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Koh Phi Phi's limestone cliffs and busy beach bars give way to rubber plantations, quiet roads and wide, empty shores on Koh Yao Yai. The island lies in Phang Nga Bay, in the Ko Yao district of Ao Phang-nga National Park, and about 90 percent of its people are Muslim.[1] You reach it by boat, and the crossing is part of the pleasure: you pass the Phang Nga Bay islets with the Phi Phi cliffs shrinking behind you.
Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai by Speedboat
A direct speedboat runs from Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai. The crossing takes from about 1 hour 40 minutes, longer in a choppy sea. On booking platforms a seat costs about $36 (October 2026).[2] Book ahead, because this is a small service and not a hop-on ferry.
The speedboat saves you the detour through Phuket or Krabi. Bring a dry bag for your luggage on windy days, and keep your passport and phone in a pocket.
Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai via Krabi or Phuket
If the direct boat does not suit your day, route through the mainland. The Phi Phi to Krabi ferry leaves Tonsai Pier at 10:30 and 15:30 and takes 2 hours to Klong Jilad Pier; an adult ticket costs 450 baht.[3] Boats to Koh Yao Yai leave from Thalen Pier in Ao Luek when you start from Krabi.[1]
From Phuket, up to 14 boats a day link Phi Phi and Phuket, at roughly 500 to 1,000 baht.[4] Boats to Koh Yao Yai leave Phuket from Bang Rong Pier, and Khlong Hia Pier is the most convenient, with many crossings a day: the ferry takes 40 minutes and costs 50 baht, and a speedboat takes about 30 minutes for 200 baht one way.[1]
Comparing Your Options
| Route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Direct speedboat | From about 1h 40m | About $36[2] |
| Ferry to Krabi, then boat from Thalen Pier | 2h ferry, plus the road and the crossing | 450 baht for the ferry[3] |
| Boat to Phuket, then Khlong Hia Pier | Boat, plus the road and a 40 minute crossing | 50 baht for the last crossing[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai
- Book ahead: The direct speedboat is a small service, so reserve your seat the day before.
- Check the weather: Rough seas slow the crossing and can cancel boats, especially in the rainy season. Phi Phi is at its best from November to April.[5]
- Pack light: Yao Yai is a rural island with quiet roads, so a small bag is easier to carry on and off the boat.
Timetable
| Ferry Koh Phi Phi - Koh Yao Yai $ 35.41 1h 40m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai, including current prices and schedules.
Take the direct speedboat from Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai. If it does not run on your day, take a boat to Krabi or Phuket and cross to Koh Yao Yai from Thalen Pier or Khlong Hia Pier.
The direct speedboat takes from about 1 hour 40 minutes, longer in rough seas. Routes via Krabi or Phuket take several hours.
On booking platforms a seat costs about $36 (October 2026).
Yes. Boats link Phi Phi and Phuket, and from Khlong Hia Pier in Phuket the ferry to Koh Yao Yai takes 40 minutes and costs 50 baht, while a speedboat takes about 30 minutes for 200 baht one way.
Koh Yao Yai is a quiet, rural island in Phang Nga Bay with rubber plantations and empty beaches, a calm contrast to busy Koh Phi Phi.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Tourism Authority of Thailand: Ko Yao Yai. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
- [3] Andaman Wave Master: Ferry Timetable From Phi Phi Island to Krabi. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
- [4] Tigerline Ferry & Siri Lanta: Official Timetables & Pricing Structure of Tigerline Ferry & Siri Lanta Speedboat. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] Tourism Authority of Thailand: Ko Phi Phi. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.