James Bond Island tour by longtail boat from Phuket

Drift past the limestone towers that Hollywood made famous

A 7-hour longtail boat tour from Phuket visits James Bond Island, Koh Panyee fishing village and Thalu Island's caves, with a live English-speaking guide, lunch at a waterfront restaurant and round-trip hotel pickup from Patong, Karon, Kata or Tritrang. The tour begins at Tham Sawan Kuha Temple, where a 15-metre reclining gold Buddha sits inside a cave system, then moves to the limestone karst towers of Phang Nga Bay. Lunch and drinking water are included; life jackets and accident insurance are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

James Bond Island sightseeing tour

• Visit Tham Sawan Kuha Temple caves
• Explore James Bond Island rock formation
• See limestone karst towers at Khao Phing Kan
• Visit Muslim village on Koh Panyee
• Have lunch at Koh Panyee restaurant

The Experience

The day starts at Tham Sawan Kuha Temple, a cave complex near Phang Nga where a 15-metre gold Buddha rests in the largest chamber. A gently sloping staircase leads down into Tham Yai, the subterranean cave where the soft echo of footsteps and the limited natural light create the setting. From there, the longtail boat heads into Phang Nga Bay to the limestone towers that rose out of the water in the James Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun" — the 20-metre islet Ko Tapu sits 40 metres from Khao Phing Kan, the two connected by their own geology and by the name locals gave them: "hills leaning against each other."

Thalu Island's caves and stalactites come next, the limestone cliffs rising straight from blue water. The boat then reaches Koh Panyee, a Muslim fishing village of about 1,600 people living on the island for two centuries. Lunch happens at a restaurant on the island itself, so you eat where the community lives and works, not on a boat or back on shore. Drinking water and fresh fruit are included throughout the day.

The tour runs with a minimum of 10 people and includes round-trip transfer from Patong, Karon, Kata or Tritrang hotels; pickup from other areas (Naiharn, Rawai, Chalong, Phuket Town, Surin, Bang Tao, Airport and others) is available for an extra charge. Life jackets, a first aid kit and accident insurance are provided. The full 7 hours covers pickup, the boat time and drop-off, so plan the morning or early afternoon around that window.

What’s included

• Lunch at a waterfront restaurant on Koh Panyee.
• drinking water and fresh fruit throughout the day.
• life jacket and accident insurance.
• tour guide speaking English.
• round-trip hotel transfer from Patong, Karon, Kata or Tritrang.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Oh-Hoo

Is this one for you?The tour runs 7 hours including pickup and drop-off, with time spent on a longtail boat moving between islands and caves — a full morning or early afternoon commitment. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the pace suits all fitness levels, though the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, heart conditions or high blood pressure.

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Top questions

What is James Bond Island actually like when we get there?

James Bond Island is a 20-metre tall limestone islet called Ko Tapu, standing in the middle of Phang Nga Bay about 40 metres from the larger island Khao Phing Kan. It became famous after the 1974 James Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun" was shot there, and the rock formation looks like a giant nail driven into the seabed when you view it from a distance.

What happens at Koh Panyee and how long do we spend there?

Koh Panyee is a Muslim fishing village where about 1,600 people live permanently, descendants of settlers who arrived roughly 200 years ago. You visit the village and eat lunch at a restaurant on the island itself, experiencing the local lifestyle and community directly rather than from the boat.

Is the 7-hour duration the actual boat time or does it include pickup and drop-off?

The 7-hour duration covers the entire experience from pickup at your hotel through drop-off, so the actual time on the water is less. The boat departs from Surakul pier in Phang Nga province after you are collected from your hotel.

What is included in the tour price and what costs extra?

Lunch, drinking water, fresh fruit, life jackets, a tour guide in English, accident insurance and round-trip transfer from Patong, Karon, Kata or Tritrang are all included. The National Park entrance fee (300 THB per adult, 150 THB per child) is separate, and hotel pickup from other areas carries an extra charge of 200–300 THB per person depending on location.

Are children allowed and is there a minimum age?

Children are welcome from age 4, with a child ticket available for ages 4–11 or children under 120 cm in height. The tour requires a minimum of 10 people to run; if cancellation occurs, you will be offered an alternative date, a different tour or a full refund.