should think of it as transportation first and a sightseeing trip second.

You will have views of the Andaman Sea while the pilot manages the crossing. The supplied information does not promise commentary, a guided tour, or a set sightseeing route, so I would not book this expecting a narrated excursion. The value is the open-water journey and the time saved.

The boat makes a short stop at Koh Yao Yai. This island is close to Koh Yao Noi and forms part of the service’s regular passenger route. The stop may involve people getting on or off, so the total time can vary a little. It is useful to know this in advance, since the trip is advertised at about 40 minutes rather than as a nonstop crossing.

One especially practical touch is the welcome bottle of water. It is a modest gesture, but it is the kind of detail that makes a transfer feel organized. A passenger specifically praised the punctual pickup, the water, and the smooth crossing. Those are the qualities I most want from a boat connection: show up when promised, provide basic care, and get me across without fuss.

You should also plan for normal boat conditions. The operator warns that bad weather and poor sea conditions can affect the service. If the crossing is delayed, postponed, or canceled for those reasons, you receive a full refund. That protects your money, but it does not automatically solve a same-day transport problem, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Arriving at Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang

The boat arrives at Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang. This is the arrival point for the shared speedboat service, not necessarily the front door of your hotel.

From the pier, Green Planet provides a free hotel transfer if your Ao Nang hotel is inside the covered drop-off area. You need to give the company your hotel name, so provide that information when booking or as soon as possible afterward.

This final road transfer is one of the strongest reasons to choose this service. A boat arriving at a pier can leave you with an awkward taxi search, especially if you have bags or arrive during a busy period. The included transfer reduces that extra step, provided your hotel qualifies.

The wording matters: hotel drop-off applies in Ao Nang, and only to covered locations. Do not assume every address in the wider Krabi area qualifies. If you are staying outside Ao Nang, or if your property is in an area not covered by the operator, you may need to arrange your own onward ride from Nopparat Thara Pier.

The end point is:

• Nopparat Thara Pier
• Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District
• Krabi 81180, Thailand

Think of this as a pier-to-hotel service within a defined Ao Nang zone. It is not a general transfer to every beach, resort, or town near Krabi.

Is $24.12 a fair price?

At about $24.12 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to move between islands and the mainland, but price alone misses the point. You are paying for a scheduled speedboat, a short travel time, and a possible hotel transfer at the Ao Nang end.

The fare looks strongest when you are traveling with luggage and value a clear connection. If you had to pay separately for transport from Nopparat Thara Pier to your hotel, the included drop-off could make the total cost more attractive. It also saves you from arranging several links on your own.

The value is less obvious if you are already staying close to the arrival pier or have a very low-cost alternative available. The service is shared, has a short stop at Koh Yao Yai, and does not include pickup from your Koh Yao Noi hotel. You are paying for convenience on the water, not a private boat or a fully door-to-door service on both islands.

The average booking lead time is listed as 172 days. That does not mean you must book six months ahead, but it does suggest that people often fit this transfer into a carefully planned itinerary. If your travel dates are fixed, booking early can remove one more uncertainty from your island-to-mainland move.

Who will appreciate this transfer most?

I would choose this service for several types of visitors.

It suits a fixed itinerary. If you already know when you want to leave Koh Yao Noi and where you are staying in Ao Nang, the scheduled ride gives your day a clear shape.

It helps with luggage. A direct boat connection followed by a possible hotel transfer is easier than coordinating a pier arrival, a taxi search, and a hotel check-in on your own.

It works well for short stays. If you have only a night or two in Ao Nang, saving travel time gives you more usable hours in Krabi.

It fits visitors who prefer a shared service. With capacity for up to 75 passengers, this is not an intimate private outing. The shared format helps keep the price below a private charter.

I would be more cautious if you need absolute timing for a flight or another nonrefundable connection. Boat schedules can change because of sea conditions, even though the company provides a full refund when it cancels. Build in extra time if a missed connection would cause a serious problem.

I would also check the hotel coverage before paying. The free transfer is a real benefit, but only if your hotel is in the covered Ao Nang drop-off area.

What the small details tell you about the service

The strongest praise centers on punctuality and a smooth crossing. That matters more here than fancy extras. A boat transfer succeeds when the crew is ready at the right time, the handoff is clear, and the ride gets you where you need to go.

The bottle of water is another useful detail. It will not transform the trip, but it shows attention to basic comfort. On a short crossing, you do not need a meal or entertainment program. You need a clean, organized handoff and a ride that feels straightforward.

The basic travel insurance is included, which adds a small layer of protection. It does not replace checking your own travel insurance terms, but it is better than having no stated coverage at all.

The mobile ticket also keeps the process simple. You do not need to print a voucher, though you should make sure your phone is charged and that you can open the confirmation before reaching the pier.

The experience has a practical tone from start to finish. It is not presented as a special sightseeing cruise, and that is fine. You are buying a fast link between two popular Andaman Coast bases, with sea views along the way and a possible final ride to your Ao Nang hotel.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility if your island plans change.

The operator can also delay, postpone, or cancel the boat because of bad weather, poor sea conditions, or limited availability. In those cases, the stated policy provides a full refund.

I would avoid scheduling something crucial immediately after the advertised arrival. The listed crossing takes about 40 minutes, but the Koh Yao Yai stop and conditions at sea can affect the actual timing. This is especially important if you are connecting to a flight, a long-distance bus, or a separate tour.

The daily service makes the route easier to use, but it is still wise to confirm the exact sailing on your travel date. Give the company your hotel name for the Ao Nang transfer, and check that the address is covered before you rely on the included drop-off.

Should you book the Green Planet speedboat?

Book it if you want a fast, prearranged move from Koh Yao Noi to Ao Nang, especially if your hotel is within the covered drop-off area. The 40-minute crossing, daily operation, mobile ticket, and included Ao Nang hotel transfer give this service good practical value at $24.12 per person.

Skip it if you need a private boat, cannot reach Manoh Pier on your own, or require a guaranteed arrival time. The Koh Yao Yai stop and possible weather delays are part of the deal.

For most people making this island-to-mainland move, I would consider it a sensible choice. It does the important things well: punctual boarding, a smooth crossing, basic comfort, and less hassle after reaching Ao Nang.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat depart from?

The boat departs from Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi, in Ko Yao District, Phang Nga 82160, Thailand.

What time should I arrive at Manoh Pier?

The scheduled departure is 3:40 pm. You should meet the Green Planet crew 15 minutes before departure, at about 3:25 pm.

How long does the speedboat trip take?

The crossing takes approximately 40 minutes. There is a short stop at Koh Yao Yai to pick up or drop off other passengers.

Where does the boat arrive in Ao Nang?

The boat arrives at Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81180, Thailand.

Is hotel transfer included?

A free transfer from Nopparat Thara Pier to your Ao Nang hotel is included if the hotel is within the covered drop-off area. Hotel pickup on Koh Yao Noi is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the boat?

The service may be delayed, postponed, or canceled because of bad weather, poor sea conditions, or limited availability. If that happens, the stated policy provides a full refund.