About this tour
When Jake from our BugBitten team took the Green Planet speed boat from Phuket to Ao Nang, it was a proper shortcut between two busy tourist hubs. The 80-minute journey zips you past Koh Yao Island—a quieter patch of the Andaman that most ferry passengers miss—with hotel pickup in Phuket and drop-off sorted in Ao Nang. It's a no-frills transfer that actually works: basic insurance is thrown in, and the boat moves fast enough that you're not stuck on the water for half the day. Popular with travellers who want to skip the long minibus slog.
Highlights
- Cuts travel time between Phuket and Ao Nang to just over an hour
- Koh Yao islands slip past en route—quieter corner of the Andaman
- Hotel pickup from central Phuket and drop-off in Ao Nang included
- Speed boat feels nimble compared to chunky ferries
- Basic travel insurance bundled in
- Suitable across fitness levels, though not for certain health conditions
- Full refund if weather or sea conditions force cancellation
What to expect
The boat picks you up from your Phuket hotel and gets moving quickly—no hanging about in a minibus. Once you're on the water, it's a fast-paced ride with decent views of the limestone-studded coastline and the quieter Koh Yao islands passing by. The speed means you're not seasick-prone for hours, but don't expect a leisurely cruise; this is functional transport that happens to be on water. You'll arrive in Ao Nang with enough daylight left to settle into your next spot.
Jake found the whole operation straightforward—staff handled the hotel pickups efficiently, and the boat was reasonably comfortable if you're not fussed about luxury fittings. The sea was calm the day he went, which made a real difference to the ride quality. Just bear in mind that speed boats bounce a bit when conditions aren't perfect, so it's genuinely not suitable for pregnant travellers or anyone with serious back or heart concerns.
What travellers say
- Fastest way between Phuket and Ao Nang without flying
- Hotel-to-hotel service cuts out minibus hassle
- Quieter Koh Yao islands break up the standard ferry route
- Cancellations due to weather get full refund
- Basic travel insurance included in ticket price
- Open to most fitness levels and health profiles
- Speed boats unsuitable for pregnant travellers or spinal injuries
- Remote Phuket villas and private rentals excluded from pickup
- Bouncy ride and engine noise—not restful transport
- Weather delays and cancellations possible in monsoon season
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you're moving between Phuket and Ao Nang, this is quicker and less tedious than a minibus—you skip the inland traffic entirely. It suits most fitness levels and gets you to your next hotel with drop-off included. The basic insurance is a nice touch, and cancellations mean a full refund, so bad weather isn't a financial trap.
Speed boats are loud and bouncy—not ideal if you've got spinal issues, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns. Remote Phuket villas and private rentals aren't covered by the pickup service, so city-centre hotels only. The journey's quick, but you're exposed to wind and salt spray, so bring a light jacket and don't wear your best clothes. Infants must sit on your lap the whole way. Peak season can see delays if seas are rough; check weather forecasts the night before.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a small bag for essentials. The boat holds a decent number, so it's not intimate. Book your Ao Nang hotel name in advance so drop-off goes smoothly. Departure times vary with tides and weather—confirm the night before.
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.