Phang Nga Bay from Phuket: James Bond Island and Kayaking in the Sea Caves

By Blaise Jaeger · Updated October 11, 2026

Phang Nga Bay is the most spectacular landscape of the Andaman coast: hundreds of limestone towers rising straight out of an emerald sea, with sea caves, hidden lagoons and James Bond Island. It lies between Phuket and the mainland, inside Ao Phang Nga National Park, and it is the classic day trip from Phuket.

I have seen the bay twice, from both sides. In February 2024, from above, at the Samet Nangshe viewpoint. And on March 12, 2026, by boat, on a full-day tour from Ao Por Pier with kayaking in the caves of Panak and Hong islands and a stop at James Bond Island, just before a diving cruise in the Andaman Sea. This guide is based on those two days.

Phang Nga Bay Day Trip: My Itinerary

Here is how my day went, reconstructed from the time and location of my photos:

9:30: departure from Ao Por Pier, on the north-east coast of Phuket.
Around noon: Ko Panak, kayaking through the sea caves, then a swim from the boat.
12:30 to 1 pm: Ko Hong, kayaking into the hidden lagoon.
2:15 to 2:45 pm: James Bond Island and Ko Tapu.
2:45 to 5:30 pm: slow cruise back along the cliffs of Panak.
5:30 pm: back at Ao Por.

About eight hours in total, with lunch served on board. It is a long but easy day: you sit on the boat between the stops, and the guides do the paddling.

Longtail boats on the beach next to Ao Por Pier, Phuket — Ao Por, the departure point on the north-east coast of Phuket

Ko Panak: Sea Caves by Kayak

The first stop was Ko Panak, a big limestone island riddled with caves. The big boat anchors offshore, and you get into inflatable kayaks with a local guide who paddles for you. You enter the cliff through low tunnels, sometimes lying flat in the kayak, and one of the caves is completely dark: the guide’s headlamp is the only light, until you come out into a small lagoon surrounded by vertical walls. Back on board, we jumped into the warm green water for a swim off the northern tip of the island.

Kayaking in a pitch-dark sea cave lit by a headlamp at Ko Panak, Phang Nga Bay — In the dark cave of Ko Panak

Limestone cliffs of Ko Panak in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand — Ko Panak

Big wooden tour boat with kayaks anchored at Ko Panak, Phang Nga Bay — Our boat and its kayaks at Ko Panak

Ko Hong: the Hidden Lagoon

Half an hour later, at Ko Hong, the kayak goes through a cave entrance under hanging stalactites and comes out into a “hong”, a room in Thai: a lagoon of jade water enclosed by cliffs and mangroves, open to the sky. It is the most beautiful moment of the day, and the quietest, as long as several boats do not arrive at the same time.

Cave entrance leading to the hidden lagoon of Ko Hong, Phang Nga Bay — The entrance to the lagoon of Ko Hong

Kayaking on the emerald water around Ko Hong, Phang Nga Bay — Kayaking around Ko Hong

James Bond Island

James Bond Island is the nickname of Khao Phing Kan, two leaning limestone rocks with a small beach, made famous in 1974 by The Man with the Golden Gun. The real star is Ko Tapu, the thin limestone spike that rises from the water just in front of the beach. Approaching it is forbidden to protect it, so you look at it from the shore.

The island is the busiest place in the bay: by early afternoon, longtails and speedboats unload groups one after another, and the souvenir stalls are not very charming. But walk around the rock: on the other side, a beach lies under a huge overhang, with a cave arch framing the islands of the bay.

Cave arch framing the limestone islands at James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay — The cave arch on Khao Phing Kan

Longtail boat under the eroded cliff of Khao Phing Kan, James Bond Island — Khao Phing Kan and its longtail boats

Ko Tapu limestone spire at James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay — Ko Tapu

After James Bond Island, the boat sailed slowly back south between dozens of other limestone islands, along the orange and grey cliffs of Panak. Many tours also stop at Koh Panyee, a Muslim fishing village on stilts, or at the beach of Ko Lawa. Mine did not, so check the program before booking if they matter to you.

Thai flag on the boat with limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay — Back to Ao Por through the islands

Phang Nga Bay from Above: Samet Nangshe Viewpoint

You can also see the bay without a boat. On February 3, 2024, I drove an hour north of Phuket to the Samet Nangshe viewpoint, on the mainland, with friends. The view covers the whole bay, its mangroves and its limestone islands, and it is the best place for sunrise. The road to the top is very steep: for those less courageous, like me, 4×4 pick-ups take you up from the car park.

Panoramic view over Phang Nga Bay from Samet Nangshe Viewpoint — Phang Nga Bay from Samet Nangshe, February 2024

Below the viewpoint, Hin Rom Pier is a small fishing community on the bay with seafood restaurants on stilts. We had lunch there, facing the limestone islands, and you can hire a longtail to explore the nearby mangroves.

Seafood restaurant on stilts at Hin Rom Pier facing Phang Nga Bay — Lunch at Hin Rom Pier

How to Choose Your Phang Nga Bay Tour

I booked my tour from a street agency in Patong, like most travellers. There are three main types of tours:

Big boat: what I did. Slow but stable and comfortable, with shade, lunch on board and kayaks for the caves. The best choice if you are prone to seasickness.
Speedboat: faster, so more stops in one day (often Koh Panyee and a beach), but a bumpy ride and more people at each stop.
Private longtail or speedboat: the most flexible, to arrive at James Bond Island before the crowds.

Check what is included: hotel transfer, national park fee, kayaking, lunch and which islands. You can compare tours from Phuket on GetYourGuide.

Big boat tour in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand — A big boat tour in the bay

How to Get to Phang Nga Bay

From Phuket: most boats leave from Ao Por Pier or Royal Phuket Marina, on the east coast, 45 minutes to an hour by road from Patong. Tours include the hotel transfer.
From Krabi or Ao Nang: tours also exist, but the crossing is longer. See my guide to Krabi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
By car: for Samet Nangshe and Hin Rom Pier only, as the islands are only accessible by boat.

Longtail boat in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand — A longtail boat in the bay

Best Time to Visit Phang Nga Bay

The best season is from November to April, when the sea is calm and the sky clear: in March, I had perfect weather and flat water. From May to October, the monsoon brings rain and choppier seas, but tours still run most days and the bay is less crowded. Whatever the season, the morning is the best time for James Bond Island, before the big groups.

Tips for Your Day in Phang Nga Bay

Bring a waterproof bag for your phone: you get wet in the kayak.
Wear a cap and sunscreen: there is no shade in the kayaks.
Bring cash for the national park fee if it is not included, and for a tip to the kayak guide.
Expect crowds at James Bond Island in the early afternoon.
Combine the bay with a few days in Phuket or Krabi rather than a rushed day trip.

Phang Nga Bay FAQ

Is Phang Nga Bay worth visiting?

Yes. Kayaking through the caves of Panak and into the lagoon of Hong was one of the best days of my trips in Thailand, and James Bond Island is worth seeing once despite the crowds.

How long is a Phang Nga Bay tour from Phuket?

A full day: mine left Ao Por Pier at 9:30 and came back at 5:30 pm, plus the transfer from your hotel.

Can you visit James Bond Island without a tour?

Not really: you need a boat. You can hire a private longtail at a pier around the bay, but a shared tour is simpler and cheaper.

Can you swim in Phang Nga Bay?

Yes. I swam from the boat at Ko Panak, and some tours stop at a beach. The water is warm and calm, but greener and less clear than around Koh Phi Phi.

Phang Nga Bay is the perfect day trip from Phuket. If you dive, it also pairs well with a liveaboard in the North Andaman, as I did. For the rest of the country, start with my Thailand travel guide.

To stay in Phuket before or after the tour, I compare places on Booking.com.