About this tour
When Jake from our team caught the Koh Yao Sun Smile speedboat from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai, it was a straight 30-minute hop across the Andaman. The meeting point is Bang Rong Pier in Phuket town, and you'll land at Chong Lad on the northern tip of Yao Yai — a quiet island that feels properly removed from the Phuket hustle. The boat runs year-round, which is handy if you're timing a visit to that part of Phang Nga Bay. It's a no-frills transfer with basic insurance included, so expect speed and reliability, not luxury.
Highlights
- Bang Rong Pier — local, unglamorous, actual working waterfront vibe
- 30 minutes of open water between islands — proper sea time
- Chong Lad landing puts you on Yao Yai's quiet north side
- Daily service through low and high season — no seasonal guessing
- Basic travel insurance bundled in — one less thing to sort
- Speed boat pace means you're not dawdling around the bay
- No hotel pickups — keeps the headcount tight and punctual
What to expect
Jake boarded at Bang Rong, a genuine working pier without the tourist polish of main Phuket jetties. You'll check in, grab a spot on the speedboat, and head out into the Andaman. The 30 minutes is active water time — you'll feel the boat working, spray hits the sides, and the engine's loud enough you won't chat much. The ride's relatively smooth if the sea's behaving, but chop is real when weather's turned. Arrival at Chong Lad is straightforward: pier-side drop-off on Yao Yai's quieter northern shore. The whole experience is functional and stripped-back — good for people who want to move between islands without ceremony.
Timing-wise, this is a no-nonsense ferry. Expect to be there 20 minutes early, check in at the counter, and move straight to the boat. You'll share the ride with other travellers heading the same way. No frills, no guided commentary, no stops — just direct water transport. It works if your plans depend on getting to Yao Yai efficiently.
What travellers say
- Straightforward daily service — no weather roulette needed
- Functional pier-to-pier connection without tourist markup
- Insurance included — cuts through one admin layer
- Quiet north landing on Yao Yai — beats main jetties
- No hotel pickups means faster, more reliable departures
- Not suitable for spinal, cardiac, or pregnancy health situations
- You must arrange your own transport to Bang Rong Pier
- Open speedboat means sea spray and noise for 30 minutes
- Weather delays and cancellations possible — plan buffer time
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is one of the most straightforward island hops you'll make in Thailand. Daily operation means you're not chasing a specific day for weather or schedule. The north landing on Yao Yai puts you in the quieter end of the island, which suits people wanting to escape Phuket's chaos. Insurance is included, so one less admin task. Small group sizes keep it nimble — no cattle-boat experience.
No hotel pickups means you're getting yourself to Bang Rong Pier independently (taxi, rental bike, etc.) — that's on you. The boat can be rough if the sea's choppy, and it's genuinely not recommended if you have spinal issues, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns — this isn't a gentle ride. Weather can postpone or cancel departures, though refunds are automatic. Infants must sit on a lap the whole way. It's quick and efficient, but don't expect comfort amenities. Bring sunscreen, water, and accept that you'll be slightly damp from sea spray.
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.