Phang Nga Bay
Limestone stacks rising out of the water, including the islet James Bond made famous.
Duration
6 hrs – 8 hrs
Difficulty
●●○○○
Best time
Morning departure
Open
Every day
Entry price
To confirm
The bay holds more than forty limestone islands rising vertically out of shallow water. The relief comes from an old coral reef, lifted then hollowed by water: many of the stacks are pierced by hongs, collapsed chambers reached by canoe at low tide, and only at low tide.
Koh Tapu, the needle filmed for The Man with the Golden Gun, is the most visited and the least interesting — landing is no longer allowed. The rest of the bay, mangrove and caves, is far better.
Getting there
Departures from Ao Por marina or Surakul pier in Phang Nga town. Leaving from the province costs less than the same trip sold from Phuket.
What the price covers
boat trip charged, plus the national park entry fee
What to bring
- Reef shoes
- Headlamp
- Dry bag
Rules on site
The national park fee is paid in cash to the ranger and is almost never included in the advertised price. The hongs only open at low tide: check the tide time before you pick your day.