REVIEW · PHUKET
Phuket to Ao Nang by Green Planet Speed Boat via Koh Yao Islands
Book on Viator →Operated by Trip Store Krabi · Bookable on Viator
Getting from Phuket to Ao Nang fast helps. This Green Planet speedboat transfer cuts travel time while giving you a scenic stop around Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, with optional hotel pickup in Phuket and drop-off at Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang. For the ride itself, you get a basic travel insurance cover included and a mobile ticket that keeps things straightforward.
What I like most is the door-to-pier flow: you can start with pickup, then end with a pier drop and onward hotel transfer where available. The other big win is the Koh Yao stop—enough scenery to break up the day, without turning your trip into an all-afternoon saga.
One caution: the timing can feel confusing if you compare pickup time to the boat’s actual departure. In particular, pickup may happen well before the speedboat leaves, and you’ll want to plan for some waiting time at the pier (and bring small cash in case there’s a pier entry fee).
In This Review
- Key takeaways before you go
- What this transfer really is (and what it isn’t)
- Where you start: Bang Rong Pier (and why timing matters)
- The Phuket pickup option: helpful, but not for every address
- The ride: fast, organized, and built for groups up to 75
- Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai: why that stop is more than a checkbox
- Arriving at Nopparat Thara Pier: easy onward transport, if your hotel is covered
- Price and value: what you’re paying for
- What can derail your plan: weather and sea conditions
- Group size and how it feels in real life
- Who should book this transfer
- Should you book this Phuket to Ao Nang speedboat?
- FAQ
- Is hotel pickup in Phuket included?
- Where is the meeting point?
- What time does the transfer depart?
- Where do you get dropped off in Ao Nang?
- Is the Ao Nang hotel transfer included after the pier drop-off?
- Does this transfer include travel insurance?
- Are there stops during the journey?
- What if the weather is bad?
- How many people are on the transfer?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key takeaways before you go
- Optional Phuket hotel pickup saves you the hassle of getting to Bang Rong Pier on your own
- Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai stop gives you a scenic break, not just a straight ride
- Drop-off at Nopparat Thara Pier sets you up for an easy transfer to Ao Nang hotels (where covered)
- English-speaking crew/guide keeps directions clear during boarding and the ride
- Weather can change the plan: delays, postponements, or cancellations can happen with a full refund
What this transfer really is (and what it isn’t)
This is a one-way speedboat transfer from Phuket to Ao Nang, running daily in both low and high seasons. Expect about 1 hour 20 minutes of ride time, but remember that the day also includes a short stop around the Koh Yao islands to help pick up and drop off other passengers.
Think of it as the practical option for moving between two of Thailand’s most popular bases: Phuket for variety, and Ao Nang for beach access and day tours in Krabi. If you’re trying to avoid the stress of buses, ferries, and waiting around, this kind of transfer is designed to get you “off the island and onto the next plan” without much thinking.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Phuket
Where you start: Bang Rong Pier (and why timing matters)
Your meeting point is Bang Rong Pier in the north-east of Phuket. The standard plan is to be there about 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. The listed start time is 3:00 pm, and that’s the time the speedboat service departs from the pier—not necessarily when you first get picked up from your hotel.
That gap is the part that catches people off guard. If you pick up in Phuket, your vehicle might collect you earlier and then you’ll wait at the pier. One good reason to accept this is that speedboat transfers need structure: people must be grouped by destination, tickets checked, and boarding done quickly. The upside is less chaos once you’re inside the process—boarding can still feel busy, but the crew generally works fast.
Also, bring small cash just in case. One trip detail I’d treat as real-world money planning: Bang Rong Pier may charge an entry fee of 10 Baht per person (this fee is run by the pier authority, not by the tour operator). If you arrive without small bills, you’ll be the person searching for change while everyone else boards.
The Phuket pickup option: helpful, but not for every address
Hotel pickup in Phuket is included only if you book it as an option. Even then, the pickup isn’t guaranteed for every kind of location. The service doesn’t include pickup from remote Phuket locations, and it won’t pick you up from private villas or rentals.
So if your lodging is in the normal hotel zones and you can give the operator your hotel name for the drop-off coordination in Ao Nang, you’re likely fine. But if you’re staying somewhere harder to access, you may need to make your own way to Bang Rong Pier. A quick test: if you feel like your hotel’s address is “not really in the city,” plan to go to the pier yourself.
The ride: fast, organized, and built for groups up to 75
Once you’re at Bang Rong Pier, the process is fairly systematic. You’ll be tagged and grouped for destinations, then onboarded. The crew is quick and friendly, and directions tend to be clear even when English is being used by the staff/guide.
On the water, this is the “speedboat” part of the pitch: the transfer is designed to move you quickly between Phuket and Krabi’s beach areas. The journey is also short enough that you’re not stuck inside motion sickness for hours. The trip length is listed as around 1 hour 20 minutes, and that feels believable for a direct-ish route with a brief Koh Yao stop.
One extra touch I appreciate: during the ride, staff are typically prepared with basic comforts like free water, which helps when you’re traveling in heat and you don’t want to buy everything at every stop.
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai: why that stop is more than a checkbox
The Koh Yao islands stop is part of the transfer plan, and it usually exists for two reasons: scenery and logistics. You’ll make a short stop where other transferring guests are picked up or dropped off at Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.
Here’s what that means for you in practice:
- You’re not stuck in one long stretch of open water with no visual breaks. The islands add a sense of place.
- The stop helps keep the whole route efficient. It’s not a long tour stop, so don’t expect it to replace a full island excursion.
- It can change how long you feel like you’re “on the boat,” even if the total listed time is around 1h20.
If you hate waiting around with nothing to do, this stop is usually a good middle ground: it gives you fresh scenery without turning the transfer into a half-day outing.
Arriving at Nopparat Thara Pier: easy onward transport, if your hotel is covered
Your destination pier is Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang. From there, the service offers a free hotel transfer to your Ao Nang hotel, but only if your hotel location is in the drop-off coverage area.
This matters. Some Ao Nang hotels are close enough to be included in the covered route; others may not be. Since you’ll be asked for your hotel name for the Ao Nang drop-off coordination, give the correct name and make sure it matches your booking.
Practical advice: when you arrive at the pier, you’ll want to keep your eyes open for the staff/transfer grouping. Even when the sea part is smooth, the “last mile” is where people wander off or end up in the wrong pickup line. A quick check with the crew right after arrival can save time.
Price and value: what you’re paying for
At about $36.71 per person, this sits in the middle range for Phuket-to-Krabi options. I like that the price includes more than just the boat:
- One-way speedboat transport
- Hotel drop-off in Ao Nang
- Basic travel insurance
- Optional Phuket pickup (if you select it)
Here’s the value logic: you’re paying to trade some flexibility for time and convenience. If you’re comparing this against ferry-style options, the boat transfer tends to win on speed and on reducing “how do I get to the pier and then to my hotel” friction.
But the value depends on timing for your exact day. If you get picked up early and the boat doesn’t leave until later, you’re not getting the full “fast” feeling. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bad deal, but you should mentally budget for some waiting.
What can derail your plan: weather and sea conditions
This transfer runs daily, but it’s still a boat. The operator notes that bad weather, bad sea conditions, or limited availability can cause the transfer to be delayed, postponed, or canceled. If it cancels due to poor conditions, you should receive a full refund or an alternate date.
My rule for boat days: travel light and stay flexible. If you’re the type who plans tightly around one departure time, keep a buffer in your Ao Nang schedule. A speedboat transfer works best when your next plan isn’t dependent on arriving at the exact minute.
Group size and how it feels in real life
The service caps at 75 travelers. That’s not tiny, but it’s also not a packed bus situation where you’re stuck behind five people for the whole trip.
What you can expect is organization followed by a short moment of “everyone is doing something at once” while staff sort passengers. Once you’re assigned and moving, it usually gets calm quickly. The biggest improvements in comfort come from simple things: arrive early, follow instructions, and keep your ticket handy on your phone.
Who should book this transfer
This one-way speedboat fits best if you:
- Want the easiest way to get from Phuket to Ao Nang without piecing together multiple parts
- Prefer door-to-pier convenience (especially if your Phuket hotel offers pickup)
- Like the idea of a quick scenic stop around Koh Yao rather than just straight transit
- Would rather spend money to save time than spend time saving money
It might not be your best match if you:
- Absolutely hate waiting at pier facilities
- Are staying somewhere outside pickup coverage in Phuket
- Need strict arrival timing with no flexibility (boat transfers are weather-dependent)
Should you book this Phuket to Ao Nang speedboat?
If you want the smoothest “get there, then do stuff” route, this is a strong choice—especially when you add the practical benefits of hotel drop-off in Ao Nang and the included basic insurance. The Koh Yao stop is a nice bonus that makes the transfer feel like travel, not just transportation.
I’d book it when your schedule can handle a bit of waiting and you’re staying somewhere pickup/drop-off can cover you. I’d skip it if your day hinges on an exact arrival minute or if you’re comparing value purely by time saved and expect every minute to feel instant.
In short: if convenience and scenery-lite matter to you, this transfer makes sense.
FAQ
Is hotel pickup in Phuket included?
Hotel pickup in Phuket is included only if you book the pickup option. If you don’t select it, you’ll need to make your own way to Bang Rong Pier.
Where is the meeting point?
The meeting point is Bang Rong Pier in Phuket.
What time does the transfer depart?
The scheduled departure time is 3:00 pm. You should arrive about 15 minutes before departure.
Where do you get dropped off in Ao Nang?
You’re dropped off at Nopparat Thara Pier.
Is the Ao Nang hotel transfer included after the pier drop-off?
A free hotel transfer from Nopparat Thara Pier is included only if your Ao Nang hotel location is covered for drop-off.
Does this transfer include travel insurance?
Yes. Basic travel insurance is included.
Are there stops during the journey?
Yes. There is a short stopover on Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai for pickup/drop-off of other transferring guests.
What if the weather is bad?
If the transfer is affected by bad weather or sea conditions, it may be delayed, postponed, or canceled. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
How many people are on the transfer?
The maximum group size is 75 travelers.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.
