Phang Nga Bay is the great sheltered bay north and east of Phuket, filled with hundreds of steep limestone islands. Some rise like towers straight out of the water, others hide lagoons you can only reach by sea canoe through low caves. There is a Muslim fishing village built on stilts, mangrove forests along the shore and, of course, James Bond Island. This guide covers the bay as a whole: Hong Island, Koh Panyee, Panak Island and the other stops, plus how to get there, when to go and how to choose a tour.
Phang Nga Bay at a glance
The bay lies between Phuket, the Phang Nga mainland and Krabi. Much of it is protected as Ao Phang Nga National Park. Its karst islands are made of limestone, shaped over a very long time by rain and the sea into cliffs, caves, arches and hidden inner lagoons.
The water here is fed by rivers and mangrove channels, so it is usually jade green rather than the turquoise you see at Phi Phi. The bay is also well sheltered from the open Andaman Sea, which means the boat ride is generally calmer than the crossings to Phi Phi or Racha.
Main stops in the bay
Hong Island (Phang Nga)
"Hong" means room in Thai. The hongs are collapsed cave systems inside the islands, open to the sky and ringed by cliffs, with their own mangroves and tidal lagoons. At Koh Hong in Phang Nga Bay, a local guide paddles you in an inflatable sea canoe through narrow gaps and low caves into these hidden rooms. It is quiet, green and one of the highlights of any trip to the bay.
Note: there is also a group called the Hong Islands near Krabi, with its own lagoon and beaches. It is a different place, covered in our Krabi Hong Islands guide.
Talu Island
Another island with a cave passage used for sea canoeing. Tours may go to Talu instead of Hong when the tide makes Hong's caves impassable.
Panak Island
A large island with tall cliffs and caves at sea level. Sea canoe trips paddle into some of the caves, where you may see stalactites and bats.
Koh Panyee
A fishing village built on stilts in the shelter of a huge limestone rock. It was founded by Muslim fishing families and is still home to a living community, with a mosque, a school, houses and restaurants on wooden walkways. Its floating football pitch became famous around the world. Many tours stop here for lunch. Please dress modestly in the village and ask before photographing people.
James Bond Island
Khao Phing Kan and the Ko Tapu rock pillar, famous from the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. It has its own guide: see James Bond Island.
Mangroves
The northern shore of the bay is lined with mangrove forest, crossed by channels that boats use to reach the open bay. Mangroves protect the coast and are nurseries for fish. See mangrove tours in Phang Nga.
How to get there from Phuket
Speedboat day tour
Most visitors go by speedboat from a pier on Phuket's east coast. Our James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay speedboat tour is a good example of a full day in the bay:
- Hotel pickup and transfer to the pier on the east coast.
- Panak Island.
- Sea canoeing at Hong Island, or Talu Island depending on the tide.
- Thai buffet lunch at Koh Panyee.
- James Bond Island.
- A swim at Naka Island before returning to Phuket.
The sea canoe, lunch and hotel transfer are included. The national park fee is paid on the day.
Big boats and longtails
Larger, slower boats run full-day cruises in the bay, and longtail boats can be hired from piers on the Phang Nga side. See speedboat vs longtail vs big boat.
Private charter
A private speedboat lets you set the order of stops to avoid the busiest times at James Bond Island and Koh Panyee.
Best time to visit
Phang Nga Bay is one of the few boat trips from Phuket that runs reliably in both seasons, because the bay is sheltered. November to April brings sunnier skies and better light. From May to October there can be heavy showers, but the water inside the bay usually stays calm enough for tours. Trips can still be cancelled in bad weather.
The tide shapes the day more than the season. Sea canoes can only pass through the cave entrances when the water is at the right level, and the guides plan the order of stops around it. If the itinerary changes on the day, that is usually why.
Sea canoeing tips
- A guide paddles the canoe. You sit, look up and enjoy it. You may be asked to lie back to pass under low cave ceilings.
- Keep hands inside the canoe in caves, and do not touch stalactites.
- Bring a waterproof pouch for your phone. Drips and splashes are normal.
- Canoeing is not recommended for pregnant guests or anyone with back problems.
- Tipping the canoe guide is common but optional. See tipping on boat tours.
For more detail, read kayaking in Phang Nga Bay.
Practical tips
- National park fee: most of the bay is inside Ao Phang Nga National Park, so an entrance fee applies. On our tour it is paid in cash on the day. See our park fees guide.
- Clothing: swimwear under light clothes, plus a cover-up for Koh Panyee.
- Footwear: sandals with grip for wet landings.
- Food: lunch at Koh Panyee is usually a Thai buffet with seafood and chicken. Mention dietary needs when booking.
- Swimming: the water in the inner bay is not very clear. Swims happen at beach stops such as Naka Island.
Protect the bay
- Do not touch or break stalactites or rock formations.
- Do not feed monkeys, which you may see near caves and mangroves.
- Keep noise low in the hongs, where birds and other wildlife live.
- Take all rubbish back to the boat. Plastic that enters the water collects in the mangroves.
- Respect the community at Koh Panyee. It is a home, not a museum.
Also in Phang Nga
Phang Nga province is not only the bay. Inland there is jungle, rivers and caves. Our white water rafting, flying fox and waterfall tour spends a day in the hills, including the Suwankuha cave temple. Off the east coast, the Naka Islands are a short ride from Phuket. For a full overview, read our Phang Nga Bay complete visitor guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hong Island in Phang Nga the same as the Hong Islands in Krabi?
No. Koh Hong in Phang Nga Bay is known for sea canoeing into hidden lagoons. The Hong Islands near Krabi are a separate group with a lagoon and beaches.
Do I need to paddle the sea canoe myself?
Usually not. On most tours, including ours, a local guide paddles while you sit back and enjoy the caves and lagoons.
Can I swim in Phang Nga Bay?
Swimming happens at beach stops such as Naka Island. The inner bay has greenish water and busy boat traffic, so it is not a swimming area.
Is Phang Nga Bay good in the rainy season?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable trips from Phuket between May and October because the bay is sheltered, though bad weather can still cancel a day.
What is lunch like at Koh Panyee?
Usually a Thai buffet in one of the village's stilt restaurants. Koh Panyee is a Muslim village and pork is generally not served. Tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
