Koh Tapu
The limestone pillar from the 1974 film. The most photographed site in Phang Nga Bay.
Day trip to James Bond Island
Phang Nga Bay from the water: Koh Tapu rock, canoeing between the limestone caves, the floating fishing village and a beach to finish.
Check availability and pricePrices
From 3,800 THB, when booked in advance.
Important information:
- Booking at least a day ahead, until 18:00 Thailand time. The tour runs every day.
- Free pickup areas: Patong, Kalim, Kata, Karon, Koh Kaew, Boat Lagoon, Koh Sirey, Phuket Town and Chalong.
- Pick-up times by area: Patong and Kalim 07:45–08:00 · Kata and Karon 07:15–07:30 · Phuket Town 08:15–08:30 · Chalong 07:00–07:15.
- What to bring: Swimsuit, water shoes, fins, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a waterproof case for the camera.
- The route may change according to weather and sea conditions.
The route, hour by hour
from the pier until the return
07:00–09:00, pick-up from the hotel and transfer to the pier. The pick-up time depends on the hotel's area.
09:00, check-in at the pier, a light breakfast with a hot drink.
09:30, departure by speedboat to Koh Phanak. The sailing passes between dozens of limestone cliffs rising from the water, and this is the scenery you come here for.
10:15: Canoeing at Hong Island. You paddle canoes into caves and closed lagoons inside the cliffs. A local paddler leads the boat, and you sit and take photos.
11:30: James Bond Island and Khao Phing Kan. Here you will find Koh Tapu rock, the pointed limestone pillar that appeared in the film in 1974 and gave the island its name. You go ashore, walk around and take photos.
12:30, Thai lunch at Panyee Island, a Muslim fishing village built entirely on stilts above the water.
13:50: Ice Cream Cave, a limestone cave with formations that look like streams of ice cream.
15:00: Naka Island for swimming and free time on the beach.
16:30, return to the pier and from there to the hotel.
Canoeing in the caves
A local paddler leads you into closed lagoons inside the cliffs. You sit and take photos.
Panyee Island
A Muslim fishing village built entirely on stilts above the water. Where the meal is.
Naka Island
A final stop, swimming and free time on the beach before the return.
What is worth knowing beforehand
and why is this a busy day
This is a long day: departure at 07:00 and return around 17:00. It's packed with stops, and that's part of the appeal, but it's not a relaxed day.
The sites are very popular. James Bond Island is one of the most visited sites in Thailand, and at peak hours there are many boats there. Those looking for complete quiet would prefer Hong Island in Krabi.
Canoeing is not a physical activity, there's a local paddler for each boat. This is convenient, but it's worth bringing A small tip for him; it's customary and not required.
National park fees included at the price here, and this is a point worth noting: at some products in the area they are not included and are paid in cash at the entrance.
The route changes according to the sea. On choppy days a stop is skipped or the order is changed, and this is the captain's decision.
What to wear and bring
A day on the water and in the sun
Swimsuit under your clothes and light clothes over it. You change on the boat or at the beaches.
Water shoes or shoes that can get wet. You go down to the beaches from the water, and the sand and rocks are hot.
Plenty of sunscreen, a full day in the sun with reflection off the water.
A waterproof case for the camera and phone. In the canoe and going down to the beaches, you will definitely get wet.
Those who have Your own fins and mask: worth bringing. The equipment on the boat is decent but not always your size.
When to travel and what about the weather
and is the day ever cancelled
November to April, the sea is calm and the bay is at its best. This is also the busy season, and it's worth booking ahead.
May to October: The rainy season. The bay is relatively sheltered from the open sea, so the trip runs on most days even in this season.
Rain doesn't cancel it the day, most stops are scenery and boating, and rain in the area comes in short bursts.
Rough seas do cancel it. In that case you get an alternative date or a full refund, and this does not count as a cancellation on your part.
Booking at least a day ahead, until 18:00 Thailand time.
Who this suits
and what are the alternatives
This suits those who want to see Phang Nga Bay, the view everyone knows from the pictures, and it really does look like that.
Family friendly, the stops are short and varied, and the canoeing is sitting, not effort.
Less suitable for those looking for a quiet day or empty beaches. This is a busy day at popular sites.
Those who want the same area Self-driving, the jet ski tour departs to the same bay, and it's a fully active half day.
and those looking for Snorkelling and beaches than scenery, the Racha and Coral Islands or Koh Phi Phi are different days, and they have their own pages.
The floating fishing village
The stop people remember after the view is forgotten
Panyee Island It is a Muslim fishing village built entirely on stilts above the water, in the shadow of a giant limestone cliff. It has existed there since the 18th century.
about 1,500 residents live there one thousand five hundred residents, and it is a fully active village: a school, a mosque, a clinic and shops, all on stilts above the sea.
and this is the most famous thing there: a floating football field. The village children built it themselves from wood scraps after the 1986 World Cup, because they had no dry land to play on. Since then they have become a successful local youth team.
The meal is served at A restaurant on the water in the village, and it's Thai and served as shared dishes.
In the village there is Stalls and souvenirs, and they are a central source of income. Bargaining is customary, and the prices there are reasonable.
This is a residential village, not a tourist site, so people are photographed only with permission, respecting the local modesty norms there.
On stilts
A whole village above the water in the shadow of a limestone cliff, existing since the 18th century.
A floating pitch
The village children built it from wood scraps after the 1986 World Cup.
A meal on the water
A restaurant in the village, shared Thai dishes.
Residential village
People are photographed only with permission, respecting local modesty norms.
Gallery
Photo gallery
Frequently asked questions
What to know before you book
What is Koh Panyee?
A Muslim fishing village built entirely on stilts above the water, existing since the 18th century. About 1,500 residents live there, and it has a school, a mosque, a clinic and shops.
Is it true there's a floating football field there?
Yes. The village children built it from wood scraps after the 1986 World Cup, because they had no dry land to play on.
Can you take photos in the village?
the place, yes. People: only with permission. This is a residential village, not a tourist site.
Why is the island called James Bond?
Koh Tapu rock, the pointed limestone pillar at the site, appeared in the 1974 film and the name stuck. The official name is Khao Phing Kan.
Is the national park fee included?
Yes, at the price here they are included. Note that at some products in the area they are not included and are paid in cash at the entrance.
Does the canoeing require effort?
No. There's a local paddler for each boat, you sit and take photos. A small tip for him is customary but not required.
How long does the day last?
Full day. Pick-up from the hotel between 07:00 and 09:00 depending on the area, and return around 17:00.
Where is the pickup from?
Patong, Kalim, Kata, Karon, Koh Kaew, Boat Lagoon, Koh Sirey, Phuket Town and Chalong, at no extra cost. Times: Patong and Kalim 07:45, Kata and Karon 07:15, Phuket Town 08:15, Chalong 07:00.
What does the price include?
Transfers, speedboat, guide, canoe with a paddler, lunch, water and drinks, life jackets, national park fee and accident insurance.
What should I bring?
Swimsuit, water shoes, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a waterproof case for the camera. Those who have their own fins and mask, it's worth bringing them.
What happens if it rains?
The trip goes ahead. Most of the stops are scenery and boat, and the rain in the area comes in short bursts. High seas do cancel it, and then you get an alternative date or a full refund.
Suitable for children?
Yes. The stops are short and varied, and the canoeing is sitting, not effort. The child price is 2,800 THB.
Are there a lot of people at the site?
Yes. James Bond Island is one of the most visited sites in Thailand, and at peak hours there are many boats there. Those looking for quiet would prefer Hong Island in Krabi.
Can you swim?
Yes, at Naka Island at the end of the day. The other stops are scenery, canoeing and a meal.
How far in advance should you book?
At least one day ahead, until 18:00 Thailand time.
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