SDEKLK005: HONG ISLAND & PHANG NGA BAY

Pick up from your hotel in the Khao Lak area:
Your friendly driver and guide will pick you up before dawn at around 4:30 am. The exact time varies based on the location of your hotel and the timing of the tides. We will confirm your pick-up time with you when you book.

James Bond Island:
After arriving at the pier, hop aboard a traditional Thai Longtail boat and cruise to James Bond Island. This tourism hotspot has become infamous for overcrowding, so when you arrive, you may be shocked to see how few tourists there are, if any at all. You will have time to snap some pictures of the island made famous by the 007 movie The Man with the Golden Gun before we hop back on the boat and make our way to Hong Island.

Hong Island Canoeing:
The warm hue of the morning sun lights the way to the next island destination, Koh Hong. The first hour of light after sunrise is called the Golden or Magic Hour by photographers. Basked in the warm hue of the sun’s rays, the limestone cliffs that rise from the sea appear to glow. Magic light softens the contrast, increasing shadow detail, allowing for the opportunity to take perfectly exposed photos of one of the most beautiful regions in the world. Thanks to the precise scheduling by our Hong Island coordinator, an opening in the island appears, beckoning you to come in by canoe and witness the extraordinary beauty hidden within Hong Island.

Panak Island:
Panak is a stunning karst island waiting for you to explore! With its fascinating network of caves and caverns, this destination is a dream come true for amateur spelunkers! Some of these caves lead to sinkholes that formed over the millennia, creating hidden lagoons waiting for you to discover. Get ready to uncover the mysteries of these natural wonders as your guide takes you on a thrilling journey by foot and canoe. Embrace the opportunity to experience the beauty and mystery of Panak Island!

Lunch at Panyi Village with time to explore:
No tour of Phang Nga Bay would be complete without visiting Panyi(Panyee) Village. The residents proudly welcome visitors to their village, which appears to float on water. Currently, about 1,600 people reside in the “floating village,” all of which can trace their lineage to a few Javanese families that settled there in the late 18th century. You will dine on lunch prepared by the Panyee people, with plenty of time afterwards to explore their village, peruse their shops for souvenirs, and learn a little about their proud history and culture.

Sea Cave Canoeing:
Over the millennia, water has eroded the karst islands in Phang Nga Bay, forming countless sinkholes, caves, and caverns for us to explore today. Before returning to the pier, we’ll stop for yet another amazing sea canoeing experience to further explore more of the intricate formations that earned Phang Nga Bay World UNESCO status.

Visit a traditional Thai Buddhist temple:
On your return journey to Khao Lak, your guide will decide to visit Wat Prachum Sueksa Temple or Wat Tham Suwan Kuha Temple. Wat Tham Suwan Kuha tends to get uncomfortably overcrowded because it is a popular destination for large tour buses carrying tourists from Phuket who come to feed the resident monkeys and view the reclining Buddha statue inside the cave. Your guide will take you to Wat Prachum Sueksa for a more intimate experience if Wat Tham Suwan Kuha is going to be overcrowded. The temple grounds will be the subject of your photos at Wat Prachum Sueksa, albeit without the monkeys, not a hoard of tourists.

Visit resident monkey at a Phang Nga park:
If you have your heart set on seeing monkeys and we go to Wat Prachum Sueksa, don't worry! We have it covered. We will take you to view the monkeys at a picturesque public park in Phang Nga! Be aware that monkeys love to collect shiny things, so we highly suggest leaving loose jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, in the minivan while in the presence of monkeys.

Return to your hotel in the Khao Lak area:
Our driver and guide will have you back to your hotel around 2 pm. The exact time depends on the location of your hotel, sea conditions, and the timing of the tides. Rest assured that you will be back with plenty of time to enjoy a few hours of afternoon sun before it sets over the horizon of the North Andaman Sea.