The speedboat from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi runs 30 to 35 minutes across Phang Nga Bay from Bang Rong Pier to Manoh Pier. Five operators cover the route at scheduled intervals between 09:30 and 17:00.

This guide tests the route on the Bang Rong Pier access from Phuket that catches travelers staying west coast, the resort transfer alternative that bypasses the public schedule, and the Koh Yao Noi infrastructure reality on the destination side.

Phuket to Koh Yao Noi at a glance

OperatorDeparturesDurationTypeFrom (one-way)Book
Koh Yao Sun Smile Fastest 09:30, 12:30, 15:30 (4-5 daily) 30 min Speedboat $12-26 Check availability
Green Beach Travel 3 daily 35 min Speedboat $12-22 Check availability
Green Planet 3 daily 30 min Speedboat $12-22 Check availability
Koh Yao King Marine 2 daily 35 min Speedboat $15-26 Check availability
  • Crossing duration: 30 minutes fastest, 35 minutes average
  • Distance: 20 km across Phang Nga Bay
  • Operators: 5 speedboat companies. No slow scheduled ferry on this route
  • Fare one way: $12 to $26 foot-passenger booked online
  • First sailing: 09:30 from Bang Rong Pier
  • Last sailing: 17:00 from Bang Rong Pier
  • Frequency: roughly every 3 hours
  • Phuket origin pier: Bang Rong Pier, Thalang district, northeast coast of Phuket
  • Yao Noi destination pier: Manoh Pier (most services) or Laem Sai Pier (south coast minority)

Five operators on the route and the Bang Rong Pier reality

Five speedboat operators run the Phuket to Koh Yao Noi route year round. Koh Yao Sun Smile, Green Beach Travel and Tour, Green Planet, Koh Yao King Marine, and Supaporn Speedboat all dispatch from Bang Rong Pier on Phuket’s northeast coast. The fares track within $5 of each other across operators. The decision is usually about which departure time suits the resort check-in window.

  • Koh Yao Sun Smile: 4 to 5 daily sailings, the route’s volume leader
  • Green Beach Travel and Tour: 3 daily sailings
  • Green Planet: 3 daily sailings
  • Koh Yao King Marine: 2 daily sailings, often the last departure
  • Supaporn Speedboat: 2 daily sailings

The boats are 25 to 40 foot speedboats, open or partly-covered. They ride the bay chop harder than the larger scheduled ferries on other Andaman routes. For travelers prone to motion sickness, the 30 minute crossing is short enough to manage without intervention.

Bang Rong Pier access from Phuket beach zones

Bang Rong Pier sits on the northeast coast of Phuket in Thalang district, 30 km north of Phuket Town. There is no taxi rank dedicated to the pier and no public shuttle from Patong, Kata, or the airport. Travelers handle their own ground transport.

Access times from popular Phuket zones:

  • From Phuket Old Town: 30 to 40 minutes by taxi$0 600 to 800
  • From Phuket International Airport: 15 to 20 minutes by taxi$0 400 to 500
  • From Patong: 50 to 70 minutes by taxi$0 900 to 1,200
  • From Kata or Karon: 60 to 80 minutes by taxi$0 1,000 to 1,400
  • From Mai Khao or Naithon: 20 to 30 minutes by taxi$0 500 to 700

For travelers connecting from a Phuket airport arrival, Bang Rong is the closest pier at 20 minutes by taxi for THB 400 to 500. This is the easy-mode connection that hotel concierges often arrange as a same-day transfer.

Resort transfer alternative that bypasses Bang Rong

Six Senses Yao Noi, Treehouse Villas, Cape Kudu Hotel, and the other higher-end Yao Noi resorts offer private speedboat transfers that bypass Bang Rong scheduling entirely. The resort sends a boat to Phuket’s Royal Phuket Marina, Ao Po Pier, or even directly to the airport ferry terminal at Mai Khao.

  • Six Senses transfer cost: included with most reservations, otherwise $80 to $120 per person one way
  • Cape Kudu transfer cost: $40 to $60 per person, scheduled twice daily
  • Private charter: $200 to $350 per boat one way, fits 6 to 10 passengers

The resort transfer eliminates the Bang Rong taxi friction and the public-schedule wait. For travelers booking a 4-night-plus stay at one of the boutique resorts, the included transfer is real value. For day visits or budget stays, the public Bang Rong speedboat at $12 to $26 wins on cost.

Koh Yao Noi sunrise over Phang Nga Bay the boutique destination reached by speedboat from Phuket Bang Rong PierPhotographer: Vyacheslav Argenberg. Source: Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0.
Sunrise over Phang Nga Bay from Koh Yao Noi. The 50 square kilometer island sits between Phuket and Krabi mainland, sheltered by the karst islands of Phang Nga National Park.

Manoh Pier on arrival and the Yao Noi infrastructure reality

Manoh Pier is a small concrete pier on the east coast of Koh Yao Noi. The pier opens directly onto a single road that runs the length of the island. There are no taxis waiting at the pier in the way Phuket or Krabi has. Resorts arrange pickup.

Transfer options from Manoh to Koh Yao Noi accommodation:

  • Resort pickup, often included: Most Yao Noi resorts include a free Manoh Pier pickup
  • Songthaew$0 100 to 200 per person: Limited service, usually only at scheduled arrival times
  • Motorbike taxi$0 150 to 300: For solo travelers with light luggage
  • Pre-booked private transfer$0 600 to 1,000: Worth booking ahead for groups

The Yao Noi infrastructure is sparse compared to Phuket or Krabi. There are no big-brand supermarkets, no ATMs cluster, limited international cuisine. Travelers should arrive with cash for small purchases and not expect 24-hour services. The trade is the quiet. Most of the island sees no tourist traffic at all.

Best booking window and the resort-pickup math

The route prices on lead time and season. Online booking holds the fare floor 15 to 25 percent below pier counter walk-up. High season (November to April) sees the 11:30 and 14:30 departures sell out 2 to 3 days ahead. Speedboat tier holds more inventory inside 24 hours.

Monsoon (May to October) brings rough afternoon seas. Morning sailings (09:30, 11:30) cancel less than 5 percent. The 17:00 last departure cancels 15 to 25 percent in August and September. For travelers connecting to a same-day resort check-in, target the 11:30 or 14:30 departure year round.

The resort-pickup math: if you are staying at Six Senses Yao Noi or a similar property with included transfer, book the resort transfer regardless of public schedule. The included transfer covers the Bang Rong logistics tax. For budget stays, check current speedboat schedules and fares for the public Bang Rong service.

Frequently asked questions about Phuket to Koh Yao Noi

How long does the Phuket to Koh Yao Noi ferry take?
The speedboat crossing from Bang Rong Pier to Manoh Pier runs 30 minutes on the fastest operator and 35 minutes average. There is no slow scheduled ferry on this route. The crossing covers 20 km of Phang Nga Bay sheltered by karst islands.
How much does the Phuket to Koh Yao Noi speedboat cost?
Foot-passenger fares run $12 to $26 one way booked online. Pier counter walk-up sits 15 to 25 percent above the online rate. Resort transfers via Six Senses or other boutique properties run $40 to $120 per person one way when not included with the room rate.
Which Phuket pier does the Yao Noi speedboat leave from?
Bang Rong Pier on the northeast coast of Phuket in Thalang district, 30 km north of Phuket Town and 15 km north of Phuket International Airport. There is no Yao Noi service from Rassada Pier, Chalong Pier, or Ao Po Pier.
Where does the speedboat arrive on Koh Yao Noi?
Manoh Pier on the east coast of the island for most services. A minority of operators use Laem Sai Pier on the south coast. Confirm the destination pier on the ticket before leaving Phuket so the resort pickup waits at the right place.
Should I take the public speedboat or a resort transfer?
Resort transfer if you are staying at Six Senses Yao Noi, Treehouse Villas, Cape Kudu, or a similar boutique property where the transfer is included or runs at $40 to $60 per person. Public Bang Rong speedboat if you are on budget accommodation or doing a day trip.
Is there a ferry from Krabi to Koh Yao Noi?
Yes, from Ao Thalane Pier on the Krabi mainland to Manoh Pier or Laem Sai Pier. The Krabi route runs less frequently than the Phuket route (2 to 3 daily sailings) and is the right choice for travelers connecting from Ao Nang or Railay rather than Phuket.
How developed is Koh Yao Noi as a destination?
Sparse compared to Phuket and Krabi. No big-brand supermarkets, no ATM cluster, limited international cuisine. Most accommodation is boutique resort tier or homestay. The trade is the quiet and the unspoiled Phang Nga Bay views. Bring cash and lower the wifi-speed expectation.

Where to stay on Koh Yao Noi after the speedboat

Three SHA-certified picks for the boutique Yao Noi tier to anchor the first night.

For all 27 Thailand ferry routes plus operator reliability, seasonal cancellation patterns, and booking strategy, see our complete Thailand ferry guide.

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