About this tour
When Em from our team took the Koh Yao Sun Smile Speed Boat from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai, we found it a straightforward shot across the Andaman — just under two hours door-to-door. The boat drops you at Chong Lad Pier on the quieter northern side of Yao Yai, a pocket of the islands that feels a step removed from the backpacker circuit. It's a working pier in a working village, not a resort marina. The crossing itself is what you'd expect from a speed boat: rapid, loud, and genuinely bumpy if the Andaman's having a mood. Daily runs year-round, though frequency drops to one afternoon slot outside peak season. Basic insurance is bundled in, which softens the edges a bit.
Highlights
- Direct route — no stops or detours between islands
- Lands at quieter Chong Lad Pier, not a tourist hub
- Operates daily all year, so genuine flexibility
- Brief crossing time — under two hours, mostly
- Basic travel insurance included in fare
- Three daily departures during high season
What to expect
This is transit, not a scenic cruise. You'll rock up to Koh Phi Phi pier, check in, and board a modern speedboat with other travellers heading the same direction. The engine fires up loud — expect noise the whole way. The Andaman can be choppy, especially outside protected bays, so the ride jostles. If you're sensitive to motion or have back troubles, this will feel it.
You'll make the crossing in roughly 102 minutes. There's no commentary, no snacks, just the hum and spray. Em found the crew brisk and efficient; they move people on and off with a rhythm that's obviously well-worn. You'll land at Chong Lad Pier, which is genuinely local — fishing boats, longtails, weathered timber. It's refreshing if you want to skip the tourist-corridor feel, but it also means you're landing somewhere you'll need to arrange onward transport yourself. No one's waiting with a sign.
What travellers say
- No frills, no detours — gets you there efficiently
- Local pier landing feels genuine, avoids tourist zones
- Runs year-round daily, not seasonal or flakey
- Basic insurance takes edge off risk
- Fast enough for a morning or afternoon slot
- Loud, physically rough ride — not for sensitive spines
- No onward transport arranged from pier itself
- Weather delays or cancellations possible, especially low season
- Low-season schedule shrinks to one afternoon departure only
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works if you need a reliable, direct water crossing and don't mind a bumpy ride. It's cheaper than flying, quicker than ferries, and the daily schedule means you're not locked into a single departure. If Yao Yai is your actual destination (not just a stop), landing at the quiet northern pier is a genuine plus — you avoid the southern resort strip and dock where locals are actually moving around.
Speed boats are loud and can be rough; if you have spinal issues, cardiovascular concerns, or you're pregnant, operators actively recommend you skip it. Infants must sit on your lap for the whole crossing. The pier itself has no facilities — no café, no luggage storage, no shade. Weather can delay or cancel trips with full refunds, but that's a gamble in monsoon months. You'll need to sort your own transport from the pier to your accommodation. High season (Nov–Apr) offers three daily slots; low season drops to one afternoon run, so timing matters.
Motion sickness tablets if you're prone. Waterproof bag for phones and valuables — spray is real. Sunscreen and a hat for the wait and exposure.
one-way ticket and basic insurance.
hotel pickup, meals, accommodation transfers from the pier.
mixed daily travellers.
Nov–Apr gets crowded; consider booking ahead.
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.