Phang Nga Bay : Mesmerising Sunset Cruise
Hello again,
So my second blog of the Thailand series includes an amazing trip to Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island. We were very excited about this tour as Papa was also coming with us. We did a Sunset Tour of James Bond Island with Phuket Sail Tour. It was a fantastic experience. Mr Mark was always prompt in answering all questions before confirming the booking. They made sure that our father’s wheelchair also got on the board. Even the owner, Mr. Mark, personally drove him and other senior citizen couple up to the pier in his car. While we went kayaking, the staff on board took personal care of our father, so this was definitely a family-friendly and senior citizen-friendly tour. They constantly keep you busy. Even all the kayaking staff made sure that we got fabulous pictures. One major plus point was, they tried to get us away from the crowd.
We will remember this trip because as soon as we reached the principal office of Phuket Sail Tour and met the manager, he took us to meet other passengers. There, we met our Professor, Dr. Jaydeep Doshi, who was joining us with his wife and friends. Our sir was a student of our father’s, so this was totally a wonderful surprise for all of us, and the journey became more memorable with the company.
James Bond Island:
James Bond rock, by say, is known as Ko Ta Pu, which is about 22 metres tall and 4 meters wide. There is a folklore associated with it. There was a fisherman who caught a haul of fish daily. One day, he could not catch any fish and only picked up a nail. In a fury, he threw the nail back into the sea, but he got it again and again. He was frustrated, and then he cut the nail in half. The nail jumped into the sea, and that is how Ko Ta Pu was formed. Since 1981, the island has been maintained by the Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park. One remarkable thing is the island is pretty clean despite the crowds.You can avoid the crowd and go to the viewpoint by going on the stairs on the left side.
How is it named?
I am sure whoever visits the island must know, even the tour operators give Golden Gun to the tourists for the pictures…The island was shown as the villain’s hideout in the movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.
Tourist Fees
300 Baht for adults
150 baht for kids 3-14 years old.
Some tours already include these fees in the total price.
When you arrive on the island, first you will come to the leaning rock. The slanting rock is known as Koh Phing Kan. It is said that a monk modelled this amazing rock formation. A gigantic rock has been split with this colossal slanting slab, which rests on its other half. The monk kept his hand on the rock and gently let it lean on another rock.
Best timings :
It is very crowded at most times of the day, so try to come early in the morning or late afternoon. In the afternoon, after 3 pm, the place is less congested. We went there in the late afternoon, just before closing, so it was a little less crowded. The weather in Thailand is best from November to April, as it is a relatively dry season. May to October is Monsoon season with frequent storms.
Phanak Island :
Phanak Island is a part of this tour. We went there just before sunset. There are amazing lagoons with mangrove trees and incredible caves formed with bright stalactite rocks. We went there at the time of low tide, so we had to walk in the cave, and what a thrilling experience it was. You literally have to bend up to your knees to move forward at places. The guides were carrying torches, but still, the darkness above and the water beneath the feet were giving chills down the spine. If you go at the time of high tide, then you can go by kayak. When we saw a tiny opening, we tried to move forward hastily, but our guide told us that there was another narrow segment and asked us to be careful.
Finally, when we came out of the cave, it seemed there was another world, with towering mangrove trees and giant rocks all around. One rock was in the shape of a small dolphin. We also saw walking fish there, and it was beautiful. When we came out of the cave again from its entrance, we saw the sky with beautiful sunset shades… It was enchanting.
Best timings to visit Panak Island
At low tide, you have to walk through the cave, and at high tide, sometimes the entrance of the cave might be blocked. Usually, the main crowd comes during mid-day. When we went, one group was coming out. Then there was just us. But, when we came out of the cave it was already getting dark, so adjust your timings and trust your guides. You can’t stay here as there are no hotels or campsites.
Hong Island:
It is also one of the most beautiful islands with multiple caves, as the name suggests. We can go only by canoe and at specific times of day. It is the most spectacular kayaking spot, and we had our first kayaking experience here!
Within the island, we couldn’t enter into some caves as there was low tide. When you enter the cave, there is a marvellous heart-shaped canopy that definitely steals our hearts.
After our yummy traditional Thai dinner on the boat, we went around a few caves for one last time to see the remarkable bioluminescent planktons. The tiny sparkling on the water’s surface captivating site…
Points to consider:
Restrooms: They are there on James Bond Island. As we went by a big boat, we already had one on our boat.
Phone reception: all over Phang Nga Bay has good network connectivity.
Clothing:
If possible, go with swimwear under your clothes
Sandals are best as they can get wet in Koh Phanak Sail Caves and Hong Tour.
Can we go snorkelling in Phang Nga Bay?
It is not a popular activity here as the water is very muddy and dirty. Sheel went for a dip but came out immediately as the water was very murky.
Packing checklist:
- Waterproof bag and phone pouch – for your phone and essentials. Our tour operator provided us with a bag while we went kayaking.
- Sunscreen.
- Snacks & Drinks – we took some, but they were not needed actually; Phuket Sail Tour provided enough food and snacks along the entire ride.
- Insect repellent – we didn’t find any mosquitoes, but while going in a cave, it is better to apply precautionary.
- An extra pair of clothes – there are chances that your clothes might get wet during canoeing or kayaking. We wore swimming suites only so that was not a problem with us.
- Hat
- towel
Why sunset tour?
We can see the sunset at the beach from our hotel room, but nothing beats the shades of the sky when you are in the middle of the sea. If you are planning to go on a James Bond island tour, try to go at sunset.
So, this was our fruitful trip to Phang Nga Bay. It was a pleasant surprise for us, as we were travelling with our teacher and it was surreal to recollect the moments of past. See you next week with another post from the Thailand series.
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Very precise narration of all details , nice pics !! we also enjoyed the Phuket trip thoroughly.
Thank you…
Fantabulous experience.
One of if the first tried things in this amazing tour. Loved the operaters, staff ,guides – had an amazing time with the best n my favourite people 😘, also the place was overwhelmingly beautiful. I feel it was one of the best day of my Thailand tour.
Thsnks kajal ans sheel for the planning, getting us all there n make us experience one of the best things in my life 💃💃💃
Yes…It was memorable experience of a lifetime…Will cherish these memories forever.
Lovely..🥰💐
Thank you…
Stunning !
Thank you…
Mesmerising description !
Thank you…
Boht pyare lgre app sabhi or boht pyara h Island ❤️
Thank you…
Its magestic thailand ! I suppose !
wow written to perfection and detailed description to what it should contain and how to go about
Thank you sir for always encouraging us…
Beautiful !
Thank you.