REVIEW · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai by Green Planet Speed Boat
Speedboat logistics can sound stressful. This one is built to be the opposite. You get hotel pickup from several Krabi areas plus a direct transfer by speedboat to Koh Yao Yai, taking about 40 minutes, with no en-route stops. The trip is also very visual, with a fast run past the coast and island views that make the island feel real before you even step off the boat.
I like that it’s pre-booked and prepaid with a mobile ticket, so you’re not scrambling at the dock. I also like how the end point is set up so you can move on quickly, with drop-off at Klong Hia Pier (then taxi to your hotel). One possible drawback: the boats can run full and conditions can feel tight and hot, so pack light and plan for less comfort than you’d get on a private transfer.
Timing is the other thing to keep in mind. Pickup times are confirmed by email, and the service can be delayed, postponed, or cancelled with a full refund if weather or sea conditions are rough.
In This Review
- Key Things to Know Before You Go
- Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai: What This Transfer Really Gets You
- Where the Pickup Happens (and Why It’s Worth Checking Twice)
- Meeting Green Planet at Nopparat Thara Pier
- The 40-Minute Speedboat Ride: Fast, Scenic, and Practical
- Landing at Koh Yao Yai: Klong Hia Pier Is Your Next Step
- Price and Value: Is $24.25 a Good Deal?
- Comfort and Crowding: The Trade-Off of Speed
- Weather Reality: When the Sea Changes the Plan
- Who This Transfer Works Best For
- Should You Book This Speedboat to Koh Yao Yai?
- FAQ
- What areas are picked up for the Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai transfer?
- How long is the speedboat ride to Koh Yao Yai?
- Where do you get dropped off on Koh Yao Yai?
- Is the transfer direct, or are there stops along the way?
- What happens if the sea conditions are bad?
- Can I get a full refund if I cancel?
Key Things to Know Before You Go
- Hotel pickup covers multiple areas: Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, Tubkaek Beach, plus a Railay East floating-pier pickup.
- Direct ride to Koh Yao Yai: you cruise straight to the island without stopovers en route.
- Drop-off at Klong Hia Pier: easy starting point to grab a taxi for your final leg (not included).
- Operates daily, but weather can affect timing.
- Max group size is capped at 75 travelers, which helps keep it organized even when it’s busy.
Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai: What This Transfer Really Gets You

This is a one-way speedboat transfer between Ao Nang (and nearby Krabi pick-up zones) and Koh Yao Yai. The goal is simple: remove the hassle of figuring out transport connections and get you to the island fast.
The route matters. Koh Yao Yai is a different vibe from Ao Nang, and the more time you spend in transit, the more your island day shrinks. With this service, you’re looking at roughly 40 minutes of cruising time, direct to the island. That’s the key value: it keeps your schedule intact.
It’s also set up as a prepaid, pre-booked product. You’ll get a mobile ticket, and the pickup time comes to you by email. That cuts down on the dock-day uncertainty that can happen with unmanaged transfers.
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Where the Pickup Happens (and Why It’s Worth Checking Twice)

This transfer is only as smooth as your pickup location match. Here’s where it runs from:
- Ao Nang
- Krabi Town
- Ao Nam Mao
- Klong Muang
- Tubkaek Beach
- Railay East (via the small floating pier in front of Railay Princess Resort & Spa)
If you’re staying in or near Railay Beach, pay attention to this detail. The pickup isn’t described as a generic mainland-to-Railay pickup; it’s specifically tied to a small floating pier at Railay East. That’s the kind of thing that can save you from arriving at the wrong dock.
The pickup time is confirmed by email after booking. Start time shown for the service is 11:20 am, but your exact pickup moment depends on where you’re collected. Build a little buffer in your morning plans, because even well-run transfers can shift when schedules stack up.
Meeting Green Planet at Nopparat Thara Pier

Once pickup is done, you’ll be taken to the pier and you’ll meet the Green Planet team at Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang (Nopparat Thara Pier2QWX+XCH).
This matters because pier confusion is real in busy tourist zones. Having a clear meeting point helps. From there, you move directly onto the speedboat for the crossing.
The service is set for a clean handoff: you meet the crew, you board, and you go.
Also keep in mind that the boat journey is described as operating daily in low and high season. That usually means you can plan around it, but weather still has the final say.
The 40-Minute Speedboat Ride: Fast, Scenic, and Practical
The crossing is listed as about 40 minutes. You’re cruising to Koh Yao Yai with no stopovers, which keeps things simple.
On board, the tone from the overall feedback is split in a very human way:
- Many people describe it as organized and quick to get where they’re going.
- Others point out that the boat can feel packed, with luggage creating limited space and heat inside the cabin area.
So think of this ride as a functional speedboat, not a leisurely sightseeing cruise. If you’re the type who hates tight seating, pack light, keep your day bag compact, and wear something breathable.
Here’s what you can count on from the ride structure:
- Direct route (no detours)
- Time-efficient transit
- A fast arrival that lets you actually enjoy your afternoon on the island
Landing at Koh Yao Yai: Klong Hia Pier Is Your Next Step
You arrive at Chong Lad Pier as part of the route description, and the service drop-off is at Klong Hia Pier on the north side of Yao Yai Island (unnamed road near 3HP7+2HF).
Why Klong Hia Pier is useful: it gives you a standard pickup point for your final stretch. The onward transfer to your island hotel isn’t included, so you’ll need to arrange a taxi.
One very practical tip: at the pier, you can often charter a taxi before you reach your final destination. The goal is to agree on a fixed rate so you’re not negotiating right after a boat ride.
When you disembark, try to keep your focus on the basics:
- Grab your bag quickly
- Confirm where taxis are staging
- Get your rate set before you move too far
Fast exits are part of what this service is trying to deliver.
Price and Value: Is $24.25 a Good Deal?
At $24.25 per person, this transfer prices itself in the value category: you’re paying for a one-way speedboat, plus hotel pickup from multiple zones, and it’s prepaid with a mobile ticket.
To judge value, look at what’s included versus what you still have to handle:
- Included: speedboat one-way, pickup from listed areas, basic travel insurance, Railay East pickup
- Not included: hotel drop-off from Klong Hia Pier
So your real cost is the booking price plus whatever it costs to get from Klong Hia Pier to your specific accommodation. The taxi cost will vary by where you’re staying on the island, but it’s the same “final leg” reality for almost every transfer option.
The biggest value driver here is time. When transport is done quickly and without multiple handoffs, you lose fewer hours. That matters a lot on islands where daylight is your activity currency.
Also, the average booking lead time is 49 days. That’s a hint: if you travel in busier periods, earlier booking is smart.
Comfort and Crowding: The Trade-Off of Speed

Speed is the point of a speedboat, and speedboats come with a comfort trade-off.
The feedback that stands out isn’t about safety or cleanliness. It’s about space. Some people report:
- A small boat packed to capacity with passengers and luggage
- A hot cabin experience
- Late pickup compared to the indicated time
So what should you do with that?
Here’s how I’d plan:
- Travel with only what you need for the island day. Extra bags add stress when space is tight.
- Wear light layers. Even if the day is pleasant on land, boats can feel warmer.
- Expect the schedule to be more fluid than a train. Pickup times are confirmed by email, but real life at docks and on shared transfers can run behind.
Also, there’s a reminder in the operating terms: if sea conditions are rough or availability is limited, the transfer may be delayed, postponed, or cancelled with a full refund. That’s not a flaw. It’s how these services stay safe.
Weather Reality: When the Sea Changes the Plan
This transfer explicitly depends on conditions. If weather or sea conditions are bad, you might see:
- A delay
- A postponement
- A cancellation
If it’s cancelled due to poor weather or sea conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s a key safety net.
One more planning angle: because you’re on an island time schedule, build flexibility into the rest of your day. If the boat shifts, you’ll want room to adjust meals, check-in, or any planned activities.
If you’re arriving in Krabi the same day, this kind of transfer is still doable, but it’s best when you’re not trying to cram in additional transport right before or after.
Who This Transfer Works Best For
This one-way speedboat transfer is a strong match if you want:
- A fast, direct connection between Ao Nang/Krabi and Koh Yao Yai
- A simple plan with pickup included from common areas
- Less fuss than piecing together multiple local transport steps yourself
It may be less ideal if you:
- Need a lot of personal space
- Have heavy luggage you can’t compress into a smaller bag
- Are very sensitive to heat and tighter seating areas
If you’re traveling as a couple or small group and you like getting to your destination quickly, this tends to make sense. If you’re a family with multiple bags, you’ll still likely get there fast, but pack smarter for the boarding and cabin conditions.
Should You Book This Speedboat to Koh Yao Yai?
If your priority is time and simplicity, I’d book it. For $24.25, you’re getting a fast one-way crossing plus pickup from several key Krabi zones, and the product is designed to reduce dock-day uncertainty with prepaid confirmation and a mobile ticket. The drop-off at Klong Hia Pier also sets you up for a quick taxi connection.
I’d hesitate only if:
- You’re extremely uncomfortable in cramped, warm spaces
- You’re counting on an exact minute and have no flexibility in your island plans
- You’re arriving with bulky luggage you can’t keep manageable
My practical advice: book ahead if you can, confirm your pickup email details, travel light, and plan your taxi step immediately after you land at Klong Hia Pier. If the weather is rough, remember you’re not stuck—refunds and alternate dates are part of the rules.
FAQ
What areas are picked up for the Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai transfer?
You can be picked up from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. If you’re staying in Railay, pickup is from the small floating pier at Railay East Beach in front of Railay Princess Resort & Spa.
How long is the speedboat ride to Koh Yao Yai?
The transfer duration is listed as about 40 minutes.
Where do you get dropped off on Koh Yao Yai?
The service drop-off is at Klong Hia Pier in the north of Yao Yai Island. From there, you can grab a taxi to your hotel. Hotel drop-off is not included.
Is the transfer direct, or are there stops along the way?
It’s described as a direct cruise to Koh Yao Yai without stopovers en route.
What happens if the sea conditions are bad?
If the transfer is affected by bad weather, bad sea conditions, or limited availability, it may be delayed, postponed, or cancelled. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Can I get a full refund if I cancel?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded.
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