The dry season
November to April: dry, clear days and calm water, the main season for boats to Koh Yao Noi and for canoe trips into Phang Nga Bay.
Ao Po
Marina · Pa Khlok
A quiet bay on Pa Khlok's east coast with a superyacht marina, the fastest boats to Koh Yao Noi and the starting point of Phang Nga Bay's canoe trips.
Ao Po in photographs
- Access
- Speedboats to Koh Yao Noi
- Facilities
- A superyacht marina
- Food
- A restaurant and a sunset bar
- Water sports
- Canoe trips into Phang Nga Bay
- Quiet
- No beach, no town
About Ao Po
Ao Po is a bay and village on the east coast of Pa Khlok, in Thalang, looking out over Phang Nga Bay, about 25 to 30 minutes from the airport. The name is best known for Ao Po Grand Marina and the pier beside it, where many of the island's trips to Koh Yao Noi, Koh Naka Yai and Phang Nga Bay begin.
The marina is built for big yachts: berths for boats of over 100 m, access at any state of the tide, a fuel dock, haul-out trailers and a clubhouse with a pool, gym and sauna, open daily from 08:00 to midnight. Its Port of Call restaurant serves Thai and Western food all day, and the D Deck bar looks out over the pontoons at sunset.
From here speedboats reach Koh Yao Noi in about 15 minutes, the quickest crossing from Phuket, and The Naka Island resort in 10 to 20. John Gray's Sea Canoe starts its Phang Nga Bay kayak trips at Ao Po. Away from the water the coast is quiet: mangroves, farmland and a few villas, with no beach and no town.
What is good about Ao Po
The fastest boat to Koh Yao Noi
Speedboats cross to Koh Yao Noi in about 15 minutes and to Koh Naka Yai in 10 to 20; Six Senses Yao Noi's guests usually leave from here.
A marina for big yachts
Berths for yachts of over 100 m with access at any tide, a fuel dock, 47- and 80-tonne haul-out trailers and a hardstand; the marina is open 08:00 to 24:00.
Into the hongs by canoe
John Gray's Sea Canoe takes its Phang Nga Bay trips from Ao Po into the limestone islands' caves and hidden lagoons, timed to the tide.
Port of Call and D Deck
The marina's restaurant serves Thai and Western dishes all day; its bar over the pontoons is the place for a drink at sunset.
A quiet shore
Mangroves, farmland and a few villas line the coast: there is no beach, no market and no nightlife.
Things to do at Ao Po
Ao Po. Ao Po. Ao Po.
Boat trips
Across to Koh Yao Noi
The quickest crossing from Phuket: about 15 minutes by speedboat from Ao Po to Koh Yao Noi's quiet beaches and villages.
Boat trips
The Naka Island
The resort on Koh Naka Yai is 10 minutes away by speedboat; transfers from the marina are free for its guests.
Water sports · dry season
Hong by Starlight
John Gray's Sea Canoe paddles into Phang Nga Bay's sea caves and lagoons from midday until about 20:00, with lunch on board and candlelight and glowing plankton after dark; 3,950 THB an adult in 2024.
Boat trips · dry season
Phang Nga Bay by speedboat
Some speedboat tours of Phang Nga Bay's limestone islands start from the marina.
Food and drink
Port of Call
Thai and Western dishes all day at the marina's restaurant, handy before or after a boat.
Food and drink
Sunset at D Deck
Drinks on the deck over the pontoons as the sun goes down; food comes from Port of Call.
Boat trips
Bang Rong pier nearby
The public pier at Bang Rong, about 2 km south-west, runs speedboats to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai roughly 07:30 to 17:00 for about 300 to 400 THB.
A day at Ao Po
A 15-minute speedboat crossing for a day on the island's quiet roads and beaches. Ao Po Grand Marina
Thai or Western dishes at Port of Call, or a light lunch before the canoe trip leaves.
John Gray's canoes enter the sea caves and lagoons of the limestone islands, timed to the tide.
Sunset over the pontoons and the bay from the marina's bar.
On the Hong by Starlight trip, candlelight and glowing plankton after dark; back on shore at about 20:00.
Places in Ao Po
Our picks
Ao Po Grand Marina
Marina · Ao PoA marina at Ao Po on Phuket's north-east coast, about 30 minutes' drive from the airport, with speedboats to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Naka Yai.
Bang Rong Pier
Pier · Bang RongA pier on Phuket's north-east coast, about 20 minutes' drive from the airport: the main departure point for speedboats to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.
Restaurants
Port of Call
Restaurant · Ao PoThe bar and restaurant of Ao Po Grand Marina in Pa Khlok, on the north-east coast, one of the marina's places to eat while waiting for a boat.
- The zone
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
Restaurant
Marina
Pier
Homes in Ao Po
Few homes stand by the marina itself: village houses inland, pool villas and newer estates along the roads to the coast. Across Pa Khlok, two-bedroom homes rented for about 24,000 to 109,000 THB a month in October 2026.
Ao Po through the year
The monsoon months
May to October: the bay side is sheltered from the south-west monsoon and boats keep running, but showers are frequent and tours depend on the weather.
Ao Po with children
Ao Po is a place to start a family boat trip rather than to stay: there is no beach, but Koh Yao Noi and The Naka Island are short boat rides away, and the canoe trips welcome children.
- There is no swimming beach at Ao Po.
- Koh Yao Noi is about 15 minutes away by speedboat.
- On Hong by Starlight, children aged 6 to 12 paid half price and under-6s went free (2024).
- The marina's restaurant serves Thai and Western food all day.
Getting to Ao Po and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 25–35 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 45–60 min
- From Phuket Town
- 30–45 min
Ao Po is about 25 to 30 minutes from the airport by road, at the end of the roads east through Pa Khlok. There is no public bus; come by car or taxi, or with a tour's or resort's transfer.
- By car. About 25 to 30 minutes from the airport through Pa Khlok; the marina has its own car park.
- Grab and taxis. Taxis, ride apps and private transfers bring most passengers; the island's resorts and tours usually include the ride.
- By boat. Speedboats to Koh Yao Noi (about 15 minutes) and Koh Naka Yai (10 to 20); yachts of any size can enter at any tide.
Parking. The marina has a car park, with buggies and trolleys to the pontoons.
Who will love Ao Po, and who will not
Will love it
- Superyacht owners and guests of the island resorts across the water.
- Day trippers bound for Koh Yao Noi or Phang Nga Bay's caves.
- Couples heading for a quiet island resort, or a sunset drink over the pontoons.
- Boat owners who want deep water and access at any tide.
Will not
- Beach lovers: there is no beach here.
- Night owls: the marina is the only place open late.
- Island hoppers on a budget: Bang Rong's public pier is cheaper for Koh Yao.
Tips for Ao Po
Koh Yao Noi in 15 minutes
Ao Po has the fastest crossing to Koh Yao Noi from Phuket; Bang Rong is cheaper and slower.
Confirm times on your ticket
Departure times, operators and fares change with the boat and the season; check your booking.
Leave time to check in
Arrive with a margin before the check-in time on your ticket, and pack light for boarding a tender or longtail.
Tides set the canoe trips
The caves of Phang Nga Bay can be entered only at certain tides, so canoe schedules shift from day to day.
Free transfers to The Naka Island
The resort's guests get free speedboat transfers from the marina.
Sunset at D Deck
If your boat comes back late in the day, the marina's bar is the place to wait for the light.
Questions about Ao Po
Where is Ao Po?
On the east coast of Pa Khlok, in Thalang in Phuket's north-east, facing Phang Nga Bay. It is the council's village Moo 6, about 25 to 30 minutes from the airport by road.
How do I get from Ao Po to Koh Yao Noi?
By speedboat from Ao Po, in about 15 minutes, the fastest crossing from Phuket. Check the times and fares on your ticket, as they change with the boat and the season.
How do I get to The Naka Island?
By the resort's speedboat from Ao Po Grand Marina, about 10 minutes; transfers are free for its guests. The marina is about 25 minutes from the airport.
Can superyachts berth at Ao Po Grand Marina?
Yes. The marina has berths for yachts of over 100 m, deep water with access at any tide, a fuel dock and haul-out trailers of up to 80 tonnes. It is open 08:00 to midnight.
Do Phang Nga Bay canoe tours leave from Ao Po?
Yes. John Gray's Sea Canoe starts its trips at Ao Po; the Hong by Starlight trip runs from midday until about 20:00 and cost 3,950 THB an adult in 2024, with hotel pick-up.
What is the difference between Ao Po and Bang Rong?
Ao Po is a full marina with restaurants and yacht services and the quickest boats to Koh Yao Noi. Bang Rong, about 2 km south-west, is a simple public pier with speedboats to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai for about 300 to 400 THB.
Where can I eat at Ao Po?
At the marina: Port of Call serves Thai and Western food all day, and the D Deck bar over the pontoons serves drinks with food from the same kitchen.
How much is it to rent a home near Ao Po?
Across Pa Khlok, two-bedroom homes were listed at about 24,000 to 109,000 THB a month in October 2026; one three-bedroom villa with a private mooring near Bang Rong and Ao Po asked 45,000 THB.