James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

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I don’t have the words to describe the incredible experience I had on this day trip, and I don’t have the photos to do it justice. This was one of the best things I’ve ever done on a trip, and if I can show to you just 10% of how it felt to be on it, I hope you’ll love it too.

Sailing around Phang Nga Bay


Phang Nga Bay lies in the Andaman Ocean, between two major Thai cities – Phuket and Krabi. It is accessible from both places on day tours which can be booked as group tours via the normal tour providers, or solo boat and captain hire. Booking a group tour is the cheaper option (around £50-60pp), but a solo boat provides flexibility and privacy (cost around £175-£200). Travelling to the bay takes around 1-2hrs depending on boat choice (a speedboat obviously takes less time).

Luckily for us, we stayed in Phang Nga Bay itself, at the wonderful Six Senses Yao Noi. This meant the Bay was on our doorstep, and because it is made up of 42 islands, it meant we could see a bit more than just the main highlights.

We booked a private traditional longtail boat for the day which docked at our hotel beach to pick us up. I never imagined how beautiful this day would be and I am so grateful to be able to have experiences like this.


Our first stop of the day was at a deserted beach, off of which is an incredible cave which you can walk through (with water up to waist height), until it opens up in to an epically beautiful open circle of white sand, surrounded by sheer cliff faces open to the sky, with mangroves growing in the middle. Photos can’t do it justice, I felt like I was in Tomb Raider. We had the entire thing completely to ourselves.

Approaching the beach
Exiting the cave on the other side with the mangroves round the corner

My only ‘must see’ to the captain was James Bond Island, also known as Khao Phing Kan, made famous by the film The Man with the Golden Gun. This was the only stop that wasn’t deserted but as we beat all the day trips we still managed to get there before anyone had started swimming in the water or pretending to be Halle Berry!

At this point we were peckish so we decided to stop for lunch. We pulled in to an incredible village, all on stilts above the water and had the most delicious traditional Thai Food in one of the restaurants. The village is entirely Muslim so in respect I put my jumper on (I was already in a long dress covering my knees) – though later whole boat loads of tourists rocked up walking round in thong bikinis and moaning they couldn’t buy alcohol so I’m sure it didn’t matter too much and locals are used to it.

We pulled in here, this time because I said I was hot and the captain suggested I swim immediately. It was another spot we had to ourselves, until a small group of 4 turned up with a picnic.

Sailing round the rocks to Koh Roi
The beach at Ko Roi

Our next stop was my favourite of the day – the absolutely incredible Koh Kudu. Deserted, with the most perfect white sand imaginable, it was just heaven. We lay out a mat and had some bubbly. I had to sit and pinch myself as I just couldn’t believe it was real!

Pulled in to Koh Kudu
Our view from our beach spot

Our final stop of the day was because I exclaimed how beautiful a sand drift was, so the captain docked on Sandbank Beach, on the island of Koh Yao Yai. We walked along it, completely on our own and loving every second.

After a 30 minute stroll, we were pretty overheated and didn’t have any more exploration in us (8 hours of 30 degree+ heat, climbing on and off boats, crawling through caves, wading in water, swimming and walking on sand in a nice dress meant I was a sticky hot mess), so the captain took us back to our hotel where we collapsed exhausted but so happy.


What a wonderful day. This area of the world is incredible and I feel so lucky to have seen so much of it completely to ourselves. I’m sure if I’d been on one of the big tours (up to 50-100 people per boat) it wouldn’t have been the same, so I really do recommend a private boat if you have a full day and budget to do it. This is an experience that will stay with me forever, and one of the best holiday days I’ve ever had. I hope the pictures did it some justice – stay safe and happy travelling!

43 responses to “James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay, Thailand”

  1. Gorgeous!! The beaches look pristine and the unique rock formations in the bay make for a distinctive image. I’ve actually not seen the James Bond film which features that island, but the island in of itself looks really cool! Thanks for sharing your day trip there, Han; paying a bit extra for the solo tour really paid off (pun intended)!

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    1. It was truly an incredible day, the landscape was out of this world – I just couldn’t believe it.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I loved this area too, sounds and looks like you had an amazing time. Thailand is such a special place, but I also rememberthose boats loads of drunken tourists. . Did you spend any time in Railay?

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    1. Ahh so glad you’ve seen it with your own eyes too, it’s so special isn’t it. Oh we did everything possible to avoid the huge boats of drunken tourists pulling in at each stop….luckily we were just ahead of them! No we didn’t make it to Railay – maybe next time!

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  3. Beautiful! Great post! Sounds and looks pretty wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, it was a beautiful day 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Absolutely idyllic Hannah and to have a private tour, all the better!

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    1. It really was, having those incredible places to ourselves was a true treat, for which I am incredibly grateful!

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  5. Anonymous

    Man With The Golden Gun made me a die-hard James Bond fan when I was 13. I’ve always wanted to see this area, and can’t believe I have not all these years later. I was in Bangkok with my family a year earlier, but this is nothing like I remember.

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    1. I love that – you will have to make a return visit to Thailand to experience Phuket/Krabi and James Bond Island.

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  6. Just so idyllic. This is the destination of dreams! Mel

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It really was, I wish I could go back and re-live this day!

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  7. What splendid places you visited. Special to have most of the places to yourselves. I cannot visualize the same experience forpeople who are on group trips.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree, I think it was worth the extra for an early leaving private boat, it made all the difference to the experience.

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  8. Oh my; what incredibly pristine beauty! The caves, rock formations and soft sand all look so inviting. I imagine you’ll cherish this adventure forever. The only time I’ve had a tropical beach to myself was on Molokai, and I remember it vividly. But to have so many, like you experienced – what an incredible experience!

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    1. The landscape was utterly breathtaking. Just when I thought it couldn’t get more beautiful and I couldn’t muster another WOW, we turned a corner and both happened all over again. It’ll be one of those days that as I get older I wish I could live again.

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  9. OK, now THAT was worth leaving your amazing accommodation for!

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    1. Hehe that made me laugh. We couldn’t believe it, it was EPIC.

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  10. What an incredible experience!! It was definitely worth the extra money for the private tour and once in a lifetime experience. I especially love the last pictures with your footsteps in the sand 🙂

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    1. Totally agree – it wouldn’t have been the same on a huge boat full of people. It was special sitting on the deck of the boat with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face jetting out to these deserted islands. Incredible. Hehe thank you, though I look like big foot with the size and depth of them hahahaha!

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      1. Hahhaah now that you mention big foot… Just kidding!!

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  11. Each post of the travel adventures you share is more lovely than the last! Phang Nga Bay in the Andaman Oceano looks so beautiful, Hannah…how did you ever manage to leave such splendid scenery? Thank for sharing your one day visit to this James Bond island in Thailand!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aw thank you so much Phil, it was a truly beautiful and unique place. It felt magical to visit.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Absolutely incredible! I think it would be well worth the extra cost to have the private tour and these stunning places to yourself. I may just keep your stunning pictures up all day on my computer so I can daydream about being there instead of here 🙂

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    1. Totally, it was so beautiful 🙂 Aww you’re too kind to me! Have a lovely weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Love Bond movies. Gorgeous place!

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  14. What a dreamy place! Thank you for sharing!!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. This looks amazing! These are definitely the least crowded photos I’ve ever seen of this area, so I can see what you mean about being worth the cost. It looks so calm and pristine. Also, I love your dress!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Diana, it was definitely worth an early start and extra £50 for the experience we had 🙂 And thanks so much, that’s so kind of you to say.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. […] James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay, Thailand […]

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  17. Wow, what an incredible experience! Your photos are absolutely spectacular. Phang Nga Bay looks like paradise 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. What a fun excursion! Good call on booking a private boat tour. Sounds like the timing worked out well and you didn’t have to deal with any of the crowds. The scenery looks incredible. Love your James Bond shot!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. yeah we were so lucky really to see so much to ourselves, such a wonderful day!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. So beautiful, and great to do it without a big tour group. Stunning place. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Looks gorgeous….. Wish I were there!!!

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  21. Hannah the Bond girl – you did that pose well! I can understand that it had to be an amazing experience – it looks absolutely idyllic! Koh Panyee is a beautiful village and the same with the beach at Ko Roi. Yes, your pictures are worth a thousand words! Thanks for a great tour (which meant I didn’t have to share the boat with 100 other tourists either 🙂).

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  22. Great post! Thanks for sharing

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  23. Beautiful! Glad you got there before they started swimming!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Beautiful area. We would skip the resort, way out of our budget.

    Liked by 2 people

  25. Anonymous

    Hi there,

    Who did you book the boat tour with? Heading to Phuket in February with a family of 6 – adults and teens. Looking for an affordable private tour as we’re already a fairly large group. Thanks!

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    1. Hi, our hotel actually organised this for us as it was offered as one of their day excursions at a discount for guests. It might be worth checking with yours if there’s anything they can do. Otherwise there are private charter companies like Phuket Private Boats and Simba which run tours – the longtail boat with Phuket Private Boats is the cheapest option at around £350 but I can’t verify the company as I didn’t do the excursion with them. Good luck!

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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