We’ve all heard of Phuket, Thailand’s largest island and one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. It is known for its beautiful beaches and mountainous rainforest hinterland, but also for its vibrant nightlife in places like Patong, which is ready and waiting for party lovers! However, you may not have heard of a nearby island called Koh Yao Yai. Although Koh Yao Yai and its sister island Koh Yao Noi are a large island, they have gone unnoticed by many tourists, leaving these undiscovered treasures to be explored by fewer visitors. Koh Yao Yai, also wonderful for its beaches, offers amazing diving opportunities, all of which can be enjoyed at a lower price than in Phuket. What are you waiting for? Here’s how to travel from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai!
Read about:
• Travel options from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai
• From Phuket to Koh Yao Yai by speedboat
• From Phuket to Koh Yao Yai by private speedboat
• From Phuket to Koh Yao Yai by ferry and taxi
Travel options from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai
It’s surprising how undiscovered and undeveloped Koh Yao Yai is, considering its size and proximity to Phuket. It is actually one of 44 islands in this group, located at the southern end of Phang Nga Bay in the Andaman Sea and about 23 km from Phuket – although this depends on where in Phuket you depart from. – so traveling from one island to another doesn’t take particularly long. A boat ride is the only way to get to Koh Yao Yai as there is no airport, but there are several boats that come and go throughout the day, giving you several options whether you want to take a public or private speedboat. or if you would like to include a transfer to your hotel.
From Phuket to Koh Yao Yai by speedboat
Tigerline Travel fast ferry arriving in Koh Lanta
As we have already said, the exact travel time from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai will depend on where in Phuket you are departing from. Phuket Town is on the southern tip of the island, further from Koh Yao Yai docks, so the journey will take longer if you take a direct boat from here. An alternative that will shorten your overall travel time is to head north of Phuket first and catch a boat at one of the docks on that part of the island. From here, journey times can be 15 minutes, with most taking around 30 minutes.
Tigerline Travel is one of the powerboat companies you may want to consider. Their boats run from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai in just 15 minutes, although they currently only offer this service twice a day. The speedboat departs from Ao Po Pier in Phuket at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM and arrives at Klong Hia Pier on the northern tip of Koh Yao Yai at 8:15 AM and 10:15 AM respectively. Although the service is pleasant and fast, leaving Phuket at 8 or 10 a.m. may not suit you and you may need to consider another carrier.
Koh Yao Sun Smile is a great alternative as there are three speedboats departing from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai every day. There is a low tide in the morning at 09:30, another at lunchtime at 13:30 and another in the early afternoon at 17:00. These boats depart from Phuket’s Bang Rong Pier, which is located on the northern tip of Phuket, and arrive at Chong Lard Pier 30 minutes later. Chong Lard Pier is located slightly east of Klong Hia Pier, so there is not much difference which pier you reach on Koh Yao Yai as they are both in the same area, in the north of the island.
You can book speedboat tickets from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai in advance using an online booking service such as 12Go. Here you can see photos of the boats they use to get a better idea of what the boat is like. These are fast boats, but they are designed to carry several passengers, so they are not particularly small. However, traveling by speedboat can be quite difficult at times, so keep this in mind if you are prone to seasickness.
From Phuket to Koh Yao Yai by private speedboat
Regular speedboats offer a very reasonable price for a cruise from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai, making them an excellent option for most travelers. However, if you prefer a bit of exclusivity or the times listed don’t suit your needs, consider private speedboats from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai. The advantage of a private speedboat is that you can choose your departure time from Phuket: it runs between 08:00 and 16:00, so any time within this range is possible.
Private speedboats depart from Yamu Pier in Phuket and arrive at Chong Lard Pier on Koh Yao Yai approximately 45 minutes later. Tickets for the private speedboat are sold in a package for a maximum of 10 passengers. If you divide the ticket price by 10 passengers, the cost per person comes down significantly, but it will still be about twice the price of a regular speedboat from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai. If you need to stick to a budget, a private speedboat may not be the best option, but if you’re traveling in a group and value the flexibility to travel at your own pace, this is a great alternative and can be booked in advance through 12Go.
From Phuket to Koh Yao Yai by ferry and taxi
A convenient option if you prefer to have your travel and transfer arranged in advance is to book a combined ferry and taxi ticket. This includes a cruise on a regular speedboat leaving Phuket at 09:30, 13:30 or 17:00, as well as transfer to your chosen hotel in Koh Yao Yai. The cost is a bit higher, but the convenience of not having to worry about finding a ride once you arrive can save you time and effort. You can also book a ferry and taxi combination from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai via 12Go.
How far is it from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi?
The distance from Phuket’s Bang Rong Pier to Koh Yao Noi, crossing the Andaman Sea, is approximately 32 km.
How far is it from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai?
The distance from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai is approximately 23 km, crossing the Andaman Sea. Prices for speedboats and ferries can vary significantly, so it is recommended that you compare your options on 12Go. Here you can check different schedules, costs and customer reviews before booking, and you also have the option to add transfers.
How long does the speedboat take from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai?
The speedboat ride from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai usually takes around 30 minutes, depending on the pier and ferry company chosen. Check out 12Go to compare prices and services and book online. You can depart from Bang Rong Pier with Koh Yao Sun Smile or, if you prefer more options, choose Ao Por Pier with Tigerline Travel, departing from Phuket.
How to get to Koh Yao Yai?
The island of Koh Yao Yai is located off the coast of southern Thailand, in the Andaman Sea. Near Phuket and Krabi, you can purchase speedboat and ferry tickets to Koh Yao Yai online via 12Go. The island is approximately 40 minutes by boat from Krabi and 30 minutes from Phuket.