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Updated: September 5, 2025
Phang Nga Bay is one of those landscapes that will leave you speechless. It's located in the Andaman Sea, between Krabi and Phuket, and although it doesn't attract as many tourists as other destinations in Thailand, it's just as spectacular as the famous Halong Bay in Vietnam.
Since the 1980s, it has been part of Ao Phang Nga National Park, an area of over 400 km², a protected park since 2002. Here you will find a true natural spectacle: limestone islets surrounded by turquoise waters, caves accessible only by canoe, and hidden white-sand beaches.
In this guide, I'll tell you everything there is to do in Phang Nga Bay, all the ways to get there, and lots of practical tips.
If you don't have time to read the entire article and want to play it safe, this is the tour I took. It's the most comprehensive and affordable, departing from Phuket.
What to see in Phang Nga Bay
1. James Bond Island
Its real name is Koh Khao Phing Kan, but since 1974 everyone knows it as James Bond Island, because part of the movie The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed here.
The most striking feature is Koh Tapu, a 20-meter rock rising in the middle of the bay, which has become one of Thailand's most iconic images. By the way, "koh" means island and "tapu" means nail... and it is, in fact, shaped like a nail.
In the video below, you can see James Bond arriving by plane over the bay, and if you skip to 2:33, you can see the famous duel with the rock in the background.
In addition to the typical photo with Koh Tapu behind, on the island you can visit:
- A large cave next to the pier.
- The small beach that appears in the film.
- And then there's another beach, longer and narrower, which you reach via a side path that starts on the left side of the main beach. Private boats often dock there.
🎥 Related article: 7 Movies Filmed in Thailand, with other locations from the James Bond film and others.
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2. Koh Panyee
Koh Panyee is unmistakable from the sea because of its enormous limestone rock, but what is truly striking is the Muslim village built on wooden stilts.
The village was founded in the 17th century by Malay families who couldn't afford to buy land at the time, and around 1,600 people still live there today. Although fishing is still a regular activity, tourism is now the main source of income, so you'll find countless small shops selling souvenirs, clothing, and food.
The products and prices are similar to what you can find elsewhere, but if you buy something, it's a good way to contribute to them.
Be careful with pearls, though: according to the guide I went with, many are imitation, so only buy them if you can tell them apart.
The island is quite interesting to see, with the typical places people need to live their lives. Here you'll find a school, a mosque, a small cemetery, and even a floating soccer field, which is an attraction in itself.
It's a short walk, and if you can, take a leisurely stroll. It's also often a lunch stop, and there are restaurants with terraces and views of the bay that are a luxury.
🎥 Fun factKoh Panyee and Phang Nga Bay also appear in the film Bridget Jones: Outlaws (2004), when Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant take a longtail boat ride.
3. Koh Thalu (Lod cave)
Lod Cave, on Koh Thalu Island, is one of the bay's most popular stops. Be careful not to confuse it with Tham Lot Cave, located in northern Thailand, near Myanmar.
Although there are several islands with caves in the bay, this one is special because it can only be explored by canoe. If you go by longtail boat or on an organized tour, you'll usually be taken to huge boats in front of the island, from where the canoes depart.
Canoeing is not included on some tours, but it costs just 100 baht per canoe for two people (50 baht per person, just over a euro), and it's definitely worth it.
Plus, it's effortless, because the boatman does all the paddling. If you want to try paddling, the canoe man or woman will let you have it and even take pictures. Although they don't speak much English, they're friendly.
I, of course, tried paddling, and it's quite different from kayaking. The response time is slower, and it's easy to end up going around in circles. I had a great time! 🤪
The tour takes you through several caves: some small and open to the sky, others larger with mangroves inside. At certain points, depending on the tide, you'll have to lie down inside the canoe to pass under the rocks. A very fun and different experience.
4. Wat Suwan Khuha (Monkey Cave)
Although not located within the bay, Wat Suwan Khuha is a popular stop on excursions.
This is a Buddhist temple inside a huge cave, whose main attraction is a 15-meter-high reclining Buddha. The combination of natural light entering through the openings and the dim lighting inside gives it an almost magical feel.
If you continue walking towards the back, you will find another even more impressive room: a colossal cave full of stalactites and stalagmites.
Outside lives a colony of long-tailed macaques, the same ones you see on Phi Phi or other parts of Thailand. They're very curious, but be careful when bringing food with you, because they're quick-witted and don't understand the concept of "asking permission," even if they give you an innocent look, like the one in the photo below.
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How to visit Phang Nga Bay
You have three ways to visit the bay:
1. Longtail boat
If you want to go on your own, you'll have to take a taxi or drive to one of the piers. I recommend going to one of the piers in Khlong Khian, like this one in the google link.
The price is around 1,500 baht per boat (maximum 4 people). The trip usually lasts about three hours, including three stops, although you can negotiate the length.
2. Excursion
The most convenient option: you don't have to worry about haggling with the boatman, it's more economical if you're traveling alone, and it includes more stops, a guide, transportation to the pier, and lunch.
I took this excursion from Phuket, which was very well organized, with fresh fruit, water, and lunch. The guide was also extremely friendly and entertaining.
In addition, Phang Nga Bay is one of the best visits from Phuket.
3. Private boat
If you're traveling in a group or just want to go at your own pace, you can charter a private boat from Phuket. Options start at around €200 a day, so if there are several of you, it can be a great value.
To rent a boat, I recommend this search engine , which has boats in good condition at good prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the Andaman Sea, the monsoon lasts from May to October. During these months, waves can be very high, and trips may be canceled. Cave tours (which are already narrow in good weather) are also more likely to be canceled.
So, the best time to visit the bay is from November to April, when the sea is calm and the sun is shining.
Admission to Ao Phang Nga National Park costs 300 baht (about €8) for adults and 200 baht (about €5) for children. You must pay in cash at the pier or at the start of the tour, so bring change as they don't accept cards.
Although the water looks turquoise and crystal-clear in the photos, it's actually not a good place for snorkeling because visibility is quite poor. So, you can leave your snorkel and goggles at home; I had to carry them for no reason. 😅
It's not an area with many swimming stops, but you can take a quick dip at James Bond Island.
The basics for a day at the beach: sunscreen, a hat or cap, light and comfortable clothing, flip-flops, a swimsuit, a towel, and, if you want, a change of clothes.
Most travelers visit the bay on day trips from Phuket, which is very close and a good base. Tours usually have pickups at the island's main beaches, such as Patong, Kata, and Karon. In this guide, I'll tell you which ones are the best. best areas to stay in Phuket, right there I recommend hotels for all budgets.
If you are going to move around by car, another very good option to make a base is Khao Lak, a quieter coastal town, less touristy than Phuket and with beautiful beaches.
🤑 If you want to save on your next adventure, use this link from Booking to get 15% off your stay.
Final Thoughts
Phang Nga Bay is a must-see in southern Thailand. It's a spectacular place, much less crowded than other nearby destinations, and with a landscape that looks like something out of a movie (and not just a James Bond one).
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘
More about Southern Thailand
More about Thailand
Hi, I’m Andrea, creator and author of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I write about Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. I’m a full-time traveler, passionate about good food, and always looking for new adventures.
Hello! I would like to go to Koh Panyee and spend the night there. How could I go and from where? Could you ask fishermen or local people and tell them they haven't been paying? Thank you
Hello Virginia
To go on your own, I doubt you could find a fisherman to go with.
It will have to be one of those boatmen who tour the bay.
You approach a nearby dock and ask questions, which is what I did, but it didn't work for me, that's why I went with the excursion.
Of course, keep in mind that Koh Panyee is tiny, you can explore it in less than an hour. I loved the visit, but I don't think it's worth spending the night there.
The only thing there is is the shopping area, some restaurants, the mosque, the cemetery which is very small and the soccer field.
Have a good trip!