Phuket to Koh Yao Yai/Koh Yao Noi by Green Planet Speed Boat

Fast boat, quiet islands. Green Planet’s Phuket to Koh Yao speedboat is a simple way to leave Phuket behind and reach Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi in about 30 to 40 minutes. I like the low price of $16.21 per person and the choice of optional hotel pickup, especially when you have luggage and do not want to arrange a separate taxi to Bang Rong Pier.

I also like the practical arrival choices: Klong Hia Pier for Koh Yao Yai or Manoh Pier for Koh Yao Noi. The main drawback is that this is transport, not a sightseeing cruise. You must reach Bang Rong Pier 15 minutes before departure unless you pay for pickup, and you still need to arrange your own taxi from the arrival pier to your hotel.

Key points to know before booking

• The crossing takes only 30 to 40 minutes, making this one of the quickest ways to move from Phuket to the Yao Islands.
• Bang Rong Pier is the Phuket departure point, in the island’s northeast, with a recommended arrival 15 minutes before departure.
• You choose your island at booking, arriving at Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai or Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi.
• Optional hotel pickup costs extra, and remote Phuket locations, private villas, and holiday rentals are not covered.
• The boat carries up to 75 people, though departures may feel less crowded when demand is light.
• Bad weather can change the plan, with a different date or full refund offered if the service is canceled for sea conditions.

Why this transfer works for a Phuket island change

Phuket is convenient, but it can also feel busy and spread out. Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi offer a slower base, and the speedboat gives you a quick route across the Andaman Sea without paying for a private boat.

At $16.21 per person, the fare is particularly good if you are traveling alone or with one other person. A private transfer would give you more control, but this shared service handles the main water crossing at a modest price. The average booking point is 56 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early if your hotel dates are fixed, especially during high season.

I would think of this as a point-to-point island transfer, not a tour with commentary or planned stops. You go from one pier to another. That clear purpose is part of its appeal. There is little fuss, no long road trip around Phuket, and no need to negotiate for a private boat at the last minute.

Getting to Bang Rong Pier in northeast Phuket

The departure point is Bang Rong Pier, at 2CX8+Q9M, Soi Mukthalang, in Thep Krasatti, Thalang. It sits in the northeast of Phuket, so check your location carefully before choosing the self-arranged option.

You are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. The listed start time is 3:00 pm, though you should use your booking confirmation for the exact departure details. Build in extra road time if you are coming from another part of Phuket. The transfer itself is short, but a late arrival at the pier can create far more trouble than the boat ride.

If you use hotel pickup, the provider collects you from eligible Phuket hotels for an extra charge. This is the easier choice if you have suitcases, are unfamiliar with Phuket, or do not want to work out a taxi to Bang Rong Pier.

Pickup is not offered from every location. Remote areas, private villas, and rental properties are excluded. If you are staying in one of those places, arrange your own ride to the pier and allow enough time for traffic and finding the correct entrance.

A useful pier detail is the small brown check-in building or booth beside the steps leading down to the water. Look for that rather than expecting a large terminal with prominent signs. Free toilets are available at the pier, which is handy before a short but potentially lively boat crossing.

Boarding the Green Planet speedboat

At the pier, the process is intended to be quick. You check in, move toward the water, and board the shared speedboat. The boat service operates daily in both low and high season, giving you more flexibility than a limited weekly connection.

The boat can carry as many as 75 people. That is the maximum group size, not a promise that every departure will be full. On quieter runs, there may be plenty of space, and the boat has been described as clean and comfortable enough for the short crossing.

Staff receive some of the strongest praise attached to this service. The crew is described as friendly, polite, organized, and helpful with the process of getting to and from the boat. That matters at a small pier, where clear directions are worth more than a polished terminal.

Do not expect a luxury ferry. This is a speedboat transfer, so conditions can feel different from a large, stable passenger vessel. The operator reserves the right to delay, postpone, or cancel a run because of poor weather, rough sea conditions, or limited availability. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The 30 to 40 minute crossing

Once underway, you cross the Andaman Sea toward the Yao Islands. The journey takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on conditions. It is short enough that you can treat it as the final leg of your Phuket departure rather than a full day on the water.

The views are the main scenic reward. You get open water and an approach to the quieter islands, though the trip is primarily about getting you there efficiently. If you want a guided cruise, island stops, or a slow route for photography, this is not the right product.

The quick crossing is valuable in practical terms. You spend less time in transit and more time checking into your accommodation or beginning your stay. A short boat ride also suits people who would rather not spend several hours on a ferry.

Still, the sea can be changeable. If you are sensitive to motion, consider the weather forecast and keep your expectations sensible. The provider includes basic travel insurance, but that is not a substitute for checking your own medical and travel cover.

Arriving at Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai

If you choose Koh Yao Yai, the boat drops you at Klong Hia Pier. Koh Yao Yai is the larger of the two Yao Islands, and this pier gives you a practical entry point for the island’s hotels and local transport.

There is no hotel drop-off included. After leaving the boat, you need to arrange a taxi to your accommodation. That extra step is easy to overlook when comparing fares, so include it in your total budget.

Klong Hia Pier is best understood as a transfer point, not a destination stop. You will not be given a guided introduction to the island or a planned sightseeing break. Have your hotel name and address ready so you can arrange the next ride without searching through your phone while handling luggage.

The advantage is speed. You reach Koh Yao Yai directly, without changing between several forms of transport. If your accommodation is already expecting you, the transfer should be straightforward from pier to hotel.

Arriving at Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi

For Koh Yao Noi, the arrival point is Manoh Pier on the southwest side of the island. From there, you can find a taxi to your hotel.

The same rule applies here: the boat fare gets you to the island, but not all the way to your room. Ask your accommodation in advance about the best local taxi arrangement if that information is available. This is especially useful if you arrive with large bags or after a long international journey.

Manoh Pier is a practical arrival point for reaching Koh Yao Noi, but the service does not include a welcome escort or onward transport. You are responsible for the final connection. That is the trade-off for keeping the basic fare low.

The route is a good fit if you want to avoid the more complicated process of arranging a private boat. You pay for a scheduled shared crossing, arrive at Manoh Pier, and then continue locally.

What the $16.21 fare really includes

The advertised fare includes one-way speedboat transport and basic travel insurance. If you select the pickup option, hotel pickup in Phuket is also included in that chosen package, though pickup costs extra.

The fare does not include:

• Hotel drop-off on either Yao Island
• Pickup from remote Phuket locations
• Pickup from private villas or rental properties
• Taxi transport from Klong Hia Pier or Manoh Pier to your hotel

At $16.21, the basic fare is strong value for the sea crossing itself. The only caution is to avoid treating it as a complete door-to-door transfer. Add your Phuket ride to Bang Rong Pier, and then add the island taxi after arrival.

For solo visitors, couples, and small groups, the shared boat is likely to make more financial sense than a private charter. A larger group may want to compare the combined cost of several tickets, taxis, and a private option. The shared service wins on simplicity and price, while a private boat may offer more control over timing.

Punctual service and friendly staff

The practical side of this transfer receives consistent praise. Hotel pickup has been reported as punctual, the boat has left Phuket on time, and arrival at Koh Yao Noi has also been on schedule. The boat itself has been described as clean.

That does not guarantee perfect timing on every day. Sea conditions, traffic during hotel pickup, and operational changes can affect the schedule. Still, a service that is organized at both the pier and the boat makes a real difference when you have a hotel check-in waiting.

The crew’s manner is another strength. You can expect staff who are polite and helpful rather than left to puzzle out the boarding process alone. At a small pier, that kind of basic attention is useful and reassuring.

The service is also not always packed. One departure had enough open space for passengers to sit comfortably. Since the maximum capacity is 75, conditions may vary, but the route is not automatically a shoulder-to-shoulder ride.

Who should book this speedboat?

I would recommend it to you if you want a quick, affordable way to reach Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi and you are comfortable handling the final taxi ride yourself.

It suits:

• Solo visitors watching their transport budget
• Couples moving from Phuket to an island hotel
• People who prefer a scheduled service to negotiating a private boat
• Anyone who values a short crossing
• Visitors who want optional Phuket hotel pickup
• People with a fixed itinerary who can plan around the listed departure

It is less suitable if you need door-to-door service. It is also not ideal if you want a guided sightseeing trip, flexible departure time, or guaranteed sailing in poor weather.

Families and people carrying substantial luggage should pay close attention to the pickup and drop-off details. The boat gets you across the water, but you still need to manage your bags at both piers and arrange onward transport.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

Bad weather is handled differently. If the service is canceled because of poor weather or sea conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is important for an island transfer, since the sea, not just the operator, controls the schedule.

I would avoid booking the boat too close to a flight, ferry, or other nonrefundable connection. The crossing is short, but weather delays can affect the plan. Give yourself breathing room, especially if the transfer is part of a larger itinerary.

The service is open to most people, and the maximum group size is 75. The information provided does not list special accessibility arrangements, so contact the provider before booking if you need specific assistance.

Should you book Green Planet’s Phuket to Koh Yao transfer?

Book it if your priority is a fast, fairly priced shared crossing with helpful staff and optional Phuket pickup. The 30 to 40 minute journey, daily operation, and direct arrival at either Klong Hia Pier or Manoh Pier make it a useful bridge between Phuket and the Yao Islands.

Skip it if you need a full door-to-door service, a private departure, or a sightseeing cruise. Also think twice if your schedule cannot tolerate a weather delay.

For most people heading from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi, this is a sensible transport choice. Just budget for both ends of the trip: your ride to Bang Rong Pier and your taxi from the island pier to your hotel.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat trip from Phuket to Koh Yao?

The crossing takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Where does the boat leave from in Phuket?

The departure point is Bang Rong Pier in the northeast of Phuket, in Thep Krasatti, Thalang.

What time does the service start?

The listed start time is 3:00 pm. Arrive at Bang Rong Pier 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Where does the boat arrive on Koh Yao Yai?

The boat arrives at Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai.

Where does the boat arrive on Koh Yao Noi?

The boat arrives at Manoh Pier on the southwest side of Koh Yao Noi.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup in Phuket is available if you book that option, but it costs extra. Pickup is not available from remote locations, private villas, or rental properties.

Is hotel drop-off included on Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi?

No. You need to arrange and pay for a taxi from Klong Hia Pier or Manoh Pier to your hotel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the boat?

If poor weather or bad sea conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.