Koh Yao Noi to Phuket by Green Planet Speed Boat

Phuket is only 50 minutes away. The Green Planet speedboat makes the crossing from Koh Yao Noi to Phuket quick and simple, with covered seating and no stops along the way. I like the direct trip to Bang Rong Pier and the option of a hotel transfer after arrival. The main drawback is that this is a practical transfer, not a sightseeing cruise, and rough weather can delay or cancel the service.

You meet the crew at Manoh Pier 15 minutes before the 11:50 am departure. I also like the low price of $16.30 per person, especially when you compare it with the time saved over a slower longtail boat. Still, you need to check whether your Phuket hotel falls within the included drop-off area, since several beach zones carry an extra THB300 fee per person.

Key points to know before booking

• 50-minute direct crossing: The boat travels from Manoh Pier to Bang Rong Pier without stopovers.
• Covered seating: You have shelter during the crossing, useful in both sun and rain.
• Bang Rong location: The pier is in northeast Phuket, giving you a practical route toward Phuket International Airport.
• Hotel transfer option: A free Phuket hotel transfer is available only when your hotel is in the covered area and the option has been booked.
• Daily operation: The service runs in both low and high season, subject to sea and weather conditions.
• Weather matters: Poor weather or rough seas can cause a delay, postponement, or cancellation with a full refund.

Why this short boat ride matters

Koh Yao Noi has a slower, quieter feel than Phuket. That is part of its appeal, but leaving the island can take planning. A longtail boat may be scenic, yet a speedboat gets you across the water in about 50 minutes and puts you on Phuket before the day gets away from you.

This service is best understood as island transport rather than a tour. You are paying to get from one place to another with as little fuss as possible. There are no planned stops, no guided commentary, and no sightseeing program. That is good news if you have a hotel booking, airport connection, or onward journey waiting in Phuket.

The trip is operated by Green Planet, with booking handled through Trip Store Krabi. The service accepts mobile tickets, so you do not need to print a paper voucher. Confirmation is provided when you book, which gives you a fixed departure to plan around.

The crossing is priced at $16.30 per person. For a 50-minute ride, that is a fair fare, especially if you value time and want a reserved place on the boat. The price becomes more useful when you consider the alternative: arranging a boat independently, waiting for a departure, or taking a slower vessel with less predictable timing.

Meeting the boat at Manoh Pier

Your starting point is Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi, in the south-west of the island. The listed departure time is 11:50 am, and you should arrive 15 minutes early to meet the Green Planet crew.

That early arrival is not just a formality. Boat departures work better when you have time to find the pier, show your mobile ticket, and get settled before boarding. Give yourself extra time if you are coming from another part of Koh Yao Noi, since the information provided does not include hotel pickup.

There is no included pickup from your Koh Yao Noi hotel. You must make your own way to Manoh Pier. That is the main land-side detail to sort out before booking. If your accommodation is not close to the pier, ask the hotel for current transport advice and leave enough time for the ride.

The meeting point is:

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

The boat service runs daily in both low and high season. That gives you more choice than a limited weekly ferry, but daily service does not mean every departure will run in every condition. The operator can delay, postpone, or cancel the crossing because of bad weather, rough sea conditions, or limited availability.

A direct 50-minute run to Phuket

Once aboard, the boat heads directly to Phuket. There are no stopovers en route, so the schedule is easy to understand: board at Manoh Pier, cross the Andaman Sea, and arrive at Bang Rong Pier.

The covered seating is a useful feature. The Andaman coast can be hot, wet, or windy, and a roof gives you some protection during the crossing. It does not turn the boat into a luxury ferry, but it makes this short transfer more comfortable in changing weather.

The speedboat format also reduces the amount of time you spend at sea. If you are carrying luggage or simply want to reach Phuket quickly, the 50-minute journey is much easier than a long, slow ride. I would choose this option when the schedule matters more than the pleasure of a leisurely boat trip.

You should also keep your expectations in check. There is no promise of a sightseeing route, commentary, meal, or special activity. The value is in speed, simplicity, and a direct connection between two useful piers.

Arriving at Bang Rong Pier

Bang Rong Pier is in Pakhlok, in the Thalang District of northeast Phuket. This location is important because it is closer to Phuket International Airport than many of the island’s western and southern beaches.

If you are flying out of Phuket, the arrival point may help shorten the land journey compared with arriving farther south. The exact taxi time and cost are not provided, so you should still allow a sensible buffer for road traffic and airport procedures. The main benefit is geographic: you arrive in the north-east of Phuket instead of crossing the whole island from a more distant pier.

The pier can also work well if your Phuket hotel is in the covered drop-off area. A free hotel transfer is available only when you book the applicable option and provide your hotel name. This is a valuable extra because finding a taxi after a boat crossing can be one more task when you are carrying bags.

The included hotel transfer does not cover every part of Phuket. Mai Khao, Panwa, Rawai, Naiharn, and Ao Yon Beach have a stated surcharge of THB300 per person. That fee is charged per person, not per vehicle, so it can affect the value for couples, families, or groups.

Before paying, enter your hotel information carefully and confirm that the location is covered. A hotel transfer is only useful when the drop-off terms match your actual accommodation.

How good is the price?

At $16.30 per person, this is one of those transfers where convenience matters as much as the ticket itself. You are not buying a full-day outing, so the price should be judged against the time saved and the practical connection it provides.

The strongest value comes when you need to arrive in Phuket by a particular part of the day. The boat leaves at 11:50 am and takes about 50 minutes, making the expected arrival around 12:40 pm, although weather and operating conditions can affect the timing.

The price is less attractive if your Phuket hotel falls into one of the surcharge areas. Add THB300 per person for Mai Khao, Panwa, Rawai, Naiharn, or Ao Yon Beach, and compare the total with your other transport choices. The base fare remains reasonable, but the transfer supplement should not be overlooked.

I also see value in pre-booking. The service has a maximum capacity of 75 people, and booking ahead gives you a confirmed place rather than leaving your crossing to chance. This is particularly useful during busy periods, though the available information does not promise a full boat on any particular date.

Who will appreciate this transfer most?

This speedboat suits you if you want to move between Koh Yao Noi and Phuket quickly, without arranging several separate legs. It is a good fit for:

• People heading to Phuket International Airport
• Visitors with a Phuket hotel booked near the north or east of the island
• Anyone who prefers a fixed departure and mobile ticket
• Couples and small groups who want a straightforward crossing
• You carrying enough luggage to value a hotel transfer
• Visitors who do not want to spend extra time on a slower boat

It is less suitable if you want a scenic cruise with several island stops. It may also be less convenient if your Phuket accommodation is at Rawai, Naiharn, Panwa, or Ao Yon Beach, since the extra THB300 per person adds to the fare.

The service is also not ideal for a tight, non-flexible connection that cannot tolerate weather delays. The crossing requires good weather, and the operator may change plans for safety. If you have a flight, leave plenty of time after the expected arrival at Bang Rong Pier.

Weather, safety, and possible delays

Basic travel insurance is included with the transport. That is a useful detail, though you should still read the full terms of the coverage before relying on it.

The most important practical warning is the weather policy. Bad weather and bad sea conditions can delay, postpone, or cancel the crossing. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

This policy protects your money, but it does not remove the disruption. If your hotel check-in or flight depends on this boat, keep your schedule flexible. I would avoid booking the service immediately before an important flight unless you have a generous time cushion.

The boat has covered seating, which helps with sun and rain. It cannot guarantee calm seas, however. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider bringing any usual remedy with you. No specific onboard facilities are listed, so handle important needs before departure at Manoh Pier.

What the single review tells you

The available customer feedback is limited, with an overall rating of 4.5 from two reviews. One detailed account praised the smooth trip, good value, friendly staff, and hotel transfer after arrival.

Those comments match the strongest points of the service. The boat is built around a short, direct crossing, and the staff’s role is mainly to make that connection easy. The hotel transfer is especially important because it turns a pier arrival into a more complete journey.

At the same time, two reviews are not enough to establish a broad pattern about punctuality, luggage handling, or comfort in different sea conditions. I would treat the positive rating as encouraging rather than definitive. The clear facts are more useful here: the ride is short, the seating is covered, the route is direct, and weather can affect operations.

Booking, cancellation, and small details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket can be shown on your mobile device. You need to provide the name of your Phuket hotel if you want the drop-off service considered.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cut-off times follow local time in Thailand.

Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 75 people. No special accessibility details are provided, so if you need assistance boarding or have mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the pier and boat will meet your needs.

The operator is Trip Store Krabi. The service itself is run by Green Planet, so keep both names in your booking information in case you need to identify the correct crew at Manoh Pier.

Should you book the Green Planet speedboat?

Book this transfer if your priority is a fast, direct trip from Koh Yao Noi to Phuket. The 50-minute crossing, covered seating, mobile ticket, and possible hotel drop-off make it a practical choice for airport connections and Phuket hotel stays.

I would especially recommend it when you are staying in northern Phuket or flying from Phuket International Airport. The $16.30 base price is fair, and the positive feedback about friendly staff and a smooth hotel transfer adds confidence.

Think twice if you are staying in one of the surcharge areas, need guaranteed timing in poor weather, or want a scenic boat excursion. For everyone else, this is a useful piece of island transport: short, reasonably priced, and refreshingly free of unnecessary stops.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat leave from?

The speedboat leaves from Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi, in the south-west of the island.

What time does the boat depart?

The scheduled departure time is 11:50 am.

How early should I arrive?

You should meet the Green Planet crew at Manoh Pier 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long is the crossing?

The journey takes approximately 50 minutes.

Does the boat travel directly to Phuket?

Yes. The speedboat travels directly to Bang Rong Pier without stopovers.

Where does the boat arrive in Phuket?

The boat arrives at Bang Rong Pier in Pakhlok, in Phuket’s Thalang District.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Hotel drop-off in Phuket is included only when you book the relevant option and your hotel is within the covered area. You must provide your hotel name.

Are any Phuket hotel areas charged extra?

Yes. Hotel drop-off to Mai Khao, Panwa, Rawai, Naiharn, and Ao Yon Beach costs THB300 per person.

Does the service operate every day?

The service operates daily in both low and high season, subject to weather, sea conditions, and availability.

What happens if bad weather cancels the boat?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.