Phang Nga Bay (Ao Phang Nga) fills the gap between Phuket and the mainland with shallow, jade-green water and scores of limestone islands that rise almost vertically out of it. Much of the bay has been protected as Ao Phang Nga National Park since 1981.
Many of the islands are hollow. Sea caves lead into hongs — the Thai word for “rooms” — open-roofed lagoons hidden inside the rock and reachable only by canoe at the right tide. Because the bay is sheltered, boats run here all year, which makes it the best day trip in the monsoon months.
Top things to do: Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island
James Bond Island
Khao Phing Kan and the 20-metre rock needle of Ko Tapu just offshore appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) and have been known as James Bond Island ever since. You land on a small beach, walk to the viewpoint and browse the souvenir stalls; boats may not approach Ko Tapu itself. It is crowded at midday.
Sea-cave canoeing
The real highlight. At Koh Panak and Koh Hong guides paddle inflatable canoes through low cave passages — you lie flat to pass under the rock — into silent lagoons ringed by cliffs and mangroves.
Koh Panyee
A Muslim fishing village built on stilts beside a limestone cliff, with a mosque, a school and a floating football pitch. Many tours stop here for lunch.
Evening and plankton trips
Late-departure tours explore the caves in the afternoon, stay for sunset and show you the bioluminescent plankton after dark.
How to get to Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island
- By tour from Phuket: boats leave from marinas on the north-east coast, such as Ao Po, with hotel pickup. Speedboats are quickest; big boats and cruisers are steadier and include more deck space.
- By road and longtail: some tours drive across the bridge to Phang Nga province and board longtails there, adding the Monkey Cave temple (Wat Suwan Kuha).
- Fees: a national park fee for foreign visitors (around 300 baht for adults at the time of writing) may be charged in addition.
Insider tips
- Cave access depends on the tide, so the order of stops varies from day to day. Good operators plan around it.
- Guides do the paddling on most tours. If you want to paddle yourself, look for a self-paddle kayak option.
- Bring a dry bag and expect to get a little wet.
Best tours & tickets for Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island:
Big-boat cruise with sea canoeing from €42 From Phuket: Phang Nga Bay and Canoeing Tour by Big Boat
A slower, steadier way to see Phang Nga Bay: a two-storey boat with shade and space, guides who paddle you into the hidden lagoons, a stop at James Bond Island and lunch on board. More than four thousand reviews.
- James Bond Island
- Guided canoeing into sea caves and lagoons
- Lunch and drinks on a two-deck boat
Longtail boat and sea-canoe tour from €52 Phuket: James Bond Island Longtail Boat and Sea Canoe Tour
A full day that goes into Phang Nga Bay by road and longtail rather than by speedboat from Phuket, adding the Monkey Cave temple on the way. Paddled canoes take you among the limestone islands before the stop at James Bond Island.
- James Bond Island by traditional longtail
- Sea canoeing among karst islands
- Monkey Cave temple and lunch
Speedboat tour with canoeing from €60 Phuket: 7 Wonders of Phang Nga Bay 6-Islands Tour
A full sweep of Phang Nga Bay in one day by speedboat: the limestone needle made famous by a Bond film, paddled canoes into hidden lagoons and a swim stop on Koh Yao Yai. Rated 4.8 by well over two thousand travellers.
- James Bond Island and Koh Panak
- Sea-cave canoeing at Koh Hong
- Beach time on Koh Yao Yai
Afternoon and evening canoe trip from €116 Phuket: Phang Nga Bay Bioluminescent Plankton and Sea Canoes
An afternoon-into-evening trip that reaches the sea caves after the day boats have gone. You are paddled into the lagoons, watch the sun set over the bay and, once it is dark, see the plankton glow when the water is disturbed.
- Sea caves and hongs by canoe
- Sunset in the bay
- Bioluminescent plankton after dark
Premium cruise with dinner from €138 Phuket: James Bond Island Luxury Sunset Cruise
Phang Nga Bay as a comfortable cruise rather than an excursion: a large boat with day beds and a bar, a stop at James Bond Island and dinner as the sun goes down. Rated 4.9.
- James Bond Island
- Day beds, a full bar and a DJ
- Dinner on board at sunset
