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

The fastest way to trade Phuket’s busy holiday scene for the quieter islands is this 30 to 40-minute speedboat crossing from Bang Rong Pier. You can head to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi, depending on the pier selected for your arrival, with optional hotel pickup in Phuket.

I like the punctual service and the simple, clean boat. I also like the low price, $16.21 per person, which makes a shared transfer far cheaper than arranging a private boat. The main catch is that hotel drop-off is not included, and booking in person may cost less.

Key points

• Two island arrival options: Reach Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai or Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi.
• Short Andaman Sea crossing: The boat ride takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Optional Phuket pickup: Add hotel pickup for a small extra fee, but remote villas and rentals are excluded.
• Reliable departure: The listed service begins at 3:00 pm, with daily operation in both low and high season.
• Simple arrival plan: From either pier, you can arrange a taxi to your hotel.
• Weather matters: Rough sea conditions can cause a delay, date change, or full refund.

A quick way from Phuket to the Yao Islands

This is a transfer, not a sightseeing cruise with stops or a guided island tour. You go to Bang Rong Pier in northeastern Phuket, board a speedboat, and cross to one of the two Yao islands.

That plain setup is its strength. You are not paying for a long excursion when all you need is a practical way to reach your hotel. The crossing is short, the route is scenic, and the boat gets you onto island time quickly.

The service is listed at $16.21 per person. That is good value for a shared ride, especially if you are traveling alone or as a couple and do not want to pay for a private charter. One important wrinkle: a booking made directly at the pier may be cheaper. Online booking still has value if you want to arrange the transfer before arriving in Phuket and have the details settled.

The service operates daily in both low and high season. That gives you useful flexibility, though the exact number of daily departures is not provided. The listed start time is 3:00 pm, so check your selected departure carefully before building the rest of your day around it.

Reaching Bang Rong Pier in northeastern Phuket

You make your own way to Bang Rong Pier, listed at Soi Mukthalang in Tambon Thep Krasatti, unless you add the hotel pickup option. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

This is not a city-center meeting point. Bang Rong Pier is in the northeastern part of Phuket, so allow enough road time from your hotel. The transfer does not include pickup from remote Phuket locations or private villas and rentals. If your accommodation falls into one of those categories, you need to arrange your own ride to the pier.

A practical detail can save you a bit of confusion on arrival. Check in at the small brown building or booth beside the steps leading down to the water. This is the sort of detail that matters more than it sounds, especially when you are carrying luggage and watching the clock.

There are free toilets at the pier. That is useful because the boat ride is short, but the transfer process can take longer than the crossing itself once you allow for arrival, check-in, and boarding.

The 30 to 40-minute speedboat crossing

Once aboard, you cross the Andaman Sea by speedboat. The trip takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on conditions and the exact destination.

You can expect a practical boat transfer rather than a luxury cruise. The boat is described as clean, and the service is designed to move you efficiently between Phuket and the Yao islands. The route also gives you open-water views, making the crossing more pleasant than a purely functional ride by road and ferry.

The boat has a maximum capacity of 75 passengers. That does not mean every departure will be full. One trip had plenty of space, with the boat not booked out. Still, you should think of this as shared transport, not a private ride where you choose every detail.

Sea conditions can affect the schedule. Bad weather or rough water may delay, postpone, or cancel the crossing. That is normal for a small speedboat route, but it matters when you have a hotel check-in, onward ferry, or flight waiting at the other end. I would avoid planning a tight connection immediately after arrival.

Basic travel insurance is included. It is a useful inclusion, though it should not be treated as a replacement for your own travel insurance. The most important safety decision is simply to follow the crew’s instructions and allow flexibility if weather turns poor.

Choosing between Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi

The service can take you to either Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi, but the arrival pier is different.

For Koh Yao Yai, you arrive at Klong Hia Pier. For Koh Yao Noi, you arrive at Manoh Pier, on the southwestern side of Koh Yao Noi. The booking information does not include hotel drop-off, so you will need to arrange a taxi from the pier to your accommodation.

That final taxi leg is easy to overlook. The speedboat gets you to the island, but it does not deliver you to your resort door. If you arrive with large bags, children, or a late check-in, arrange your onward ride in advance if possible. At minimum, have your hotel address ready and know which pier you are using.

Do not assume that Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi are interchangeable arrival points. They are separate islands with separate piers. Select the correct destination when booking, then confirm that your hotel is on the same island.

The two destinations appeal to different travel plans, but the supplied information does not specify the exact hotel zones or taxi fares. I would use the pier name as your main checkpoint: Klong Hia for Koh Yao Yai, Manoh for Koh Yao Noi.

Why the punctuality matters

For a short transfer, timing is the whole point. A late boat can disrupt a hotel check-in, a dinner reservation, or a planned island activity. The service has earned strong praise for picking up on time, leaving Phuket on time, and arriving at Koh Yao Noi on time.

The crew is also described as friendly, polite, and well organized. That combination makes the process easier, particularly if this is your first visit to the pier. One account specifically praised the boat captain, while another found the staff helpful from the pickup through the boat journey.

I would still treat the advertised time as a target, not a guarantee. Weather, sea conditions, and limited availability can affect the departure. The good news is that the operator has a stated policy for those problems, including a different date or a full refund when poor weather causes cancellation.

Optional Phuket hotel pickup

You can add hotel pickup from Phuket for a small extra fee. This is the most convenient choice if you are unfamiliar with the island or do not want to work out transport to Bang Rong Pier.

Pickup is not universal. Remote locations, private villas, and rental properties are excluded. Check your accommodation before paying for this option, and do not assume that every Phuket address qualifies.

The pickup is also not the same as hotel drop-off on the island. You may be collected in Phuket, but after arriving at Klong Hia Pier or Manoh Pier, you are on your own for the final ride to your hotel.

If you are traveling with luggage, the pickup option may be worth the added cost simply because it removes one task on departure day. If you are staying near the pier or already have a rental car or taxi arranged, making your own way may be cheaper.

What the price really gets you

At $16.21 per person, this is a strong low-cost option for a one-way crossing. You get speedboat transport, basic travel insurance, and hotel pickup if you choose that paid option. You do not get a hotel drop-off, a private boat, or a guided island tour.

That distinction keeps the price easy to understand. You are paying to cross the water, not for a full-service arrival package. For a solo traveler, the price can be especially attractive. For a larger group, compare the total cost with a private boat or another shared service, since pickup charges and onward taxis can change the final amount.

One person found it cheaper to book directly in person, but preferred the convenience of arranging the transfer ahead of time. That is the fair trade-off here. Advance booking gives you a confirmed reservation and less work when you are moving between destinations. Direct booking may save some money but requires more planning at the pier.

The service is often booked well in advance, with an average lead time of 56 days. That suggests you should not leave a popular travel date until the last minute, particularly if you need a specific departure or hotel pickup.

Who will find this transfer useful

I would recommend this service to you if you want a fast, basic, reasonably priced connection between Phuket and one of the Yao islands. It suits independent visitors who already know where they are staying and can arrange a short taxi ride after arrival.

It also suits anyone who values an organized departure. The pickup option, clear pier locations, and short crossing reduce the number of moving parts.

You may want another arrangement if you need door-to-door transport, are staying at a remote private rental, or must arrive at a precise time. Since hotel drop-off is not included and weather can affect the crossing, this is not the best choice for a schedule with no spare time.

Families and older passengers can participate, as most people can join the activity. Still, the practical details matter: you must get to the pier, board a speedboat, and arrange transportation at the far end.

Booking, changes, and weather planning

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or request a change during that period, and you will not receive a refund.

Weather is handled differently. If poor weather or bad sea conditions cancel the service, you can be offered another date or a full refund. This is worth remembering when setting your travel dates. A flexible island schedule gives you a much better buffer than a tightly packed itinerary.

The service has a maximum of 75 passengers. That gives you a clear idea of the largest possible group, though individual departures may have fewer people and more spare room.

My take on Green Planet’s Phuket to Yao Island boat

I like this transfer because it does not pretend to be more than it is. You get a quick speedboat ride, helpful staff, a clean boat, and a reasonable fare. The most praised features are the punctual operation, polite crew, and easy process from pickup or check-in through arrival.

The weak point is the last mile. You must reach Bang Rong Pier unless you pay for eligible hotel pickup, and you must arrange a taxi after reaching Klong Hia or Manoh Pier. That is manageable, but it should be part of your plan from the start.

For the price, the value is best when you are comfortable handling those two short land transfers. The ride itself is uncomplicated and scenic, and the daily operation gives you a useful link between Phuket and the quieter Yao islands.

Should you book it?

Book this service if you want a shared, direct speedboat transfer and you are happy to arrange the final taxi yourself. The $16.21 fare is hard to argue with for a 30 to 40-minute crossing, especially when the boat is clean and the crew keeps to schedule.

Choose the hotel pickup add-on if reaching Bang Rong Pier is inconvenient, but confirm that your Phuket accommodation qualifies. Leave spare time around the crossing because weather can change the plan.

If you need private transport, door-to-door service, or absolute control over departure time, look elsewhere. For most independent island trips, though, Green Planet offers a practical and friendly way to leave Phuket behind.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip take?

The crossing from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Where do I board the boat in Phuket?

You board at Bang Rong Pier in northeastern Phuket. The listed address is 2CX8+Q9M, Soi Mukthalang, Tambon Thep Krasatti, Thalang District.

What time does the service start?

The listed start time is 3:00 pm. Check your selected booking details for the departure information that applies to your trip.

Where will I arrive on Koh Yao Yai?

You will arrive at Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai.

Where will I arrive on Koh Yao Noi?

You will arrive at Manoh Pier, located on the southwestern side of Koh Yao Noi.

Is hotel pickup available in Phuket?

Yes. Hotel pickup is available as an optional extra fee. Pickup from remote Phuket locations, private villas, and rental properties is not included.

Is hotel drop-off included on the islands?

No. Hotel drop-off is not included. You can arrange a taxi from Klong Hia Pier or Manoh Pier to your hotel.

Does the price include travel insurance?

Basic travel insurance is included with the one-way speedboat transfer.

What happens if bad weather cancels the boat?

The service may be delayed, postponed, or canceled because of bad weather or poor sea conditions. If it is canceled for that reason, you can be offered a different date or a full refund.