Ao Nang to Phuket by Green Planet Speed Boat via Koh Yao Islands

The clever part of this transfer is that it turns a half-day road trip into a brisk Andaman Sea crossing. You leave from Ao Nang, pass the Koh Yao islands, and reach northern Phuket by speedboat in roughly 1 hour 20 minutes, rather than sitting in a minivan for hours.

I like the hotel pickup from Ao Nang and nearby areas, and I like that the boat gets you outside instead of sealing you in a road vehicle. The short stops at Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai also break up the ride and give the trip a little island flavor.

The trade-off is comfort and organization. This is a working transfer, not a polished cruise. One passenger found the loading process chaotic, while others praised the crew, quick journey, and helpful service. Expect speed and practicality first.

Key points at a glance

• Fast sea route: The crossing takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, with one report putting the trip at around 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Useful pickup area: Hotel pickup covers Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, Tubkaek Beach, and Railay East.
• Koh Yao island stops: The boat pauses at Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai to collect or release passengers, not for a full sightseeing visit.
• Northern Phuket arrival: You reach Bang Rong Pier, a practical landing point for northern Phuket and nearby hotel transfers.
• Basic rather than luxurious: The boat is built to move people quickly, so comfort and calm organization can vary.
• Weather matters: Bad sea conditions can cause delays, a new date, or a full refund.

Why this is the smart alternative to the road

Ao Nang and Phuket sit fairly close together on the Andaman coast, but the road route takes much longer than the map may suggest. You must travel around the water, cross into Phuket by road, and deal with traffic along the way.

This speedboat takes the direct water route. That matters most if you have only a short window in Krabi and want to spend the afternoon in Phuket. You could use the saved time for a final meal in Ao Nang, a last walk by the beach, or a more useful first evening in Phuket.

I also like the simple nature of the trip. You are not signing up for a full-day island excursion with scheduled beach time, lunch, and activities. You are buying transport. The sea crossing happens to be far more interesting than a highway ride.

At $37.84 per person, the price is reasonable if you value time. It is not the absolute cheapest way to move between destinations, but it combines the boat ticket with pickup from a wide group of Krabi areas. Phuket hotel drop-off can also be booked, which may save you the trouble and cost of arranging another ride from Bang Rong Pier.

Your morning pickup in Krabi

The service picks up from hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. The exact pickup time is sent by email after booking, so do not assume that the published 11:20 am departure is your hotel pickup time.

If you stay at Railay Beach, the meeting point is the small floating pier at Railay East Beach, in front of Railay Princess Resort & Spa. That is a useful arrangement because Railay has no normal road connection. You do not need to make your own way back to Ao Nang by longtail boat before joining the transfer.

I would keep your phone available on the morning of departure. Pickup times can vary by hotel and area, and the boat crew still needs to gather everyone at Nopparat Thara Pier before departure.

The pickup area is a real strength, but it also means the morning may not feel perfectly predictable. Several pickup points feed into one boat, and the operator must move people from hotels to the pier on time. Allow a little patience if the collection process feels less tidy than a private transfer.

Nopparat Thara Pier and the 11:20 departure

The boat leaves from Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang. The listed start time is 11:20 am, giving you a late-morning departure rather than an early alarm.

At the pier, you meet the Green Planet crew and prepare for the boat ride. The operation may include a fair number of passengers, with a maximum group size of 75 people. That is not an intimate island cruise. It is a shared transport service, and the pier can feel busy as people are sorted by destination.

One important practical point comes from the mixed service reports. Some passengers found the crew friendly, helpful, and early for pickup. Another described being moved from one waiting area to another by a staff member using a megaphone, with confusion about boarding. I would not treat that as a guaranteed problem, but I would expect a functional pier operation rather than a quiet, carefully explained boarding process.

Keep your ticket details and hotel information handy. Wear something easy to move in, and avoid packing items you need to access repeatedly during boarding. The simpler your luggage routine, the easier this transfer will feel.

What the speedboat ride is really like

The main appeal is the open-air setting. Instead of watching the road through a minivan window, you travel across the sea with the coast and islands around you. That gives the transfer a sense of place, even though the ride is primarily about getting from point A to point B.

The journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, though one passenger reported completing it in around 1 hour 15 minutes. Timing can change with sea conditions, loading, and the brief island stops.

This is not a luxury boat. One direct assessment described it as efficient but not especially comfortable or reassuring. That is useful advice. If you are looking for padded seats, a polished lounge, or a relaxed cruise atmosphere, this is the wrong product. If you want to reach Phuket quickly, the simpler setup may be a fair bargain.

Sea conditions also matter. Speedboats can feel lively on rough water, and weather can delay or cancel the service. The operator states that poor weather, bad sea conditions, or limited availability may lead to a delay, postponement, or cancellation. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The Koh Yao Noi stop

Koh Yao Noi is one of the two brief island stops on the route. The boat pauses there to pick up or release passengers who are using the same transfer network.

Do not book this service expecting a guided visit to Koh Yao Noi. You will not have scheduled time to walk around, eat, swim, or explore the island. The stop is operational, not a sightseeing stop.

Even so, the island break adds interest to what would otherwise be a straight crossing. You may see the coastline and other boats as passengers and luggage are managed. It also explains why the route is not always a nonstop 75-minute ride.

If you are comparing this with a private speedboat, keep the distinction clear. A private charter could set its own route and timing. This shared service costs much less, but you follow the operator’s schedule and stop pattern.

The Koh Yao Yai stop

Koh Yao Yai is the second island connection. Like Koh Yao Noi, it serves as a pickup and drop-off point for people traveling between the islands, Krabi, and Phuket.

The two Koh Yao stops make the route more useful for several destinations, but they also mean the boat is not dedicated only to Ao Nang and Phuket. Loading and unloading can add time, and the boat may feel busier during these stages.

You should see these pauses as part of the transport network, not as bonus island visits. That expectation makes a big difference. The route still saves substantial time compared with driving, but it does not replace a Koh Yao day trip.

For some passengers, these stops are a pleasant change of scene. For others, they may feel like interruptions. I would choose this trip for the overall speed, not for the quality or length of time at either island.

Arriving at Bang Rong Pier in Phuket

The boat arrives at Bang Rong Pier in northern Phuket. This is not Patong, Phuket Old Town, Kata, or Karon. It is a pier in the north of the island, so your final road transfer depends on where you are staying.

Hotel drop-off in Phuket is available if you book the appropriate option. The service information specifically asks you to provide your hotel name for the drop-off. That detail matters because coverage is not universal.

A free hotel transfer is offered for covered hotel locations when the drop-off option applies. The information also makes clear that hotel drop-off is not included for Mai Khao and Panwa Beach. If you are staying in one of those areas, plan on arranging the last section yourself.

The advantage of booking the drop-off is obvious: you avoid arriving at an unfamiliar pier and negotiating a second ride after the boat. One passenger initially booked a taxi because they thought hotel transfers were not included, then discovered that covered hotel drop-off was available. Check the option carefully before paying for separate transport.

The value of $37.84

At $37.84, this transfer earns its price through time saved and convenience. The fare includes one-way speedboat transport, basic travel insurance, and pickup from several Krabi areas. Depending on your hotel, it may also include the final ride to your Phuket accommodation.

The real comparison is not simply boat versus bus. It is:

• A quick sea crossing with pickup
• A much longer road journey
• Separate transport to and from public piers
• A private vehicle that may cost more but give you a quieter ride

For a solo passenger, the shared speedboat can be good value. For a larger group, a private transfer may become more appealing if you want control over departure time and comfort. The supplied information does not give a private-car price, so I would compare the total cost rather than only the advertised boat fare.

The service is booked about 27 days ahead on average. That suggests you should reserve early during busy periods, especially if you need a specific hotel pickup or Phuket drop-off. The service operates daily in both low and high season, which gives you useful flexibility.

Who should book this transfer

I would choose this for people who want to move quickly between Krabi and Phuket without wasting most of a day on the road. It suits solo visitors, couples, and families who can handle a shared boat and do not need a luxury setting.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Railay, since the Railay East pickup keeps you from arranging a separate boat connection to the mainland. The hotel pickup network is useful for people based outside central Ao Nang, including Klong Muang and Tubkaek Beach.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness, dislike crowded boarding areas, or need a highly controlled schedule. The speedboat is exposed to weather, and the loading process may feel hectic. People who want a scenic island experience with time for snorkeling should book a proper island excursion instead. This transfer does not include snorkeling, beach time, or a guided activity.

The crew can make a difference. Ban received specific praise for helping make one boat day run smoothly, and other passengers singled out friendly, helpful staff. Still, service quality can vary by departure and conditions, so I would keep expectations practical.

Booking, cancellations, and useful planning details

Confirmation is provided at booking. You need to provide your Phuket hotel name if you want the drop-off service considered.

The cancellation policy is simple. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local time.

Because this trip depends on good weather, a poor-weather cancellation is handled differently. You are offered another date or a full refund if the operator cancels for that reason.

Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 75. The published information does not provide further accessibility details, so anyone with specific mobility needs should confirm the boarding arrangements before booking.

Should you book the Green Planet speedboat?

Book it if your priority is fast, practical transport between Ao Nang and Phuket. The route cuts out a long drive, includes useful hotel pickup, and gives you a pleasant sea crossing with short Koh Yao connections. At $37.84, it offers solid value when the pickup and hotel drop-off options fit your plans.

Skip it if you want a calm luxury cruise, a private schedule, or real time on Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai. The boat is shared, the boarding process may be busy, and weather can affect the day.

My advice is to confirm three things before paying: your hotel pickup area, your Phuket drop-off coverage, and the exact pickup time sent by email. Get those details right, and this is one of the quickest ways to shift from Krabi to Phuket without surrendering half a day to the road.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat transfer take?

The trip takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Some departures may take around 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on conditions and the island stops.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, Krabi.

What time does the service start?

The listed start time is 11:20 am. Your hotel pickup time is confirmed separately by email after booking.

Can I be picked up from Railay Beach?

Yes. Pickup is available from the small floating pier at Railay East Beach, in front of Railay Princess Resort & Spa.

Which Krabi areas have hotel pickup?

Pickup is offered from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach.

Which islands does the boat stop at?

The boat makes brief stops at Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai to pick up or drop off transferring passengers.

Where does the boat arrive in Phuket?

The service arrives at Bang Rong Pier in northern Phuket.

Is hotel drop-off available in Phuket?

Yes, hotel drop-off is available when the relevant option is booked and the hotel location is covered. You must provide your hotel name.

Is hotel drop-off available in Mai Khao and Panwa Beach?

No. Hotel drop-off is not included for Mai Khao and Panwa Beach.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather or sea conditions cause cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.