Ao Nam Mao Pier Boat Schedule: Where Can You Go?
Ao Nam Mao Pier is a small dock 10 km east of Ao Nang. It connects you to Railay, the 4 Islands, Hong Island, and even Phi Phi. Boats run 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Prices start at 100 baht for a public longtail. Charters cost 1,500 baht and up. Here's the full schedule, prices, and routes in one place.
Why Bother With Ao Nam Mao Pier?
Most people skip Ao Nam Mao and head to Ao Nang Pier. But Ao Nam Mao is actually closer to Railay. It sits just 4 km from Railay East by sea — a 15 to 20 minute longtail ride.
The pier works best if you stay near Noppharat Thara or Nam Mao. It's also good if you drive yourself. Parking is easier than in busy Ao Nang.
Don't mix it up with Klong Jirad Pier in Krabi Town. Klong Jirad runs the big boats to Phi Phi and Lanta. Ao Nam Mao is smaller and focuses on shorter routes — Phra Nang Bay, the 4 Islands, and Hong Island.
Main Routes From Ao Nam Mao Pier
Here's a quick table of every route, price, and boat type:
| Route | Travel Time | Price (THB) | Boat Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railay East / Phra Nang | 15-20 min | 100-150 per person | Public longtail |
| 4 Islands (Poda, Tup, Chicken, Mor) | 30-60 min | 400-700 per person | Longtail/speedboat |
| Hong Island Lagoon | 30-45 min | 600-900 per person | Speedboat |
| Phi Phi shuttle | 45-60 min | 600-1,000 per person | Shuttle speedboat |
| Charter boat (full) | Custom plan | 1,500-3,500 per boat | Longtail charter |
These are high season prices (November to April). In low season, some operators drop prices. Always ask at the pier before buying.
Route 1: Ao Nam Mao to Railay
Going to Phra Nang and Railay East
This is the most popular route. A public longtail takes 15 to 20 minutes. Price is 100 to 150 baht per person one way. Boats leave when 8 to 10 people show up.
In high season, you wait 10 to 20 minutes. In rainy season, 30 to 60 minutes. Some days waves are too big and boats don't run. Read the longtail boat guide to see why these boats handle Krabi waves well.
How to Reach Railay West
Boats don't go to Railay West directly. Land at Railay East and walk across. The walking street takes 5 minutes — flat and easy with food stalls along the way.
Route 2: Ao Nam Mao to the 4 Islands
Charter Longtail Boat
Most 4-Island trips here use a charter longtail. The boat hops between Poda, Tup, Chicken, and Mor. Each leg takes 30 to 60 minutes. The full half-day lasts 4 to 5 hours.
A charter for 4 to 6 people costs 1,500 to 2,500 baht. For 8 to 10 people, it's 2,500 to 3,500 baht. Per person, that's about 30% cheaper than a packaged speedboat tour.
Speedboat Join Trip
No group? Join a speedboat tour for 700 to 1,000 baht per person. Lunch and drinks included. Trips last 4 to 5 hours. Speedboats are faster but louder than longtails.
Not sure which to pick? Read speedboat vs longtail boat.
Route 3: Ao Nam Mao to Hong Island
Why Speedboat Wins Here
Hong Island sits 18 km north of Ao Nam Mao. Longtails take 50 to 60 minutes. Speedboats cut that to 30 to 45 minutes. Most operators only run speedboats here.
A half-day Hong trip starts at 800 baht per person. The 300-baht park fee is separate. Full-day trips cost 1,200 to 1,500 baht with lunch and snorkel gear.
What's Special About Hong Island
Hong Island has a closed lagoon ringed by white cliffs. The water inside is bright green. You can only enter at high tide. It's perfect for kayaking.
Route 4: Ao Nam Mao to Phi Phi
Shuttle Speedboat Schedule
Shuttles run to Phi Phi 2 to 3 times a day. Usual times are 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Returns are 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Each leg takes 45 to 60 minutes.
One-way is 600 to 800 baht. Round trip is 1,000 to 1,400 baht. Book one day ahead — seats fill fast in high season. Check the public boat schedule before you plan.
Is Phi Phi From Ao Nam Mao Worth It?
Going from Ao Nam Mao saves 30 to 45 minutes vs. Klong Jirad Pier. But there are fewer trips per day. It works best if you stay near Ao Nang or Railay.
What to Know Before You Go
Schedules Aren't Fixed
Public longtails wait for the boat to fill. Add 30 to 60 minutes of buffer in rainy season. Speedboats have set times but weather can change them. Call a day before to confirm.
What's at the Pier
The pier has bathrooms, drink shops, free parking, and paid parking (50 baht/day). No proper restaurant — eat before you arrive or bring snacks.
Park Fees Are Extra
Most islands here sit inside Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park or Hong Islands Park. The fee is 40 baht for Thais and 300 baht for foreigners, separate from the boat fee. If a boat says park fees are included at a low price, be careful — they often don't pay, and you'll get charged again at the island.
Stay Safe on the Boat
Check for life jackets before boarding. Skip any boat without them. Read the Ultimate Krabi Travel Guide for more tips.
We Handle the Boat Booking from Ao Nam Mao for You
Tired of waiting at the pier for a public boat to fill? Railay Eco Tour books charter boats for you. Longtail or speedboat — your call. They leave on your schedule. No waiting for strangers.
Our guides grew up in Krabi. They know swim spots tourists never find and which reefs still have healthy coral. Every boat has life jackets and travel insurance.
For an easy half-day, check the 4 Islands Half-Day Trip. Or contact us for a private charter from Ao Nam Mao.
Quick Recap
Ao Nam Mao Pier is closer to Railay than Ao Nang Pier. From here, you can reach Railay, the 4 Islands, Hong Island, and Phi Phi. Prices start at 100 baht for a public longtail. Charter boats run 1,500 baht and up.
Key tips: check the weather, add buffer time for longtails, and bring cash for park fees. Don't want to wait? Book a charter with a local operator instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Ao Nam Mao Pier open?
The pier runs from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The last boat to Railay leaves around 5:00 PM. In high season, some go until 6:00 PM. In rainy season, evening trips often get canceled. Try to come back by 4:30 PM to be safe.
How far is the pier from Krabi Airport?
About 25 km. The drive takes 30 to 40 minutes. A taxi costs 500 to 700 baht. A private car booked ahead is 800 to 1,000 baht and includes parking.
Do I need to book the boat ahead?
Public longtails need no booking — just walk up. Charter boats should be booked 1 to 2 days ahead. Phi Phi shuttles need at least 1 day's notice, especially in high season.
How do I get to the pier from Ao Nang?
White songthaews run from Ao Nang for 80 to 120 baht per person. The trip takes 15 to 20 minutes. A motorbike rental is 250 baht per day. A taxi costs 300 to 400 baht.
What's the best season to use this pier?
November to April is best — calm seas, boats run on time, clear skies. May to October is rainy season with big waves. Boats sometimes don't run, especially to Phi Phi and Hong Island. Have a backup land plan if you come then.
References
-
Wikipedia: Krabi Province
-
Wikipedia: Railay Beach
-
TAT: Krabi tourism information
-
Bangkok Post: Krabi travel feature
The full day vs half day tour choice comes down to three things: time, stops, and pace. A half-day tour runs about 4 to 5 hours, perfect for tight schedules, small kids, and older travelers. A full-day tour runs about 7 to 8 hours, visits more spots, and gives better value per stop. The 4 Islands half-day trip is a great example of the shorter style. This guide compares both so you can decide fast.
Railay EcoPlanning a Krabi trip works best in this order: pick the month that matches your style, book your transport and a stay in the right zone, choose the islands and activities you really want, then book a Krabi tour operator with proper standards. This Krabi travel guide covers every step in one place, so you can plan the whole trip from a single page.
Railay EcoBefore you pay any Krabi tour operator, run these 7 checks: the company holds a tour operator license from the Department of Tourism, it has real reviews you can verify, prices clearly show what's included, boats meet safety standards with enough life jackets, guides are true locals, group size and tour type are stated clearly, and they reply fast and helpfully before you even book. If a company fails any of these, hold your money. This guide explains how to check each one, plus the warning signs that a scam is coming.
Railay EcoIs Krabi safe? Yes, it is safe for sea trips if you prepare the right way. Before you get on a boat, check 5 things: the season and weather, life jackets and boat standards, a tour with a proper tour operator license, your local guide's advice, and natural risks like currents and jellyfish. This guide walks you through each one. Lots of families planning a Krabi trip ask the same questions. Can my kids or my parents get on the boat? Will the sea be rough when we go? And how do I know the tour I book will really take care of us? We put all the answers in one place, based on years of running tours here. Read this once and you can plan the rest of your trip with confidence.
Railay Ecoใบอนุญาตทัวร์คือใบอนุญาตประกอบธุรกิจนำเที่ยวที่ออกโดยกรมการท่องเที่ยว กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา ทัวร์ที่มีใบนี้แปลว่ารัฐรับรองว่าทำธุรกิจถูกต้อง มีหลักประกัน และตรวจสอบย้อนหลังได้ถ้าเกิดปัญหา บทความนี้อธิบายว่าใบอนุญาตคืออะไร ใครออกให้ ทำไมสำคัญ และวิธีเช็กก่อนจ่ายเงิน
Railay EcoSustainable tourism in Krabi starts with you. Pick a licensed operator, don't touch or step on coral, use reef-safe sunscreen, take your trash back, and support local people. These small choices add up. Together they help keep Krabi's sea and forests beautiful for the people who come after you. This guide covers the real things a traveler can do, plus why each one matters.
Railay Eco