Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay should be at the top of everyone’s list of things to do and places to see when visiting Phuket.

The area around Phang-Nga Bay has a long history and is famed for its spectacular natural beauty, renowned for being the best in the south of Thailand.

In 1981 the area was declared National Park, covering an area of 400 sq kilometres. Of which 80% of the park is covered by Sea.

Unique features of the Bay are the sheer limestone cliffs, known as carsts that rise vertically up from the sea.

Are the most famous and well visited islands in Phangnga Bay.

Koh Phingkan is better known as James Bond Island, named so after the 1974 movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun'.

Day trips and tour boats operators from Phuket flock here daily with boat loads of tourists to see Koh Tapu.

This famous and most photographed landmark lies about 150 meters offshore from Koh Phingkan.

On arrival at James Bond island you will find stalls along the beach selling lots of little trinkets, such as jewelery and shells along with other souvenirs.Take a walk in behind the stalls, and make your way up the stairs and along the path to explore not only the beautiful scenery but the incredible rock formations as well.

Koh Pannyi

Is another very popular spot in Phang Nga Bay and one of our favorites. This scenic island is actually a floating sea gypsy village that is built on stilts above the water along-side a enormous limestone cliff.

The main industry for this Muslim village was once fishing, these days they also make a living from tourism.

During the day, tour boat operators bring boat loads of day trippers to the village, where you can enjoy a fresh seafood lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the sea or buy gifts from the many souvenir shops.

The village is located outside of the National Marine Park and is self sufficient with its own school, a health center, and a mosque.

Phang-Nga Bay has many other attractions for those interested in outdoor adventure activities such as kayaking through the spectacular and famous caves known in Thai as “hongs”.

These collapsed caved systems are open-aired cliff lined tidal lagoons connected to the outside world only through stalactite-filled tunnels.

The only way to gain access into these amazing hongs is by inflatable canoes through sea caves at low tide. Inside the hongs you will find an amazing and unique eco system which is filled with fish and bird life.

There are a few companies in Phuket that we can suggest for the best day trips to PhangNga Bay.

John Gray Sea Canoe Tour, runs a few different tours which includes Hong by Starlight or Day in the Islands, this unique eco tourism sea canoe tour offers visitors a chance to explore the famous caves around Phang-Nga Bay during the day or at night.

See reviews from other travelers who have experienced this amazing day trip from Phuket on Trip Advisor.

Simba Sea Trips, is a family run company that offers group tours and private charters to Phang Nga Bay. Guest numbers are limited to 15 people per trip, so it is advisable to book in advance. Read reviews from other travelers on Trip Advisor.

Have you ever thought of sailing around Phang Nga Bay? What a fantastic and relaxing way to spend a day or maybe a few on board a sail boat.

Did you know you can charter your own yacht to explore this fantastic area?

For the best information about sailing and yacht charter around Phang Nga, visit Yacht Charter Thailand for an independent and comprehensive guide.

Phuket Sail Tours has a range of tours available, including a sunset sail cruise, overnight cruise or Private Charter boats.

Alternatively, you can book a speed boat tour. This tour includes pick up from your hotel and return, a visit to the Pearl Farm, then onto the spectacular Hong Island and James Bond Island.

Enjoy an all inclusive lunch on Koh Pannyi before heading off for some fun activities like swimming and snorkeling at Khai Nok Island or Naka Yai Island.

We can highly recommend a day trip to Phang Nga Bay for all age groups, especially if you are traveling with kids. They will be kept busy with fun things to do and so many interesting things to see that they will want to return to the bay again and again.

If you are in search of unique wedding ideas, Phang Nga Bay is an ideal setting, with its stunning scenery as the perfect backdrop for some truly memorable photo shots of you and your loved one.

Accommodation around Phang-Nga Bay

Most of the islands in Phang Nga Bay are uninhabited, the majority of people usually stay in Phuket and take day trips or tours to the bay. If you are wanting to stay in the Bay there are some budget bungalows at Koh Pannyi or a good range of resorts on the Koh Yao Islands.

See what the weather is like live with the Koh Yao live webcam.

How to get to Phang-Nga-Bay

The easiest way to visit Phang Nga Bay is to book one of the day trip we mentioned above.

Or, you may like to hire your own boat and do your own thing. You can rent boats at one of the piers in Phuket such as Ao Por.

Or, hire a car and drive into Phang Nga Province, once there you can rent a longtail boat and driver for a personalized tour of the bay. This way you can choose where you want to go and avoid the crowds.

A day trip to Phang Nga Bay is a breathtaking and a scenic experience, that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Phuket.

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