Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai by Green Planet Speed Boat

The fastest part of reaching Koh Yao Yai is also the simplest: a direct 40-minute speedboat ride from the Krabi coast to the island. Green Planet collects you from selected hotels, brings you to Nopparat Thara Pier, and takes you across without an island stop.

I like the prepaid, one-way format, which removes a common travel headache, and I like the direct route, with no stopovers to stretch a short crossing into a half-day trip. The main caution is comfort: the boat can be full, luggage takes up space, and one journey was badly delayed after an engine problem.

Key points at a glance

• Direct crossing: The speedboat runs from Nopparat Thara Pier to Koh Yao Yai without scheduled stopovers.
• Hotel pickup included: Collection is available in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, Tubkaek Beach, and from Railay East.
• About 40 minutes on the water: It is a quick connection, though weather, sea conditions, and mechanical problems can affect the timing.
• Arrival at Klong Hia Pier: You arrange and pay for your own taxi from the pier to your Koh Yao Yai accommodation.
• Useful price point: At $24.25 per person, the fare is reasonable if you value speed and a planned transfer.
• Mixed comfort record: The boat may be crowded with passengers and bags, so this is transport first and sightseeing second.

A quick route from Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai

This service connects the busy Krabi side of the Andaman coast with the quieter island of Koh Yao Yai. You begin at your hotel, or at Railay East if you are staying on Railay Beach, then travel to Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang.

The advertised boat departure is 11:20 am. Your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, so do not assume the boat time is the same as the time you leave your hotel. Allow room in your morning for the road transfer, loading bags, and the possibility of a pickup running a little late.

Once you reach the pier, you meet the Green Planet crew and board the speedboat. The boat travels directly to the north of Koh Yao Yai, arriving at Klong Hia Pier. The crossing takes about 40 minutes in normal conditions, giving you open-water views and a much quicker connection than arranging a more complicated series of local transfers.

I would treat the ride as practical island transport with a nice view, not as a polished sightseeing cruise. You may get a good look at the coast and sea during the crossing, but the priority is getting you from one pier to another.

Hotel pickup covers a useful stretch of Krabi

Pickup is included from hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. Railay guests can meet the service at the small floating pier at Railay East, in front of Railay Princess Resort & Spa.

That coverage matters because reaching Nopparat Thara Pier on your own can add another taxi booking and another chance to misjudge the timing. A prepaid pickup also helps if you have luggage or are unfamiliar with the local roads.

The exact pickup time arrives by email after you book. Read that message carefully and keep your phone available on the morning of departure. The service has been praised for prompt hotel collection, but one account describes a songthaew arriving 15 minutes later than expected. That is not unusual for shared transport, but it is a reason not to plan a tight connection after reaching Koh Yao Yai.

Pickup quality may also depend on your accommodation’s location and the day’s traffic. The included transfer is convenient, though it is not a private car service. You could be collected in a songthaew or another shared vehicle, and the ride may include other passengers.

Nopparat Thara Pier and the 11:20 boat

The listed starting point is Nopparat Thara Pier, at 2QWX+XCH in Ao Nang. Get there with enough time to find the Green Planet staff, check your booking, and place your luggage with the crew.

At the pier, keep your booking confirmation on your phone. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided at the time of booking. It is sensible to have the email ready before leaving your hotel, since a weak connection at the pier is never helpful.

The boat is scheduled to leave at 11:20 am. Shared boats can feel busy around departure, especially when passengers arrive with large suitcases. One positive account describes the process as fast and organized, with luggage recovered quickly after arrival. Another describes a boat packed close to capacity, with little spare room between people and bags.

That contrast gives you the clearest picture. The service can run efficiently, but the physical experience depends on how full the boat is that day. If you are sensitive to heat or cramped seating, bring water, keep valuables in a small day bag, and expect the cabin to feel warm while passengers and luggage are being loaded.

What the 40-minute speedboat ride is like

The direct route is the service’s strongest feature. There are no scheduled stopovers, so you do not have to change boats or pause at another island. For a trip that is normally about 40 minutes, this keeps the transfer focused and saves valuable holiday time.

You will get sea views as the boat heads toward Koh Yao Yai. The crossing is short enough that most of your attention can stay on the practical journey, but it still gives you a first look at the water and island setting around Phang Nga Bay.

Comfort is less predictable. The boat has a maximum capacity of 75 passengers, although the actual feel on board depends on the number of people and the amount of luggage. One journey was described as overpacked, with passengers sitting in a hot cabin. Another had enough room for people and bags.

The most serious problem recorded was an engine failure about 10 minutes into one crossing. The crew tried to repair it, but the trip eventually took about 100 minutes. That appears to be an exception rather than the planned experience, but it is worth remembering when arranging a flight, tour, or private transfer later that day.

Bad weather and rough sea conditions can also delay, postpone, or cancel the service. If the operator cancels for those reasons, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is a sea crossing, so no timetable can be as firm as a road journey.

Arriving at Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai

The arrival point is Klong Hia Pier, on the northern part of Koh Yao Yai. Some trip information also refers to Chong Lad Pier, so check your final confirmation if the exact pier matters for your hotel transfer. The operational details provided for this service identify Klong Hia Pier as the drop-off point.

The boat does not include hotel drop-off. Once you reclaim your luggage, you need to arrange a taxi or other local transport to your accommodation. This is the most important practical detail to understand before booking.

One useful tactic is to organize your island taxi before the boat arrives. A passenger was able to charter a taxi at a fixed rate before reaching Koh Yao Yai, which made the arrival quick and orderly. You can ask your hotel to help arrange this in advance, or confirm the local taxi option before boarding in Krabi.

Do not assume your hotel is a short walk from the pier. The service only gets you to the island landing point. Your final road transfer is separate, and the fare is not included in the $24.25 ticket.

Is $24.25 good value?

At $24.25 per person, this is a fair price for a direct speedboat crossing with pickup from several Krabi areas. The value is strongest if you are staying outside central Ao Nang, carrying luggage, and want to avoid piecing together taxis and boats yourself.

The fare includes:

• One-way speedboat transport
• Pickup from the listed Krabi areas
• Railay East pickup
• Basic travel insurance

It does not include:

• Taxi or transport from Klong Hia Pier to your hotel
• Hotel drop-off
• Any extra arrangements caused by a delayed or changed onward journey

I would compare the price with the cost of reaching the pier independently, but I would not judge it only against the boat ride. The included pickup is part of what you are paying for. If your hotel is already close to Nopparat Thara Pier and you can easily arrange your own boat ticket, the value may be less convincing. If you are in Tubkaek Beach, Klong Muang, Krabi Town, or Railay, the pickup makes the service more useful.

The service is booked, prepaid, and often reserved well ahead of time, with average bookings made around 49 days before departure. That suggests planning ahead is wise during popular travel periods, especially if you want the 11:20 crossing.

What the mixed service record means for you

The positive side is clear. Several accounts describe the booking process as fast, hotel pickup as on time, boarding as well organized, and the crossing as efficient. A German-language account also praised the organization, punctual hotel pickup, and punctual boat departure. Another described the crew as kind and the whole trip as satisfactory.

The weaker side is also specific. One boat was packed with passengers and luggage, and the crew was described as unfriendly and prone to running late. Staff at the dock were also criticized for their manner. Those details do not make the service a poor choice for everyone, but they do show that the experience can feel more like a busy public transfer than a calm holiday outing.

The engine problem is the biggest concern, though no boat operator can promise that a mechanical fault will never happen. Green Planet’s stated weather policy is helpful, since a cancellation caused by poor sea conditions comes with a new date or full refund. Still, I would avoid booking a nonrefundable activity immediately after arrival on Koh Yao Yai.

The basic travel insurance is included, but the supplied details do not explain its coverage. Do not treat that phrase as a substitute for checking your own travel insurance terms.

Who should book this Koh Yao Yai transfer?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple, direct connection and are comfortable with a shared speedboat. It suits couples, solo visitors, and families who prefer to pay once, receive hotel pickup, and handle only the final island taxi themselves.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Railay East, since the pickup point avoids a separate trip back to Ao Nang. The same is true for hotels in Klong Muang or Tubkaek Beach, where getting to the pier independently may take extra time and planning.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed comfort, extra luggage space, or exact arrival timing. The boat can be full, the ride may be warm, and sea conditions can change the schedule. If you have a flight, wedding, or fixed tour soon after reaching Koh Yao Yai, build in a generous buffer.

Before departure, I would do three things:

• Confirm your hotel pickup time by email.
• Arrange your Koh Yao Yai taxi before boarding.
• Keep valuables and essential medication in a small bag that stays with you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. The local start time controls the cutoff.

Should you book it?

Book this Green Planet transfer if your priority is speed, convenience, and a direct route from Krabi to Koh Yao Yai. The included pickup and reasonable $24.25 fare make it especially useful from the wider Ao Nang and Krabi hotel area.

Skip it, or choose a more flexible plan, if you dislike crowded boats or cannot tolerate a possible delay. The service generally gets the job done quickly, but you should arrange your onward taxi and leave breathing room in your schedule. For most visitors, that is a fair trade for a short crossing and a much easier start on Koh Yao Yai.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip take?

The boat crossing takes approximately 40 minutes. Delays are possible because of weather, sea conditions, limited availability, or mechanical problems.

Where does the boat leave from?

The listed departure point is Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, Krabi. The scheduled start time is 11:20 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from selected hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. Railay Beach pickup is available from the small floating pier at Railay East, in front of Railay Princess Resort & Spa.

Where does the boat arrive on Koh Yao Yai?

The service information identifies Klong Hia Pier as the arrival point. Another reference uses the name Chong Lad Pier, so check your confirmation if the exact pier is important for your onward taxi.

Is transport from the pier to my hotel included?

No. Hotel drop-off is not included. You must arrange and pay for your own taxi or other transport from the Koh Yao Yai pier to your accommodation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.