About this tour
When Charlie from our team caught the Koh Yao Sun Smile Speed Boat from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Noi, it was a straightforward 90-minute crossing that cuts through Phang Nga Bay and lands you at Manoh Pier on the quieter island's southwest coast. The boat runs daily year-round — three daily departures November to April, one afternoon slot May to October — making it the practical link between the backpacker hub of Phi Phi and the slower-paced, rubber-plantation-dotted Koh Yao Noi. It's a no-frills point-to-point transfer, not a sightseeing cruise, but it's reliable and includes basic travel insurance.
Highlights
- Direct connection avoids Phuket detour, saves half a day of travel
- Speed boat handles rough seas better than standard ferries
- Manoh Pier drop-off puts you on quieter, less-touristy island
- Runs daily all year, three schedules in high season
- Basic insurance included, full refund if weather cancels
- Boat designed for these Andaman crossings, not a converted ferry
- Low-key alternative to the Phi Phi–Phuket–Krabi tourist mill
What to expect
The crossing itself is brisk and businesslike. You'll board at Phi Phi, settle in — seats are tight but functional — and the boat will punch across the bay for about 90 minutes. The Andaman can be choppy, especially in monsoon shoulder months, so expect some bounce if the swell's up. Charlie found it quicker and more direct than the Phi Phi–Phuket ferry–transfer–onward boat routine most tourists do. Once you hit Manoh Pier, you're on the quieter side of Koh Yao Noi, away from the main villages; you'll likely need onward transport (motorbike taxi, hotel shuttle) unless you've booked a beach bungalow within walking distance. The boat is geared entirely for commuters and island-hoppers, not sightseers.
What travellers say
- Skips Phuket detour, shaves hours off island-hopping routes
- Operates daily year-round with flexible seasonal schedules
- Built for these waters, handles rough seas competently
- Full refund if cancelled by weather or low demand
- Drop-off avoids main tourist pier congestion
- Basic insurance covers the transfer
- Not safe for pregnant travellers or those with spinal injuries
- Manoh Pier is remote; onward transport needs planning
- No hotel pickup or drop-off included
- Rough seas mean cramped, bumpy crossing in bad weather
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This cuts out the Phuket middleman. If you're moving between Phi Phi and Koh Yao Noi, it's quicker and more direct than the standard island-hopping route. The speed boat is sturdy and designed for Andaman crossings, so you're not gambling on a dodgy converted fishing vessel. Basic travel insurance is bundled in. Cancellations with full refund are honest policy — the bay can get rough and they won't push it.
It's not recommended if you have spinal issues, heart conditions, or are pregnant — the engine vibration and wave impact are real. Infants must sit on an adult's lap with no harness. Seats are snug and not premium. No hotel pickup or drop-off, so you'll arrange transport to Phi Phi pier and from Manoh Pier. Bad weather or low bookings in off-season (May–October) can mean cancellations or delays. Manoh Pier is remote; check you've got onward transport sorted.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.